Gelhellan Isles (Ghell-HELL-un)

Across the Sea of Fading Spirits are the fabled Gelhellan Isles, a land of curious folk often considered bizarre by the rest of Galania. It is the home of the halflings, who long ago introduced their ways and tales to the mainland, but most visitors to the Isles are amazed to find that tales of aaracokra, tortles, firbolgs and lizardfolk are based on real, actual communities who live there. The people of the Isles are friendly but private, perhaps a little wary of outsiders spoiling the tranquility or marring the beauty of their land.

Settlements

The capital of the Isles is the dwarven-built fortress of Din Fainagh, where Wilfred Backwhistle, Master of Lordly Matters, holds court from the Lofty Throne. Visitors to court quickly realise that there is an air of ridiculousness to events, with the Master passed overhead on an old wooden stool as he makes his wistful decrees to cheers or boos as befits them. None would accuse the halflings of treating power with any sort of dignity or solemnity. Din Fainagh is nevertheless an impressive work of architecture and a stronghold that any invader would balk at. The dwarves who once lived here pre-date the halflings and are assumed to have left once the gold mine dried up, but any halfling in any tavern is a mere drink away from inventing their own story as to why the dwarves really departed.
On the north edge of the forest is the village of Aichail, an eclectic hodgepodge of traditional stone houses, wooden treehouses and mud huts, home to many refugees of various races from the Isle of Beasts. Much of the village's industry revolves around the Aichail brewery, run by Molly and Monty Mosslemop, whose ale is used to treat just about any wound or malady.
The main port between the Isles and the mainland is at Streichfin, a fishing town with a moderate human population. It is said that the fabled halfling adventurer Dale Fanglefoot set off from this point in a wooden bathtub to seek his fortune in distant lands, later returning to report his discovery of Aldania and head back to settle there with others.
At the south end of the main island sits the isolated village of Kifalligh, a quiet place of farming where outsiders are viewed with particular suspicion. The farmers here are known throughout the Isles for disapproving of most things, whether it be the weather, the folks on Michilpeck or anything that may or may not be happening on the mainland. A boat goes daily between Kifalligh and Michilpeck island, and if the boatman is in the right mood he may be persuaded to go to the small island to the west of the village, known as The Spit, where the bones of a great beast can be found.
On the island of Michilpeck stands Michilpeck Hold, where Lady Asta Michilpeck claims her authority independently of Din Fainagh. Her self-important attitude is the antipathy of the Court of the Lofty Throne, with courtiers expected to show deference and respect at all times in honour of her Ladyship.

Type

Geopolitical, Lordship