Aktrout
Aktrout is a small, floating town of the Queendom of Keeleon, located on the southern edge of Red Lake in the Desecrated Hills region of Tarteria. It is a culturally significant location, as the lake is said to be the storied origins of the orcs, and traditionalist orcish views are strong here.
2024 Town Image by Watabou and M.B.
On 2 Avedar 5A 351, the Prophets of Regression came to Red Lake. Witnesses from Aktrout said they saw the four genasi head beneath the water, but only three were seen leaving. After 2 Avedar 5A 351, rogue elemental energies started to affect Red Lake. Lord Lortuk, son of Mog, was sent to investigate, and he spoke with witnesses of the event. 5A 352
At some point between 21 Madaet and 27 Madaet 5A 352, Mortimr Gwathagoldrin and Kelwin's Magical Toys and Concocted Wonders passed through Aktrout while traveling northwards along the Orc Highway. On 12 Adroth 5A 352, word reached the Brondor Urbaz that Borscha Brickwell had taken the open coinguard position in Porgorag. Andras Ashforge and a number of dwarves from the Hands of Ore guild set out from Thoriktown headed towards Porgorag. On 16 Adroth 5A 352, Andras Ashforge and a number of dwarves from the Hands of Ore guild arrived in Aktrout from Thoriktown as they were traveling towards Porgorag. They took the Varg Barges into the town and would begin to sell some of their goods in the Wet Market. In the night of 16 Adroth 5A 352, the Varg Barges chains and Zenthai's Dragon Anchor were damaged by some type of attack under the water. This left Zenthai's Anchor entirely separated from the surface buoy. On 26 Adroth 5A 352, the Lightbringers arrived in Aktrout via the Orc Highway.
Description
Aktrout is a small, floating town built largely upon the waters of Red Lake. It is believed the original meaning of the town's name is “On the Red Water” or “Red Water Home”, signifying the cultural importance of the settlement. During the Tarterian War, some orcs were able to flee to the waters of the lake to survive the demon onslaught. Taken as a good omen and symbol of orcish resilience, the town was rebuilt fully on the surface of the lake after the war. The town is supported by three massive anchors and buoys, which hold the town in place almost a mile off the coast. Attached to these are wooden barges, floats, and decks which connect the many floating houses and boats, forming a floating wooden town. Many of these have become permanent fixtures of the town, becoming deeply tied to the surrounding boats and deck structures. Small districts are formed around each of the three buoys and on the lakeshore closest to town. All three districts have housing, with larger and sturdier structures closer towards the town’s center. Aktrout is important as a cultural center and is the storied origin point of the orcish people. It is very traditionalist and somewhat xenophobic in its makeup and outlook. However, it is very reliant on trade from the road and river, as the Red Lake region cannot provide everything needed for the citizenry. Its place of prominence on the Orc Highway and along the Rexun River means much traffic flows by this water town.Zenethian Anchor District
The Zenethian Anchor district is the northwestern third of the town. The town's government and functionary buildings are located here.- Zenthai's Anchor: The Aktrout Dragon Anchor dedicated to Zenthai, The Dragon King. The buoy deck surrounding it is a dedicated space for public gatherings. Recent pressure has arisen to change the iconography and name to honor Chedae, The Heaven's Light, instead.
- Aktrout Ark: A large barge of the old Keelish river fleet that became a safe haven for orcs during the Tarterian War. It is now the home of the town’s Oknar and a gathering hall for official town business.
- Mikog'nen Infirmary: An orcish healing house and apothecary. It uses the waters of the Red Lake in its processes, which is protected from the muck and grime from the rest of the town.
- Buoy's Bagels: A small, floating eatery recently moored to the side of the docks. Though it doesn’t have its own seating, it provides tasty baked goods uncommon in this region.
Dynamian Anchor District
The Dynamian Anchor district is the northeastern third of the town. Various town support and defense buildings are located here.- Barduumus's Anchor: The Aktrout Dragon Anchor dedicated to Barduumus, The Battlelord. The buoy deck surrounding it is reinforced to support the added weight of Scow training and rare military ship presence in the town.
- Scow's Tower: The operations center for the town’s guard, the Scows. A large wooden watchtower made of a modified mast and crow’s nest, the town watch look out for ships, danger, and incoming weather.
- Shipwrights' Deck: An area of the town where the Dockwrights Guild operate to repair ships, boats, barges, and the many docks of Aktrout. A docking area is here as well.
- Rusted Reach Bridge: A covered bridge over the canal and connecting the Barduumus and Sehakora sections of the town. It is a bar and brothel, where military and town watch orcs blow off steam. .
Thalassian Anchor District
The Thalassian Anchor district is the southern third of the town. As the primary arrival point for visitors, merchant and traveler structures are located here.- Sehakora's Anchor: The Aktrout Dragon Anchor dedicated to Sehakora, The Maelstrom. The buoy deck surrounding is dedicated to offerings to the Dragon of the Sea, and blood sacrifices for safe waters are made on the buoy’s emblems.
- Varg Barges Landing: An open docking area where the multiple Varg Barges attach to the city. These can be sent off through the pair of chains as ferries to the shoreside district.
- Wet Market: A floating trade market where family and merchant ships can moor together, making a marketplace of small ships and barges. Not much is available for adventurers, but the citizens rely on the market for goods and services.
- Old Anchor Inn: An inn and tavern where visitors to Aktrout usually gather. The original anchor of the Aktrout Ark is on display here, along with many other anchors accumulated over the years.
Shoreside District
The Shoreside District is located on the southern shore of the lake. It is mostly just the crossroads and the few buildings that have sprung up around it.- Orichalcum Idol: A totem made of raw orichalcum stained with bloody handprints that is an important cultural site for Aktrout. Here, orcs make blood oaths to each other.
- Aktrout Crossroads: The meeting of the Orc Highway, Rexun River, Red Lake, and the Voklajak Road to Thoriktown. .
- Varg Barges Landing: The shoreside where the Varg Barges land from Aktrout. The chains from the city attach to two stone anchors near a simple dock, and barges under repair not stored at Aktrout are found on the nearby shore. There is a nearby stable for housing the mounts and wagons of travelers.
Map
Society
Government
Aktrout is headed by a local mayor, titled an Oknar, and a junior position, the Deputy Oknar. The population of Aktrout is small enough that Guard positions seen elsewhere in Keeleon are not represented here. Following custom, the Oknar makes many decisions on behalf of the town and reports to capital, Kievs. The oknar also work closely with the town guard, called the Scows, and with the Dockwrights who maintain the wooden docks, boats, and structures of the town.Government Appointments
- Oknar: Oknar Zhangon of Aktrout
- Deputy Oknar: Deputy Dhnen, son of Zhangon
Demographics
The population is almost entirely orcs and halforcs, though some other races occupy the shoreside district alongside them. Though no official laws prohibit other races from living here, the traditionalist views developed by these orcs that never fled their homeland puts much pressure on non-orcs from inhabiting the floating town. The community is small and somewhat suspicious of outsiders, making it difficult for any who would settle here.History
The First Age: The Age of Creations
Red Lake is the storied origin of the orc race. Common legends speak of the first orcs bringing the waters of the lake to heel and spreading along its banks. It is believed that orcs have resided along the lakeshore for as long as the Red Lake has existed, though a formal settlement would not be properly founded for some time due to the regular flooding of the lake.The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia
At some point in the Third Age, Warlord Keel, the First Orc King, placed the Orichalcum Idol on the southern shore of the lake. It was this action that solidified a location for Aktrout, switching from a more nomadic and shifting village to a fixed settlement. During the Great War, it is said the three orcish Zenethian Champions, Porgorag, Sanazi, and Morazar came to Aktrout and swore a blood oath on the Orichalcum Idol to protect Tarteria.The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow
During the Tarterian War, when the demon army attacked central Tarteria, some of the citizens of Aktrout were able to survive by taking shelter on Red Lake in the Akonon Anakag, a keelish river barge. Though the town was destroyed, the Orichalcum Idol and the survivors remained.The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings
In the early Fifth Age, survivors from Aktrout took their survival as an omen and would begin to rebuild the town fully on the waters of Red Lake. It is said that Queen Alena, daughter of the Last Orc King, came here after returning to Tarteria to swear a blood oath on the Orichalcum Idol. Though unconfirmed, conflicting rumors and stories state that Grupe, the Monster Hunter, was also present alongside Alena. After the founding of Thoriktown, the Voklajak Road was built, connecting to the Orc Highway at Aktrout. 5A 351On 2 Avedar 5A 351, the Prophets of Regression came to Red Lake. Witnesses from Aktrout said they saw the four genasi head beneath the water, but only three were seen leaving. After 2 Avedar 5A 351, rogue elemental energies started to affect Red Lake. Lord Lortuk, son of Mog, was sent to investigate, and he spoke with witnesses of the event. 5A 352
At some point between 21 Madaet and 27 Madaet 5A 352, Mortimr Gwathagoldrin and Kelwin's Magical Toys and Concocted Wonders passed through Aktrout while traveling northwards along the Orc Highway. On 12 Adroth 5A 352, word reached the Brondor Urbaz that Borscha Brickwell had taken the open coinguard position in Porgorag. Andras Ashforge and a number of dwarves from the Hands of Ore guild set out from Thoriktown headed towards Porgorag. On 16 Adroth 5A 352, Andras Ashforge and a number of dwarves from the Hands of Ore guild arrived in Aktrout from Thoriktown as they were traveling towards Porgorag. They took the Varg Barges into the town and would begin to sell some of their goods in the Wet Market. In the night of 16 Adroth 5A 352, the Varg Barges chains and Zenthai's Dragon Anchor were damaged by some type of attack under the water. This left Zenthai's Anchor entirely separated from the surface buoy. On 26 Adroth 5A 352, the Lightbringers arrived in Aktrout via the Orc Highway.
Type
Town
Location under
Included Locations
Vehicles Present
Related Reports (Primary)
Tarteria Plane
Material Plane