Cian
The Daoine port town of Cian sits nestled between the wild and untamed Tawnyard Forest to the west and the towering Kilconna Rise mountains to the east, offering both protection and danger to this old settlement. Built along the rugged south-western coast of the Isle of Llywelyn, Cian thrives as a bustling port town, where traders, fishermen, and craftsmen live in harmony with nature and the old gods. The town is steeped in Daoine tradition, with its winding streets flanked by stone and timber houses adorned with intricate carvings of knotwork and symbols of protection. The harbor is a hub of activity, with boats constantly coming and going, bringing in fish and goods from across the Moontide Isles and beyond.
The people of Cian live deeply connected to both the land and the sea, guided by the druids who maintain the town’s spiritual balance. Ancient standing stones are scattered throughout the town, marking sacred spaces where offerings are made to the spirits of the land and sea. The town’s central gathering place is the Stone Circle of Cian, a ring of ancient stones used for seasonal festivals, rituals, and meetings. It is here that the townspeople celebrate the cycles of the seasons, with feasts, songs, and rituals that honor the old gods and seek blessings for the town’s continued prosperity. The druids are highly respected in Cian, not only for their spiritual guidance but for their deep knowledge of the forest and mountains that surround the town.
To the west lies the Tawnyard Forest, a dark and foreboding place home to feral lycanthropes and mysterious fey spirits. The people of Cian avoid venturing too deep into the woods, knowing the dangers that lurk within, though they often gather rare herbs and magical plants from its borders under the guidance of the druids. Despite the dangers of the forest, the town is closely tied to the land, and many believe that the spirits of the forest protect the town from outside threats, so long as the proper rites and offerings are made. Legends of ancient fey lurking in the deepest parts of the forest are whispered in taverns, serving as both warnings and reminders of the town’s precarious position on the edge of the wild.
To the east, the Kilconna Rise mountains stand tall, providing both a natural barrier and a source of resources for the town. The people of Cian regularly hunt in the lower slopes of the mountains and mine for metals, though they know to respect the ancient forces that dwell in the higher reaches, where the dwarven citadel of Dhun Wahrum and the dangerous Fomorian giants hold dominion. The town’s location between these two wild and untamable forces—the forest and the mountains—has fostered a strong sense of resilience and self-reliance among its people. The sea provides their livelihood, but the land and its mysteries shape their identity.
Recently, however, changes have occurred in the once a peaceful and prosperous Daoine settlement. Recent events have thrown the town into chaos and fear, driven by Mayor Dearbhla Nic Cearbhaigh's extreme response to the lycanthropy threat that haunts the isle.
After her husband was infected by lycanthropy and almost passed the curse onto her, Dearbhla’s leadership took a dark turn. She instituted a harsh policy of burning anyone suspected of being infected with lycanthropy alive. This drastic measure has instilled panic and paranoia among the townspeople, as even a hint of suspicion can lead to a death sentence. Cian, once bustling with trade and life, has become a town where distrust and fear rule, and the once tight-knit community now finds itself fragmented by the constant threat of being accused of infection.
Despite the growing terror, Cian remains a vital port town, its position between the forest and mountains making it essential for trade routes. However, the town’s residents now walk a fine line between survival and fear, unsure of what the future holds under Mayor Dearbhla’s increasingly paranoid rule.
Type
Large town
Population
2800
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location