Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #328

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #328 

November 25th, 2023 

• Number: 328 

• Name: Deep Dive on an Area of Interest: Diocese of the Taq’Alay’Sut - Part 6 

• Location: Northeast corner of the City-State of Ceannar 

• Population (approx.): 7,939 (Parish of Raq) 

• Brief: Now, the Hexad Council features two known alliances; the first, Qha and Nin (Light and Fire) and the second, Aru and Raq (Earth and Dark) with Ayr and Uma (Air and Water) unaligned currently. The two pairs have put out feelers to the singletons who would match their nature (as presented previously), but Ayr and Uma have also discussed an arrangement with each other. Whether 3 groups of 2 or 2 groups of 3, the pairing of Oha and Nin currently hold a slight edge in power as Light holds the chair of the Hexad Council and the position then passes to Fire. That advantage drives the High Priests of Aru and Raq to contemplate convincing both Ayr and Uma to joint them despite the worshippers of Raq’s ongoing enmity to the followers of Ayr. Due to that friction, agents of Aru and Uma meet in secret attempting to establish common ground to form a quad to offset the opposition's three votes. But, as one might expect, agents of Qha meet with Ayr with the hopes of bringing them into a ruling coalition. They use, as one might expect, the ongoing friction between Raq and Ayr as inducement. 

• Tabi Cobblebit, 100, female Rock Gnome, is a leading cleric for the church of Raq. She is short, thin, and has a reddish hue to her skin. Her orange hair is worn short and frames her pretty face. Tabi's eyes are like shiny opals, and she enjoys giving a pronounced wink to her friends when she makes a sassy comment. She wears leather pants with shirts that are either green or brown. She wears a large, flowing dark blue cape when performing her priestly duties. Tabi likes to use a small staff when walking outside. 

• Tabi's family has always been dutiful followers of Raq. As a child, she attended a special religious school geared to becoming a cleric of Raq. When Tabi graduated, she went on a journey deep into the local caves under the citadel to meditate on what she wanted to do with her life. In the cave, Raq chose Tabi and laid out a future filled with the promise of leadership and joy. 

• Tabi lives with her husband Nesmop, 110, male Rock Gnome. They have two children: Orpine, daughter 20, and Zilpan, son 15. They all live in a cave near the temple of Raq. Tabi and Nesmop are friends with Saltix Billowback, 104, and his wife, Tatra. The two couples go on retreats together to improve their faith in Raq and each other. 

• Tabi and Imdor Illaer, 142, male Drow, Chaplain of Dark (Aru), are good friends and will meet once every two weeks to plan joint services. The two of them are planning a retreat to strengthen both their ministries in the face of the current political situation. Tabi and Eada Brightwalker, 56, Human, a cleric of Light, don't (as is their nature) understand each other. Tabi has encouraged her flock to join a raid against Eada's home and family in Swidon. 

• Geography: The Parish of Raq is bordered by the Parishes of Qha to the southwest, Ayr to the northwest and Uma to the east. It is north of the Hall of the Taq’Alay’Sut (location 4). Its capital (location 8 see below) is a citadel built into, throughout and deep into the depths below the surface of a mesa in the center of the Parish. The site boasts substantial physical defenses and not inconsiderable magical defenses as the current line of High Priests, including Tabi Cobblebit, favor the strong options for an enduring church. The Parish covers about 265 square miles of coastal terrain known for a large underground network of natural caverns and tunnels stretching from the sea up to 15 miles inland.