The High Ranges: The Eastern Approach

Returning to my #Southlands sandbox, The North Watch, with a #micromap considering the Eastern Approach.

In the High Ranges of the MBazha Mountains, west of the Lion Road, are a small number of communities of Dwarves. They fled west from the collapse of Haldaheim rather than south to Sebbek Sobor. Settling into the natural caverns and abandoned ancient delvings, they founded what they call the Ironmongery, the mining and refining of iron and steel being the Dwarves' stock in trade. 

Being a young and small community, the Dwarves are very protective of their holdings. A trail leads east from the Ironmongery to meet the Lion Road south of the ruins of Old North Watch. Where the Dwarves deem their eastern border to be, about two days’ travel west of the Watch, they have built a pair of forts on each side of the road, featuring battlements and an overlooking tower. Two pairs of tall slotted pillars mark the ends of a rather cunning trap. When triggered, counter-weights cause heavy steel doors to spring out of the ground, sliding up the slots in the pillars and blocking a 30 foot long section of the road. 

Then, if the Dwarves are so inclined, the contents of two hidden cisterns can be discharged to fill the space between each gate to the 20 foot height of the doors. One cistern is full of water, the other of oil. The water can be poisoned or the oil set on fire depending on the target(s) within the trap.

Map and Story Block 13

Good evening everyone. Another 5 mile square block in our continuing series:

Block 13

Scale: 1 square = 1/2 mile

Airlu, The City in the Sky, is the capital of the Rhiewk people.  The Rhiewk are tall and have feathered wings attached to their arms which magically fold back into their bodies.  The Rhiewk people have facial features similar to many of the gentler birds of the world.  The Rhiewk fly everywhere in Airlu so one of their talented magic users developed special soles that could be attached to shoes and boots.  The soles allow any humanoid race to walk in the clouds without falling.  There are a limited amount of these soles so they are carefully handled.  If one of the soles goes missing the city is shut down and no one is allowed in until the sole is found.

Airlu is quite large and the city is broken down into various areas; crafting, living spaces, government, warehouses, and the foreign market.  Each area is fenced in and patrolled by a contingent of guards and led by a captain of the militia.   The Rhiewk are a very giving race and rarely exchange money with each other.  Bartering is a large part of Rhiewk life and they are very good at it.  

The crafting area of Airlu has many specialized buildings; but perhaps the most unique building is the magical crafting facility.  This large ornate facility houses workstations of all of the crafts of the Airlu.  What makes this building extraordinary is the amount of magic that permeates every tool and anvil. All items that are going to have magic applied to them are created here. The first floor houses the tools and the second floor houses the offices of the magicians that specialize in object creation. Most finished magic items are lighter than normal due to the skill of crafters in Airlu.

The residential areas of the Airlu resemble ornate natural bird nests.  Each nest is unique and made out of a variety of natural materials.  Some of the nests are built with roofs while in others the Airlu prefer to shrug off the weather and let their nests soak.  Within each group of residences is a larger building where anyone can come in from the weather. These buildings are shared for large family gatherings, special events, etc.

Several guildhalls and the central government building are housed in the largest area.  The militia and small army also have buildings here. This building area is conveniently between the warehouses and the foreign shopping area; just in case there are any problems.  

The warehouse area is self-explanatory and the foreign market features crafts made by virtually every race on the planet.  To purchase magical items from the Airlu it is necessary to be accompanied by two members of the guard.

Text (c) 2017 Heleen Durston and map (c) 2017 Andrew Durston

The North Watch: The Old North Watch

Returning to my #Southlands sandbox, The North Watch, with a #micromap considering the Old North Watch, a tower referenced in Chapter Two. 

"Old North Watch:

About a day and half west of North Watch is a ruined tower known as Old North Watch. Built in the early years of the Lion Road, Old North Watch fell victim to a prodigious run of bad luck including raids, disease, avalanche and finally a landslide which carried away most of the surrounding village. Old North Watch was abandoned and soon after North Watch was established. The wilderness now works to reclaim the ruins. Birds nest in the single tower that remains, creatures have dug lairs in the cellars."

 

 

The remains of Old North Watch consist of the main tower, approximately 25 feet in diameter and 3 stories tall (about 40 feet to the highest point of remaining roof), and the back wall and a portion of the roof of the Great Hall. A flight of stairs connects the two. Trees stand guard over the sloping hillside which is dotted with stones, partial walls and debris poking through the heather and scrub. The main tower, under the roof, is dry enough that, unless occupied, it might serve as refuge from the elements.