Aela

One of the Rockdweller Mesa settlements known to us Wayfarers, and the only one that actually lets us enter. Aela is located at a distance of approximately 270km from Ratenwell as the crow flies. The actual route taken to Aela avoids Ratenwell and other settlements, as its existence is kept a secret so explorations are done outside the reach of watching eyes.
Explorations into the Claridon Plains were sporadic in the past but have ramped up in recent decades, as the amount of Rockdweller Ork Wanderers and Wayfarers has increased. Since most of these Orks still like visiting home occasionally, but the Plains are hard to traverse alone, their solution has become guiding explorations towards Aela.
After reaching Aela, guides will split off and go to their home settlements. After a month they will return and help guide the exploration back. In three cases, Aela actually allowed a group of Wayfarers to stay for an entire year and return with the next exploration. Normally, however, they like it when we leave.

Architecture

Like other Rockdweller settlements, Aela is built into the Mesa hill itself. Its name, which roughly means Rock, is a logical result of that fact. The Orks carved their homes into the cliffsides, with climbing roads outside and tunnels inside. The top of the Mesa is actively farmed, with large cable nets protecting the farmers from Sharp Redbird assaults.
An important difference of Aela and other Rockdweller settlements, is that the way in isn't through just any ordinary tunnel. An underground river runs beneath the Mesa hill, with all caves leading towards the river heavily secured by the locals. A large vertical shaft then connects the river with the settlement, with various mechanisms used to have platforms ascend and descend the shaft.

Trade

Aela is the only settlement willing to deal with Wayfarers, though they still are secretive. Rather than hassle them over that, we have chosen to just do business and keep our eyes open. Said business includes selling them metals that the surrounding area lacks, as well as certain Beast materials that fit their needs. In return, they provide us with Trihorn Buffalo and Sharp Redbird materials, which are the trickiest to harvest for us.
Since Delirium Serpent materials are hard to conserve, these cannot be traded. The trip back to the Frontier already would take longer than how long these materials would last. Still, the purchase of other materials suffice as justification for the trip. It is not often that an excuse is actually profitable, so few object these explorations that allow us to study the Orks.

Demographics

Population Estimate: ~800
Primary Race: Ork
General Attitude: Friendly and Secretive

Geography

Mesa Hill
Elevation: 296/568 meters above sea level

Water Features

Underground River

• Depth: Unknown
• Navigable: Yes

Climate

Cool Temperate Grassland
Avg. Annual Temperature: 9°C
Avg. Annual Precipitation: Approx 80cm
Avg. Annual Snowfall: Approx 2m
Seasons: Long winters, equal other seasons
Prevailing Winds: Southwest to Northeast