Stoneford
| settlement name | duchy | district/province | type | population | founding year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stoneford | Daern | Royal District of Parnogrust | village | 3,000 | 4593 |
Stoneford is a small coastal settlement in north-western Daern at the mouth of the Thomys River. Josaeth Pepper leads the village council. He is an experienced ranger and leads hunters on expeditions as far as Hemden Forest. They provide the local tannery with skins from which prepared hides and furs are made. Local fisherman, both out in the ocean and along the Thomys, provide fish to be dried and/or salted while livestock farmers tend to (mainly) pigs and goats. Extensive cornfields provide for bread, animal fodder, and corn whisky. A high proportion of this produce is supplied to Crowmont Castle. Barges are used to transport the proviant upriver.
A chapel to Oohm is attached to the village mill. Cavalier Maeson Milk, who is a member of the Circle of the Glowing Flame, regularly visits the chapel.
The wizard’s tower of the Magus Leonus Mercer, Pillar of Longegh, stands in the ocean 3 km outside of Stoneford. It is a convenient waypoint marker for ships passing by, and youths swim to the tower and back as a show of manhood. From time to time, when a magic user graduates or achieves some other distinction, Magus Mercer holds a ceremony in the village. It usually includes a fantastic display and a delightful feast. However, such a festival hasn’t been had in many decades and nobody has visited the tower in even longer. However, the light at the top of the tower continues to shine at night.
Some 16 km east of the village, along the Thomys and next to the Royal Road, stands the ancient Crowmont Castle. This imposing castle is the home of His Royal Highness Arnaut Aalart, the nephew of the king. Lord Arnaut is a serious and thoughtful man, and issues of security and peace are his foremost concern. As a member of the Royal Family, Lord Arnaut is often away on other duties. In his stead, Sir Vyncent Shearer, a Knight of the Realm, and castellan of Crowmont, is in charge. Residents associated with Crowmont wear characteristic white skullcaps.
Crowmont occupies a strategic position, midway between Daernbeck and Hemden Forest. It was for many years the westernmost stronghold of the kingdom, and today still guards a rather desolate region. Regular patrols ride out of Crowmont and tour the coast and other inland regions, keeping the vigil.