Fallen
05-08-2006, 07:52 PM
The Village of Ravelin
The Mistydeep River has long been the highway of the Vaalor elves, connecting this great fortress-city to the sea and their neighbors, the Nalfein. When House Vaalor fortified the island to build Ta'Vaalor, they also fortified the river approaches. Downstream, to the south of the city, two great towers watch over the river traffic, straddling the only navigable channel through the twisting courses that wend through the boggy marshlands. Between them stretches a great chain, wrought of metal bands as thick as a giant's thigh. While normally the chain rests just above the water level, mechanisms within the tower allow the sentries to lower the chain to the riverbed to allow friendly ships to pass upstream to the city or down to the sea.
To the north of Ta'Vaalor, upstream, the river flows through a narrower, wooded course. A beautiful waterfall plunges dramatically into a deep pool, marking the end of the navigable section of the river; smaller craft are portaged around the falls to the Upper Mistydeep River. While the elves would not disturb the natural beauty of the pool, they also did not want to leave this approach to the city undefended. Consequently, they constructed a small but strongly built redoubt a little ways downstream of the pool, on the western bank. This ravelin commands a bend in the river, giving defenders ample time to waylay invaders while messages are sent to Ta'Vaalor.
Over the years, a small community grew up around this fortification, taking its name from the place itself: Ravelin. Elves who shun the sophisticated ways of the city or the settled ways of farming the surrounding fields find a home here, enjoying a simple life of fishing, hunting and seeking out the secret herbs and fruits of the forest. Being elves, they have taken great care in ordering their surroundings ? although not grand like Ta?Vaalor, the homes and shops of Ravelin are nonetheless built to the highest standards, using contrasting woods in a distinctive architecture with a fluid, naturalistic style. Perhaps there was a Sylvan influence to the style, but the terraced riverside village could never be mistaken for the complex tree platform of the sylvankind.
[Ravelin is part of the Mistydeep expansion planned for Q4. It is not intended to be a complete, stand-alone town, but a small outpost of Ta'Vaalor offering a few services, some unique features, and a place to gather and defend.]
Cheers,
GM Bernt
The Mistydeep River has long been the highway of the Vaalor elves, connecting this great fortress-city to the sea and their neighbors, the Nalfein. When House Vaalor fortified the island to build Ta'Vaalor, they also fortified the river approaches. Downstream, to the south of the city, two great towers watch over the river traffic, straddling the only navigable channel through the twisting courses that wend through the boggy marshlands. Between them stretches a great chain, wrought of metal bands as thick as a giant's thigh. While normally the chain rests just above the water level, mechanisms within the tower allow the sentries to lower the chain to the riverbed to allow friendly ships to pass upstream to the city or down to the sea.
To the north of Ta'Vaalor, upstream, the river flows through a narrower, wooded course. A beautiful waterfall plunges dramatically into a deep pool, marking the end of the navigable section of the river; smaller craft are portaged around the falls to the Upper Mistydeep River. While the elves would not disturb the natural beauty of the pool, they also did not want to leave this approach to the city undefended. Consequently, they constructed a small but strongly built redoubt a little ways downstream of the pool, on the western bank. This ravelin commands a bend in the river, giving defenders ample time to waylay invaders while messages are sent to Ta'Vaalor.
Over the years, a small community grew up around this fortification, taking its name from the place itself: Ravelin. Elves who shun the sophisticated ways of the city or the settled ways of farming the surrounding fields find a home here, enjoying a simple life of fishing, hunting and seeking out the secret herbs and fruits of the forest. Being elves, they have taken great care in ordering their surroundings ? although not grand like Ta?Vaalor, the homes and shops of Ravelin are nonetheless built to the highest standards, using contrasting woods in a distinctive architecture with a fluid, naturalistic style. Perhaps there was a Sylvan influence to the style, but the terraced riverside village could never be mistaken for the complex tree platform of the sylvankind.
[Ravelin is part of the Mistydeep expansion planned for Q4. It is not intended to be a complete, stand-alone town, but a small outpost of Ta'Vaalor offering a few services, some unique features, and a place to gather and defend.]
Cheers,
GM Bernt