Settlements And Locations of Interest

[Lugh]

With a population of approximately 5,500 Wood Elves and 1,500 Centaurs, Pan's Isle is by far the least populated of all the isles. Additionally, these 7,000 are spread out over nine permanant settlements in various locations all over the island.


Below you will find the general descriptions of each settlement along with any appropriate opening posts. Feel free to copy and paste the appropiate post and reply to it as needed.



Tal' Yanna Pan
The Temple City
The abandoned temple city of Pan is mostly covered with vines and undergrowth, though there are, oddly, no tall trees filling in the vast gap in the canopy of the surrounding forest. Only a few saplings here and there dot the long abandoned haven of revelry.

The city has a strong directed path influence in the architecture and design. The approach to the city is lined with rather small stone-work buildings that resemble commercial spaces, or perhaps even houses. Further in, there are the ruins of some larger buildings with evidence of stone and half-timber construction, some even with basements.

The axis of the city, clearly delineated as the main boulevard running clear across the entire expanse of ruins, leads up to a spectacular view of the grand temple.



The Grand Temple
Why anyone would want to abandon this structure is unclear, as it appears to be in much better condition than any of the surrounding buildings. A large yet inviting building, the grand temple is a large ring-shaped structure, covered entirely in elaborately carved stone-work, much of it half-crumbled from the relentless creeping vines that seem to permeate the ruins so totally. The main entrance archway leads to a large atrium with a arc-shaped impluvium. Another collonade leads into the central cloister, and runs halfway around the interior of the ring, to either side of the entrance.

The interior courtyard looks as though it was at one time a beautifully landscaped garden, with a grand statue of pan at the center, surrounded by smaller dancing nymphs, dryads, and satyrs, all with spouts for water in a spectacular fountain. A number of the limbs have been broken off the figures in the fountain, and thick moss and lichen cover most of the stone.

To either side of the interior of the archway run staircases up to the roof of the ring. The roof is filled with stone benches, dried fountains, and empty floral planters. Stairs lead upward from patio to patio around the ring until reaching the outermost of 5 towers lined in a row along the back of the building.

The towers accentuate the inclined plane of the roof, with the central tower rather intentionally representing an erect lingam.



Tal' Fea Taur
This larger of the Pan's Isle settlements subsists mainly on its fishing product. The rare varieties of fishes that live in the Life Source are an divine delicacy unknown to the vast majority of Tazlure. This city exports portions of their catches to the other settlements on Pan's Isle in bartered exchange for grains, fruits, and most importantly, wine.

The settlement has a prominent dock, where many a Panling can be found lounging about on a warm evening, twinkling out tunes on Panpipes or perhaps a homemade lute.

Next to the dock is a stables and lumber-mill complex, where the horses and wagons are maintained for transporting the fishing catches to trade with the other settlements. This complex has a small forge for horseshoes and iron wagon wheel banding, and whatever iron-working needs the fishing boats require.

Of course, like any good Panling settlement, there is a temple to Pan, with proprietary chambers for Mother Earth and the Father of the Heavens. A modest building, the temple is mostly a large worship chamber, in which a good portion of the city population can fit during worship and for religious celebrations. There are a few rooms in the small Mother Earth portion of the temple that serve as an inn for the very occasional traveler, or for a trader who needs lodging while across the Isle from his home.

A modest market square is near the dock district of the city, where the fresh fish is traded to the local people, and the local craftsmen come to barter their goods with their fellow Panlings.

The rest of the city consists of mostly personal homes, with a few small workshops for local crafts such as pottery and textiles.

opening post
Pan's Temple At Fea Taur
The small, casual city has neither gates, nor a reason for them. Modest by the standards of the outside world though it is, Tal' Fea Taur is one of Pan's Isle's larger cities. Outsiders are few and far between here, and all new faces are greeted with curiosity by the elven citizens who call the place home. The rarity of newcomers resulted in only a few available rooms within the city's modest Temple to Pan, which usually makes it the first stop for any visitors.

The sparse section of the Temple devoted to the Mother houses a few small rooms for wayward travelers, and one very bored Pan worshiper who looked as if she had drawn the short end of the stick and wound up helping strangers here, to her mild distress. Her smile was, despite her demeanor, welcoming enough. "Welcome to Tal' Fea Taur, and to our Temple. How can I help you?" She asked in smooth, musical elvish, idly twirling a lock of long brown hair.




N'e Sama Salkad Alu
Located on the south-eastern lip of Rusva Salpua Luth the wood elves stationed at this outpost guard against unwanted entry into the bay. All excellent sailors, and excellent swimmers, they also serve as a search and rescue team when ships dare the bay entrance without a guide, which the elves of this outpost will willingly provide.

The outpost itself is a tidy wooden fort, reinforced with tall palisades of trees that almost seem to have grown together naturally into this easily defendable shelter. It also helps camoflauge it from general view. You can just spot one or two senties patrolling the top wall from this distance.

As you approach the outpost by land, you are met by a lone wood elf in leathers holding the largest long bow you have probably ever seen, "Aaye! Ya naa lle? Mankoi lle irma?" he calls out loudly in clear sight asking you who you are and what you want.

Arrival by Sea
As your ship approaches Pan's Isle, you are hailed by a small coastal sailing vessal, much smaller than your sea going ship. On board are three wood elves in leathers and there is no sign of weapons. "Aaye!" one calls out to get your captian's attention. "You are about to enter Rusva Salpua Luth whose waters are under the guardianship of ourselves and our brethern. Either accept our guide on board or turn back now for to face her entrance without aide is death. Shall you lower your ropes now?"

Once you make it inside
The barracks were built using four oak trees as cornerstones, one to a corner and a little magic, so that to pass from hall to hall the elves must pass through a living wood tunnel with a bare earthen floor. Up each oak spiraled a stair case to a crow's nest in the highest branches where the guard kept their watch steady as the tides. Three of the four connecting corridors are lined with generous sized rooms furnished with a large bed, chest, table, chair, nightstand, and cabinet with pegs and drawers for clothing. It was here the guards slept. The fourth corridor is the guest hall, with the outer rooms more suited to centaurian company.

The center of the fort is used as a training ground with the earthen floor worn bare by yaren of feet practicing on it. Situated outside the fort are a few outbuildings such as the stables and the kitchens, as well as a pair of alters in a sacred grove. The smaller is dedicated to the Mother, while the larger and more frequently used is dedicated to Pan.

On the ocean side of the islands there is a small dock, and at this dock there are tied several small coastal sailing boats. At times they can be seen sailing out and across the bay's mouth, or through the islands into the bay itself to return later in the day. On some of these occasions there is fresh fish or some delicacy traded with the centaurs for dinner, on others... well who knows the business of officers?



Tal' Dae Ruid
Tal’ Dae Ruid located northeast of the sacred pool Chiming and south of two others nearby. Located in the southern part if Pan’s Isle, it is surrounded by the luxurious forest of that end of the isle. This is a quiet community of wood elves who mostly hunt and do a little gardening for a living.


Pan Temple
This is a typical small temple to the God Pan that wood elves come to worship at. There are a couple priests here at all time and about half a score of them live in Tal’ Ruid en Dae at any time.

The Lofty Elm Inn
This in is basic but nice. It has about ten rooms for wandering elves or visiting people to use. The ground level only inn is kept clean and the employees are polite. There is a small bar room in the back of the bottom level straight past the front foyer where one can register for a room. The bar room sports a series of painted murals on the wall depicting typical life amongst the wood elves and centaurs of Pan’s Isle. There is also a scene of the nearby sacred pool, call Chiming, in which wood elves cavort naked, swim and offer thanks to Pan for their beautiful isle. The inn is run by a couple, Bough Leafcutter and his wife Littlebranch . Their servants include the bartendress, a lady named Spindleflower , a bar waitress named Blossom , and a general servant for keeping rooms clean and furnished named Silvervine .

Guard Barracks
The guard barracks house wood elves that have an easy time of keeping things in this quite community just that, quite. There are just six of them, under their leader, a male elf named Longgrass . All these elves are well trained in use of the typical wood elf longbow, long sword and a dagger. They have little use for them normally, but have been known to have to track down Dark Elves escaping from Gulanadar that have come into their area. They are experienced fighters, but easy going, especially with their own race. The guard barracks are basically just a place to sleep and eat and wash up, complete with the needed furniture and accoutrements to do that and store their arms and clothing.

The Green Grocer
This is general store for the community. Wood elves are by nature pretty self sufficient, hunting for what they need and growing small gardens around their dwellings to supplement their diets. What they trade amongst themselves or have an excess of they sell to the elf who runs this grocer store. If they need a tool or some seed or some other sort of item, they come here to buy it from the small inventory kept here. The owner is an old male elf about 200 years old called Blackbark . In his store food, herbs, wines, equipment can be bought and most days there is a constant small crowd sitting in a back open area of chairs gossiping, usually men. There they smoke pipes of tobacco, drink and eat and trade tall tales with one another of the world. Women do the same thing in wood elf society, but usually in a home setting while the men like to get out and met at the grocer store to gossip.

The Green
When there is a large meeting of many local wood elves, or a party or celebration, or any large gather of people, it is usually held in this central area. It is just a large grassy area in the middle of the community kept free of trees, flowers and vines.



Tal' Rusva Salpua
Land'ho! (Gate Thread)
Traveling by ship has had it's moments, and one that will alwayss be remembered was when the lookout cried, "Land 'ho!". Several marks later and the harbor master had boarded and the ship had pulled into a berth at a not so busy harbor.

Disembarkment went without much trouble as everyone carried their luggage off board and qued at the guest registration desk where several young scantly clad wood elves stood playing music on various instruments or handing out flower necklaces and hair peices to all new comers to the Isle.

Soon the almond-skinned, doe-eyed youth looks at you and smiles, "Cormamin lindua ele lle." he says as he fondles the long plume of some exotic bird. "May I have your name for the record, and your business on the Isle."

Tinu'nikerym (Tavern)
As you enter the Tinu'nikerym, your sences are assulted by the scent of nearly every intoxicant known to man and elf, as well as the ever present aroma of sailors and passion. A aging wood elf, with a almost unelflike grin on his face, sits barechested on a barstool behind the bar.

As your eyes become better ajusted to the dim lighting, you see a stairway against the wall opposite the bar, that leads up to the simple rooms. The tables are as veried as the clientel, ranging from small round tables, to the large rectangular one dominating the middle of the room, most likely for the crew of larger ships, and sturdy enough for several entertianers to dance on. A fireplace is set into the farthest wall from the enterence, and a number of saliors are sitting at a medium-sized round table nearby it, so consumed in thier games of chance that they don't even seem to notice new arivals, until they request to join a game. Also near the fireplace, opposite the game table, is a dancefloor. A small raised stage, where bards and dancers perform at night, rests between the dancefloor and the bar.

The barmaids wear a brightly coloured skirt, cut above the knees, and a small lowcut vest. The waiters wear short breeches, also brightly coloured, and cut above the knee. One of the barmaids is stacking freshly washed mugs behind the bar, and appears to have been careless in her washing of them, as her vest is quite damp. A waiter exits from a door leading into a back room, and appears to have taken his job of bathing the clientel that requests a bath quite personally, as his breeches are nearly dripping, despite the obvious effort he seems to have made to wring them out.

A barmaid, with long dark hair, and almond eyes, comes over to greet you, and show you to a table, or take care of other needs. "Welcome to the Tinu'nikerym. How may I help you? "

The Trader's Friend Smithy
Description:
Set on the western edges of Tal' Rusva Salpua Luth ar' Hoopa, the Trader's Friend is a sturdy, reasonably priced Smithy that mainly serves the merchants and traders who travel to and from Pan's Isle. The Smith is Äkkutt, the only centaur to eschew his race's normal lifestyle and make a home, and a living in the Wood Elf city. He is a tall, brawny creature with tribal tattoos circling his dark-skinned arms and foreign symbols branded onto his dark bay flanks. He speaks fluent elvish, but prefers the harsh language of his own people. He is a skilled metal worker who handles horseshoes, wagon parts, and other simple things with ease.

The Smithy also offers a livery service, which is run by Äkkutt's Wood Elf partner, Whipwind. There is little need for horse rental on the Isle, but Whipwind keeps three stout teams and a few riding horses available, should the need ever arise. A wiry, pretty-faced elf with a quick tongue and a ready smile, Whipwind is a Panling to the tips of his toes. His winning, sensual nature makes him much more suited to greeting customers at the door, as Äkkutt's brusque mannerisms often intimidate those who don't know him well.

The livery's horses are kept in airy box stalls in a well lit stable to the rear of the Smithy. Äkkutt's forge is kept in its own large room, allowing easy access for large wagons or carts. The building itself is square and weathered looking, with earth-tone color schemes and sparse decoration. A sign hangs by the front door. It reads "Welcome" in the languages of both of its proprietors.

Opening Post:
A welcoming sign swings lazily over the door to the modest Smithy. Inside the rhythmic clang of metal and the faint sizzle of burning heat meeting cool water sets a near constant backdrop to the clatter of hooves in the forge room next door. The entrance room is large, with wide doors that allow its Centaur resident easy access to all areas. Stray tools, metal bits, papers, and harness lay on a large, high table just to the left of the door. Another, smaller door is directly opposite the entrance. It stays open during business hours and gives direct access to the stables. A small desk is tucked into the corner, a haphazard pile of wine-stained papers stacked on it.

A soft bell chimes over the entrance door as its opened, and a small elf with wide brown eyes and a winning smile appears through the small stable door. "Pan's Blessing on you this day, my friend! What may we do for you?"

Pan's Temple
Description:
In Pan's largest city, it is only appropriate that his Temple be its largest structure. Big wooden entry doors are flanked by large stained glass windows, depicting scenes of love, celebration, and the god himself. The entry room is small in comparison to the rest of the building. Curving wood staircases at either side of the room lead upstairs. The right leads to an alcove devoted the worship of Mother Earth, and the left to an identical space dedicated to the Father of the Heavens.

Statues and fountains line the wall of the entry-room, and a large, door-less archway leads to the main worship hall. Decorated in rich reds, golds, and browns, the room is easily large enough to accommodate 1000 or more people. It smells of wood, and wine, and smoky herbs. Low, padded couches are dotted almost randomly around the room, and pillows lay scattered abundantly across them. Worshipers can be found in varying numbers at almost any hour, lying about on the couches in pairs, or strewn across the floor in enthusiastic groups. Carnality is easily found within these walls, though there are those who pray and give praise to Pan in a quieter, less physical manner.

A large staircase sits at the back end of the room, and leads up to a series of more private worship rooms, and the chambers of the Temple workers. The private worship rooms are decorated in a similar fashion to the main room. Beneath the staircase sits a single, small alter holding a silver dagger, and a chalice of wine. It sits in the shadow of the stairs and is easily missed by anyone who isn't looking for it.

Opening Post:
The light through the stained glass windows painted the entryway in shades of pale reds, greens, blues and golds. The sound of music could be heard drifting from the worship rooms to the entrance. Voices were raised in sounds of worship, laughter, and passion. A priestess stood in the doorway to the worship hall. Long black hair drifted down her back, and rich brown eyes sparkled with life and joy. She wore a red robe that covered her from neck to toe, but it was made of the thinnest of silks, and molded itself to her form, sighing softly as she moved. Full red lips moved in a soft, simple song to her god.

Her hands waved gracefully as she spoke, her tone gentle and welcoming. "Pan welcomes you, friend!"

Market Square
A kalidoscope of color assults your eyes as you gaze upon booths draped in brightly colored cloths as each merchant attempts to catch your eye and your patronage. The festoons do serve one main purpose; they give a visual distraction to the cacophony of sound that is coming from all directions, calling at you to try this ware or that above young muscians practicing on unsuspecting bypassers.

Fishmongers from Fea Taur, Wine from Dae Ruid, Pottery and Tapestries from the Centaur cities, fresh fruits and vegitables among clothing and every other concievable item a Panling would ever need in his daily life.

At the far end of the Market away from the majority of the hustle and bustle you see the blue and black striped bunting of the bowmaster. Rumor has it he will only sell to those who can pass his tests... but the prize is an authentic longbow.

As you wander around looking, something catches your eye... the merchant at the booth, a youth smiles at you. "How may I be of service?'

Pan's Touch Inn
Description
Pan's Touch Inn sits side by side with Pan's Temple, and is a frequent meeting place for worshipers. Celebrations and Festivals frequently spill over into the Inn, and nights of wine and excess are often finished in one of the Inn's small but comfortable rooms. The Inn doors don't lock, and there is no such thing as after hours in this place.

Pan's Touch caters only to elven clientele, and its Pannish leanings are easily seen in its decor. There are neither chairs nor benches. Instead wide, plush pillows surround low wooden tables. Private booths are tucked into three corners, and can be hidden from prying eyes by pull-across curtains - which rarely come into use. Most who visit here have few inhibitions, and little reason to hide.

Wide windows give the common room ample light during the day, and lamps and a large brick fireplace lend the room smoky ambiance at night. Deep blues, purples and red decorate the room, and its servers dress to match. The woman wore vested tops held together by a single clasp, and either long wraparound skirts with a slit high up the side, or low slung pants that clung to their hips. The men wore similar vests and more normal bottoms. All were made of a soft, scarvey material that was all but transparent when the light from the fireplace shone through, leaving no illusions about the shape of their silhouetted forms.

A long bar sits beside the fireplace, an elven woman with long blonde hair usually stationed behind it to serve customers. The door to the kitchens is behind the bar. The food here is nothing special, and they serve nothing that requires a great deal of preparation. But their wine stock is immense and reasonably priced.

A staircase along the left wall leads to the rooms upstairs. Not a large Inn, it holds only eight guest rooms, and two rooms for the owners. Guests here frequently share rooms - usually without managing to finagle a discount from the proprietress. Each room contains simple furnishings - a small trunk, a table, and a lamp - and a bed that's almost too large for the small rooms. The bedding is simple, but made of lush, soft materials.

Opening Post
The clink of glass and the laughing of merry voices could be heard within the large common room of the Inn. Customers lounged idly on cushions, wine and simple foods gracing the tables in front of and beside them. A long bar stretched along the back of the Inn, a blonde elven woman leaning on the back of it, a gracious smile on her face as she spoke with her staff and customers. Serving men and women moved lithely around the room, their revealing, brightly colored uniforms drawing eyes as they performed their duties.

The bartender looked up curiously and smiled vaguely. "Buy a drink if you want to stay, friend. We're not letting all the Temple's patrons in here for free - we'd be overrun!" It had the ring of something she said often.



N'e Sama Seere
Opening Post
Located on the western peninsula, this out post is the furtherest from any of the wood elf cities and because of that relies heavily on their contact with the centaurs who roam the foothills and into the northern most forested areas for trade.

The outpost itself is a tidy wooden fort, reinforced with tall palisades of trees that almost seem to have grown together naturally into this easily defendable shelter. It also helps camoflauge it from general view. You can just spot one or two sentries patrolling the top wall from this distance.

As you approach the outpost, you are met by a lone wood elf in leathers holding the largest long bow you have probably ever seen, "Aaye! Ya naa lle? Mankoi lle irma?" he calls out loudly in clear sight asking you who you are and what you want.


Once Inside
The barracks were built using four oak trees as cornerstones, one to a corner and a little magic, so that to pass from hall to hall the elves must pass through a living wood tunnel with a bare earthen floor. Up each oak spiraled a stair case to a crow's nest in the highest branches where the guard kept their watch steady as the tides. Three of the four connecting corridors are lined with generous sized rooms furnished with a large bed, chest, table, chair, nightstand, and cabinet with pegs and drawers for clothing. It was here the guards slept. The fourth corridor is the guest hall, with the outer rooms more suited to centaurian company.

The center of the fort is used as a training ground with the earthen floor worn bare by yaren of feet practicing on it. Situated outside the fort are a few outbuildings such as the stables and the kitchens, as well as a pair of alters in a sacred grove. The smaller is dedicated to the Mother, while the larger and more frequently used is dedicated to Pan.

On the ocean side of the islands there is a small dock, and at this dock there are tied several small coastal sailing boats which are used by the elves as search and rescue when a larger ship flounders against the reefs that protect their isle from the rest of the world.



Tal' Palantir
These sloping foothills and their sentries earned this city its name of Tal’ Palantir, or Farwatcher, and provide it with a nearly impenatrable natural defense, since the city is bordered on its other sides by the swift-running river Life’s Blood and the murky depths of the Silverneedle Swamp. Between the hills runs a passageway so narrow that just a handful of talented archers could hold the pass.

Very few have ventured past the watchful eyes of the sentries to enter into the city proper, but a few rumours have leaked out. Some say that the centaurs live in a city of sienna and ochre-hued tents so cunningly crafted that they can withstand a gale but be transported and reassembled in a matter of seconds. Others speak of the indescribable but unforgettable scent of saffron and incense and musk that suffuses the tapestries bringing a flash of color to the tawny expanse of the plains.

Still others speak, but only in whispers, of the mysterious annual bonfires that send roiling clouds of thick smoke visible for miles and turn the night sky a scorched orange for days.

The rumours about Tel’ Palantir are many, but the visitors are few, for the entrance of Outsiders into the heart of the Centaur community is not usual … or encouraged….

opening post
As you wade through the tall grass, you find yourself wishing for a few extra inches of height, as even the tallest of bipeds can barely see over the dense stalks.

Trudging along, you can just barely make out a cluster of low hills and the distinctive silhouette of centaur archers monitoring the plains for any signs of intrusion into the broad grasslands that cover the eastern corner of Pan's Isle.

As you approach, one of the Centaurs seperates from the others and comes racing in your direction. You can see the fabled longbows of the others come out, arrows appear from quivers and are noched while the lone greeter slows to a halt some 20 or so paces away from you. In a voice you know will haunt your dreams for nights to come he demands, "Aaye! Ya naa lle? Mankoi lle irma?"



N'e Sama Wing Keluma
Wing Keluma lay directly across Rusva Salpua Luth from Salkad Alu and the Centaurs of Wing Keluma either trained or trained with the elves stationed there.

This outpost, in typical Centaur fashion, was circular shaped with their grass mat tent homes blending into the tall grasses so well that the unsuspecting smuggler never knew how close he was to death until it had arrived.

Patrolling the northern shores from the Luth to the Silverneedle Swamp this outpost often relied on their elven counterparts for intellengence and supplies from Tal' Rusva Salpua, especially when they had to spend all of their resources on hunting their two legged prey rather than their dinner.

opening post
You can not believe there is any out post in this part of the grass lands. You've seen no signs of anything resembling one yet, however the rumors said...

THWANG!

There is an arrow pertruding from the ground between your feet. From the grass comes a voice, "Aaye! Ya naa lle? Mankoi lle irma?"



Tal' Andir Dagnir

more to come