Eckburgh

The Last Outpost, the Far Outpost

Eckburgh is sometimes referred to as the Last Outpost, or the Far Outpost, because it stands alone in the far, southeastern corner of Aorlis. It has a population of 13,000. It has existed in various forms from prehistory forward, and it was once part of the mainland Old Karmithian Empire, and it was granted a charter by the Palatine Duke of Hexton in 1200. Eckburg’s crest is a portcullis gris on a field sable.

These days it is a semi-autonomous region, per agreements with the duke. As political locations go, Eckburg Town is situated in the Barony of Eckburg, the County of Ekhal, the Palatine Duchy of Hexton, in the High Kingdom of Rhonce. Eckburg is a seaport on the Arlyndor Sea, and perched on the rocky coast of the Eckhall Hills eastern foothills.

The only land road into town is a secondary road to Eubrac City to the northeast. The town’s only connection to Aorlis is by sea, passing through the Pillars of Adamptus into the Sea of Arlin. There are famous cyclopean salt cuttings of a chariot and its driver visible from the Arlyndor Sea in Ekhal; it has existed since ancient times, and the town lovingly maintains it now.

Eckburg, its walls, towers, and interior structures, are built with eye-popping patterned brick, or with alternating courses of different colored brick. Its beauty is famous, and it was constructed around its wharf-side Market Street, which is also bricked.

Around this street is the guild hall, castle, and a fine church devoted to the town’s patron saint, Wilburt the Just. Eckburg has sizeable Eubrac and Marlak communities, each with their own town ward. This multicultural aspect makes Eckburg wary of the Aginriate order and their racial charism. Eckburg is as much a part of Western Karmithia and Eubrac as Aorlis.

One odd holiday that is popular here is Whipping Monday, where local men mock-whip women for fertility, luck, and gifts of hard liquor. Brickmaking is almost extinct in Aorlis, but this town still practices the craft.

Sea Wyverns are common here on the coast, but that is welcomed by the natives who both collect their eggs for eating but also prepare said wyverns as a delicacy. Eckburg is also known for inventor Mattonius Joinnan who created the compound crank in 1121.