Themesk
| settlement name | duchy | district/province | type | population | founding year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themesk § | Toreen | Province of Qidra | town | 67,557 | 4301 |
Themesk lies deep within Duskwood in what is sometimes called Duskwood Valley. It sits astride the Krethes River, in a treeless portion of the lower valley. Trails from settlements dotted across the Duskwood converge in Themesk, and a secondary road follows the valley westward to Coth-Rom.
River traffic between Themesk and Coth-Rom is common, although skilled barge pilots and boat wranglers are needed as two sections of the river are particularly treacherous.
The charming performer White Flower, the most famous musician in Kalderesh, lives in Themesk. Her pioneering but difficult style of soulful and pensive songs, alternating with raucous and syncopated interludes, is known even in far-off corners of the land.
Themesk is known for its exceptionally pure water, which bubbles out of stone fountains throughout the city. According to Qidranian sages, the waters do not come from the Krethes river.
Viscount Hosmunt Terrell is the lord of Themesk. He and his family live in Terrell Manor, a fortified complex of buildings standing on an outcrop just outside the village and surrounded by farmland. An energetic and discerning leader, it is often said that he is a more capable leader than most dukes. However, Count Terrell, who is a Senior Sorcerer in rank, prefers the intricacies of academic studies over the mire of politics.
Terrell Manor has been expanded in a piecemeal fashion. It was originally just a tower and stables. Later, the tower was refurbished as the Red Tower. An extensive manor house was added to the south, and later several smaller buildings erected near the tower.
The Terrell family live and work in the new manorial house. The Red Tower is the quarters of Lady Laylanna Rains, a peer of the realm and Provincial Administrator of the Province of Qidra, of which Themesk is the capital. Adjacent the Red Tower is the Small Hall of the Guild of Clerks & Scribes, led by Thomys Lander.
Town management is in the capable hands of Master Aethyn Porter. Tyago Isles, the council’s very efficient Superintendent of Records, works for both the town council and Lady Rains in the Red Tower.
Surrounding Themesk is a tract of land, some 6 x 7 km in size, which is kept clear of trees by the Druids of the Circle of the Ancients. This land is given over to growing crops, which consist mostly of grains and fruit.
A large military unit is garrisoned in the city, led by Major Commandant Kaevin Sayler and his strategic advisor Commandant Iaen Crab.
A cavalry unit, led by Captain Antonyr Boyles, patrols the secondary road. Other units, led by Captain Kaevin Hopper and Sergeant Nycholas Birch, are responsible for long-range patrols along the Royal Road.
The Grand Temple of Qidra dominates the Themesk skyline. The temple master is Holiness Mya Stoneman. Her extended journeys into Duskwood, often in the company of Ranger Lord Olivus Tar, leaves the High Priest Olivya Broiles in charge of temple duties.
Three large temples – to Razim, Sahir, and D'Aad – stand at opposite ends of the Wet Market.
The Razimite temple is well-attended by the local military personnel, and the like of Lords Evylann Picketts and Gayel Moler regularly worship here.
The small temple of D’Aad is supervised by High Priest Olivyr Waterman and his officiant Levy Pickler, who is on extended sabbatical from Camfor.
The temple to Sahir is currently without a full-time officiant; the explorer High Priest Benjamyn Waterman has temporarily taken the position, assisted by Senior Captal Talya Gardner. The temple has a large adjunct building, housing a library, several workshops and a well-equipped training facility. Archmage Naethyn Bayes and Magus Aethyn Isles are the resident scholars here. Their various researches include airborne riding, animal training, poisons, and weapon enhancement. The ancient-language expert and Grand Arcane Dalyla Townes was born in Themesk and frequently visits the Temple.
Next to the temple complex stands the Great Hall of the Guild of Bookbinders & Papermakers, led by Order Master Horus Rich. The guild, which employs a significant number of locals, works cooperatively with their wizardly neighbours on the development of unique parchments and papers. The guild operates an experimental growth area upstream of the Krethes where they are attempting to cross-breed simper reed with siphon. This experimental plant husbandry is also of interest to the Guild of Wicker Workers, who also have their Great Hall in town. Master Lucaes Towns divides his time between supervising trainees, working on new designs, and helping out with the plant research.
Most official guilds of Kalderesh are present in Themesk, and the presence of guild scholars further raises the city’s intellectual heritage.
Travellers are often seen in Green Market, where rare medicinal plants and herbs are sold. Many of these are grown in the nearby settlement of Oldhedge. It is said that pargen, silverthorn and even palma eldath can be found here from time to time.
The city is sometimes visited by the imposing barbarian known as the Dark Goat, mainly to take part in gladiatorial combat with the current city champion, the Battler Nolanus Colt.
The ranger Fian of Harl is sometimes seen stalking the quiet streets at night.
Several mercenary groups operate out of Themesk, notable those led by Sir Damyan Oxbow and ranger scout Elyana Swimmer.
Notable craftsmen in the city include Aeobreia Parks (armourer), Nolanus Colt (clockmaker), Nolyn Anker (glazier), and Ellia Bridges (stone-cutter). Hosius Hyde runs a large freighting concern, delivering goods as far afield as Pai and Torbeck.