The Four Rivers

The Four Rivers is an isolated region south and west of the kingdom of Allinor. Nestled hard against the mountains of the Kal'lorryn, the continental divide and tucked mostly behind the Ellesneral, the Four Rivers is almost forgotten by the other peoples of Cozeroth. Once controlled by the Kingdom of Allinor, it has been a dozen generations since the country folk of the Four Rivers have seen a patrol of the Queens Horse, and ten since they've seen a tax collector.

As a result, few in the region know that they ever had a Queen, and there is no Lord or Lady to rule them. Left to their own devices, the Farmers and herdsmen have done pretty well for themselves. There are two main settlements, the Northeastern town known as Lanburg, and the Southwestern known as Ghal. A few other hamlets dot the countryside, though they are little more than three or four houses clumped together.

The main product of The Four Rivers is wool. The lands are fertile, and most families maintain gardens and a few grow crops, but by and large, sheep herds roam the open spaces of this quiet land. There are craftsmen and women in the region as well, and if it weren't for being so isolated, their weaving and wheelwrights work would be accounted amongst the finest in Cozeroth.

Governmental authority is almost nonexistent in the Four Rivers. Both Lanburg and Ghal have Councils of Elders, made up of the oldest men in each village, and a peculiar informal council of women known as a knitting circle. Whether the Council of Elders or the Knitting Circle of either village actually call the shots is totally dependent on whom you ask.

Both the Towns have a Warden, or Sheriff, who enforces the laws, or settles small disputes, though neither town has a 'jail'. There is also no organized militia in the Four Rivers, though in years past when there was a common threat, there were no shortage of volunteers to join the Sheriff as deputies, and see to it. Many of the families in the Four Rivers have an old Crossbow, or some other family relic handed down through the generations.

As is the case in most small communities, almost everyone in the Four Rivers, knows everyone else, at least by reputation, if not better than that. Families and farms have changed little, and those who don't like to pitch in when needed, or who are greedy or secretive, find themselves with little help when they, in turn, are in need. This has developed an almost Communal approach to living, especially in tough times when the residents band together to see each other through.

Climate

The Four Rivers has four season, but being in the deep south, the winters are generally mild and short. No one alive in the region today can remember any of the rivers freezing. The growing season is long and summers are very hot, though tempered with generous rainfalls. The cultivated crops, and natural grasses are a bounty for the people, the livestock, and the wildlife of the area.

Faith

Religion is very important in the lives of the residents of The Four Rivers. The absence of any real Government means that the Church has taken on a greater significance. Having said this, it's also important to note that The Olde Faith is still practiced strongly, and more than a few families attend services at the Cathedral of St Autrus on Sunday mornings, AND honor the traditions of the Olde Faith on their holidays, believing that the power of nature must be respected. (Farmers who live in proximity to either Lanburg or Ghal, mostly.)

The Churh of the Light is also a social center for the simple countryfolk. Dances, sewing circles, prayer meetings, even literacy classes are conducted at the church. Speaking for Lanburg, the only other place to socialize, is the Inn, so the neighborly folks use church functions to interact, without spending their coin.

If you think "Little House on the Prairie", youre not too far off the mark.

On the Map

The two towns, Ghal and Lanburg, are really eerily similar, despite what the residents of one town will tell you about those of the other. The populations of each are between 125-200 folks, and they are about two days ride apart. (70 miles or so.)

As is obvious from the name, there are four rivers that flow from the Mountains to the sea in this fertile valley. Listing them from west to east, they are:

• Iveri River
• Leynn river
• Syris river
• Derone river

The Iveri and the Leynn converge just to the Southwest of Lanburg, and flow to the city of Okarop, and the sea. The Syris and the Derone converge just southwest of Ghal, and flow to the sea.

Ghal

Townsfolk

Places of Note

Lanburg

Map

Landburg Map Key

1. Plowman's Rest Inn- Denlyl and Liser Polarch

2. St. Autrus' Cathedral

3 Rerd Cepaze's Wheel & Wainwright.

4 Jordan Quopol Blacksmith & Metalworks

5 Yhinu Warriat Thatcher

6. Samn Chedena General Store

7 Issalee Adodyn Seamstress

8. Kinz Onomang Teamster

Townsfolk

• Issalee Adodyn, Seamstress

• Rerd Capaze, Wheel and Wainwright

• Samn Chedena, proprietor, general store

• Kinz Onomang, Teamster and father of five children

• Redrick Feltzens, Warden of Lanburg

• Denlyl and Liser Polarch, Innkeep and his wife.

• Jordan Quopol, Blacksmith and metalworker

• Urnan Schenwar, Priest of the Light, a foreigner from the Barony of Uldun.

• Yinhu Warriat, the thatcher

Places of Note

The Plowman's Rest Inn:

The Plowman's Rest Inn is the second largest building in Lanburg, just behind St. Autrus' Cathedral. Its red brick construction and shingled roof give it  sturdy look, and inside that same theme is continued. Exposed beams, and a solid stone fireplace give the Common Room its atmosphere, and the smaller, rarely used private rooms keep the same feel.

The Plowman's Rest patrons are 99% of the time are from Lanburg. Most of the other 1% will be from elsewhere in the Four Rivers region. A guest in the Plowman's Rest who is genuinely from another land is a thrice a year happening, if that. The Proprietors of the Inn are Denlyl and Liser Polarch. No nonsense people, and kind to those who are in need, they are considered pillars of their commmunity.

• The Cathedral of St. Autrus:

St.Autrus' cathedral is the center of worship for The Light. It is the largest building and right smack in the center of town. The Priest who resides and preaches there is named Urnan Schenwar, a foreigner from the Barony of Uldun, far away to the North.

The church is named after St. Autrus, the clergyman who built it around 200 years ago, he founded the first real Church of the light in Lanburg, and worked tirelessly against a plague that was ravaging the whole region. The people of the Four Rivers named him a saint, and there is an engraved bronze plaque on the cornerstone of the church commemorating his life and great works. The current Pastor, Urnan Schenwar, has no links theological or otherwise to him, though he does seem to spend a good deal of time reading the libraries of memoirs and theological papers Autrus wrote during his life.

Coronation Field

Halfway between Ghal and Lanburg, there is a ring of ancient standing stones, known as the Coronation Field. Every year after the harvest, almost everyone in the 4 Rivers gathers here for a big fair. Craftsmen ply their wares, farmers trade with each other, to fill their larders with things they might not have grown, huntsmen trade their cured meats and furs, games of skill and chance are played, and the folk dance and sing together for a four day festival.

This is the way that most of the residents of the region know each other. If only by reputation. "Oh that's Fil Igree, from Ghal, he's won the 4mile horse race 3 years running, and he's supposed to have the thickest wool in Ghal."