Eastcross
The port town of Eastcross, perched on the rocky western shores of the Isle of Baeddon, is a bustling coastal settlement where the culture of the Daoine inhabitants is woven deeply into everyday life. The town overlooks a narrow strait that separates the Isle of Baeddon from the Isle of Llywelyn, where the sister port town of Westcross lies in clear view. The two towns stand like sentinels on either side of the water, their histories, and destinies intertwined. Eastcross is known for its rich heritage, which permeates the town’s customs, architecture, and its connection to the natural and spiritual world.
Eastcross is characterized by its stone buildings, many adorned with intricate carvings depicting knotwork, ancient symbols, and scenes from local legends. The town’s streets are often filled with the sounds of merchants hawking goods brought in by sea and locals gathering at open-air markets to trade everything from fish and furs to magical trinkets and charms crafted by the town’s druids and healers. Standing stones and small shrines to the old gods dot the landscape, where offerings of food, flowers, and crafted tokens are made daily by the townsfolk seeking the blessings of their ancestors and the spirits of the land.
At the heart of Eastcross stands the Great Hall, a wooden and stone structure that serves as a meeting place, courthouse, and gathering point for feasts and celebrations. The hall is decorated with tapestries and shields, each telling stories of the town's heroes and the battles fought to defend the isle from both mortal enemies and fey threats. The people of Eastcross are fiercely proud of their heritage, and their festivals often include ritual dances, the playing of harps and pipes, and contests of skill and strength that reflect their deep connection to both the sea and the land.
Across the strait, the town of Westcross can be seen from the high bluffs of Eastcross. Though the two towns are closely tied by trade and a shared history, Westcross bears more of the Northlander influence brought by raiders and settlers from Rhytham. The people of Eastcross regard their Westcross neighbors with a mix of kinship and rivalry, as old feuds and friendly competitions between the towns have shaped their relationship over centuries. Trade flows constantly between the two, with Eastcross exporting wool, woodcrafts, and herbs, while Westcross sends metal goods, longships, and pelts across the waters.
The strait between Eastcross and Westcross is both a lifeline and a boundary. Known for its treacherous currents and mysterious mists, the waters are watched over by sea spirits and old gods who demand respect from those who sail them. Local sailors tell stories of ghostly ships, sea monsters, and the occasional strange fey that emerge from the waters on foggy nights.
Despite its proximity to Westcross, Eastcross retains a distinct flavor, with its people holding to old traditions of storytelling, druidic magic, and reverence for the natural world. The druids of Eastcross are particularly respected, serving as spiritual leaders and advisors to the town’s elders. The town itself feels as though it exists in harmony with its surroundings, a place where the rhythms of the sea, the changing of the seasons, and the voices of the ancestors are all part of daily life. While Eastcross is a thriving hub of trade and culture, it remains steeped in the ancient traditions that set it apart from its sister town across the water.
Maps
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Eastcross
Type
Large town
Population
4800
Inhabitant Demonym
Easties
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location