Tag: briarwood
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.
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.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
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.
Rhyl General Events
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 The Grand Duchy of Rhyl.
CY 5580 Fall of Dundaria in the North – Frostfang spreads, the Lich Lord power rises. Horses of the undead, fortunately disorganized (at first), sweep south and west from the heart of old Dundaria.
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.
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 7007 The area of North Gate Garrison freed & The Red March created; Money, supplies, and manpower flow into the north to fight the Lich Lords.
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
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.
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 (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
- 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.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
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
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
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.
Greenstone Walk (Rhylan Grant; Rhyl)
Posted on August 29, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Greenstone Walk is a western location in the Territories and Fiefdoms of Rhyl of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. This Rhylan Grant fief consists of several small villages along a rivers’ edge. There are several streams through the area, and while the gold has generally been taken out of the river nearby long ago, there is a bevy of rough amethysts in the rocky terrain the springs run out of. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl.
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
+ 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:
Rulership: Council of Elders; each small settlement represented by a Hetman.
Population: 200-300 each settlement
The area has some eerie quality of roaming short mists. The inhabitants are used to leaving out offerings to The Rimbus and small faerie kin are constantly glimpsed. It is thought that the faerie use their magics to grow and replace the amethysts in the area.
Piestchulin’s Grove/Piestchulin Woodlands (Rhylan Grant; Rhyl)
Posted on August 29, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Piestchulin’s Grove is a western location in the Territories and Fiefdoms of Rhyl of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. It is one of the Rhylan Grant fiefs. They are known for their amethyst jewelry and gourmet cooks of ‘peasant fare’. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl.
Piestchulin Woodlands
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
+ 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:
Rulership: Hetman
Population: 2,000
The priest of Ezrilus, Piestchulin, settled over a thousand years ago. He and his minions (refugees he had taken in to make his cult) made a desperate stand against Orrish. The minions were half elves, elves, and humans. There was a promise to those that survived that the goddess would restore their number and they held out until only 20 were left, but drove the Orrish back into the forest. The population stays about 2000 people, all are diminutive humans with a strange faerie countenance, and 2/3 are female. They welcome half elves here. Women from here are some called ‘sirens’ they are so beautiful. It is said sometimes Ezrilus walks among them and blesses them with a celestial birth.
Spring Festival of Ezrilus
Spring festival Ezrilus has act specific to the Glade called petal, flowers, circle, something? Magic cooking, always lucky to learn fresh recipes.
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.
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:
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.