Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #282

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #282 

October 10th, 2023 

• Number: 282 

• Name:  Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tolfastun – Part 2 

• Location: Northwest Tuton Maug of Noldrune, southeast of Anum Taag 

• Population (approx.): 431 (Sky Guardians Aerie) 

• Brief: Over time, Tolfastun’s purpose has changed from a place of creation to a home for those who would protect the region of the twin continents from threats above and beyond the typical petty quarrels of Lords and Ladies, Clans, Tribes or Peoples, City-States and Guilds. A council of representatives of each resident Kin meet frequently to receive reports from allies, scouts, seers and spies both local and remote, weighing carefully actions they might take in response. There are Keepers in residence, but their names and numbers are unknown to the council. At the top of shortest of the three spires of upper Tolfastun is a Wayfinders Guildhouse and waypoint. The tallest spire is home to the Aerie of Tolfastun’s Sky Guardians, a large community of the short-lived Aarakocra. The winged Kin are dedicated to the council’s mission, undertaking lengthy search, scouting or spying missions which might consume the bulk of an Aarakocra’s adult life. The large community of fliers is divided into Bands, designated by a color, given a specific charter and purpose by the council at the time the Band is formed. 

• Zikeed, 7, Aarakocra, is a Sky Guardian on Tolfastun. He is tall and has colorful plumage in reds and greens. His face resembles an eagle with piercing black eyes and a vicious-looking beak. Zikeed has a nasty scar on his left temple. He wears a leather loincloth for protection. His favorite weapon is a spear that magically adds to his strength. 

• Zikeed is part of the Azure Band of Sky Guardians who live in Tolfastun. Their sole purpose is to find, locate, and preserve the Inscriptions of Light, a series of artifacts said to provide guidance on how to prevent the end of the world. Zikeed's job in the tribe is to protect the Azure Band when they venture to an area, they think conceals some Inscriptions. He is an accomplished fighter but adores soaring through the world. 

• Zikeed's best friend is Rou, 6, Aarakocra, another Guardian. They share the same duties and enjoy spending time together having an ale after a long day. Zikeed's family died when he was 2, killed by nearby bugbears in the hills. He has vowed vengeance when he can convince enough of the tribe to go after the bugbears. Zikeed is an uncle to two chicks, Yid, 2, Aarakocra, and Yac, 1. He rarely sees them as he doesn't get along with his sister, Klua. 

• Geography: The upper section of Tolfastun is the citadel (location 1 see below), divided at the top into 3 spires of differing design, height and purpose. The Aerie (location 4 see below) occupies the tallest spire, resembling a stack of disks, being level a combination of floor, courtyard, gardens and landing pad open to the skies, separated by groups of homes each housing an individual nest of the Aarakocra. The fliers can be found all about the citadel circling the spires, diving down the central shaft and then drifting upward on the hot updrafts from the underdark.