Wayland's Smithy
Map Index: C-5
Location: Central Aorlan, in the western foothills of the Khirak Mountains in Ceodaria, near where the Upper Mire passes them. (Due to scale, the exact location is not shown on the World Atlas map.)
Description: Wayland’s Smithy is actually a neolithic long barrow constructed many thousands of years ago by the ancestors of the Ceodari. Long ago it was looted and emptied of its treasures. And more than 1000 years ago, during the chaos and change following the Great Cataclysm and the move of the Arn into Aorlan, a militant cult of Ceodari formed, calling itself Wayland’s Fist. Since this time, Wayland’s Smithy has been the center and the holy site of this military cult and has provided protection to the area around it and even more widely to Ceodaria.
Primary Population: Ceodari Human
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: Valtauri Elf and Arn Human, primarily visiting for trade
Wildlife: This is a lightly-settled part of Ceodaria, and so local wildlife is abundant. Common animals include deer, black bear, coyote, fox, raccoon, squirrel, and mink. A variety of owls, hawks, and woodpeckers also live in the trees.
Humanoids: There are no permanent populations of humanoids here, given patrols of rangers of the Ceodari and the Valtauri as well as cultists of Wayland’s Fist.
Monsters: No known monsters live in the vicinity as the members of Wayland's Fist have driven them away. However, dangerous creatures do infrequently wander in from nearby wilderness areas.
History: Wayland is the Ceodari name for the old human deity of smiths: the makers of iron, weapons, blades, plows, spearheads and horseshoes. Wayland’s Fist were crucial to maintaining the independence of the indigenous Ceodari as the kingdom of Arnheim grew in power and size, encroaching on and displacing many Ceodari into their current lands. Wayland's Fist claimed the neolithic long barrow for their own purposes and their own legends.
Today: Relations between Arnheim and the Ceodari have settled into peaceful coexistence and trade. Still, Wayland’s Fist maintains their identity and reputation as powerful defenders of the Ceodari people. They are prouder of their weaponry and their fighting skills than any others among the Ceodari. They are also remote enough up the Arvale Fork River that they remain isolated from all but the most determined trade. They enjoy that privacy and isolation and it also supports the mysterious and legendary reputation they have, even outside of Ceodaria.
Location: Central Aorlan, in the western foothills of the Khirak Mountains in Ceodaria, near where the Upper Mire passes them. (Due to scale, the exact location is not shown on the World Atlas map.)
Description: Wayland’s Smithy is actually a neolithic long barrow constructed many thousands of years ago by the ancestors of the Ceodari. Long ago it was looted and emptied of its treasures. And more than 1000 years ago, during the chaos and change following the Great Cataclysm and the move of the Arn into Aorlan, a militant cult of Ceodari formed, calling itself Wayland’s Fist. Since this time, Wayland’s Smithy has been the center and the holy site of this military cult and has provided protection to the area around it and even more widely to Ceodaria.
Primary Population: Ceodari Human
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: Valtauri Elf and Arn Human, primarily visiting for trade
Wildlife: This is a lightly-settled part of Ceodaria, and so local wildlife is abundant. Common animals include deer, black bear, coyote, fox, raccoon, squirrel, and mink. A variety of owls, hawks, and woodpeckers also live in the trees.
Humanoids: There are no permanent populations of humanoids here, given patrols of rangers of the Ceodari and the Valtauri as well as cultists of Wayland’s Fist.
Monsters: No known monsters live in the vicinity as the members of Wayland's Fist have driven them away. However, dangerous creatures do infrequently wander in from nearby wilderness areas.
History: Wayland is the Ceodari name for the old human deity of smiths: the makers of iron, weapons, blades, plows, spearheads and horseshoes. Wayland’s Fist were crucial to maintaining the independence of the indigenous Ceodari as the kingdom of Arnheim grew in power and size, encroaching on and displacing many Ceodari into their current lands. Wayland's Fist claimed the neolithic long barrow for their own purposes and their own legends.
Today: Relations between Arnheim and the Ceodari have settled into peaceful coexistence and trade. Still, Wayland’s Fist maintains their identity and reputation as powerful defenders of the Ceodari people. They are prouder of their weaponry and their fighting skills than any others among the Ceodari. They are also remote enough up the Arvale Fork River that they remain isolated from all but the most determined trade. They enjoy that privacy and isolation and it also supports the mysterious and legendary reputation they have, even outside of Ceodaria.