Natarr

A large Terosian town on the west coast of Teros Major, Natarr is notable for its significant population of Drile. It was once the capital of Teros.

History

The town was founded some time around the year 100, and its climate made it an attractive haven for many Drile. The town's great fortress was built at the end of the 5th century during the reign of Tekkaron; it would be severely damaged in an earthquake 500 years later.
Following the fall of Tekkaron in the 6th century, the town thrived on trade with neighbouring ports across the Sea of Fair Winds.
In the 15th century, Natarr was the birthplace of two notable Drile: the warlord Farsinna Taskir, known as the Broodmother, and of Hassiron Tessall (the Scaled Keeper).
The Palace of the Sands (built in the 16th century) served as a royal residence for the Drile monarchs of Teros. In 1523, Queen Beshia made Natarr the nation's capital, and the town would remain as such until the assassination of Gamennin in 1544 by Rana Gelann and the crowning of Frishak I.
The Natarrine Sands was the scene of the Battle of the Sands in 1907, as Warland was defeated by Jaron IV.
In 2045, Queen Revannon took her own life at the Tower of the Maiden.
During the War of Salvation, Natarr was invaded and captured by the forces of Forbin and its allies. The King of Remon, Sandar was killed in the fighting.
Since the war, the new Mistress of Natarr has quickly bolstered her position, and the occupiing Peacekeeper force rarely interferes in her plots and machinations.

Power and politics

Government

While Natarr was once the capital of Teros, its status is now much reduced. The town is ruled by the Mistress of Natarr, the enchanter Maro Cay Dilarr.

Defence and security

While its great fortress now stands mostly in ruins, the town's defensive wall remains intact. While the town retains its own Watch, the Peacekeepers maintain a garrison at the Citadel of the Gate under the ailing Commander Haskar, leader of the Peacekeeper forces in the Frontier Lands; the Peacekeeper focus is mostly on trade (and taxation) rather than law and order more broadly, and their influence here is less than in the towns of the south.

Other powers

The priests of Natarr's larger temples and the towns's wealthiest merchants all hold some power, but few would dare to openly act against the Mistress of the town - and certainly not alone.

Geography and environment

Local geography

Natarr lies on the western coast of Teros. Behind it to the south and east lie the dunes of the Natarrine Sands. While much of the coastline further north and south features high, rocky cliffs, Natarr is located in a broad, low plain that slopes gently towards the sea. A small hill sits at its southwestern corner, on which stands the Broken Fortress.
To the northeast lie the Rast Lowlands, a fertile river plain on the fringes of the Wastes dotted with small farming communities.

Design and architecture

Along the shoreline lies the stone harbourside, with the harbour wall jutting out from its southern end into the Sea of Fair Winds.
A great wall curves around the town, as much to protect the town from the encroaching sands as to keep out invaders. Through a great gate in its eastern side runs the desert road to Benann. This gate is guarded by a great citadel.
Buildings are predominatly round in shape, and constructed of stone, with flat or domed roofs. As Natarr is home to many Drile, most of the towns buildings have been constructed with them in mind; steps and stairs are rarely featured, with smooth, winding ramps in their place. The lower floor of many buildings is sunk down into the earth for protection from the heat, and larger buildings feature tall windcatcher towers to catch the sea breeze.
Homes are typically unadorned on the outside. Larger houses are often centred on an internal courtyard, open to the sky.

Landmarks and key locations

Natarr is home to a number of landmarks and important locations.
The town features a large central plaza, used as a marketplace. The road from the eastern gate to the harbour passes through the center of the square. At the southern side of the plaza stands the vast Statue of Beshia, Drile queen of Teros from 1522 to 1544.
What remains of the ancient Broken Fortress stands on a low hill at the southern end of the harbour. Damaged centuries ago by an earthquake, the castle was almost completely destroyed during the War of Salvation. Beneath the hill lies the ancient Crypt of the Kings where the remains of three of Teros's Drile monarchs are housed.
With no nearby river, much of the town's fresh water comes from the White Cistern, a vast underground reservoir on the south-eastern edge of the town.
Near the northeastern edge of the town stands the tall Tower of the Maiden, from which Queen Revannon leapt to her death in 2045.
Natarr has a number of temples. The cults of Frenar, Balcosh, Lessada and Jires all maintain temples here. The ruins of a temple dedicated to Jarkash still stands near the eastern gate.
In 2264, Sandar, King of Remon was killed in the invasion of Teros during the War of Salvation. After the town was captured, his remains were buried beneath a cairn of stones outside the town walls.
On a hill two miles south of the town lies the Palace of the Sands. Once property of the monarchs of Teros, the palace is now held by the Mistress of Natarr.

Transport

Benann lies across the desert to the east. The desert road is difficult, and merchants typically travel in great convoys.
A road north follows the coast towards the towns of the Rast Lowlands, some fifty miles distant.
Ships come and go across the Sea of Fair Winds to Mintrass and Daros. Merchants bound for Persothan far to the north or Olnath in the south often prefer the sea voyage to the perils of the road.

Demographics

Population

Natarr has a total population of approximately 19,400.
The town is known for its large population of Drile, who make up almost a quarter of Natarr's inhabitants.

Wealth and class

Natarr’s economy, centered on fishing, spice production, and the export of borsha liquor, has led to a clear class divide within the town. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of the merchant elite, who control key industries and trade routes. These families, often tied to guilds, enjoy luxurious homes and influence over local governance, as well as connections to the Peacekeepers of Forbin. Their fortunes are built on the success of Natarr’s spice exports and the lucrative trade of borsha liquor, which has become a sought-after commodity across the Helerin Archipelago.
Below the elite, a sizeable middle class of skilled artisans, traders, and fishermen thrives. This group benefits from steady work in the town’s bustling markets and ports, as well as from the processing and export of local products like figs, spices, and dried fish. They live comfortably but are dependent on the health of Natarr’s industries and the whims of trade.
The laboring class, including miners, dockworkers, and farm laborers, forms the backbone of the town’s economy. They work long hours in difficult conditions, especially in the town’s fisheries, fig orchards, and spice farms. Though they play an essential role in keeping Natarr’s economy running, they have little opportunity for upward mobility. Many live in modest, crowded quarters near the docks and markets.

Education

Formal education in Natarr is rare and primarily reserved for the children of the wealthy merchant class, who can afford private tutors. These elite children are educated in trade, finance, and governance, preparing them to take over their family businesses and maintain control of the town’s industries.
For the middle and lower classes, education is mostly practical and vocational, passed down through apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Fishermen teach their children the art of the sea, while artisans and traders learn the tools of their respective trades from a young age. Literacy is common only among merchants and traders, who rely on it for record-keeping, while most laborers have little need for formal education beyond their daily work.
Despite the lack of widespread formal schooling, the town’s guilds play an important role in ensuring that key skills are preserved and passed on to the next generation, ensuring Natarr’s economy continues to function smoothly.

Economy

Key industries

• Fishing: Natarr’s location on the Sea of Fair Winds makes it a key fishing port, with local fishermen bringing in a variety of fish from the waters along the coast. The catch is sold fresh in the town’s markets or preserved through drying and salting for export. Fish is an important staple of the local diet, and the town’s fishing industry helps sustain the population in its otherwise arid environment.
• Borsha production: One of Natarr’s most valuable exports is borsha, a fruit that thrives in the hot, dry climate. Borsha is consumed both fresh and processed into a strong alcoholic liquor that is popular throughout the archipelago. The fruit’s resilient nature makes it ideal for cultivation in the sandy soil around Natarr, and the liquor has become a sought-after export, with convoys transporting it to distant ports.
• Fig orchards: The fertile soil near the White Cistern allows for the cultivation of fig trees, which produce high-quality figs that are sold in the local markets and exported to other regions. These figs are prized for their flavor and are commonly used in local dishes as well as in trade with other towns along the Sea of Fair Winds.
• Spices: Natarr is well-known for the production and trade of exotic spices, particularly Malofan and Areem. Malofan, a spiky shrub that grows in the Natarrine Sands, provides a smoky flavor that is used in both local cuisine and as a preservative. Areem, a rare spice that thrives in the arid environment, is valued for its sharp, aromatic flavor and is exported to high-end markets across Helerin. These spices are integral to Natarr’s identity and are among its most profitable exports.

Trade

As one of the major port towns on the Sea of Fair Winds, Natarr plays a vital role in regional trade. Ships regularly sail between Natarr and the neighboring ports of Mintrass and Five Swords, and many merchants prefer the safety of sea routes to the dangers of overland travel through the Natarrine Sands or the Wastes.
Goods such as Fish, spices, and Borsha liquor are exported to distant markets, while the town imports essential items like timber, grains, and other foodstuffs from more fertile regions.
The proximity of the Rast Lowlands also benefits Natarr, as crops from the fertile plains are brought to the town for processing and export. Convoys carrying Wine, fruit, and grains from the Lowlands are a common sight on the roads leading into Natarr. Meanwhile, merchants bound for Persothan in the north or Olnath to the south often pass through Natarr’s harbor, ensuring a steady flow of trade and contributing to the town’s ongoing prosperity despite its harsh surroundings.
The sea routes and land connections also make Natarr a focal point for trade between Teros Major and the broader archipelago, with caravans and ships carrying valuable goods from across the region. The town’s ability to act as both a production center and a trading hub has ensured its continued relevance, even under the watchful eye of the Peacekeepers.

Culture

Notable people

Type

Large town

Population

19400

Location under

Teros Major

Included Locations

• Statue of Beshia

Owning Organization

Teros