QUEST OF FIRE FRIDAY: CULTURE AND AGRICULTURE

Hello there!

It’s been a bit. I had this post mostly prepared in mid-January, but had a hiccup with my website that brought it down for more than a week and then after that I got hit by combinations of external and internal blocks to posting. The internal ones (aka procrastination) being the worst. That said, I’m still drafting Book 6 in Quest of Fire and it is going to hit hard. Especially for those who enjoyed meeting Thomas, Gregor, and Mia in Book 4, Desperation. There are some major moments of triumph and next week when I share the title, you might guess there will be some moments where things go very, very wrong. I’m super excited to share the highs and lows of this story with you! The release date is still holding on to September 2024.

In the meantime, let me share a bit more about the region featured in Book 6. These locations are essential for the stability and furtherance of Albaron’s society. One of which hasn’t appeared on the more zoomed out regional maps.

DEFENSE

Seabridge – Port city belonging to and protected by Kilkern’s Redoubt Stewardship. The first settlement in Albaron founded by the earliest explorers to the area. At the time there Albar Strait was crossable by wagons and horses. In the centuries since the sea level has risen in the area and the Strait is now deep enough for more than shallow draft shifts to pass through. Seabridge is of some importance as it allows access to the Eigh River which in turn makes trade and traffic to Caldoness far swifter than crossing the Treigl Mountains. It is also a vital lifeline to the Stewardship of Hoarcrest and its chief city for the same reason. Though it does have some competition for internal trade with Last Landing, which supplies animal pelts and other goods acquired from trading with the northern territories of the Vogteremark and Knorish traders looking for a warmer port from which to sail.

It is also a protected port with a sea wall that stretches across the expanse of the inlet and has a gate that can be closed in time of war. Because of the rocky coastline around it, it makes invading Albaron from the sea very difficult.

CULTURE

Avon-caroon – Castle city and stewardship of Albaron and a key eastern outpost and trade hub with the Vogteremark. Situated on a bend in Caroon River where it splits in the Glower and thereafter Wolfsglen and Orthall Rivers, Avon-caroon is a city of culture and artistry for Albaron. Playwrights, poets, and artisans of all sorts seek to display their craft there where an audience of Dag Vogtere, Knors, and other travelers give special importance to its venues and opportunities not found elsewhere in Albaron.

AGRICULTURE

Baileòrna – Castle town and stewardship of Albaron, location of the barley fields and much of the richest, most arable land in Albaron. Much of its northern territory was once part of the Hilbregh Forest, which it shares in part with the Stewardship of Glowerrothes. Timber from the forest’s hearty trees helped to build the city’s defenses and palisade walls, which are still its primary defense as it slowly transitions to defenses built from stone. Bordered by the Ermer River to the south and the Lower Albar Mountains to the east, it is generally considered secure and has historically relied on Leiroc as a warning outpost of attack to draw needed defenses to its aid from Dirkforge and Glowerrothes.

Map making is always one of my favorite parts of world-building, because you discover so many unique localities through drafting them. It’s also been a quiet desire of mine to get to fill in this area of the map in more detail. It might surprise some readers to discover I hadn’t intended to write this story, even once I knew enough of the full series arc to know where it all ends up. That’s one of the great pleasures of writing—getting to discover part of the story much as any reader does, page by page.

Thank you for reading and till next time and ever more, may the Lord bless and be with you.