Tag: biz-autumnleaf
City of Saltmarch (Salt Shore, Rhyl)
Posted on September 21, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The ancient and partially ruined port city of Saltmarch is located north of the Sabarmati River mouth on the Salt Shore of the Reedbed Principality in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. The city is focused on ship building and a secondary civilian port. This is an ancient and many times razed and rebuilt town without walls and having a large sprawl. Solavia’s Landing is the primary civilian port on the Salt Shore, and Saltmarch the secondary. To the south of the city is the estuary and river mouth of the Sabarmati River, spanned by the Whitescale Bridge connecting Arbenants Port.
Rulership/Governance: {Integrity *} Mayor and some merchant organizations
- Recognized Administrative Center/Seat of Power:
- Primary Settlement Upbringing Experience: All
Population: Approx. 26,000 Humans mostly; a small enclave of dwarven crafters and a few families of half elves on the outskirts.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Quality items from the Inderood Bronzeworks in the City of Fortun are made for ships built and repaired on the Rhylian ports on Lake Caolite.
Here to can be found the home of House Narcosa, the order of Necromancers. Though seemingly connected to its presence, the large and ancient cemetery mound that was once sacred to the Pine Tribes is kept respectfully inviolate by the order – even maintained by them.
This location as a Autumnleaf Ale Houses.
Briarwood Presence: This location has the presence of a typical Rhylian Briarwood.
Crime: Though this place may have a couple local gangs, the predominant Rhylian Criminal Presence is The Dead Hand.
Initial Description:
This is…
Greater Sovereignty: {part of larger territory?}
Type: {type} (see Settlement Planning and Design in The Realms)
Governance: {model} (see Titles and Honors of The Realms)
Population: {total perm} / Transient:
Demographics:
Groups/Factions:
Primary Hospitality/Accommodations:
- {place} > Housing (long or short)/Entertainment (type)
Commerce: {commerce} (see Trade Organizations/Institutions of the Realms)
Institutions: (see institutions of The Realms)
- {inst-name} > Primary Services Secondary Services
- The White Tears Orphanage
Founding: {approximate year/age and culture of origin}
Primary Surrounding Habitat and Weather:
Roads, Streets, & Thoroughfares:
- Waste: Runs/Bins > Collection | Minor Sewers or Major Sewers
Defenses: {defensive works, fortifications, garrisons, holdouts}
- Police/Watch: | Officers:
- Constables & Detectives:
- Elite Tactical Forces: | Officers:
- Militia/Volunteers: | Officers: > War Time Only?
- Military:
Office of the Harbor Master:
> Launches x | Tenders x | Pinnace (armed) x | Cutters (armed) x
- Sr. Harbormaster:
- Jr. Harbormaster:
- Dockhands:
- Teamsters:
- Muletenders:
- Custom Agents/Inspectors:
- Marines:
Encounters & Dangers in the Area
See Encounters in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl for common potential scenarios of notable events and creatures.
- Normal Settlement Encounters > Patrols | Recruiting | Sellers | Begging | Crime
Chronicle/Facts of the Locale
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Rumors About the Locale
Rhyl Formative Events
See the Herald's Quarterly for world updates.
Rhyl Formative Events
CY 7007 The area of North Gate Garrison freed & The Red March created; Money, supplies, armaments, and manpower flow into the north to fight the Lich Lords.
CY 6514 The Grand Duchy of Rhyl is created by the High King. In exchange for the resources and organization that can be brought to bear against the now organized undead armies, the lands become part of the High King's domain.
CY 6909 The Fall of the Grand Barony of Altair from a curse by the Lich Lords. The main passage of troops and supplies from the hinterlands and nfar north to the The Grand Duchy of Rhyl is sacked by an undead army led by a ghoul king.
CY 5980 The Kingdoms of old Rhylan united settled as a single Kingdom of Rhyl to fight the Lich Lords drive south. After centuries of warfare between territories and races, the common cause of the threat to the north secures a lasting peace.
> For 3000 years, the Kingdoms of old Rhylan was the primary form of Rulership in the territory of the current Grand Duchy.
CY 5580 Fall of Dundaria in the North - Frostfang spreads, the Lich Lord power rises. Hordes of the undead, fortunately disorganized (at first), sweep south and west from the heart of old Dundaria.
CY 2330's Fall of East / Rise of the Dark Lands (Orrishai Abandoned); Refugees flee - some cross the Tolkisson Mountain Range into the 'Lands of Rhylan' that would become the Kingdoms of old Rhylan and finally.
CY 1000 (Approximately) The Dragon of Rhyl is killed and its influence ends in the area around the Great Forest of Rhyl and the surrounding territories.
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The Lodge of the Songbird (Heralds Hall of Rhyl)
Posted on September 15, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The Lodge of the Songbird is the ‘Heralds Hall’ of the Duke of Rhyl and the primary Bard & Herald Archetype order of the north. It is located in the City of Rhylan of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. It is a center of knowledge and training for the Heraldic Boreal Tradition. World Watchers are welcome here, as are any who wish to study Lores of the Steel Realms. A record of all members exists in the ducal sponsored Lodge of the Songbird, in Rhylan. There are also bardic supplies and facilities here.
A duplicate of all the heraldry, lineages and rulership of the northern heartlands has been collected and stored here for training. Most are duplicated in the Deepstone Archive of Rhylan and the Libraries of Port Towne. The traditional Law and Legal Procedures in Rhyl, Laws and Codes of the Realms, and the Freelander Way are studied by the Heralds of the lodge. Lute, harps, and guitars made with the “acoustic bronze” elements from Inderood Brozeworks and silver strings for bards in the Lodge of the Songbird from the Heraldic Boreal Tradition.
Initial Description: The Lodge of the Songbird is a large structure of white limestone, painted white and green to reflect the heraldry of the Duke of Rhyl. It contains a central college of scribes and scriveners, a dormitory (that could hold two hundred or more & supportive facilities), a library, a workshop for music and art, a visitors wing, a scholars workshop and a large arch dedicated to the 2 pillars of knowledge venerated here – Delleth and Ezrilus.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Heraldry/Symbol: The boreal chickadee (songbird of the North) with a sealed letter in its grip, half sun on the left, half moon on the right – symbolizes they operate at all times.
Greater Sovereignty: Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Type: Campus (see Settlement Planning and Design in The Realms)
Governance: Internal, Distinct – “High Boreal Heraldsmein” Annetia Ivistus (see Titles and Honors of The Realms)
Population: 300 / Transient: 100
Demographics: 90% human, visitors of all races and creeds.
Laws and Protocols of Note: Heraldic Protocols + standard Laws and Codes of the Realms
Groups/Factions: Bards, Scholars and Heralds; Although distinct in their roles and functions, these groups collaborate to ensure operations and functions are handled efficiently and with the reputation of the lodge at the forefront.
Primary Hospitality/Accommodations: Visitors quarters are spacious and lavish by most accounts. Even the dormitory is decorated with local art and heavily stylized.
- Dormitory > Housing (long term)/Entertainment (arts & crafts)
- Visitors Quarters > Housing (long or short)/Entertainment (arts & crafts, intimacy)
Commerce: Research, Scribe & Scrivening, Entertainment (music, art, dance) (see Trade Organizations/Institutions of the Realms)
Institutions: (see institutions of The Realms)
This Locale has a Office of the Herald representing the local Lord/Lady.
- This location as a Autumnleaf Ale Houses.
- Shrine of Delleth > Primary Services Secondary Services
- Shrine of Ezrilus > Primary Services Secondary Services
+ Hartwood Presence: This location leans heavily to the Wyld Faith, and has the presence of both Rhylian Briarwood and Rhylian Beastwood.
Founding: {approximate year/age and culture of origin}
Primary Surrounding Habitat and Weather:
Roads, Streets, & Thoroughfares:
- Waste: Runs/Bins > Collection | Minor Sewers or Major Sewers
Defenses: {defensive works, fortifications, garrisons, holdouts}
- Police/Watch: | Officers:
- Constables & Detectives:
- Elite Tactical Forces: | Officers:
- Militia/Volunteers: | Officers: > War Time Only?
- Military:
Heraldic Halls in Rhyl
- Ceith East (“Blade” of Ceith Grebatain)
- Ceith North (“Blade” of Ceith Grebatain)
- Ceith South (“Blade” of Ceith Grebatain)
- City of Correl (Capital of Meargensdale; Rhyl)
- City of Fortun (Rhyl)
- City of Rhylan (capital of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl)
- City of Sheffet (capital of Kopriane; Rhyl)
- City of Thunderfall (Rhyl)
- City of Twin Springs (Rhyl)
- Pine Sap Meadow (North Pines)
- Terrent’s Redoubt (Hornguard Headquarters)
- The Lodge of the Songbird (Heralds Hall of Rhyl)
Heralds in Rhyl
- Admon-Duul (Heraldic Office of House Narcosa)
- Alestren, Peace Speaker of Aerna
- Aylee, Peace Speaker of Aerna
- Belinda, Ducal Herald of the West (of Rhyl)
- Celine, Ducal Herald of the Stars (of Rhyl)
- Deane, Ducal Herald of the East (of Rhyl)
- Eastern Har-Utehn (Herald of the Har Cunetha)
- Jelcol, Ducal Herald of the North (of Rhyl)
- Naila, Peace Speaker of Aerna
- Northern Har-Utehn (Herald of the Har Cunetha)
- Sandrain, Ducal Herald of the South (of Rhyl)
- Slidell, Peace Speaker of Aerna
- Southern Har-Utehn (Herald of the Har Cunetha)
- Vivendel, Peace Speaker of Aerna
Chronicle of the Locale
Historical Chronicle Information
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Establishment of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl, fiefdom of the Kingdom of Gladnor > CY 6514
Ties With the Heralds of Rhyl: The Ducal Lineage, the Ducal Guard, the speakers for the Elven Wealds of Rhyl, locals of the Territories and Fiefdoms of Rhyl know those near them, and all those trained and dwelling in the Lodge of the Songbird know the Heralds of Rhyl
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The Transit of Western Fire is another way, though small, that The Grand Duchy of Rhyl maintains cultural connection to its ancient northern kin and political cooperation more so than other of the High King’s allies. Usually one of the Lodge of the Songbird, or person versed in Heraldic Boreal Tradition is present too. It is a great honor to be chosen for this.
Honeybark Meadows (Rhylan Grant; Rhyl)
Posted on August 29, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Honeybark Meadows is a western location in the Territories and Fiefdoms of Rhyl of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. This Rhylan Grant is home to an enclave of mixed blood halflings and faerie kin. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl.
Rulership/Governance: Unique Peerage Title: Established Rulership of the Old Rhylan Kingdoms Lineages are: The honorable Grand Vicount/Countess through the The Rhylander Compromise.
> Administrative Center (“Capital”):
- Recognized Administrative Center/Seat of Power:
- Primary Settlement Upbringing Experience: All
Population:
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
The Rhylan Grants are not divided into any further peerage hierarchy. There are no baronies, just sheriffs and knights now. The hamlets, village, town, and city Settlements are all ruled by locals. In many cases, there are one or more knighted families possessing large tracks of land and resources. A couple of these grants moved the administrative center to the lands of their personal manse, and not part of a city.
Initial Description:
This is…
Greater Sovereignty: {part of larger territory?}
Type: {type} (see Settlement Planning and Design in The Realms)
Governance: {model} (see Titles and Honors of The Realms)
Population: {total perm} / Transient:
Demographics:
Groups/Factions:
Primary Hospitality/Accommodations:
- {place} > Housing (long or short)/Entertainment (type)
Commerce: {commerce} (see Trade Organizations/Institutions of the Realms)
Institutions: (see institutions of The Realms)
- This location as a Autumnleaf Ale Houses.
- {inst-name} > Primary Services Secondary Services
+ Hartwood Presence: This location leans heavily to the Wyld Faith, and has the presence of both Rhylian Briarwood and Rhylian Beastwood.
Founding: {approximate year/age and culture of origin}
Primary Surrounding Habitat and Weather:
Roads, Streets, & Thoroughfares:
- Waste: Runs/Bins > Collection | Minor Sewers or Major Sewers
Defenses: {defensive works, fortifications, garrisons, holdouts}
- Police/Watch: | Officers:
- Constables & Detectives:
- Elite Tactical Forces: | Officers:
- Militia/Volunteers: | Officers: > War Time Only?
- Military:
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Rulership: Council of Elders; each small settlement represented by a Hetman.
Population: 200-300 each settlement
Wandering Rope Stream
This flows between the forests, going south, providing a natural eastern boundary to the meadowlands.
Wheatstrand Bridge
The only constructed crossing point over the Wandering Rope Stream.
City of Rhylan (capital of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl)
Posted on August 1, 2025 in Steel-Realms
City of Rhylan is a massive, spread out capital city that is the central hub of The Grand Duchy of Rhyl.
Initial Description:
Rhylan is a sprawling, bustling unwalled city, with a main district on an uplift topped with the Ducal Keep, two other hills (Reethedyn and Hoarthedyn) and four suburbs with obvious vineyards and orchards at its edges. Several towers can be seen from a far distance, and most of the buildings are made from white limestone, making it a dazzling sight. Lush green trees grow throughout the city, making the white limestone even more striking. There are 5 roads leading into it, each marked with a statue of a white dragon as the city’s formal boundary.
Initial Description:
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Crime: Though this place may have a couple local gangs, the predominant Rhylian Criminal Presence is The Dead Hand.
Encounters & Dangers in the Area
See Encounters in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl for common potential scenarios of notable events and creatures.
- Normal Settlement Encounters > Patrols | Recruiting | Sellers | Begging | Crime
Heraldry/Symbol:
Greater Sovereignty: Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Type: (see Settlement Planning and Design in The Realms)
Governance: “{title}” (see Titles and Honors of The Realms)
Population: / Transient:
Demographics:
Laws and Protocols of Note: + standard Laws and Codes of the Realms
Groups/Factions:
Primary Hospitality/Accommodations:
- Visitors Quarters > Housing (long or short)/Entertainment (arts & crafts, intimacy)
Commerce: (see Trade Organizations/Institutions of the Realms)
Institutions: (see institutions of The Realms)
- This locale has a Chapter House of the Narcosan Order of Necromancers in Saltmarch. They keep a low profile and are unappreciated by the Lightbringers of the High Temple of Aerna here.
- This location as a Autumnleaf Ale Houses.
- > Primary Services Secondary Services
- > Primary Services Secondary Services
+ Hartwood Presence: This location leans heavily to the Wyld Faith, and has the presence of both Rhylian Briarwood and Rhylian Beastwood.
Founding: {approximate year/age and culture of origin}
Primary Surrounding Habitat and Weather:
Roads, Streets, & Thoroughfares:
- Waste: Runs/Bins > Collection | Minor Sewers or Major Sewers
Defenses: {defensive works, fortifications, garrisons, holdouts}
- Police/Watch: | Officers:
- Constables & Detectives:
- Elite Tactical Forces: | Officers:
- Militia/Volunteers: | Officers: > War Time Only?
- Military:
This Locale has a Office of the Herald representing the local Lord/Lady; Rhylan heralds all follow the Heraldic Boreal Tradition.
- Heraldsmein:
Chronicle of the Locale
Historical Chronicle Information
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Many arches along The Red March and at many places in North Gate Garrison are equipped with the keystone of Aerna’s Rhylan Reveal to detect undead are made here in the temple of Aerna.
City of Fortun (Rhyl)
Posted on July 29, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The City of Fortun is a large (capital) city Settlement in the Barony of Cunee. The walled city is dominated by 2 tall, wide towers on the NW and SW corners – small keeps unto themselves. The wall is obviously something that came later, as a great deal of the city is actually outside of it, spreading out on the west side. The road going directly north leads to the Cunee Abbey about 3 miles away.
This locale has a Chapter House of the Narcosan Order of Necromancers in Saltmarch.
Occult/Magi Services: General Occult Services is provided here mostly by Quizmans Magusterum in Rhyl. The other Orders of Magi generally focus their efforts on supplying and defending The Red March and North Gate Garrison against the forces of The Lich Lords.
Locations of Quizmans Within Rhyl
Initial Description:
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Heraldry/Symbol:
Greater Sovereignty: Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Type: (see Settlement Planning and Design in The Realms)
Governance: “{title}” (see Titles and Honors of The Realms)
Population: / Transient:
Demographics:
Laws and Protocols of Note: + standard Laws and Codes of the Realms
Groups/Factions:
Primary Hospitality/Accommodations:
- Visitors Quarters > Housing (long or short)/Entertainment (arts & crafts, intimacy)
Commerce: (see Trade Organizations/Institutions of the Realms)
Institutions: (see institutions of The Realms)
- This location as a Autumnleaf Ale Houses.
- > Primary Services Secondary Services
- > Primary Services Secondary Services
Beastwood Presence: This location has the presence of a typical Rhylian Beastwood. This locale trains characters (elves) in the practice of the Rhylian Undead Hunters.
Founding: {approximate year/age and culture of origin}
Primary Surrounding Habitat and Weather:
Roads, Streets, & Thoroughfares:
- Waste: Runs/Bins > Collection | Minor Sewers or Major Sewers
Defenses: {defensive works, fortifications, garrisons, holdouts}
- Police/Watch: | Officers:
- Constables & Detectives:
- Elite Tactical Forces: | Officers:
- Militia/Volunteers: | Officers: > War Time Only?
- Military:
This Locale has a Office of the Herald representing the local Lord/Lady; Rhylan heralds all follow the Heraldic Boreal Tradition.
- Heraldsmein:
Encounters & Dangers in the Area
See Encounters in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl for common potential scenarios of notable events and creatures.
- Normal Settlement Encounters > Patrols | Recruiting | Sellers | Begging | Crime
Chronicle of the Locale
Historical Chronicle Information
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The Transit of Western Fire is a once-a-century symbolic journey to ‘re-light the rising sun in the east’. It travels from Merkaine’s Shrine of Shieldfire in the west, east to the start of The Red March, to the end of it, then through City of Fortun, up The White Stairs to Burning Crop. There a beacon fire is lit.