Template:Breadcrumb Shards > Acrolon > Mercatia > Skeldheim

Overview

Skeldheim (Nortongue ˈskɛlheɪm for shield home) is named for its shape, terrain, and location, creating a significant weather barrier for the northern isles. Lore about Skeldheim is thorough and accurate. It is highly civilized, well mapped, and studied by scholars and historians.

History

Skeldheim is one of the few Isles of Splendor to still have its original Nortongue name. During The Change in Ledger, the island changed ownership, being bought by the ascendant Great House of Alair.

Lake Selvard is sometimes called "the lake of sorrows", because legends claim to see reflections of lost loved ones in its waters. Eirwood is called "the forest that sleeps", because legends claim that a Herald of Form named Eir feel asleep in the forest, and lays there still, her magical power sustaining the woods.

Populations

Skeldheim has a relatively modest population of 3100 people, one of the smallest of the great isles.

Driftmarch is the largest town on the island, situated between Alairen Bay and Lamentis Lake. It has population of 1300. It is most famous for being the sole manufacturer and maintainer of airships, which are the exclusive transportation technology of House Alair. The city is nicknamed "the city of strays", from its central location and safe harbor from storms.
Marrowhaven is a fishing village with a population of 300. It is situated on the northern It is known as a practical, hard-working place, as exemplified by the saying "Gold smells of sweat in Marrowhaven". The primary exports of this village are cod and eel.
Karesenfell is a village with a population of 500. It has a self-sustaining amount of fishing and agriculture, but no major exports. Its industry is primarily built to support the nearby Alair Academy, a vaunted school on mechanical engineering.
Granmore is a farming village with a population of 500. It is on the coast of Alairen Bay, on the lush eastern peninsula known as The Lyrandine. It produces large amounts of vegetable and animal products.
Brimvale is a self-sufficient village with a population of 500. It is on the southern coast of the island, situated on the edge of The Redfolds. It's symbol is a cup, and it is famous for a non-profit organization (almost unheard of in the Isles) called The Cup of Plenty, which ensures no one in the village goes hungry or homeless. The village is not luxurious, but it is extremely egalitarian.

Geography

Most of the population is on the northeastern coast, called the Alairen Bay, which is where the Great House gets its name. The northern peninsula is a scree hill range called Greyscree Hills and are rich with silver mining camps. Several springs feed a major river called The Silvervein, which feeds the central Lake Selvard (silver watch). The Selmar (silver sea) is a major river that runs from Lake Selvard to Alairen Bay, running right through Driftmarch. The central forest is called Eirwood, fabled to be the home of a spirit of Spring called "Eir", who has kept the land green through terrible blights. The eastern hills are called The Redfolds, and are rich with clay. North of that is a lush peninsula of farmland called The Lyrandine (named for an ancient explorer).

There is a small islet north of Alairen Bay which is home to a band of pirates.

Economy

The villages are all self-sufficient except for lumber, which they get from Driftmarch. Marrowhaven exports fish, Granmore exports vegetable and animal products, Karsenfell primarily earns money from nearby Alair Academy, and Brimvale has no significant economic surpluses. Driftmarch, of course, is self-sufficient with fish and farming, as well as lumber. It imports building stone, but its main economic power comes from its production of ships, most notably the airships that House Alair uses in its merchant fleet.