Athla Hill Country
The Athla River
A lowland river tributary that flows about twenty miles from its headwaters to its mouth. It meanders through the Athla Hill Country at a slow pace, and with no real rapids it is flat water.
Athlapoole
The Athla Hill Country has no “capital” per se, but all trade flows down to Athlapoole. It is a small town at the confluence of the Ruada Spur and Athla rivers, just south of the spur which is spanned by the Rudrae Bridge where the South Athla Trade Road meets the Serdof Road at the town itself. There was a modest sized pool formed by the currents, which was expanded somewhat by the residents to create a small harbor with a couple docks for trade traffic on the river spurs. The river road enters through an open gate in a basic wooden palisade. There is just enough danger from the Athla Hills across the river that it’s been worthwhile for the townsfolk to erect a defense, though the gate stands open and unguarded. Beside the gate is a sign reading “Gates closed from twilight to dawn.” If coming by boat one enters ‘The Poole’ where a couple other boats are tied to the small docks. The nominal ‘harbormaster’ is also a local oysterman who runs both his business and the so-called harbor from a small building on the dock. His sons do all the actual manual labor now, and he has an alarm bell on his building in case of trouble. On the west end of town a second gate stands open where the river road continues westward past Bog Mile Gap to the Beald Bridge.
In addition to the human population there is a small halfling contingent in Athlapoole as well as a dwarf family with a trading post shop. Also includes the usual blacksmith, cart wright, etc.
Key Places in Athlapoole
- Rudrae Bridge: This is a large bridge, spanning the Athla River east to west. It has 3 stone bases, with wooden spans. It was once made entirely of stone.
- The Merry Elven Lass – The single inn & pub in Athlapoole, just on the east side of the Rudrae Bridge. Of decent quality with a dining room, common room, it is a single storey structure with 6 double rooms. The house specialty drink is an oyster stout made with local freshwater oysters. Delicious, if a bit minerally.
- Longbeard’s Trading Post – Trade shop and general store of Grud ‘Longbeard’ Xentu the dwarf (mother was Ducateon outkaste). His wife and 2 daughters live and work with him.
- Herbeeth’s Locks and Security – The extended family of 9 halflings runs a small freight business,locks and fasteners (they can order) and breeds dogs for farmers, including jack russel rater dogs.
Hill Fort of Elenkaa (Ruins)
Elenkaa was a farmer-turned-warrior when her farm was destroyed and family murdered 500 years ago. She joined the posse and was taken hold of by a bloodlust frenzy when they chased down the raiders. She single handedly held off 5 of them, preventing their escape. A myriad of wounds finally took its toll, but she had had her revenge. No one remembers where she was from – one of the valleys, but she was buried here.
On her grave statue is a plaque. “Elenkaa – mother and warrior, sister and wife. Vengeance she brought on those that made her a widow, and now she can finally rest.”
- Smithy ruins:
Bog Mile Gap
Abbey of Ostenhome
Once dedicated to the ancient eastern faith view of Osten-Pallaus.
Arebor Tower (Ruins)
Briarwood Ruins/Fungal Valley
Ruins
Hamlet of Gromesby:
Village of Colchester:
Hamlet of Dilman:
