Taymouth
Perched at the confluence of the mighty Velverdyva River and the treacherous waters of Imeryd's Run—known to locals as Tay’s Creek—the village of Taymouth is a fortified settlement steeped in legend and tradition. Once a quiet fishing hamlet, it has since become a strategic bastion, a hub of river trade, and a home to a resilient, self-sufficient populace. The village is known for its perpetual mist, damp climate, and a stubborn streak of independence that defines its people.
History and Founding
Taymouth is said to have been founded centuries ago by a semi-mythical fisherman named Tay, who famously caught a monstrous gar over thirty feet long. The village thrived in obscurity, often overshadowed by nearby Oakham and Stalmaer. However, the events of the Elemental Troubles in the 560s CY brought change. The need for a defensible position along the river led to the fortification of Taymouth, solidifying its place as a key stronghold for House Vaswell, whose lord, Sir Drenton Vaswell, rarely visits but maintains a significant garrison in the village.
The People of Taymouth
Known for their skill at fishing and foraging the marshes that surround it, the poor folk of Taymouth are a mix of Oeridian Oerid and Flannae Flan bloodlines, culture, and religion, with the latter strain being slightly more dominant than the former. Many of them arrange themselves into loose clan units that go back generations beyond counting and stretch for some leagues beyond the walls of the village. Many folk here have family in the forest as well as further south along the Imyred’s Run (or Tay’s Creek as they prefer to call it, with no small sense of irony), and those loyalties have historically muddied the waters and blurred the lines when pirate crews have sought egress into the Velverdyva from the Imyred’s Run.
Most of the people of Taymouth cleave to the worship of Pelor, the Old Faith, and the Velaeri, the better for light to pierce the frequent fogs that descend upon the area and propitiation from the more savage seasons, flooding, and the treachery of the currents. And yet, here as elsewhere in the Viscounty, the new gods have made their presence felt, with both Saint Cuthbert and Trithereon developing small but fervent followings in recent generations.
"You call it Imeryd’s Run. We call it Tay’s Creek. Either way, steer clear when the fog sets in—there’s things in those waters older than this village."
Geography and Environment
Taymouth is built upon two low hillocks overlooking the Velverdyva and Tay’s Creek. To the south, marshlands brimming with reeds and waterfowl stretch toward the Gnarley Forest. The ground immediately to the south is marshy, full of reeds and the birds that make their homes within. A muddy track wends its way further to the south, where a ferry crosses the smaller river to the grassy bank on the eastern shore, leading toward scattered farms and the deepening wilderness beyond. To the east, farms and scattered homesteads push against the wild border of the great woods. The village is almost perpetually damp, with dense fog rolling through in the mornings and evenings, summer storms lashing the rooftops, and winter rains keeping the streets thick with mud.
The village is enclosed by a high palisade, reinforced with stone at key points, with a formidable southern gatehouse and a smaller one at the eastern causeway. The palisade is regularly patrolled by guards, ensuring security against external threats. Defensive watchtowers stand at strategic locations, allowing clear sightlines along the river and surrounding marshlands, providing early warnings of potential danger. Within the palisade, Taymouth’s streets are laid out in a simple yet efficient pattern:
- Lord’s Street – The main route leading from the noble compound near the docks toward the market square.
- Market Street – A bustling thoroughfare that leads from the southwestern gatehouse up toward the village center, passing by the town’s key inns and shops.
- West Street – A quieter lane running along the inside of the palisade, home to a mix of residences and small workshops.
- Hook Street – A short winding street leading toward the boatwright’s district near the docks.
At the heart of the village lies the market square, a central hub of commerce and gathering. Here, merchants sell their wares, and locals trade goods ranging from fresh fish to fine tools. The square is flanked by Tay’s Creek Inn, the general store, a smithy, and a small shrine dedicated to local deities.
A low stone fence encloses the noble compound, situated near the docks. This area includes a fortified boathouse, a private warehouse, and a modest manor, all under the control of House Vaswell’s representatives.
"Aye, the mist rolls in thick as thieves, but it’s not the fog you should fear—it’s what moves within it."
Notable Figures and Establishments
Taymouth is home to a number of significant individuals and locations:
- Bandor, Innkeeper of the Orcslayer Inn – Located on the southeastern hillock near the ancient shrine to the Valaeri, this rowdy and infamous establishment is known for its cheap drinks and wild atmosphere. The sign hanging above the door depicts a dead orc spitted on a long spear, its face fixed in an almost comical grimace of pain. The inn is notorious throughout the northern Viscounty as a haven for mercenaries, adventurers, and those seeking strong drink and stronger stories.
- Milo Farner, Keeper of the Blue Raven Inn – Found along the same street as the Orcslayer Inn but closer to the town center, the Blue Raven is a refined inn catering to merchants and nobility. Marked by an elegant sign featuring its namesake, the Blue Raven is known for its fine décor, comfortable lodgings, and a well-regarded kitchen that serves the best meals in Taymouth.
- Lara, Keeper of Tay’s Creek Inn – The oldest and most storied lodging in the village, Tay’s Creek Inn sits on the village square, near the smithy. Favored by locals and travelers alike, it is a simpler yet reliable establishment, offering fair prices and a welcoming hearth.
- Gerand, Village Elder and General Store Owner – A respected merchant in the community, Gerand’s store is located near the village square and supplies everything from fishing gear to household goods, serving as the primary trading hub in the village.
- Thelwyn, Master Boatwright – A half-elf known for his exceptional craftsmanship, Thelwyn operates his busy boatwright’s workshop near the docks at the western end of the break in the palisade, where river vessels of all kinds are built and repaired.
- Chulb, Master of the Ferry – Oversees crossings at Tay’s Creek, operating from a small hut near the southern track leading to the marshy ferry landing.
- Dara, Herbalist – A skilled adept known for her medicinal remedies, Dara’s small cottage is nestled near the marshes to the south, where she gathers herbs for her tinctures and poultices.
- Nillard, Alchemist – A reclusive wizard specializing in potions and arcane mixtures, Nillard operates from a modest but well-secured workshop on the outskirts of the village, not far from the Gnarley Forest’s edge.
Government and Leadership
Taymouth operates under a feudal system, with Sir Drenton Vaswell as its lord, though his governance is carried out by his officials:
- Squire Bandrew Bolwine, the pragmatic and competent bailiff
- Jory, the factotum and intermediary to Vaswell
- Unther, the gruff but experienced captain of the Lord Vaswell’s garrison
- Heltarn, the respected village blacksmith and chief elderman, who leads a council of elders that advises on local matters
"Pelor’s lightcan b urn away the fog, but it’s the Old Faith that keeps the river from swallowing us whole."
Religion and Culture
Religious life in Taymouth is varied, with faiths representing both old and new traditions:
- Temple of Pelor – A dominant feature of the village, standing atop the southwestern hillock
- Church of St Cuthbert – Located in the village square, near the smithy
- Shrine to Trithereon – A small but well-attended site near the village center
- Ancient Shrine to the Velaeri – A secluded holy place deep in the southeastern hillock’s trees
- Keeper of the Stones – Hidden by a trio of ancient menhir, druidic site of The Old Faith on the eastern bank of Tay’s Creek, maintained by Kerrys, the local druid
The people of Taymouth hold onto traditions and superstitions, particularly their insistence on calling Imeryd’s Run by its original name, Tay’s Creek, much to the confusion of outsiders. A mysterious daily occurrence has puzzled many: every morning before dawn, the birds of Taymouth fall silent for a brief, inexplicable pause.
"I’d rather face a storm on the river than an angry fisherman’s wife. You ever seen what they can do with a fillet knife?"
Economy and Trade
Taymouth’s economy revolves around:
- Fishing – Gar, cray, catfish, carp, and mud crabs, including the occasional monstrous specimen
- Boatbuilding – A major industry, with local craftsmen known for sturdy river craft
- Herbalism and Alchemy – The marshlands provide medicinal and culinary herbs
- Courier and Messenger Services – Operated by Jansen’s Runners, a renowned organization that facilitates communication and trade across the Viscounty
"You think pirates only come from Nulb? Ha! Half the men who fish these waters could steer a stolen ship better than any sailor in Dyvers."
Defenses and Military Presence
Taymouth, more than a mere village, resembles a military outpost:
- House Vaswell’s Garrison – A permanent force stationed within the village
- The Fortified Boathouse – A secure hold at the northwest end of the palisade
- Gatehouses and Palisades – Offering robust defenses against potential threats
The village’s strategic location makes it a critical checkpoint against river raiders from Nulb and the Fens of Tor.
Conclusion
Taymouth is a village of contrasts: a peaceful fishing community and a hardened military outpost, a place of ancient traditions and modern necessity. It is a stronghold of faith, resilience, and quiet defiance against the encroaching dangers of the region. While often overshadowed by larger settlements, it remains a steadfast guardian of the northern Viscounty, ever watchful over the misty waters of the Velverdyva.
Demographics
| Race | Percentage | Population Count |
|---|---|---|
| Human | 95% | 178 |
| Half-Elf | 2% | 4 |
| Gnome | 1% | 2 |
| Halfling | 1% | 2 |
| Half-Orc | 1% | 2 |
Government
Feudal. Sir Drenton Vaswell is Lord of Taymouth, though the sybaritic nobleman seldom comes personally to the village. He is represented by his bailiff, Bandrew, his factotum, Jory, and the captain of his garrison, Unther. The lieutenant answers to the bailiff, who in practice defers to Vaswell’s factotum. A council of village elders, led by chief elderman Heltarn, serve in an advisory capacity.
Natural Resources
River fowl and fishing (primarily gar and cray, but also carp, catfish, mud crabs, and mussels), medicinal and culinary herbs, Courier/ Messenger service, cartwrights, wainwrights, and boatwrights
"The Velverdyva feeds us, the marsh shelters us, and the forest keeps our secrets. That’s the way it’s always been."
Notable Figures and Establishments
Taymouth is home to a number of significant individuals and locations:
- Bandor, Innkeeper of the Orcslayer Inn – A rowdy, infamous establishment known for its cheap drinks and wild atmosphere
- Milo Farner, Keeper of the Blue Raven Inn – A refined inn catering to merchants and nobility
- Lara, Keeper of Tay’s Creek Inn – The oldest and most storied lodging in the village
- Gerand, Village Elder and General Store Owner – A respected merchant in the community
- Thelwyn, Master Boatwright – A half-elf known for his exceptional craftsmanship
- Chulb, Master of the Ferry – Oversees crossings at Tay’s Creek
- Dara, Herbalist – A skilled adept known for her medicinal remedies
- Nillard, Alchemist – A reclusive wizard specializing in potions and arcane mixtures
"Taymouth’s been here longer than House Vaswell, longer than the war. The river doesn’t care for lords or laws—it just keeps flowing."
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