Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #325

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #325 

November 22nd, 2023 

• Number: 325 

• Name: Deep Dive on an Area of Interest: Diocese of the Taq’Alay’Sut - Part 3 

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

• Population (approx.): 6,821 (Parish of Ayr) 

• Brief: The Priest-leaders of Ayr followed the breezes of the skies across Ceannar until they found a location where the ocean winds were generally soft and calm, but the cathedral of the air would be puissant versus the heaviest gales. Their search parameters reflected the dual nature of all six churches of the Taq’Alay’Sut. The element that was their god (Ayr) could be felt and delivered as both a strong force (gales, sandstorms, blinding mists and toxic gases) or a gentle force (breezes, fresh smells, life giving breath and fair traveling weather). Clerical scholars have long debated whether common spells, enchantments and rituals should incorporate what they call the hard or soft options and whether they lead to a stronger more capable church or tread along a path fraught with temptation to Corruption. Such decisions weigh on the mind of all clerics of all faiths from the patriarch of the skies to the typical village wind finders. 

• Belamin (Bel) Greenleaf, 148, male Halfling is a Cleric of Ayr. He is of average build and has small, muscular arms. He has blonde straw-like hair and autumn-brown eyes. Bel's left arm hangs uselessly by his side; this is from a disease he had as a child. He wears light blue billowing robes that have clouds embroidered in white along the bottom. He loves to use a sling because he believes Ayr guides each bullet to its target. 

• Bel has given most of his life to the temple of Ayr. When he was but twenty, he had a vision of a white stallion flying through white puffy clouds. The stallion told him, "There is more to life than the ground offers. Leap to the sky, and your true heart will be known." Bel joined the church of Ayr shortly after that. Through the years, Bel's faith has grown stronger. 

• Bel lives with his wife, Rosalie, 140, female Halfling. She is a carpenter who specializes in building tables and chairs. They have three children together: Elton, 75; Vana, 70; and Zenni, 60. They have several grandchildren. Bel and Rosalie live in a modest home within walking distance of the chapel. Bel holds daily services and has a separate room in their house for meditation. Rosalie has a workroom adjacent to the house and brings her creations to her store, The Wild Hammer.  

• Through the years, Bel has had issues with the Church of Raq (Earth) in the form of acolytes being led astray and, once, an outright attack on Rosalie's store. Bel sought guidance from Ayr during this time, was told to try the soft option and tried to 'turn the other cheek.' The store attack was the last draw, and Bel is plotting something, a hard option, that will let the members of Raq's church know there are consequences to their actions. 

• Geography: The Parish of Ayr is centered about the Cathedral of the Skies (location 5 see below) in the northwestern portion of the Diocese. It is between the Parish of Qha (location 2) and the Staplefish Bay. A spider’s web of roads connects the various church centers with each other and settlements of all sizes throughout the Diocese. The Parish of Ayr covers about 250 square miles of coastal terrain, dotted with fields, pastures and woods, rising slightly to the west (toward Flattop Hills). Bel lives in the village of Swidon (location 4 see below) on the border between the Parishes of Ayr and Raq (earth).