Arastfjord

Atop the high shore-cliffs in the far southern Wheatplains of Estia lies Arastfjord, a protected cove where ships can find safe harbor. This is the seat of House Keswick. Recently, Arastfjord has become a popular place to live among retired adventurers, who have formed something of a colony here.

Politics

Arastfjord swears fealty to the rulers of Owl Rock, and the outlying farms provides a substantial portion of grains traded there. Almost all of this trade is done via boat, as the roads are in a poor state.

The current Baroness is Miranda Keswick, who was a Charitor of the Pilgrim Knights before her older brother died and made her the heir apparent to the title. Her younger brother, Raymond, is married to Portia Tuveren, the current Duchess of Estia. Should Baroness Miranda die with no heir, the Keswick lands will fall under the direct sway of House Tuveren, something the locals are keen to avoid.

Landmarks

Arastfjord lies right at the edge of the white cliffs that fall several hundred feet into the water below. Atop the cliffs lies the flat expanse of the Wheatplains, named for its highly fertile soil and lack of trees. Wild birds are plentiful, making roosts in crevices of the cliffs.

Most houses have a stone foundation with half-framed upper floors, as good timber is scarce on the Wheatplains. The roofs are either thatched or tiled.

Manor Keswick

The large mansion at the highest point in the town, overlooking the ocean to the south, is the ancestral hall of House Keswick, who rules the barony encompassing the surrounding lands.

Outside the mansion stands a large runestone inscribed with the Keswick crest (a diving falcon holding a ribbon) and motto ('Ever Steadfast') along with the names of all the previous Barons of Arastfjord.

kyswik

Freida Goldmantle

(dwarf, LN): Majordomo in the Baroness' household. Is highly trusted by the baroness, and Freida runs day-to-day business in the longhouse if the Baroness is travelling.

Malvar nan Estiae

(Half-elf ranger, CG): Head falconer of the baroness. Raises and tends to peregrine falcons, which are used to hunt on the plains. Married to Caeran, the harbormaster.

Harbor

Below the sheer cliffs, in a small cove that gives the town its name, lies a small but functional harbor has been built. It is accessed either by winding wooden stairs, or by the giant magically-powered elevator - although the elevator is mostly used for cargo.

The elevator is a 20x20 foot platform with ropes in each corner that via two giant wheels lead into a house at the top of the cliffs, where loading and unloading is done, and where the magical mechanism that powers the elevators is kept.

At the bottom of the elevator lies the Arastfjord Trading Post, where various adventuring goods can be bought and sold, both in quantity and to individuals. This is also where the seedier elements of town hang out.

Salston Starkhide

(gnome artificer, TN): The artificer in charge of the elevator. Cares for little except keeping his elevator going, come hell or high water.

Clement Harren

(human, LE): Proprietor of the trading house. A penny-pincher who always tries to get the best deal possible for himself.

Elina Darkhands

(human, CN): Thief who is always interested in the next score. Works for Clement, using her access to listen for opportunities.

Caeran nan Estiae

(elf, LN): Harbormaster. Can provide basic ship services, such as repairs or arranging of transport to another town, but his resources are scarce. Married to Malvar, the Baroness' head falconer.

White Cliff Tavern and Brewery

Comfortable inn

The White Cliffs Tavern likes to boast that they have the best views of any inn on Estia, and few who have been there disagree. Placed right at the edge of the cliffs, the large outdoor deck area serves as the towns prime gathering spot and watering hole. Rooms are available here for rent.

The main room of the tavern is dominated by a life-size semi-nude portrait of Mallus, painted by Brinie Thalmaer.

The attached brewery makes Arastmead and White Cliff Barleybrew, the specialty brews served at the tavern and traded to ships who pass through. The honey for the mead is supplied by Johanna Blueby. The brewery is well known across Estia for its excellent beer and mead. For discerning customers who do not mind paying, Althea's Reserve is an aged rum with notes of vanilla, cloves, and laceberries.

Nellie Softstep

(halfing rogue, NG): Proprietor of the tavern. While her miniature stature might say otherwise, she is fully capable of throwing out any troublemakers from her tavern.

Mallus the Fair

(half-elven bard, CG): The resident troubadour is a laid-back half-elf who spends his days at the inn playing his lute and drinking Arastmead while hitting on customers, much to Nellies chagrin. It is well known that he owes Nellie a great debt for something that happened while they were adventuring.

Duncan Anvilbrew

(dwarf drunken master monk, NG): The master brewer, and the only one who knows the recipe of Arastmead, which he inherited from his father. Has no heirs and is becoming quite old, and the question of who should take over the brewery weighs heavily on his mind.

Nellie, Mallus, and Duncan used to adventure together. They used the money they earned from a long career adventuring to settle down in Arastfjord and start the businesses they always dreamed of running.

Outside the tavern, overlooking the cliffs, is the granite headstone of Althea Whitecliff, a paladin originally from Arastfjord, who was the last member of their adventuring party. Althea was slain by a frost giant in the mountains of Estia, and afterwards the others decided to give up adventuring and open a bar, named for their fallen companion.

Mallus and Althea were lovers, and he took her death especially hard. He can sometimes be seen sitting by her grave at sunset, quietly plucking his lute.

Tomb of the First Spear

Saint Halvdan the Bold, one of the founders of the Pilgrim Knights lies interred in a tomb here. It is an important pilgrimage site for the Knights, who have around twenty people stationed here from all branches. They are heavily endorsed by Baroness Miranda Keswick who is a trained Charitor herself.

Until recently, the tomb was also the resting place of Dawnrender, Halvdan's fabled greatspear, but it was given to a member of the Spears who had a vision upon praying here. She subsequently managed to restore the power within the spear and now wields it against evil.

Disciple Leifar Ironhammer

(dwarf cleric, NG): The highest ranking Charitor at the temple. Born in Greystone, but considers Arastfjord home now. He provides food and minor healing services to people in need.

Captain Stephanie Fairbanks

(human paladin, LG): The highest ranking Spear at the temple. Born on Cottenhorn, she is trying to advance in the ranks of her order quickly.

Seer's Hut

On the outskirts of town is a small cottage, surrounded by small garden of various alchemical herbs. This is the home of Aeniwyn, the village wise-woman. She provides her divination and alchemy services for a cost.

Aeniwyn nan Iacaris

(elven Druid of the Stars, LG): An elven sage who watches the stars for signs and portents. Can appear aloof to others when she shows more interest in what the stars do than her neighbors.

The Standing Stones

A couple miles inland lies a small copse of low trees that surrounds a clearing where two 15-foot tall standing stones of black basalt tower, joined by a third stone lying on top. It is not known who or what constructed this landmark. Local wildlife and townsfolk alike avoid the area, and only thorny bushes grow in the clearing. Passing between the stones at midnight during a moonless night acts as a planar crossing to the Shadowfell.

Merchants and Trade

The clang of hammers and sound of bartering can usually be heard coming from the local market. Townsfolk and passers-by alike can find goods for sale here.

Arastfjord is well known among mariners as one of very few safe havens on the Windward Coast. Many ships have perished against the white cliffs, but the natural harbor here can provide much needed protection against sudden winds.

Tobin Cliffer

(human, NG): The town's blacksmith. He is a reliable and honest man who is happiest when his fire is hot. He or his apprentices can provide everything from nails, to horseshoes, to swords.

Alvill

(human thief, NE): Ne'er-do-well teenaged pickpocket who hangs around the market.

Brinie Thalmaer

(half-elf, CG): Master painter whose studio overlooks the market. Very highly regarded for her landscapes, which hang on the walls in many noble mansions across the archipelago, but will also do portraits when commissioned. Mallus the Fair is her long-term muse.

Surrounding Farms

The landscape around Arastfjord is dotted with grain farms and windmills. Only a few farms breed livestock for meat, as the soil is more suited for farming. The harvest is sold and shipped off to Greystone and Covenant, providing the majority of the towns income. Some of the grain is further refined into beer or bread before being sold.

Johanna Blueby

(human sorceress, NG): Beekeeper who supplies the White Cliff Brewery with all its honey. She is a sorcerer who uses her magic to grow rawsley, which her bees pollinate. This magical influence gives her honey a slight iridescent sheen and improves the taste. Sister to Guard Captain Winston Blueby. Has a magisquirrel familiar named Tails.

Edward Windridge

(human, LN): The owner of the largest farm on the Wheatplains. Probably the richest person in town. He likes to entertain nobles at his estate, especially Baroness Miranda Keswick, who has thus far left his romantic courtship unrequited.

Defenses and Guards

Arastfjord does not need to worry about invasion from the sea. The stairs to the harbor can be held by a dozen men against a thousand, and the elevator is controlled from the top. A land-borne force would be another matter, but the surrounding plains are home to nothing more serious than bandits.

The center of town is surrounded by a simple wooden pallisade. While not enough to repel invaders on its own, it could atleast feasibly be manned in an emergency. The main road north is flanked by a guardhouse as it enters Arastfjord. The guardhouse has a small jail, but it is rarely used except to house those who have drunk too much Barleybrew at the tavern. Should anything very serious happen, the guards would seek the aid of the Pilgrim Knights at the Tomb of Halvdan.

Winston Blueby

(human, LN): Captain of the Guard. Works closely with the Baroness' household to maintain order in the town. Commands a force of two dozen guards, which can handle the petty crime and occasional bandit that troubles the town. Brother to Johanna Blueby.