Cities and Towns of Aris
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:51 pm
Arstelon The capital city of the kingdom of Aris. Arstelon is an old city built high into the granite cliffs where the River Aris meets the Western Ocean. The Royal Citadel is the highest structure in the city, and its Cloud Rook tower sits atop the Grey Cliffs, commanding a strategic (and breathtaking) view of the countryside, as well as of the coastline and sea for miles. The city is protected on the landward side by massive granite walls, constructed from the stone removed from building part of the city into the cliffs. There are many catacombs beneath the city, as it was built upon the ruins of Lus, the capital of the old Minotaur Empire. Also the largest port in the kingdom, trade comes from upriver as well as from up and down the coast. The Royal Navy is small but effective, backed by wind elven privateers, and at least one sea minotaur war galleon.
Middlemarch Halfway between Arstelon and the Gate of Dorun is the town of Middlemarch. Appropriately named, this is the main stopping point for caravans and travellers making the journey to or from the North. As such, there are a considerable number of inns and taverns, catering to all races and social classes. There is much news that comes here concerning the goings on beyond the Hammerheads, and is also the premiere place to buy dwarven goods.
Bridgekeep By far the easiest crossing of the River Aris in the whole kingdom, Bridgekeep has grown into a rather large town since King Gareth the Elder first sent his Royal Engineers to build a suitable crossing there. What was a small settlement of halfling folk is now a bustling crossroads for merchants and travellers on their way from the southlands to Arstelon or the City States of the North. Still largely inhabited by the little folk, things can tend to be a bit smaller here. The rolling hills to the south of the crossing make up a rather large shire community. The bridge from which the town gets its name is still operated by a contingent of Royal Engineers, made of of humans, dwarves, a few gnomes, and at least one magus. A small number of soldiers are garrisioned here as well.
Silverbluff Located about halfway down the Silver Coast, Silverbluff is the largest of the Wind Elven cities. The majority of elven ships make their home port here, and is second only to Arstelon in terms of traded goods, even surpasing the sea traffic to Merilon, though considering most Magus' fear of the sea, that isn't surprising to those in the know. Most of the ships sail to and from the Coral Archipelago regularly, or to the Olaecian Isles, making a stop in Arstelon before returning home. There are always ships for hire, either for cargo, travel, or exploration. Though under the rule of Arstelon, the laws here are enforced by the powerful Guild of the Wind, who has its own forces to that end. There are Royal troops stationed here, but more for show, though they are responsible for landward defense.
Merilon The City of Mages. Second only in size to Arstelon, this city lies at the southern edge of the Kingdom, at the mouth of the River Lune. The only city to survive the great fall, much of the construction here is ancient, though surprisingly in excellent condition. There are many newer structures, including the famous Seven Spires, home of the only Magus school in the lands. Like Silverbluff, the city is technically under the rule of Arstelon, but in truth the Magus Council is in charge, though they have always respected the King's authority and laws.
Ironpoint Located in a valley towards the eastern end of the Hammerhead Mountains, at the mouth of the River Aris, Ironpoint is the largest source of the kingdom's metals. For its size, it outproduces most of the kingdom's other mines combined, with the help of the Dwarves, of course. There aren't many travellers there, as it is an out of the way location. Shipments leave monthly for locations downriver, ultimately ending up in Arstelon. There is a large contingent of Royal soldiers here, to protect the mining operation from any trouble, such as ogres or mountain goblins.
Greywater Just downriver of Balintree, Greywater is a small town at the fork of the River Aris and The Greywater. It serves as a waypoint for a decent amount of travelers going up and downriver, though not anything like the diversity that can be found in Balintree. Occasionally, there are a few minotaurs from the settlements to the south or some rangers from the east. The people found here are mostly human farmers or shepards. The most intriguing thing Greywater is known for, however, is the Tower of the Grey Mage, located on a small island in the Greywater. Although a bit secretive, most folks see the Grey Mage's presence as a good thing, but there are always those who are suspicious of magic.
Balintree Located on the easternmost edge of the Kingdom, along the River Aris, Balintree is the oldest and largest town in the kingdom. Serving as an outpost and jumping point for the eastern lands, it has grown into a prosperous center for explorers wishing to delve into the marshy Fens, as well as horse traders and nomads from the south, fishers from the Fen Wash, miners from Ironpoint, and loggers from the woodlands abandoned by the elves. Founded long ago, soon after the fall of the Lashan Empire, by the great and mysterious elven hero Balin, it has stood orc insurgences, famine, and civil war, and likely will survive any trouble the future may bring. The Church of Jond has one of its largest locations just east of town.
Featherwick At the northern edge of the Crickwickshire lies a small, but bustling, halfling village at the crossroads to Greywater, Balintree, and Crickwindle. Seeing so many travellers gives an economic boost to what would otherwise be a lazy hamlet. A good place to buy provisions, supplies, horses, as well as maps and other curiosities.
Crickwindle Located in the southeastern region of Aris, this town is a quiet place, part of a larger shire that runs along the eastern bank of the Greywater. Close to the source of the river, little to no boat travel comes here. Most visitors to Crickwindle are rangers, or horselords from the south on their way to Balintree. The horselords often stop to trade horn and ivory to the talented carvers who live there in exchange for smoking weeds and wool. Most who live in Crickwindle are farmers and they cultivate the best weeds in the land. There are also a great number of shepherds who tend their flocks in the green hills that cover the landscape. The halflings who live here tend to keep to themselves, and trade only with those who venture to the edge of the kingdom and seek them out.
Middlemarch Halfway between Arstelon and the Gate of Dorun is the town of Middlemarch. Appropriately named, this is the main stopping point for caravans and travellers making the journey to or from the North. As such, there are a considerable number of inns and taverns, catering to all races and social classes. There is much news that comes here concerning the goings on beyond the Hammerheads, and is also the premiere place to buy dwarven goods.
Bridgekeep By far the easiest crossing of the River Aris in the whole kingdom, Bridgekeep has grown into a rather large town since King Gareth the Elder first sent his Royal Engineers to build a suitable crossing there. What was a small settlement of halfling folk is now a bustling crossroads for merchants and travellers on their way from the southlands to Arstelon or the City States of the North. Still largely inhabited by the little folk, things can tend to be a bit smaller here. The rolling hills to the south of the crossing make up a rather large shire community. The bridge from which the town gets its name is still operated by a contingent of Royal Engineers, made of of humans, dwarves, a few gnomes, and at least one magus. A small number of soldiers are garrisioned here as well.
Silverbluff Located about halfway down the Silver Coast, Silverbluff is the largest of the Wind Elven cities. The majority of elven ships make their home port here, and is second only to Arstelon in terms of traded goods, even surpasing the sea traffic to Merilon, though considering most Magus' fear of the sea, that isn't surprising to those in the know. Most of the ships sail to and from the Coral Archipelago regularly, or to the Olaecian Isles, making a stop in Arstelon before returning home. There are always ships for hire, either for cargo, travel, or exploration. Though under the rule of Arstelon, the laws here are enforced by the powerful Guild of the Wind, who has its own forces to that end. There are Royal troops stationed here, but more for show, though they are responsible for landward defense.
Merilon The City of Mages. Second only in size to Arstelon, this city lies at the southern edge of the Kingdom, at the mouth of the River Lune. The only city to survive the great fall, much of the construction here is ancient, though surprisingly in excellent condition. There are many newer structures, including the famous Seven Spires, home of the only Magus school in the lands. Like Silverbluff, the city is technically under the rule of Arstelon, but in truth the Magus Council is in charge, though they have always respected the King's authority and laws.
Ironpoint Located in a valley towards the eastern end of the Hammerhead Mountains, at the mouth of the River Aris, Ironpoint is the largest source of the kingdom's metals. For its size, it outproduces most of the kingdom's other mines combined, with the help of the Dwarves, of course. There aren't many travellers there, as it is an out of the way location. Shipments leave monthly for locations downriver, ultimately ending up in Arstelon. There is a large contingent of Royal soldiers here, to protect the mining operation from any trouble, such as ogres or mountain goblins.
Greywater Just downriver of Balintree, Greywater is a small town at the fork of the River Aris and The Greywater. It serves as a waypoint for a decent amount of travelers going up and downriver, though not anything like the diversity that can be found in Balintree. Occasionally, there are a few minotaurs from the settlements to the south or some rangers from the east. The people found here are mostly human farmers or shepards. The most intriguing thing Greywater is known for, however, is the Tower of the Grey Mage, located on a small island in the Greywater. Although a bit secretive, most folks see the Grey Mage's presence as a good thing, but there are always those who are suspicious of magic.
Balintree Located on the easternmost edge of the Kingdom, along the River Aris, Balintree is the oldest and largest town in the kingdom. Serving as an outpost and jumping point for the eastern lands, it has grown into a prosperous center for explorers wishing to delve into the marshy Fens, as well as horse traders and nomads from the south, fishers from the Fen Wash, miners from Ironpoint, and loggers from the woodlands abandoned by the elves. Founded long ago, soon after the fall of the Lashan Empire, by the great and mysterious elven hero Balin, it has stood orc insurgences, famine, and civil war, and likely will survive any trouble the future may bring. The Church of Jond has one of its largest locations just east of town.
Featherwick At the northern edge of the Crickwickshire lies a small, but bustling, halfling village at the crossroads to Greywater, Balintree, and Crickwindle. Seeing so many travellers gives an economic boost to what would otherwise be a lazy hamlet. A good place to buy provisions, supplies, horses, as well as maps and other curiosities.
Crickwindle Located in the southeastern region of Aris, this town is a quiet place, part of a larger shire that runs along the eastern bank of the Greywater. Close to the source of the river, little to no boat travel comes here. Most visitors to Crickwindle are rangers, or horselords from the south on their way to Balintree. The horselords often stop to trade horn and ivory to the talented carvers who live there in exchange for smoking weeds and wool. Most who live in Crickwindle are farmers and they cultivate the best weeds in the land. There are also a great number of shepherds who tend their flocks in the green hills that cover the landscape. The halflings who live here tend to keep to themselves, and trade only with those who venture to the edge of the kingdom and seek them out.