Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #353

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #353 

December 20th, 2023 

• Number: 353 

• Name:  Deep Dive of a Site and Persons Therein of of Interest: TriCounty Fairgrounds – Part 3 

• Location: Corner of Counties Berian, Claid and Ulste in the City-State of Noldrune 

• Population (approx.): 275 (Fair staff), 511 (Village of Fairwell) 

• Brief: As the years of the Fairgrounds passed, the number of athletes interested in competing and the number of sports to be hosted grew and grew. In the north, the Houses of Noldrune competed equally in both Summer and Winter sports. Here, however the winter is warm, so snow-based outdoor sports have fallen by the wayside, but indoor sports, a mix of games of skill and games of chance, continue to flourish. Unlike the entertainment venues, where the worst issues are about schedules, egos and affairs, the behind-the-scenes drama of the games is quite extensive ranging from House politics to all manner of gambling both above board and under the table. The Houses, small and large, are quite competitive bringing teams of all sizes to the games of the Summer and Winter. The former includes all manner of individual and team competitions. The City-State of Noldrune hosts official yearly games and in recent years teams representing the neighboring City-States have joined the contests. Equal parts fame and fortune might be won by the competing athletes. 

• Prielor (Prie), 40, female Half-Elf, is a Courier for The Mad Pony, a delivery service. She is short and spare, and her ink-black hair cascades down her back. Her sapphire blue eyes sparkle when a new challenge presents itself. Prie has an official uniform for her position as a Guilded Courier. As a runner in the Summer Games, she practices in some old clothes. She carries a dagger with her during running practice. As a courier, she keeps a spear handy and knows how to use a short sword. 

• Prie grew up with the joy of running and quickly became a courier in her early teens. She has always worked for The Mad Pony, specializing in riding horses and running. Prie loves to ride and helps in the stables in her free time. As a Summer games athlete, she has won several medals for the short sprints. She also participates in one long and one short-distance riding event.  

• Prie lives near the stables in Fairwell with her husband, Lork, 46, male Half-Elf. They have two children: Falkas, 7, and Darona, 5. Lork owns The Blue Stars Tavern, which is in Fairwell. He takes care of the children so Prie can travel freely. Prie's best friend is Meadow Widowsong, 40, female Human. They meet for brunch on Saturday morning and catch up on the gossip in town. 

• Geography: The outdoor games hosted by the TriCounty Fairgrounds use the pitches, ranges, fields and tracks created over the years by the Fairground staff north of the Summer Canopy. Water-based sports take place a short distance away at a nearby lake. Cross-country and forestry-oriented events, popular with House Berien, take place within the outskirts of the Lolot Forest to the west. Indoor events fill the Summer Canopy, and temporary tents as required, with popular finals (varying from year to year) and opening, closing & medal ceremonies taking place on the great stage of the Grand Canopy.