Wind Turn

Majority - Human and derivatives Minority - Halfling, Gnome Enclave - Gnomes; primarily associated with "The Ballistrades" and Airship Upkeep & Maintenance

Wind-Turn has been under the ruling command of the Gale-Run Family since its inception during the second year of the current Era. The leader of the family, either patriarchal or matriarchal, are referred to as the "Gale Keeper" by non-Family Members.

Squalls Watch, a dwarven constructed and human fortified castle is the only defensive position within Wind-Turn.    Supported by the Ballistrades, Wind-Turn and specifically, the Gale-Run Family owns the largest fleet of airships currently within Huldath. They own 6 combat capable airships which deter many attackers, however, due to trade and transport commitments fewer than 3 of these ships are available for defensive purposes.

Wind-Turn's primary commercial products are grains and breads. As they possess several advantagerously positioned Wind-Mills and watermills they have a large through-put of grains and as such export bread, typically by airship, to other friendly cities. These airships and others, also offer light cargo services to many areas of Huldath and bring in significant tax revenues. The Illum Trade Company holds almost no sway in Wind-Turn with their ships facing large docking Tariffs.

The Ballistrades - an Airship Docking Platform.

Gale-Run Family -   The Gale-Runs own all land within Wind-Turn and the surrounding areas. They lease land to those within the town or collect revenues from them, such as with the Ballistrades. They are a powerful political and military force due to its small standing army of around 100 regular troops and the 6 airships it commands. They also command the "Constables". Having been instrumental in the founding of the town and fronting almost all the money for it they now reap those rewards, They are fair and even-handed in most manners, however, they do not provide credit to those who fall behind in lease or revenue payments and will remove them, by force if required, from the lands they maintain and profit from.    The Gale-Runs have close ties with both churches within Wind-Turn and the family is not united in faith with some opting to worship Pallura and others Aethlyn. More cynical commentators have stated that this is to hedge their bets between the two gods rather than falling out of favor with one of them.    Younger Members of the family, typically 5 of them, who are not the sitting Gale Keeper, form "The Lesser Council". The Lesser Council deal with minor matters that do not warrant the Gale Keepers' attention. These matters range from minor property disputes to improprieties between other families. The Lesser Council will meet only once a week and hear only 3 cases; this is to prevent overburdening the ruling house with the squabbles of inhabitants and promoting a "work it out among yourselves" attitude.    The Free Crofters Association -   The Free Crofters Association, or FCA for short, is a group consisting primarily of the farmers within Wind-Turn and their peripherally associated members. They exert their influence over town by ensuring millers pay fair prices for the grains and remain competitive. They Pay a small stipend to the Gale-Run Family monthly for recognition of their legitimacy.    It is comprised of 3 of the senior Farm Holders from Wind-Turn and a seat on the FCA is an honored position. Many of those living within Gust-Vale having been members at some time or another and as such, they are well respected within Wind-Turn. They do on occasion have fallings out with the Millers Fiscal Consortium overpricing and taxation. These matters are often settled by the lesser council of Gale-Runs.    The Millers Fiscal Consortium   Very much the counterpart to the FCA, the MFC was formed a mere day later in response to the farmers forming their own union. In an attempt to 'one up' the FCA, the MFC is comprised of 4 members, this however frequently leads to a hung vote which means they are significantly less well suited to the bureaucratic process of Wind-Turn. The MFC does not collect a stipend from its represented members and instead relies on donations of the wealthier mill owning families, this is often used as a means of buying the council and placing family or loyal friends within the Consortium to prevent so many Hung votes.    The Church of Pallura   The Church of Pallura within Wind-Turn house themselves on the small fortified Island Church of Pallura's Grasp, so named for the nearby rock-formation which resembles a hand grasping above the waves. Overseen by Tidal Matron Selberith Ochre the church tends to its own matters first of ensuring the will of Pallura is made manifest in the world. They offer refuge to her faithful and scorn most others with the exception of members of the Gale Run Family. Minor skirmishes and fights between Clerics of Pallura and Aethlyn are known to occur within the town and Pallura's Faithful are suspected of several mysterious or accidental deaths of Aethlyn's Clerics. The Temple Guard is made up of several Paladins and Knights of Pallura who are capable fighters and rigorous in their duty to protect the Island.     The Church of Aethlyn   Aethlyns Vigil is the church in Wind-Turn maintained by Aethlyns Faithful. The Church Also maintain Aethlyn's Beacon, a magical lighthouse that has saved many from falling into Pallura's Grasp. The Church is far more pastoral of the town and will tend to the weak, needy, homeless and poor. Aethlyn's Faithful march in a small procession each day at sunset to the Beacon from the Vigil in order to rekindle the magical essence fueling the light and guiding wayward ships from disaster.    Wind-Turn Thieves Guild   With quick access to Airships via the Ballistrades, Sailing vessels via the docks, and land to boot, the thieves guild saw a unique opportunity within wind-turn to create a hub of sorts for fencing stolen goods and shipping them to distant locations before news of their less than legal means of acquirement could reach that same location. The Guild here maintains a low profile and opts not to steal from citizens of the town itself but will make quick work of visitors to the Squares and those coming in to visit or travel on the Ballistrades. Careful not to raise the ire of any one faction too much, the guild maintains quiet balance and a small presence. The Chief of the guild within wind-turn is a halfling man that goes by the moniker "Squinty Tuppins". Using his halfling nature to blend into the farming folk of Wind-Turn Squinty can often be found at the "Lusty Miller".    The Fushcia Tower   The Fuschia Tower is a collection of Wizards and other Scholars who seek to teach and more importantly sell magic to those with the coin for either. Admission to the school costs 150 gold coins and students can expect to pay upwards of 1000 over the course of their 6-year apprenticeship here. Opting to steer clear of political intrigues and dramas the school maintains little association with the town outside of the provision of magical services. The Wind run Family has had several of its own attend the school over the years and the lease they maintain is said to be both long and generous. The Tower also maintains close ties with the Gnome Run Ballistrade as they can be of mutual benefit to one another. Several of the current artificers working within the Ballistrade were taught at the tower. Many apprentices will work at the enchantment workshops and repair shop as a means of offsetting the costs of tuition.    The Ballistrade   The Ballistrade is a high tower with docking space for several airships atop it. Run almost exclusively by Gnome Artificers, it is the primary source of airship construction and repair within Huldath. It pays a portion of its profits directly to the town rather than maintaining a lease. They do not engage activly in political or theological discourse and instead focus on their own small enclave. They care little for the cargo they are carryings nature, be it Illicit or Legal, as their network of Air-Docks allow them to circumvent most of the normal inspections that sea-borne ships encounter. As a result they work, often unknowingly, closely with the Theives Guild.  Run by Sky-Forman Ezben Fuzzark who has been Forman for the last 28 years, the Ballistrades is going through something of a boom as air travel becomes more common.