I grew up in an area and in a time that we must surely look back on as through a veil of linen, so dark and obscure it is to our present viewpoint, which is as that of a lofty vantage above a valley of green and hazy sun.
My own education started in the dark slums of Duntown, as many know who have read my books, and though that beginning is as that of an acorn to a mighty oak, king of his ambit, I can only celebrate my home town, for it gave me the best of starts to life, and ignited my curiosity and thirst for knowledge as a spark from the finest tinderbox will birth a bon-fire.
For in the melting pot that is and was Duntown, a port town standing as a gateway to the world, I learned many languages and heard many tall tales, some of which were as wide and deep as they were tall, and I read many volumes of the tomes in the great library. When I met with my Seeker and decided to travel the world, I had already travelled the region of Westlo, from the Giant Hills to the Wilds, and from the Collyner Mountains, purple and austere as the aubergine, to the village of Neuk on the south east coast, sticking to the land as a barnacle sticks to the ship.
And so I commend this volume to you, dear reader, if not in the hope that you will find within the complete knowledge of all things that it has been in my gift to receive, then in the ardent desire, that as the moth is drawn to a flame believing it the moon, you will awaken the need and desire to explore the world around you, starting with my beloved once and future home of Westlo.
Go forth and explore!
Malmeck the Great
Regarding Westlo
A Full Regional Overview
Westlo is a small but verdant region bounded by the Collyner Mountains to the north and the South Sea to the south. It is split by the great River Armont that runs north to south, emptying into the South Sea at Armontmouth.
It began to be settled by humanfolk in the early modern age, with the first small villages being founded around year 3 or 4. Before that, there are few records, but it seems that the humanfolk discovered a land inhabited by wood elves and orcs, many of whom were civilised by the human incomers.
In addition to these aboriginals – now dwelling peacefully in the large Western Forest – and the humanfolk, many people call this region home. The Collyner Mountains are home to gnomes, dwarves, drow and other kin of the Underdark. The cosmopolitan city of Duntown, the modern capital of the region, is full of folk from all over the world. As a result, the traveller of all backgrounds will find a welcome in Westlo, but might expect some strange, if not unfriendly, second glances from some of the more isolated backwaters of the region.
The climate of Westlo is particularly suited to the hill walker and city break aficionado, as the weather is rarely too hot and almost never too cold. The visitor seeking sunbathing may be satisfied only on rare summer days on the beach at Neuk, and such days must been taken as a welcome bonus, rather than the object of their sojourn. Winter sports are not much practiced in the region, despite the possibility of excellent powder in the Collyner Mountains, and therefore there is little or no infrastructure for the skier or snowboarder.
The ideal holiday in Westlo will be split between the bucolic and arboreal delights of the Wilds and the small towns of the right bank of the Armont, and the cultural delights of Duntown. The truly adventurous might find delight in the wilderness of the Giant Hills or the greenery of the Armontvale, or even the ruins of the great pre-modern town of Hollymargret, but the majority will be more than satisfied with the slice of life possible between the rustic hospitality of Marches or Yarn and the opulence of the great hotels of Duntown.
The Capital of Westlo
While it can be justly stated that Duntown is a city of many parts, the truth is that only a handful of these areas are of interest to the tourist. That said, we have cast our net widely in singling out the neighbourhoods below in an attempt to deliver a wide swath of potential sites of interest to our reader, regardless of his or her particular predilections.
In general, it must be said that one must expend considerable effort to eat badly in Duntown; that the ale and mead are of excellent quality; and that the locals are kind and patient with the visitor. Every city has areas that are more attractive than others, and to that end we would recommend the tourist stick to the areas here enumerated, not out of fear of harm, but edification.
The Capital, Deconstructed
Algoods
This part of the city was once ‘All Gods’, because it was the first place in Duntown that permitted the development of temples to deities other than Dendrah. As a result, this became the first location outside the Docklands to bring together a truly cosmopolitan demography.
For the visiting tourist, Algoods is where you will find a variety of food from all over the world. Any homesickness the traveller may feel will find a cure here. This is also the area of town in which you will find your nation’s embassy.
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Burlington
Burlington has long been associated with the performing arts and the excess of passion. Situated to the west of the Docklands, it was always a cheap place to live, with small apartments and a vibrant nightlife.
In recent years, Burlington has cleaned up somewhat, losing something of her seedy side. The recent opening of the theatre, Malmeck Hall, by the waterfront has regenerated the area and seen an influx of investment. Many luxury brands have opened up shops in the wake of this cutting edge arts venue, which also has an exhibition hall that regularly features international artists.
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Dendrah
Dendrah is the name of a hill in north of the city, which either gives its name to, or was given its name by, the local deity. A temple to Dendrah is still extant in the area, the oldest part of which is the earliest known building in the city.
Nowadays, Dendrah is home to some of the smartest shops in Duntown.
Docklands
The Docklands is of limited interest to the tourist who does not seek to observe a portion of real life, but is worth an hour or so watching the shipping coming in or out of the port. The Docklands does offer the finest seafood in the region, with small waterside bistros becoming more and more popular with locals and tourists alike.
Jadehill
Some of the finest domestic architecture of the city can be found in the academic area of Jadehill. The principle seat of higher learning in the region, Duntown University, is found here, along with the Academica, a highly-regarded library that is frequented by scholars, mages and lawyers. The Academica also benefits from a reasonable café that serves hearty food to satisfy the body. Study visits to the reading rooms are subject to rationing, and preference is given to students and staff of the university, and to those with a letter of introduction from a named authority. Apart from this formal requirement, access to the library is free for all.
Duntown University is one of the older institutions of the modern age, having been founded in 203. It is particularly noted for the study of technology and linguistics, although most subjects are taught well, providing the university with a well-rounded reputation.
Jadehill is also home to the College of Art and the Jim College of the Performing Arts, a small bardic place of learning that attracts students internationally.
The nightlife in this part of town is inclined to be boisterous but good-humoured, with a choice of budget inns. We do not recommend this area as the focal point of a stay, but an evening with the students can be life-affirming!
Gargoyle
The Old Part of the residential district, Gargoyle is full of markets and local colour. Once a dangerous and derelict part of the city, it has been regenerated gradually over the last fifty years, while retaining its distinctive characteristics.
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Newton
A more staid and ordered part of town, Newton is where you will find governmental, judicial and commercial offices: the true seat of power in the city. Here is where you go to do big business in Westlo.
Armontside
Some of the most interesting travelling to be done in Westlo is in visiting the small settlements on the banks of the Armont. These sometimes backwards little places have the potential to amuse and delight in equal measure.
On the River Bank
Livey
Livey is a relatively new town in the region of Westlo. 1,500 people call it home, and it contains a small adventurers school, an indoor market called the Centre and a few inns. The local place of worship is dedicated to Dendrah, The Divinity, a beautiful female God, associated with the God of War. Her priest is Holy Tan Peart, and he welcomes the clean of heart and blood to services every sabbath. The locally-brewed drinks are a mead, Fastbuck, and an ale, Tar Python Ale.
The visitor to Livey will find a cheerful, if somewhat backward, little settlement. Though there is little to attract the hillclimber, the healthseeker, the sportsman, or the marauding goblin, the contemplative may, if sufficiently attracted to spare it some leisurely hours, find, in its cobbled streets, in its several curious customs, and in the conversation of its local 'characters,' some of that picturesque sense of the past so frequently lacking in towns and villages which have kept more abreast of the times. The one place of worship, with its neglected graveyard, is of no architectural interest. The River Armont at Livey is said to abound in trout, but is much poached.
We recommend staying either at the Paraffin Lamp or the once up-market Mercury Country Club. The Tower Inn is best reserved for those on a tight budget and is reputed to be at least watertight. Apart from the inns, nightlife is limited, especially since the conversion of the local nightspot and community sports centre The Club of Earth into Westlo’s premier training dungeon.
The Club of Earth has been operating as a community trust since 750, thanks to a mystery benefactor who put up the funds to purchase it from liquidators. As such, it serves as a centre for community sports and activities for teenagers and goblinlings. A must visit for families.
Marches
It is a curious village that sits on two sides of a river, and Marches is a curious village. The settlement is centred around a pair of small islands in the middle of the Armont, which were fortified in ancient times, allowing control of the flow of river traffic.
The military stratagems that required such an arrangement are now lost to time, but the garrison did allow a village to grow around it, with animal husbandry being the prime form of economic activity. Curiously, the village contrived to split between cattle farmers on the east bank and sheep farmers on the west. Both beef and lamb from the village are of excellent quality and are renowned throughout the region and beyond. It is not wise to appear to be more fond of one or the other meat, as there is some antagonism and rivalry that goes beyond the friendly between the cattlemen and shepherds. A preference too vociferously shared can be mistaken for impudence on the rival side and sycophancy on the other, so it is best to do one’s utmost to present a neutral appreciation for the produce of the Marches as a whole.
The site of the old river fort is, so to say, neutral ground, and it is here that the Marchese receive guests. You’ll find ample lodgings here, except around midsummer, when the Big Market, a local festival, is held. The Big Market lasts three days, and the whole village forgets its differences and comes together. Outsiders are typically not encouraged to attend the Big Market, and we would recommend our readers to visit another settlement while the festivities are ongoing.
Yarn
The most southerly of the villages on the Armont, Yarn is one day’s march from Duntown. It is, in theory, the estate of one of Westlo’s most august families, the Adderleys, but nowadays few if any of the Adderley line remain, most now residing north of the mountains in the great cities of the northern kingdoms. Most of Yarn’s economy is in expediting river-borne trade from the mountains, and you will find that the population of the village is a happy mixture of all kinds of folk. It is a cheerful place, with one good inn and one decent inn. Helpfully these are called The Good House and The Decent House, so one is never in doubt of where one should be.
There is little to offer the tourist in Yarn. However, the Adderley family do have a small museum that is locally known as the Backshee. It is in a state of disorder, and is mostly undocumented, meaning that it is not to be considered a major attraction. That said, the curious of spirit and those desirous more of questions than answers may find an afternoon's pleasure in exploring the exhibits.
The Keeper of the Backshee, an elf called Anna Mirfast, makes an excellent afternoon tea at a reasonable price, although you must be prepared to tell your best stories in exchange!
Westloian Festivals
As in many other parts of the world, the festivals of Westlo mark the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. Some will be familiar to travellers from other cultures, and some are entirely peculiar to Westlo.
Below, we have listed the five most important of these festivals, at many of which the traveller is a welcome and expected participant.
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Candlenights
A tradition begun in Faerún, this international festival marks the winter solstice and, in Westlo as in other places, the start of the new year. A traditional Duntown Candlenights involves as much feasting and drinking as in any other part of the world, with mead and turkey being the key components. Snow is common around midwinter, even as far south as Yarn and Duntown, and a White Candlenights is said to be a sign of a good year to come.
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Dendrach Games
In contrast to Candlenights, which is a festival celebrated everywhere in the world, the Dendrach Games are peculiar to Westlo. Each town, village and neighbourhood in the region puts together the best of their athletes, scholars and tricksters to compete in events of skill, courage, knowledge and boldness for the glory of their home, or adopted home. The Games are open to all who have chosen to live in Westlo and migrants within the region are asked to represent the area that they consider home, with the expectation that this may change with time.
The games take place in the early spring, halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox, on the day holy to Dendrah, the local deity. Warmed mead is traditionally drunk in copious amounts by the observers and, later, the competitors.
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The Fair and The Big Market
While all places in Westlo have some form of midsummer festival, known as the Fair, the Big Market is peculiar to Marches.
The Fair is a week-long holiday that is usually slightly different in every town. For example, traditionally the Livey Fair and the Neuk Fair will coincide, and the next week will be the Yarn Fair and the Armontvale Fair. Local officials ensure that neighbouring towns are not on holiday at the same time. Similarly, Duntown’s Fairs are neighbourhood-specific, although the capital is less strictly observant of the Fair than the provincial towns.
The Big Market is a three-day debauch occurring in the middle of their Fair that is the only time of year that the rival sides of Marches get together in a mutual celebration of their shared heritage.
Unlike other Westloian festivals, the various Fairs are not especially accommodating to tourists, and the visitor may find it difficult to find supplies or other necessities during a town’s annual holiday. In particular, we must note that outsiders are not encouraged to attend the Big Market.
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Burlington International Festival
The Burlington International Festival is a festival of the performing arts that is held every year in Duntown. It is by far the most exciting and expensive time to visit Duntown, with people from all over the world coming to join the festival. A highlight is The Bangs, a parallel happening open to anyone who wants to put on a show, regardless of quality. One can easily spend the afternoon observing terrible bards, catch a true genius of comedy at the start of her career, and catch an internationally acclaimed drow ballet in the evening.
The Burlington International Festival and The Bangs run in late summer.
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Pony Night
Pony Night is a festival for children practiced throughout Westlo at the midpoint between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. The younglings wear horse masks and go around their neighbourhoods looking for alms and sweet treats. Traditionally, it is said that the children collected actual coins for the Temple of Dendrah, but nowadays it is expected that the coins are disc-shaped boiled sugar sweets.
Should your visit to Duntown or another settlement in Westlo coincide with Pony Night, we strongly encourage you to stock up on a reasonable amount of these sweets so you might participate in the festival. If you are lucky, you may have some left for yourself in the morning!
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The Wildernesses of Westlo
Off the beaten track
Much of Westlo’s attraction to the outsider is in its relative unspoilt natural beauty, and we strongly recommend that anyone travelling to the area takes time out of Duntown and the settlements of the Armontside to explore.
However, we also urge caution when dealing with areas of true wildness, especially if you are travelling from a more urbanised part of the world. There are as many dangers as delights in undeveloped places, and you should not travel more than a day away from a settlement without a local guide or ranger.
Wildernesses
Armontvale
Confusingly, Armontvale is both the name of a town and the valley in which the town is situated: such is the way of things outwith the order of civilisation!
Armontvale was at one time a true tourist town, supporting hikers and nature-lovers seeking the sights of the Giant Hills and the purple Collyner Mountains beyond. Nowadays the town is reduced in size and importance, but still welcoming to visitors.
The valley itself is a green and pleasant place of arable farming and small hamlets. Almost all the produce not consumed in the valley is taken downriver from Marches, which may be a better home base for discovering the valley than the town of Armontvale.
Collyner Mountains
The Collyner Mountains have been, traditionally, too remote to support a tourist-friendly infrastructure. Most humanfolk avoid the great purple mountains, despite the reliable annual snowfall in the east of the range, which would be ideal for winter sports. Some roads for this purpose were once cut over the Giant Hills from Armontvale, but these are now overgrown.
In contrast, the western Collyner Mountains are somewhat greener and more temperate, taking on rain from the sea to the west. The foothills of these mountains are less severe, but require a long trek through the Wilds west of Livey to reach.
Until significant investment in recreational infrastructure is made, we must sadly conclude that the Collyner Mountains are best enjoyed from afar, while recognising the construction of such infrastructure would doubtless spoil much of what makes Westlo the place that it is.
Giant Hills
The Giant Hills were once reputed to be a place of great sport and and excellent source of exercise for hillwalkers. Regrettably, such pastimes are no longer in fashion with the traveller of today, and the tourist economy of the Giant Hills has collapsed. This sad state of affairs is self-perpetuating, as lack of interest in the region has driven the locals to seek employment elsewhere, those remaining with little motivation to provide a tourist experience. The Giant Hills become wilder and less travelled with every passing year, until a change of fashion will make this wildness desirable again.
Western Forest
The Western Forest is a vast expanse of seasonal forest, with its changing leaves in autumn being one of the great spectacles of the natural world. However, like volcanoes and tsunamis, it is a spectacle to be appreciated from a distance. The Western Forest is an inhospitable place of ill-repute, and the publishers of Trapadvisor will not be responsible for anyone who ignores our advice to steer well clear of the woods.
The Wilds
Aptly named, the Wilds are a delightful way to enjoy the very best of nature while remaining within easy reach of a warm bed and good food. The early riser, waking in Livey, will find one day sufficient to experience the Wilds and its flora and fauna and return in time for a hearty meal at the Paraffin Lamp.
Any hardier expeditions seeking an overnight stay (or even two!) in the Wilds should avail themselves of the services of a ranger or experienced guide. Tan Peart, the Holy of Livey's Temple of Dendrah keeps a list of local rangers of trustworthy alignment.
Hollymargret and Neuk
The ruins of the once-great city of Hollymargret are worth making a day-trip to see, especially if one wants also to visit the small fishing town of Neuk and its silver sands. The ruins are extensive and potentially dangerous, so those wishing to visit must pay a nominal sum to an approved guide. At present, the Stonefast Company supplies the touring experience.
Neuk, once the port of the proud city of Hollymargret, is now a small town without pretention. It mainly lands haddock and cod, which are plentiful in the Southern Sea. The isolation of the town is one of its main attractions, and the seeker of solitude and the contemplative will enjoy the time alone with the sound of the sea.
Westloian Cusine
The seasoned traveller knows that the measure of a place is made in the kitchen. The cuisine of Westlo is inclined towards the hearty rather than the faddishly healthy, and the lover of red meat and brewed drink will find delights in any hostelry of the region. While Duntown is rightly known for the finest food of the region at all price points, its advantage over the more provincial settlements is in variety, rather than quantity.
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Breakfast
While the elegant denizens of Newton of Duntown may wake up to a ‘modern’ breakfast of orange juice and Frosties, most Westloians will breakfast on at least a half-dozen eggs and toasted bread. It is not uncommon to be offered some of the finest steaks of Marchese beef or lamb first thing in the morning, while tougher, flavoursome cuts are put into stews for dinnertime.
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Lunch
In contrast, lunch is barely observed in the region, although fruit and salads are commonly consumed throughout the early afternoon. Children will be given an apple and some mild cheese at midday, and many adults will treat themselves to the same, perhaps with a slice of a cold pie. Invalids and the dangerously underweight will be encouraged to drink some soup or offered an omelette.
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Dinner
In the countryside, evening meals are typically stews of lamb or beef (occasionally rabbit) served with seasonal greens and bread. A Duntonian might add variety to his or her week by substituting in seafood or poultry, and replacing bread with grains. Mead or ale is drunk with the evening meal, and young children will be given a thin and delicious soup, served hot or chilled according to the season.
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Drink
As stated above, mead and ale are the main drinks of the region. The most popular drinks are Fastbuck Mead, Tar Python Ale, Strait Cider and nettle tea. A micro-brewing revolution is underway in the west of Burlington, where the popular style Authentic Regular Lager is de rigueur; Potent, Yah? A.R.L. and Random! are the best examples of the Duntonian take on this international recipe.
Visitors thirsting for wine need not be disappointed, as all kinds of fermented grape juice are available for purchase in most victuallers. Wine is considered too strong a drink for everyday consumption, perhaps because it is served in the same measures as ale.