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A Traveler's Guide to the Turamzzyrian Empire
Highmount
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Highmount is bordered to the east by high, largely impassable mountains.
The denizens of the mountains sometimes raid smaller towns and merchant
caravans, making travel in the region dangerous. The remainder of
the territory is forested, with the huge Lake Maelshey at the center.
Highmount is a barony of contrasting terrain, and the people exhibit
similar contrasts. The lowlands are heavily forested and many of
the people live in small isolated logging communities. These people
tend to stick mostly to themselves and many jokes are made about
the hermits of Highmount. The residents of Maelligh and the surrounding
areas tend to be friendly and open. Many of them enjoy a comfortable
lifestyle on the shores of Lake Maelshey, supported by the bounty
of both the waters and the woods. The people who live in the mountains
and the city of Kragsfell tend to be gruff, hardworking types.
Maelligh
Maelligh is a large city on the banks of Lake Maelshey. The lake
provides a way of life for most of the people in the city. The fishing
industry is booming, and a boat ride across the lake has become
preferable to navigating the surrounding forest.
Kragsfell
Kragsfell was founded in 4314 as an Imperial outpost marking the
new borders of the Empire. The citadel was sacked and all but destroyed
by barbarian giantmen in 4405, and rebuilt in 4451. The area has
become secure under Empire rule and is now a thriving city. Located
in a mountainous region surrounded by forests, the city hosts mostly
hardy woodsmen and stoneworkers.
Kragsfell is not only known for the raw gems and stone produced
from the surrounding mountains, but also for the artistry of the
local stoneworkers. Much of the marble in the Imperial palace was
imported from Highmount and statuary from Kragsfell is found in
many a Turamzzyrian noble's home or garden. The mountain people
tend to worship Eonak and Kragsfell contains a large, beautiful
temple in his honor. The more devout among the citizens stop by
there daily to say a few prayers on their way to or from work. Outsiders
often look upon the Kragsfell residents as being humorless and stodgy,
nearly as dour as dwarves, yet the private homes of the city are
some of the most beautiful found anywhere in the Empire, with intricate
wood and stone carvings gracing even the most modest of residences.
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Exports
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Imports
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Marble
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Oil
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Granite
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Coal
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Wood
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Wine
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Hides
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Cheese
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Iron
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Grain
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Gems
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Produce
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Gold
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Silver
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Boating on Lake Maelshey is not only a way to make a living via
fishing and providing transportation, but pleasure boating has become
a sophisticated hobby. Even those of the lowest classes usually
manage to find a way to acquire an old rowboat. Boat builders and
owners try to outdo each other with elaborate designs; some of them
so odd and impractical that the boats are barely seaworthy. The
annual Maelshey Regatta in Maelligh is known throughout the Empire
and is the largest festival held in Highmount each year.
Nutting season brings with it festivities of all kinds. Large parties
of men and boys go out nutting, then return to distribute the bounty
equally among all those gathered. For the rest of the day, games
are played using nuts as fines and forfeits. The evening is spent
dancing to flutes and fiddles playing a variety of traditional tunes.
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