Loans & Banks: The Bank of the Silver Stacks clashes with Klyben Trading Guild (most of the money lending and loans is done through them in Rhyl). The families for the Rhylan Grants are said to have secreted fortunes and loan money locally as well.
Troubleshooters: It is said that, at least in Klyben, the trade guild has its own enforcers and a type of gang of troubleshooters. These individuals are not technically criminal, though do represent a group that operates on the fringes or even outside the law sometimes.
The University of Baratriae is still a church of the goddess Ezrilus, but the entire Town of Baratriae is centered around the university here, that deals in occult and celestial lore. The pathways that once were wonders of nature and beauty now connect dormitories and town buildings with the main library where all scholarly work is centered around.
“Knowledge takes you on a journey away from your comfort zone. Passion allows you to embrace this journey.”
Part of the Education in Rhyl is an overview of one of its own famous citizen called The Mind’s Dark Shine – covering the passions of learning and oddly the Silver Pelt ‘variant’ of Lycanthropes of the Steel Realms in the Rhyl. In Rhyl and the Feelands, Lycanthropes seems to be particularly prone to hunting and killing the undead minions of the Lich Lords. It is covered in depth at its source at the university.
Defining Ideal: The Grand Duchy of Rhyl has been "The Shield of the North" in the wars of The Noble East vs. The Broken Lands for thousands of years as well as stradling the crossroads of many powers and maintaining a tense peace. The Chronicle of Rhyl shows it first as many fiefdoms of 'The Lands of Rhylan' (CY 5500's), then a united kingdom (CY 5980), then as a duchy of the High Kings' kingdom of Gladnor (CY 6514). All citizens in the north take the pledge of Rhylan the Living.
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.
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The Mind’s Dark Shine
CY 6977The Mind’s Dark Shine is published – The observations and preachings of the luminary of Ezrilus named Tannia Lorbeltn – called “The Mindshine”. The collected work is a look into madness, lunacy, the pursuit of knowledge & enlightenment, and Lycanthropes of the Steel Realms.
Moon Vulnerable – several small volumes detailing the signs and behavior of the various types of Lycanthropes.
Seeing from The Dark: Journals of what it is like having wild animal senses and hunting as a shape shifted predator in the dark.
The Skull Moon: A treatise on hunting undead minions of the Lich Lords as a shapeshifter.
The Final Moon: An added book written by a follower in her footsteps named Magnus Ubertus on surviving and ‘curing’ lycanthropy (for the Silver Pelts).
Tannia was a druidic luminary of Ezrilus. Her collected work on her research into madness, lunacy, enlightenment, and lycanthropy in The Steel Realms is ‘The Mind’s Dark Shine’. She, in turn, was called “The Mindshine”. She was a powerful animist and shapeshifter – even capable of using some of her magic spells in shifted form! Some associate her with the increased amount of Lycanthropes in Rhyl.
Magnus Ubertus the necromancer philosopher was famous as having been cured of lycanthropy and having studied The Mind’s Dark Shine and, in essence, ‘completing’ its work. His best friend, research assistant and life partner, the half elf Justus Ballendoc, who was an adherent of Delleth. It was Just us who formalized the text to be added to Tannia’s collected works, and who taught for nearly 100 years
Warning Obscure/Hidden Knowledge is not generally available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden. DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will typically provide relevant information by check or story.
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.
Defining Ideal: The Grand Duchy of Rhyl has been "The Shield of the North" in the wars of The Noble East vs. The Broken Lands for thousands of years as well as stradling the crossroads of many powers and maintaining a tense peace. The Chronicle of Rhyl shows it first as many fiefdoms of 'The Lands of Rhylan' (CY 5500's), then a united kingdom (CY 5980), then as a duchy of the High Kings' kingdom of Gladnor (CY 6514). All citizens in the north take the pledge of Rhylan the Living.
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.
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.
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.
Warning Obscure/Hidden Knowledge is not generally available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden. DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will typically provide relevant information by check or story.