Travels Through the Kingdom

"I recently visited Tursh on Market Day. Ordinarily, it's hard to tell one Villages market from anothers. However, because it is so close to New Targonor, Tursh often has special visitors in town for the festivities, which are then celebrated with extra pomp and ceremony."

Dordas Deren, the First Priest from New Targonor, was one such visitor to Tursh. During my visit, I watched as he performed the Firstwater Blessing. From the turnout for the blessing, it was clear that lasern is attracting new followers about as quickly as Tursh is atttracting new residents.

As I wandered through the market stalls, I found an array of local products such as barley, corn and Tursh game hens, the latter having become a favorite course on the menus of many of New Targonors citizens. As it happened to be shearing season at the time I visited, I was also treated to ample displays of wool. Many of the traders and artisans had specially traveled to Tursh to purschase the sheared fleece."

"The first sight that assails visitors to New Targonor is the towering statue dominating the courtyard. This monument to Loric Targonor, armored and raising his sword in salutation, inspires the strong sense of loyalty the people of Tursh have for the line of Thestran kings born of Loric himself so many years ago. It also symbolizes the resolve Tursh, and the entire Kingdom, has to persevere under all circumstances, no matter how dire, just as Targonor himself did during the years following the Breaking"

"Rindol Field, so named for its original settlers, Jessip and Mara Rindol, is not overly large. Some would describe it as a modest settlement. It is certainly nothing like the busy streets of New Targonor. Most of its inhabitants live on small farms surrounding the city proper. However there are those, mainly craftsmen, who prefer to live closer to the center of town.

The quaint houses and cottages are constructed of wood or light stone. Natural roofs are not an uncommon sight as many of the houses are dug into the hillsides. The feeling that strikes one most when visiting this settlement is the warmth and familiarity."

"Upon my visit to Rindol Field, I was struck by how sociable and jovial the Halflings are. I was invited to supper, and then to stay the night, by one family. After a delightful meal, a round of story telling ensued. I heard many enjoyable tales including one about a farmer, Halp Grimbo, and his battle with a giant ant. I even contributed my own sotry as well to the gathering. However, I was unprepared for the barrage of questions I received after the telling. Everything from my heritage, the streets of New Targonor, the lands I have visited previously, and the contents of my knapsack were subjects of many queries. The people of Rindol Field are certainly an inquisitive bunch."

"I came upon a most impressive sight near Rindol Field. A massive dam, built of worked stone and designed by the denizens of Brodinar's Cleft, helps to regulate the seasonal flooding and allows the Halfling farmers, further downsteam, to work their fields with suitable irrigation"

"I noticed that many of the foundaions of the buildings within Falgarholm are from a much earlier period than that of the structures sitting atop them. In some cases, even some earlier existing walls were used in the construction of new halls and dwellings. It is apparent that Falgarholm has as long histor of being inhabited, stretching back into the years before the founding of the Kingdom of Thestra."

"Although usually reticent in allowing outsiders into their wonderful city, I was welcomed by the Mountain Dwarves into Brodinars Cleft. In part, my guides introduction of me and my undertaking helped to expedite the process. It appears that there is some curiosity in how I view the other races I have encountered Most of the dwarves I spoke with help very rigid views in regards to any who are not dwarven."

"Upon entering the halls of Bordinars Cleft, I noticed first the polished grey stone walls shining, reflecting the light of torches attached at regular intervals around the perimeter of the first vast chamber. Ore veins marbled the walls interrupting the high sheen from time to time. Various games, still held fast in the stone, only add to the beauty of this city."

"One experience not to be missed in the Bordinars Cleft is a visit to a tavern. Even as one approaches the chosen establishement, it is possible to hear the sonority of dwarven voices singing along with the steady cadence of tankards and utensils being pounded upon the tables. The consumption of ale seems almost ritualistic in its practice. Even with my sparse Dwarvish vocabulary, I was able to enjoy the songs immensely. The ale was as superb as the music."

"I noticed that many of the foundaions of the buildings within Falgarholm are from a much earlier period than that of the structures sitting atop them. In some cases, even some earlier existing walls were used in the construction of new halls and dwellings. It is apparent that Falgarholm has as long histor of being inhabited, stretching back into the years before the founding of the Kingdom of Thestra."

"Most beleive that elves of Leth Nurae to be aloof of outsiders. However, my experience has been that they are more elitist and arrogant than aloof. Perhaps their long lives lead them to disdain other races. Whatever the reason, it was clear to me upon my visit that I was tolerated but necessarily welcome into their city."

"Velereth, the elf assigned to guide us through Leth Nurae stoon 6 feet but was slender in comparison to a human of the same height. He had very fair hair, almost white under certain light, and his chiseled facial features were more pronounced by his lack of facial hair. During one conversation I asked him his age to which he replied he was still a young elf at the age of 83."