Suthgardt
The southernmost town of the Helcynngae Peninsula, Suthgardt is the ancestral home of the Suthca, one of the semi-mythical original clans of the Heldring. The town boasts a sizable presence of soldiers and armed longships, all under the command of the ealdorman, who also holds the Heldring title of helm of the south. Under the charter from Kingsgardt, Suthgardt is charged with guarding against invasion from Ynys Cymragh and protecting the nearby sea-lanes (particularly for the smaller coastal towns of Wellford and Warsley).
Many ships venturing between the Crescent Sea to the west and the Sinnar coast of Akados pay call at the port of Suthgardt to resupply. As a result, the town does a brisk trade, and many establishments cater to the needs of sailors and merchants. Many fishing vessels at the docks leave each morning to scour the small, southern bay for rare white crabs and pygmy shellfish, delicacies in other parts of the Lost Lands.
Nearly a fifth of the town’s population are professional soldiers or sailors under the respective command of a chief of the Shieldwall and a lord captain, each appointed by the ealdorman. A small council consisting of the chief, the lord captain, and representatives of several of the larger guilds in town advise the ealdorman, proposing laws and regulations for Suthgardt and the areas under its protection.
Suthgardt maintains a cautious relationship with the dwarven citadel of Erodgrimm in the Eorec Heights. The dwarves care little for issues of concern to humans, but some trade has proven beneficial to both. Most of the trade occurs, however, in Suthgardt; almost no humans are ever invited to, or permitted in, Erodgrimm. As a consequence, some items of dwarven handiwork of spectacular quality can be found in the more exclusive shops in town, though they are never on display — one has to know where to go and whom to ask.
It is said that the ealdorman and Lord Grisselfire have exchanged quiet embassies, and have agreed to aid the other in the event of any external threat that could pose a risk to the entire region. In fact, soldiers of both cities have repelled a few incursions of ogres and giants. If the rumors of a large dragon somewhere in the Eorec Heights prove true, then this alliance may prove critical.
Due to the dominance of the military in town, the worship of Thyr is predominant here, though there is a shrine to Eostre. Some of the sailors, conservative in their ways, continue to worship Njördr, the old god of seafarers and the winds.
Settlement
Suthgardt, Town of
Type
Town
Owning Organization
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