Tag: srlm
Saison Ale
Posted on August 27, 2024 in Steel-Realms
Saison Ale, though technically now a “type” of ale, the Saison region of Umbak has been home for thousands of years of the origins of the traditional Umbakian drink of the farmstead and traditions of the hearth – the Amarata. The Saison Fields in the NE of Umbak, where the original yeast and pears and apples are originally from in, is the uplands of Falcon Reach. With every calamity, with every natural disaster, with every war, afterwards it is a priority to stabilize, preserve and tend to the ancient orchards and grains to preserve the tradition. The Automata Brigade of Virtue and Reason is one of the care-takers of the materials, despite it not being a strictly military charge.
“Saison” Tradition
for Umbakian families, the local making of this type of ale is a traditional family practice and event that is part of their shared culture. Families and regions are known for their specific implementations of this. These are just ‘family saisons’.
“Saison” Brand
Although many ales will call themselves ‘Saison’, only the original is considered “authentic”; It is made with the secret recipe that gives it its crispness and injects it with bubbles. The bubbles are mostly lost in transport, so it cannot be shipped far. Normally it is only sold on site, or regionally in the kingdom. It is said that the Automata Brigade designed the mechanisms that inject the bubbles in a heavily guarded process.
The brewers have been known to get the finest hard glass firkins from the glassblowers of Ruary to ship their materials in to Umbakian nobles. These are send to be miraculous works that convey great wealth and station.
Saison Technology
The secret to the production of the blissful drink is well guarded by the Automata Brigade of Virtue and Reason and the knight and soldier Order’s of Umbak. They have created the Spunding Valve that enables carbonation.
The valve container is a strange metal pressure vessel about the size of a large modern bar keg – just like the wooden ones made everywhere. In Ruary, they brew carbonated drinks but without such a valve, they don’t last long and sometimes rupture. The valve allows for a more safe and longer lasting carbonation. They ferment in the pressure vessel and the valve lets off a set amount of pressure so the carbonation is maintained without the risk of blowing a seam or exploding; As it developed (and others tried to copy it) there have been many deaths and maiming. Any tours never include these operations or expose the technology to outsiders.
Mostly it is the nobility of Umbak that enjoys the benefits of their technology and crafting. It is said the Umbakians are working on a means of chilling (using Elemental Hearth Magik of Umbak), and other drinks (wines, etc.) using special glass containers from the Glassblowers and Bottlers Guild of Ruary that use the sacred waters of the Spring of Pristos.
Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray
Posted on August 24, 2024 in Steel-Realms
Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray is part of Pavecia and the North Border Principality of Umbak. On the western edge of Falcon Reach, it is on the west side of the bend in the Falcon River, but considered part of the principality. It is a town of about 800 and a commune of Aerna.
The further into the Eastern reaches of Umbak, you go, the tone gets softer with more holy places of Aerna and Whelm than of Ikribu and the patron of the kingdom – Balthazaar.
Population: 800 permanent residents (all human) + 60-80 in farming settlements outside of town.
Rulership: Maire (Mayor)
> Mayoral offices houses 5
Defenses: 20 town watch, stable + barracks for Silver Talents; can raise 60 militia in 1 day.
Services: Smithy, Stables, Bathhouse, Legal Adjudication, Inn
> Sundry: clothiers, leather work, agriculture/foodstuffs
Known For: Saison Fields and the ales that come from the region.
Commune of Aerna du Belle Guérison
The Commune of Aerna the Beautiful Healer is a large walled complex in the midst of a settlement. It houses about 300 and occupies over 2 acres. It is a training center for healers of Aerna, not the White Sisters (though they do teach here) but normal medics and priestesses. In addition, there are servitors of Whelm that are trained to cover the healers in battle, fending off attacks and and take down attacks on the battlefield.
A long and adorned (a few 1m tall statues) pathway leads up to it, with painted white rocks framing it.
Travel in the Steel Realms
Posted on August 18, 2024 in Steel-Realms
Travel in the Steel Realms is mostly safe. Most inhabitants of the realms do not travel far from their local area. Certain cultures and places are an exception to this, as well as higher social classes in general. Individuals and small groups as well as Parcel Services can sustain the best movement rates. Most people walk about 3-8 miles per day incidentally as part of their job or daily activities. Roads are most often placed with Place and Boundary Markers.
Time and Distance Rates
Movement rates represent comfortable rates and all individuals and animals involved are proficient at doing their jobs to achieve normal travel rates. In most cases this means the character and/or their mounts will not be fatigued or injured, and have opportunity to rest, relax, and stay healthy as they go. Jeopardizing this could result in malaise, fatigue, or Exhaustion, putting characters at risk if attacked.
Large Groups: Large groups must have a logistical support mechanism in order to travel. Generally, they must bring their own sustenance, accommodations, shelter, and security. This generally slows down the movement rate by a %, depending on the desired comfort.
| Movement Method |
Primary Roads |
Secondary Roads |
Unbroken Land |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horseback/Mount | 24 | 18 | 12 |
| Walking (Encumbered) |
12 | 10 | 8 |
| Walking (Unencumbered) |
18 | 14 | 12 |
| Transport/Baggage | 12 | 10 | 8 |
Pushing the Limits
Travel may be pushed to 150% of normal rates. This will automatically result in Exhaustion for mounts and/or riders/individuals. Those Who Range and some of the World Watcher members can travel at unencumbered travel rates even though they are personally encumbered by gear. They know the land and roads well enough to travel more efficiently.
- Unskilled Riders: A character without skill can increase their movement by riding, but they will automatically suffer a Fatigue or Exhaustion for a number of days per day of riding. Movement rates in excess of normal result in real damage AND exhaustion. The maximum increase that can be sustained is 25% of normal.
Falcon Point/Falcon Reach
Posted on August 1, 2024 in Steel-Realms
Falcon Reach of the Kingdom of Umbak divides the river, splitting it into a main course, and a spur that rejoins it later. The river flows in a shallow form South and then cuts West reconnecting with the main course. Falcon Reach is a jetty of raised land going NW to a plateau in northeastern Umbak. The area is overseen by the Lofflin Family of Umbak. They were given the charge of reclaiming the Falcon Reach area in completion. The area was the site of a great battle between the Orrish and Sualmen the Broken Tooth, an Orrish champion and his horde that swelled up in the under-reaches of the Temple of Aerna Golden Hem.
The reach is accessed predominantly through La Celle-Saint-Cloud, standing at the river fording.
: This is a passage that leads further to the Edgelands of Umbak and a pass through the hills towards the great Fahyl Forest.
Following the Falcon River to its headwaters, it enters to Grand Duchy of Fahyl, it leads to the Tower of the Cloud Gazers – which the Umbakians consider a blight.
Places, Locales and Features of Cerran’s Grant
Posted on July 15, 2024 in Steel-Realms
The Places, Locales and Features of Cerran’s Grant are all built to facilitate the storage and movement of trade from the other Riverdans through the East Cut which borders Cerran’s Grant on the north.
Geo-Location: Grand Duchy of Dunstrand
Hawktail Hills Reach: The Hawktail Hills are part of a large uplifting that the Nanford River used to flow south of. They span multiple territories in the Riverdans that include Cerran’s Grant, Tuflim, and Glois, but are primarily located in Pelmon.
