Iato

Description

The city of Iato is set in an area of marsh land clearings within the surrounding ancient forest. The city draws some natural protection from a network of partially channelled marsh land and ditches. This can lead to a somewhat dank climate in Summer months, but affords the protection of only a single main approach route-way spanned by two long timber bridges.

A turbulent history of harrowing conquests by daemon and then monstrous forces has caused the formerly open trading community to now be more guarded and wary of outsiders.  For outlying buildings as soon as dusk approaches shutters are promptly closed up and doors firmly bolted.  The roads across the region are guarded by outposts with beacon fires and long horns placed to send dread warning should such dangers return.

Small coracle boats fish the shallow waters for a meagre subsistence but narrow barges are more frequent traffic, carrying trade goods or materials to the city centre. Inside the city, estates have been founded centred on the defensive positions of a reconstructed gatehouse and main tower, but equally important stands the old guild-house as a dominant building in the heart of the city where artisans and merchants base their flourishing trades. Natural goods and materials such as furs and timber dominate trade but skilled smiths also prosper. A moon dial stands in a small courtyard garden next to the main tower and this area supports a small community of creative craftsmen, artists and musicians. The sign of the crescent moon and forest feature much in city livery and design, and folklore tells that it was the sacred light of an especially bright harvest moon that carved out the very clearing in the forest in which the city now stands. This has caused Iato to sometimes be known locally as the city of the moonlight glade.

March 31, 2017 by Ehrich

Statues and Monuments

This region might also have a page on the wiki