Some cities and towns of Heortland and Sartar
By Adam Manning, Christopher Bramley and Virgil Manning
This article provides some brief notes of various cities that are to be found in Heortland and Sartar, especially Whitewall. They concentrate on the position during the Early Hero Wars period (1613 - 1620 S.T.).
Whitewall, capital of Heortland
Classification: Large city
Population: 12,000
Buildings: 1600
The cultural and religious centre of Heortland. It is the largest military city in the country and is named after its tall and impressive mortared-stone barriers. It is situated on a slope of a large hill from which, it is said, Heort set out on his travels to the ends of the world and to where he returned with the news that he had obtained the Lawstaff for his people. The predominant tribe in Whitewall is Volsaxi, but a residue of Hendriki remain. The Hendriki are a reminder of the days when Heortland was unified under King Urtagal II, who was himself a Hendrikilander of the Ornalindi Clan. He had been a worshipper of Orlanth Rex. Since his death in 1617, the kingdom has become less united. The Hendriki form a rich clique of merchants in the city. In particular, some members of the Ornalindi clan of Hendrikilanders are retained by King Broyan as advisers due to their knowledge in running the realm. King Broyan claims to be a member of the Aeolian Church and hence a worshipper of Invisible Orlanth. Later, after the fall of Whitewall in 1621, he converts to Orlanth Adventurous.
A great True Dragon currently resides under Whitewall, completely unsuspected. Its wings lie under and support the Storm Mountains. It has slept here since before the Dawning and knew Heort; it was injured by Orlanth during the Battle of Arrowmound Mountain and has lain here ever since, brooding angrily. The dragonewts know of it, but shun the area. The True Dragon is named Kalaars Vorkhuzz, which in Auld Wyrmish means Belch of Fire. It is roughly twelve miles long. This is the only True Dragon in the whole of Heortland. Its presence can be felt by occasional ground shakes as it stirs in its slumber. During these times the area abounds in dream dragons to test the mettle of the local houscarls.
The major religion in Whitewall is Orlanth Rex; the religion of kings. All pay tribute to his shrine in the huge temple in the King's Quarter of the city. The populous is in fact peculiarly patriotic and proud and the Code of Heort is followed quite scrupulously - though the Right of Violence is still retained even if in a very formal style centering on ceremonial duels. The worship of Orlanth Rex increased during the reign of King Urtagal II, though the older dominant form, Orlanth Thunderous, still holds sway in the Merchant and Labour Quarters. One particular feature of Whitewall is this precise division of the city, due it is believed to the teachings of Heort. However, it is only since the Western influence, brought in during Urtagal's reign, that this division has had any colouring of class or prejudice. The Aeolian Church is important in Whitewall, especially due to King Broyan's influence, though it is not as pervasive as in Lengaria or Orthkarland, the central and southern provinces of Heortland.
Lhankor Mhy Lawgiver is the next most important deity and great respect is accorded to him. His place is second in honour in the Ring of The King of the Heortling Tribes. Their highest priest is called Eothalward Wanderheart. The next most important religion is Issaries. Humakt was previously not spoken of, though now rumours abound of Lunar invasion, some are initiating themselves into his cult in preparation of what may come. They have also heard tales of the Household of Death from the siege of Boldhome. Now, King Broyan despises Temertain, the puppet king in charge of Boldhome, though he will not say so in front of his court. In secret King Broyan, in consultation with dragonewt advisers, plans to summon Humakt, who in his eyes is the Angel of Death, as an eleventh hour plan to deal with the Imperial incursions.
Whitewall is known also as a trading centre for foodstuffs. Both exotic and exquisite items are brought here. There is also a surplus of basic foodstuffs for everyone. Overall, it is quite the finest city around, rich and inspiring architecturally.
History of Whitewall : This city was actually founded before the Dawning by the tribe named after Heort himself. Their earl was a man named Ornalind. He was a devout Orlanthi and had actually been present when the God left on the Lightbringer Quest. Ornalind developed a power over the Mastery rune and brought perfection over everything he did. After Orlanth left (from a site called the Farwell Foundations), some of the Heortlings followed Elmale, erecting a temple for him. However, Elmale did not live in the traditional Heortling lands and moved north, ensuring the maximum protection of the Orlanthi people with his sun and light powers during the Greater Darkness.
Due to this migration of Elmali worship northward (to in fact near the site of the Sun Dome Temple today), the Heortlings fell back to their more traditional Orlanthi worship. Though tribute was still paid and rules obeyed, only a thin veneer of formalistic Elmali worship was kept. On Orlanth`s victorious return, Elmale was all but forgotten.
During the Dawning Age, Whitewall was a very busy centre of civilization as the area around it had not been as devastated as Dragon Pass and recovery was quick.
During the World Council of Friends, Whitewall was ready to quickly adopt to Time and any building work was quickly done due to the cooperation of the human and dwarven smiths. When the Only Old One ruled the land though, Whitewall suffered greatly. The troll demi-god held a hatred for the city folk due to their grudging payment of tribute to him and when Arkat had conquered the land, their cruel treatment of the uz was remembered. Because of this the Only Old One visited the city often and once took a human princess as a wife. Through weird magic, a coupling between the two was achieved. Their descendants set up a tribe of demi-trolls, called Utali, or in Darktongue Olka'. These beings soon took to chaos worship and were disowned by other trolls. They now inhabit shadowy woods on the eastern side of the Shadow Plateau overlooking Kethaela.
Great rivalry has always existed between all the Heorti tribes, but that between the Volsaxi and Hendriki was most severe. The ruler of Heortland has always lived in Whitewall, with the exception of the period from 1483 to 1506, when the Great Plague that swept Kethaela decimated the population. Then the capital moved to Arlakthorn in eastern Volsaxia near the Storm Mountains. However, many godi transferred to the older city of Ornalind, much to the south of Arlakthorn and on the border between Hendrikiland and Lengaria, the next southern province of Heortland. Ornalind is the spot where Orlanth first blew air into men's lungs, according to Orlanthi legend. During the Great Plague, many merchants relocated to Karse, causing that cities great growth.
The Great Plague had been caused by a band of broo from Devil's Marsh in Prax loosening Mallia spirits and daemons on to the city. After Chalana Arroy priestesses rid Whitewall of these, the king swiftly moved back. The broos moved south to Larnste's Print and this lead to Chaos infiltrating it. Previously The Print had been beset with natural creatures affected by the Disorder rune, such as Great and Cave Troll tribes. Now Chaos ravaged the land.
The High Chalana Arroy priestess is called Heikenar Marlajdottir. Their hospice is on Wisensnap Way. Other people in Whitewall include Otgar Kinnaldsson, the King's Marshall. He is a cold man who is not easily impressed. The King's residence is Azartann Castle, and is the highest tower in the city. Krachura Pinegrod is the name of a godi of Orlanth Thunderous in Whitewall who resides in the administrative centre of the city. He is 53 and his allied spirit is bound into his magical chair that can change shape. Pinegrod obtained the magical branch that can form this chair on a Heroquest he went on with a Humakti elf called Alantil. Pinegrod is distantly related to the old king, Urtagal II.
The Captain of the Whitewall Guardsmen is called Solosarn Merkiss, a Wind Lord of Orlanth Thunderous. He is a colourful character and was a great friend of the old king. He was at the battle of Northag's Bliss in 1617 S.T. when Urtagal II died fighting the Lunar Empire. He was briefly a member of the Yelmalion religion and is an expert on Lunar strategies. He believes any Sartari refugees should join the Heorti resistance rather than fight clandestinely in their own lands. Unusually for an Orlanthi he has blonde hair and beard.
Rothra the Narn, priestess of Yinkin had an affair with King Urtagal II before taking her vows. Her temple in Labour Quarter has a sizeable Shadow Cat cattery. She has contempt for anyone seeming to be the stereotypical Orlanthi and is friendly to the Odayla cult. Allieven Newood, initiate of Orlanth Lightbringer, was a friend of one of the sons of King Urtagal II, Wieldar Goodwin. He is ready for adventuring wherever it may take him. Lurimal Chargosson is a very powerful Wind Lord of Orlanth Adventurous who has recently adventured into Larnste's Print after hearing the old story of Balengarsaga and has discovered some secrets there about that ancient hero.
Galentor
Classification: Small City
Population: 5300
This is a coastal city, half a days march west of Karse. After the destruction of Karse in 1619, it becomes the capital of Hendrikiland. It is ruled by Lakarstang Battle-Fist, a Humakti war-lord. Before the capture of King Richard The Tiger-Hearted, Battle-Fist had been devoted to the Tanisorian. Battle- Fist's left hand was severed in a battle and replaced with a war-hammer head. It is also home to one of the most eastern outposts of the Rokari church.
Varaquen
Classification: Town
Population: 6
This is a small town, upriver from Karse. It is a well built place and has colourful banners on most shop fronts and decorative signs on the few towers that are there. The captain of the town militia is called Thrakol; he speaks like a scholar and is a competent spearman and brave. Recently the town has had large numbers of strange missionaries proclaiming doom in the market square. The streets are kept quite clean.
Ornalthtor
Classification: Town
Population: 500
This town is on the border of Hendriki and Volsaxi lands and its history is one of repeated capture and re-capture by the different tribes. Currently the Hendriki have control and it is ruled by a headsman called Sturral Hairy- breeks, a big thug basically. Foreigners going through are normally questioned thoroughly. It is a low built town, rough looking. Here the streets are straw- strewn and muddy. In comparison to Varaquen, the inhabitants are simpler and less affected in their mannerisms. An inn adventurers can call in at is called The Green Dragon (three stars). All know the town idiot, Fridat.
Tharnol
Classification: Town
Population: 800
Buildings: 110
This town is situated ten key miles along the river that Karse is on, inside Volsaxi lands. It is a bustling trade centre and people of many lands have been seen here. A road leads west from here to the city of Northasarn. Its cosmopolitan character is counter-balanced by a steadfast observance of Issarian trading law.
Tirion
Classification: Small city
Population: 1900
Buildings: 250
Founded in 963 S.T. by fishermen, the village of Tirion has become a moderately sized yet rich city. It is populated by earnest Orlanthi, but one interesting feature is the total lack of slaves in the city as it is a totally free city. Slaves brought in by their masters must be treated well or their masters could be sentenced under the criminal law. Tirion is situated between the two forks of the river that runs out to the Chorilinthor Bay in Karse.
Nevrast
Classification: Small city
Population: 3000
Buildings: 400
Nevrast was ruined many hundreds of years ago by the armies of a Zorak Zoran Death Lord called Ulcharg and had to be rebuilt. An abiding hatred of non-human races has built up since then. The town is also noted for occasional Sea Season flooding, due to faults in the rebuilding work - obviously they did not employ dwarfs. Nevrast is situated a days ride south along the river from Whitewall. After the sacking of Karse, rumours abound in Nevrast that Karse's walls have been weeping blood. Also, some set forth for Pavis after certain prophecies reveal that the return of the first ever Wind Lord will take place there soon.
Larnak-Tavon
Classification: Town
Population: 500
Buildings: 60
This town is situated just beyond the northern border of Heortland and lies within the Sun Dome County lands, or Elmalia as it is sometimes called. Larnak- Tavon was one of the first to convert to the Yelmalion religion from the previous Elmale worship. Through contact with Yelmic traders of the Lokarnos religion it has become influenced by Dara Happan culture. This is evident in the ostentatious gate, which has a stylised Sun over it with a griffin and a wyvern on either side. Unusually also for a place of this size, it has two minor temples, one to Yelmalio and the other to Lokarnos. It also has a shrine to the Seven Mothers and is rapidly being Lunarised. The local militia is run by a member of Yelm Miletus, or Yelm the Warrior, and the Town Governor is an initiate of both Yelmalio and Lokarnos. It also boasts a barracks hosting a Lunar infantry division. Public worship of storm deities is outlawed. In the past raiders came from here to Heorti lands and vice versa.
The best inn for adventurers to stay in here is called "Ranwell`s Beer Festival", a low-life rat hole. It is however, sometimes frequented by hostile Yelmalion militiamen. A habitual drinker here is the Lokarnos merchant Gavarn- Lo, who comes from Tarsh.
Drengist
Classification: Small city
Population: 1400
This city is in the south-western portion of Elmalia, in Sartar. It is the second largest mainstream Yelmalion settlement in Elmalia, after the Sun Dome itself. It is noted for the hostility of its inhabitants; basically they despise foreigners and mistreat them badly. It is ruled by an alliance of the Ernaldan and Yelmalion cults. This is symbolized by a very sacred marriage between the ranking Light Son in the city and the Ernaldan High Priestess. Generally this is very formal and no emotional significance is attached to it. However, recently the two people involved have developed very intense feelings for one another. This has affected the city folk themselves to the extent that the atmosphere in the city is one of a keen intensity about the moral and religious state of the city. During this ceremony, Ernaldan priestess and Yelmalion templars walk in couples down the city's main street; the Ernaldans with pet snakes wrapped around them. The two involved in the ceremony are held at shoulder height on a large platform by many slaves. Two even larger snakes accompany the procession down the streets under the control of the priestesses. During 1619, a snake cult with Lunar origins wrested control of all the snakes, causing them to attack the priestesses. This was to disrupt the ceremony. Whilst the Yelmalion guardsmen dealt with the smaller snakes, a small band of outlander adventurers had to stop the large snakes from attacking the assembled crowds.
Drengist is a rather insular place with tall city walls; the surrounding lands are rarely patrolled. One of the things immeadietly noticeable in Drengist are the posters recruiting militia men. These are signed by Marcello, a Light Son and head of the citiy's forces. It is open to anyone of the appropriate skill, regardless of faith (except of course followers of the Storm Pantheon). To anyone making an Evaulate roll, it seems payment is quite good.
Drengist was founded in 1304 by the Rhodri tribe who were originally from Tirion. They were Elmale worshippers. By 1325 it had become a small town and walls were built around it.