Barony of Aestong
Aestong is a barony of the Johnslands, located in the north western Moorlands.
The barony is ruled by the halfling Arvias Fogtopple. He has ruled over Aestong since 1459, and has seen the lands prosper under his rulership. Arvais has no children and his heir is his niece, Calgrace Mosskettle who many believe is getting impatent with her uncle clinging to mortality. To complicate matters the Baron's second wife Rosara Fogtopple, who is 60 years his junior, has her own ambitions on securing the rulership of the barrony.
Though Arvais is well loved by his people, there are movments involving the millers guild who are hoping to wrest power away from the barron and turn the position into more of a figurehead. The assembly of the dagger are helping bankroll this scheme, in order to take a healty cut of Aestong's lucritive grain market.
"Arvais? Such a lovely and gracious host, and so funny! And such a spry young thing. Of course that was almost seventy years ago..."
-- Dana Eryra, Lady of Analion
Geography
Aestong is located between the Hellspring River and the Islington Rush bordered on the north by the Silver Mountains and in the south by the Mockingbird Woods and Twilram Lake. The barony is bisected by the Unicorn Brook that starts at Unicorn Falls running through the Unicorn Grove, Lake Colree, Twilram Lake until it eventually joins the Islington Rush in the Old Witchwood.
Geographic areas
Dancing River -- Unicorn Brook -- Unicorn Falls -- Unicorn Grove -- Silver River -- Cær Moor -- Tecumrich Swamp -- Lake Colree -- Dewhurst Fields -- Colram Meadows -- Hartby Woods -- Hellspring River -- Mockingbird Woods -- Twilram Lake -- Islington Rush
Landmarks
Aestong Manor -- location holder -- location holder
Trade
Aestong is well known for it's wheat fields, and it exports sacks of wheat and flour all over the Rainlands and abroad. The Unicorn Brook is spotted with water mills for grinding the wheat into flour. Nut trees also grow in abundance, especially filberts, walnuts and chestnuts. Apples, apricots, and plums are not uncommon, and are often dried or candied.
The vast fodder located in the Cær Moor allows for huge herds of Cær cows (a stocky and shaggy halfling breed of cattle with large swept back horns and a docile nature), and flocks of Leaside Blackface (sheep with black faces and socks and tightly curled horns) to be raised for milk, wool and leather. Farwater is know for a thriving cheese industry; producing semi hard cheeses that are often flavored with herbs or dried fruit. The colree (a short legged cattle dog not unlike the corgi) is commonly used to tend to herds around Lake Colree and is a popular breed across the Rainlands, where as the Aestong Mastiff (a much larger shaggy breed) is used in the Cær Moor to defend herd against predators.
Ducks and geese are extremely common on Aestongs many lakes and rivers, and almost every household has at least a few in their backyard. Lake Colree is teaming with trout and perch and it's said that even a hungry halfling with a bare hook can catch his fill in an afternoon.
Hearty oak and elm are available for some limited uses, but the Hartby Woods is the only place where comercial logging exists; The Unicorn Grove being considered sacred and the Mockingbird Woods being considered haunted.
There are no major mineral deposits within Aestong, with the exception of large deposits of kanolite found along the Dancing River, this has lead to a thriving porcelain and ceramics industry in Northern Aestong. The breathtaking landscape has inspired many a poet, bard and artist to call Aestong home, and Farwater has established a few associated trades including print shops, scriptoriums, and book binderies.
Trading boats can travel up the Unicorn Brook almost right to the Unicorn Grove. Aestong maintains a few small ports; Wahull and Wantford on the Islington Rush, Furness on the Hellspring River, Squall's End on Twilram Lake, and Farwater on Lake Colree.
- Exports include; Wheat, flour, nuts, cheese, wool, leather, porcelain, books
- Imports include; tea, coal, spices, iron, copper, jewelry
"Never been a fan of clay, but even I appricate the craftmanship. The bowl of me own pipe is made from Erast porceline."
-- Bhaldur Boldhand, cleric of the forge.
Settlements
Frostford -- Erast -- Wantford -- Clacton -- Cærfyrddin -- Three Streams -- Culcheth -- Leaside -- Æthelney -- Jongvale -- Dewhurst -- Windermere -- Furness -- Tarrin -- Farwater -- Squall's End -- Beachbough -- Wahull
Unique Customs
It is considered extremely bad luck to cut down a tree with a birds nest in it. The assumption is that bird nests are attended to by sprites and anyone caught disturbing a nest can expect to be plagued by the tiny fey's mischief for at least a year. The only way around this is to wait until the eggs have hatched and the birds have left the nest, and then put a bowl of brandy in the nest one evening. The next day, the sprites will be still intoxicated and you can cut the tree down safely without they fey knowing who did it.
Hospitality to strangers is considered not just good manners, but good luck. Many homes are welcoming to travelers and will allow strangers to share a meal and be given a place to rest should they ask. Many believe that the copper dragon known as Xanfer the Jolly often visits homes in disguise and leaves gifts for the good hosts. This hospitality never lasts more than a day, and anyone wishing to spend a second night will find themselves requiring coin to do so.
Every community in Aestong is responsible for their local bridges. Bridges over the Unicorn Brook are vital to trade and are kept in immaculate shape. Any damage to a bridge is fixed by locals with the sort of desperation that is commonly associated with an active fire. The superstition is that if a bridge falls, the celestial spirits of the river will become displeased and prevent the rebuilding of the bridge unless a long and costly ritual is performed by the whole community.
Festivals
The festival of Auroras is celebrated on the last night of Wolfmorn. People travel out to the Unicorn Grove where they drink mulled cider and watch the magical fairy fire dance among the trees. Due to its proximity to the Hellspring River, even in the depths of winter the nights are relatively mild, though snow does tend to accumulate. even those who cannot travel out in the weather can usually see the faerie fire from across Aestong reflected in the clouds around the Silver Mountains.
The Feast of the Bees is held on the 1st to 3rd day of Bloom. Children often put on plays for their local villages; enacting stories from the myths of Belanus and his adventures. Visiting elves often find this upsetting as one of the most popular plays concerns the Sharding of Corellon. Villages decide during the festivities on someone to become the "hivemaster", a ceremonial positions whose job it is to welcome the coming spring on the last day of the festival.
The first week of Longday is the festival of lore. Streets are decorated with garlands all around village squares. Elders tell stories and legends to younger generations, and bards are most welcome to perform. Great outdoor feasts are held, and the final night is waited for with anticipation, and is usually filled with drinking, dancing, music, bonfires and fireworks.
Ghostwatch is celebrated on the 13th night of longshadow. It is said that the hags of the Old Witchwood fly across the sky looking for little children to eat. Children are encouraged to dress in costumes and pretend to be hags and their goblin and troll helpers, in order to confuse the hags. The children then go door to door with calls of "we come for your tasty children" and the residents are encouraged to give the "hags" candied nuts and fruit in the shape of children.
Cuisine
Food in Aestong tends to be simple and hearty. Stews, cheese, bread and dried fruit are served at most meals. Hearty breakfasts of bacon, eggs and cheese are common among the hard working farmers. Food is often flavored with onions, savory herbs, dried fruit or mustard. Ham and waterfowl are often served at special occasions. Pickled onions, carrots, and other vegetables often accompany meals in months where fresh vegetables are not available.
Farwater is famous for its street vendors who sell meat pies and heavily battered perch served with pickles and onions. Biscuits made of whole wheat and dried fruit are common among the shepherds and cowherds among the Cær Moor. Honeyed buns are a common treat throughout Aestong, and many bakers have set up Aestong bakeshops in major centers from Ovgilbek to High Glenn to Riverdown.
Most villages brew their own cider and mead, and imports of hopped Ale and whiskey from D'arcy are common. Tea is extremely popular, and is drunken with breakfast, lunch and tea time. Whiskey is often mixed with tea and cream and drank in the evenings after a long day of work. Honey and herbal teas are seen as a cure-all and usually reserved for children and the sick.
"If you ever find yourself in Farwater, you have to try the duck pie. it's unusual, but one of the best i've ever had."
--Barmus Ambleside, cleric of Dagdah
Fashion
Wool and linen are the most common material for clothing. Leather is used sparingly for shoes, belts and suspenders. Mustard, dark greens and rustic browns are some of the more common colors, with Navy blue, pale blue, and wine red sometimes being used as an accent. Checks and plaids are not uncommon in shirts and skirts, though paisley patterns can be seen on higher status individuals.
Commoners tend to wear large straw hats of felted caps. Waistcoats are common for both men and women, with long skirts being popular with women and breaches with men. Woolen jackets, mufflers and shawls are common in colder months. Simple corsets and bodices are common with women often emphasising their ample decolletage. Socks and shoes are seen as necessary for traveling long distances or living in the towns, but barefoot is common in the countryside. Every person in Aestong has a heavy wool cloak for inclement weather. Higher status individuals tend to wear brighter colors and more elaborate patterns, often accented with lace.
Jewelry is seen to be an indicator of status; Commoners wear simple rings, pendants and earrings, usually made out of copper or pewter. Wealthy and noble individuals wear garish jewelry in silver or gold set with precious gems. Piercings are limited to ears, though multiple piercings are not uncommon for wealthy individuals. Tattoos are not uncommon and can often be quite elaborate, but are usually kept to intimate regions. Someone other than a lover being able to see you tattoo is seen as scandelious and only approprate for individuals in the business of "selling favors"
Hair is generaly worn free and unbraded, with styles that emphasise either their natural curl, or brushed straight. Women wear their hair sholder lenght, while men tend to wear their hair shaggy but shorter. With the exception of sideburns, facial hair is uncommon.
Threats
Hill giants, ogres, ettin and frost giants ocasionaly raid the lands north of the Dancing River, which is also home to the baer hag known as Blue Helga. Goblins and wargs raid from the Unicorn Grove and across the Cær Moor. Bandits have been known to camp in the Old Witchwood and Hartby Woods. The Mockingbird Woods is said to be infested with ghouls, banshees, and melevelent fey creatures such as quicklings, yeth hounds, and darklings.
The Old Witchwood is said to be home to several monsters, including displacer beasts, owl bears, harpies, as well as large and vicious brown bears. Packs of wolves and death dogs, in addition to giant eagles, harrass the livestock across the Cær Moor. Ankegh and giant spiters can be found in Unicorn Grove, and bullette have been seen around Dewhurst Fields and Colram Meadows .
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