Cinderhill

Cinderhill is situated on the northern coast of the Sea of Shadows of Nathar, deep in the Gore Mountains. It might be regarded as a part of Gethar but Nathar regards the whole region as its protectorate. In reality it is a small selfsustained enclave, guarded by the powers of the dragon. You might say that Cinderhill is one of the most remote settlements in Valenor, placed as it is between the mountains and the sea.

Still there is a certain amount of trade with the outer world, but this trade is limited to just one form of goods, the magic scrolls that is created in Cinderhill and which contain the dragon magic that the Adepts have captured.

This means that the principal customers for Cinderhill scrolls are the wizards of Ashgar, a long way south from Cinderhill and across the Sea of Shadows. It is very seldom that one sees a wizard in Cinderhill, mostly the trade is done by Adepts who travel to the High Tower. There are of course lots of other wizards all around Nathar that is interested in the dragon magic scrolls. But the Adepts also buy many other kinds of magic scrolls, so the business goes in both directions.

There is a trickle of trade with ordinary goods to Ador of Vakar (the northest region of Nathar), on the other side of the Ador Strait. Likewise there is some trade to the small towns and villages along the northern coast of Sea of Shadows. Most Cinderhillians have never heard of any of these places.

Social structures in Cinderhill

The longhouses of Cinderhill are open and commonly shared by everybody, however most people stay in the same house for the whole year. Usually the inhabitants migrate between houses in springtime, but also at any time as a spur of the moment. The children of Cinderhill wander freely between the houses and are perceived as everybody’s responsibility. All give their love and help raise the children. A longhouse is the home and workplace of up to 80 people at a time. In one house all ages and types of trades coexist. Here they live, eat, sleep and work their craft. Those practising dragon mastery often train moves in or outside their homes. The reading and copying of scrolls is predominantly performed in the relative calm, near the temple and the forum. Those working in the paper art, mix herbs, grow flowers and prepare scrolls in the workshops in the longhouses.

Because people share their lives and possessions, the longhoses also become open "taverns" at dinnertime. The Cinderhillians all prepare food, and walk around sampling some of the other houses kitchen during the long evening meals. To bring a cake or some spices, or perhaps a flagon of buttered tea, is a sure way to get a place at the supper circle around the fire. All join in the kitchen. The Adepts receive the food as gifts, but that is mostly symbolic, as they see it as an important duty to honour their blessed life by helping out with chores and simple work.

Although the Adepts and scroll makers sometimes specialize, the village is not divided in any guilds. Besides the division between Adepts and scroll makers all are a homogenous group. The Adepts are not lords over the scroll makers, but holy seekers that follow the magical path of the dragon arts. The scroll makers are not servants, but skilled craftsmen, apt in the secrets of magical scrolls. The Adepts rely on the gifts from the scroll makers, and they in turn place their trust in the dragon guardians. The Adepts are both magicians and warriors.