Town of Kirít Nalam

Kirít Nalam is a walled coastal town in northern Ildûn built below an ancient academy devoted to the worship of Drāūn. The town wall was constructed shortly following the Last War to contend with Ēōyn raids from the north. The Drāūn academy at Kirít Nalam is currently one of the largest ecclesiastical complexes in Ildûn, Kyrm Orydrāūn having been destroyed in 1246 HK.

The town and the Academy above it share the same name. At one time, the two were joined. Resources and man-power limited the construction of the town wall to a smaller area near the docks. The Academy has separate fortifications and a considerable elevation to protect it. The region between was once part of a bustling town. Now there are only ruins. Broken stone arches and crumbled walls stand upon a hillside of twisted trees. A single dirt road leads from the town’s Inland Gate to the unadorned Gate of Souls.

The town is governed by an hereditary Lordship, whose family has ruled over the town for hundreds of years. The previous family (i.e., Kolmav) were removed in a string of bloody assassinations in the 4th century DR. Surviving members of the family fled to Æzàlar, where their descendants still live in exile under threat of death should they return. The deeds that earned the Kolmav family the undying enmity of the Ēōyn are known to few in Ildûn. To this day, the surname remains synonymous with those without hope.

Landmarks

• Academy of Kirít Nalam
• Bell Tower. The tallest structure in the Town of Kirít Nalam is the bell tower for a former temple. The temple was abandoned in the 3rd century DR, while limited Cult funds were funneled toward the Academy. All relics and other valuables were secured by the Academy, and can be found among the chapels there. Over the years, the temple collapsed and the stones were carried away. The only thing that remains is a tall tower with three bronze bells that peal each sunrise and sunset. Acolytes from the Academy travel to the tower twice a day to pull the ropes.
• Black Wharf. An organic looking wharf due to the accumulation of barnacles for the better part of two centuries. The posts of the wharf are appear to be fat mounds of black shells. The pier decking is replaced from time to time, but the supports have not been seen in over a hundred years. The prolific barnacles and shellfish are not particular to the wharf, and can be found throughout the northern shores of the Bay of Crows.
• Burning Tower. Originally, the square tower was used to watch the sea and provide defense against attacks from the East. Over the years, the structure fell into disrepair and the townsfolk began scavenging stone from its exterior walls. Within the last ten years, the tower was leased by the Burning Hand Trading Guild, who set-up a regional office in the town. The guild controls much of the trade that passes into northern Nadrèwyr, marked by the Inunda Kirit. All trade south of the river, is handled by the City of Ðaráwyl. The Burning Hand Tower is managed by Ankùl Marū, an amoral Lyrasti businessman who is trying to make a name for himself within the trading guild.
• Customs House. The customs house was once a thriving center of commerce along the Black Wharf, but now most of that is handled by the Burning Hand. The town and region still get their taxes, but those are collected at the Burning Tower.
• Edyan’s Well. A deep and wide well in the center of the town provides a giant meeting place for the community. Almost twenty feet across and ringed with heavy wooden bucket-cranes, the well is crowded for most of the day except during the hours of breakfast and dinner. The well is named for a young woman who was raped by guards and thrown into the well circa 590 DR. The story tells that she was able to tread the water for hours, yelling to passerby to help her out, but no one did. The guard captain at the time was feared by the town’s folk. By morning the woman had drowned. Her lifeless body was fished from the water in the morning. For years afterward, everyone that drank from the well claimed to be visited by the ghost of the young woman, asking why no one came to save her. In 594 DR, a mob rose up against the guards responsible. They were taken to Black Wharf and killed, thus ending the ghostly visitations.
• Round House. A curious round brick structure with conical roof, stands near the Black Wharf. The Round House stands out within the town as the only round building. Over the years, it has been used as a meeting place, warehouse, and stable. Today it is used by the Burning Hand to store the goods of inland travelers that are waiting for ships.

People

History

For centuries following the Last War, the town and Academy successfully fended-off attacks from the Eoyni Resistance, and more recently the Army of Ælyra. The defenses of the town and Academy are supported by keeps along the Abandoned Coast border to the north (e.g., Kry Bàlid, Kry Kìrundre). The town’s proximity to the Aðéwyr border make it an ideal location for marshaling forces. Ildûni forces commonly camp near Kirít Nalam before making excursions into the Abandoned Coast.