Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #5

 Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States

Jan 5th 2023 

• Number: 5 

• Name: Smuggler’s Way 

• Location: Southeastern Noldrune along the border with Taodeas 

• Population (approx.): Not Applicable 

• Brief: The east slopes of the Tuton Maug (Central Mountains) of Noldrune have long been a wild and rugged land. The population sticks toward the eastern coast, near the border with Ceannar or along the rivers leading to the seas. Thus, there has formed a corridor of badlands where the Baron of Noldrune and his Constables exert little control. Years of traverse by bandits has ground a trail into the earth through narrow mountain passes and across sparse terrain known as Smuggler’s Way. Small insular settlements dot the route filled with hardscrabble folk who ask few questions. Currently Smuggler’s Way is ruled by a gang of criminals known as the Baron’s Bastards as a number of their members haved served and been rejected by royalty in years past. 

• Geography: Smuggler’s way unofficially begins in the north of Noldune near the source of the Lanumag River on the slopes of the Tuton Maug. It extends over a hundred miles south along the foothills and then winds through mountain passes at the border of Taodeas, just east of the source of the Tauoi River, and ends on the grasslands of Taodeas.  

 

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States - #4

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States

Jan 4th 2023 

• Number: 4 

• Name: Vaitaus (Lake’s Edge) 

• Location:  Western edge of the Lanu Maug (Hills of Red Rock) overlooking Lake Loloto Pogisa. 

• Population (approx.): 500-600 

• Brief:  Vaitus is a Dwarven settlement carved into the stone of the ridges extending from the end of the Lanu Maug into the waters of Loloto Pogisa. The site is one of the larger Dwarven holds of the region, ruled by one of 4 Dwarf Lords who control the Lanu Maug. Vaitus has overlooked the lake for centuries, pre-dating the Ta’arnan Empire and perhaps several others. Given its isolated location, the inhabitents are rarely seen except by sharp-eyed travelers on the lake who spot the Dwarves on the numerous balconies carved into the cliff faces.  

• Geography:  Vaitus occupies a several hundred-foot-high spur of red rock extending into the lake. The inside has been hollowed to create numerous interconnected chambers some with windows or balconies peering out over the water. The debris from centuries of excavation forms slopes of talus from cliffside down deep under the surface. The locals think there may be doors at the base, opening on to the lake, because rarely fisherfolk have seen strange boats, apparently made of stone, traversing the water. 

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States - #3

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States 

Jan 3rd 2023 

• Number: 3 

• Name: Riverbourne 

• Location: Westernmost Noldrune where the Noldrune River begins from Lake Loloto Pogisa 

• Population (approx.): 2,300 

• Brief: Riverbourne is the westernmost settlement of Noldrune, sitting where the Noldrune river emerges from Lake Loloto Pogisa and flows north and east to Staplefish Bay forming the western border of the City-State. A variety of Kin have lived along the lake and river for centuries, the size and number of settlements ebbing and flowing with time and tide. Riverbourne is currently the largest permanent town, hosting the riverine navy that patrols the waters for the Baron protecting the local fisherfolk and traders who sail barges north and south. The sole defensive fortifications consist of a wall around the outskirts of the town, pierced by several gates, to protect vs. Mounted raiders or creatures from the mountains and plains to the south.  

• Geography: Riverbourne is spread out across both land and water, the latter via a number of permanent docks and semi-permanent floating platforms connected by wooden walkways. The dryland half of town is a fairly traditional arrangement of homes and businesses surrounding a central hall featuring a large cathedral to lake specific aspect of Vai of the Waters. Outside the walls are a number of caravan fields to support traders headed south to Taodeas and eastward. 

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States - #2

 Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States

Jan 2nd 2023 

• Number: 2 

• Name: Port Lostfort 

• Location: Northwest Noldrune where the Noldrune River meets Staplefish Bay 

• Population (approx.): 3,100 

• Brief: Port Lostfort is the northwesternmost outpost of the City-State of Noldrune, at the border with Carasta where the Noldrune River empties into the Staplefish Bay. Although founded centuries ago, Port Lostfort’s location has changed over the years as prior towns have been either washed away by frequent spring river flooding or demolished by fierce storms boiling onshort from the Bay. The numerous effective disappearances of the town lead to the prior name (now forgotten) changing to “Lostfort.” Aside from serving as a small fishing and trading harbor, the town is also the main border crossing from Noldrune to Carasta, along the coastal highway. Once the border between Carasta and Noldrune was fixed, the Baron at the time built a small keep and a number defensive fortifications along the east bank of the river. 

• Geography: Port Lostfort sits on a rise just north of where the Noldrune River turns westward toward the bay. The river delta to the west is marshy and frequently floods. Carasta and Noldrune collaborated to reinforced and expand a series of bridges across the Noldrune originally built by the Ta’arnan Empire many years ago. Lostfort Keep sits atop the rise, the driest area around, next to the highway. Walls extend along the edge of the rise, crossing the road via a great gate with adjacent towers, to encompass most of Port Lostfort. The upper city features most of the businesses and residences. Lesser industries, docks and fisherfolk occupy the land along the river below the rise. 

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States - #1

 Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States 

Jan 1st 2023 

• Number: 1 

• Name: Belladorn 

• Location: North coast of Noldrune 

• Population (approx.): 20,100 

• Brief: Belladorn is the capital of the City-State of Noldrune. Originally a small fishing village on a bay settled centuries ago, during the rise of the Ta’arnan Empire, Belladorn became an important trade and naval hub for the Empire. The village grew rapidly from town to city, with substantial fortifications surrounding the center of Belladorn, overseen from a large castle on a rise overlooking the harbor. Through strength of arms and politics, House Noldrune came to control the city and surrounding areas. Currently the rulers of the City-State, House Claid, make their home in Belladorn with relatives living in a number of Manors within the walls and nearby. 

• Geography: Belladorn is a roughly circular city with the harbor along the coast to the north and Claid Keep to the south, the inner walls stretching from the keep in great arcs to the waterfront enclosing the wealthier neighborhoods, the trading houses and government. A second lesser wall encloses the bulk of the city’s lesser neighborhoods, business, entertainment and industrial wards. Avenues exit the city to become highways heading west and east along the coast and south inland. Belladorn’s economy is centered about trade, fishing and shipbuilding, competing with the City-State of Carasta to the west to win over contracts with the great City-States to the north.
  

 #city23

 

From the Deck of a Sandship - compilation PDF now for sale!

Really cool news - the compiled version of our 5 articles for Kobold Press is now available as a single 18 page PDF (with a really cool cover, illustrations and a map of the Sandrunner) for a measly $3 here - https://koboldpress.com/kpstore/product/from-the-deck-of-a-sandship/?fbclid=IwAR1Zwnb4gNuRVCSlS8BFPFnqPZ-O4qlBBgTu6-NaHzAnp4Xw3hnkU70Gv7Y

Very cool.

Imaginary Turtles Manifest!

Summer of 2020 Heleen and I joined with a group of writers and fans of Rolemaster on Discord with plans to create a module for the upcoming Rolemaster Unlimited game systems set in the Bay of Izar region of Shadow World.

Through the fall and winter and into 2021, this lead to that and the group, now formalized as Imaginary Turtles, is working on both rules content for Against the Darkmaster and a full adventure arc to be called Falling Skies set on the new world of Ænwyld.