Yahill
| Yahill | |
|---|---|
| |
| Barony | Yahill |
| Founded | 1374 DR |
Yahill is a a settlement located on the western side of the Shield Peaks. It was founded in 1374 DR as a town for the workers of Dowsalt Prison, the Omelon's first prison.
Geography
A river, the Yahill Creek, runs through down while an even smaller rivulet branches from Yahill Creek just north of the southernmost bridge in town. There are three bridges in the town: two span the Creek, one to the north and one to the south, while a third small wooden bridge runs over the rivulet.
To the north of the town lies Lake Lias, a large lake locally called "The Great Blue Dot." To the south of town is a hill on which stands the ruins of Dowsalt Prison.
Nearby Villages
History
Founding
Yahill was originally founded, in 1374 DR, as a town for the people who worked at or supported the infamous Dowsalt Prison and their families. At that time, the Kingdom of Men did not exist and Yahill was a part of the Kingdom of Omelon, ruled by the unpopular King Eiger Lorrus. It was the king's idea to build a large prison that could house, for a fee, criminals from anywhere in Omelon. This plan did increate Lorrus' popularity as other parts of Omelon moved their prisoners to Dowsalt and money started to flow into the dutchy in return.
In 1441 DR, a prisoner uprising led to Dowsalt Prison being burnt down and the prisoners--as well as many of the staff--were killed. The prison was never rebuilt. Many political historians see the fire at Dowsalt as one of the catalysts for the Morning Crusade.
Contemporary Yahill
Today, Yahill is an idyllic, self-sufficient town supporting a local farming community and a smaller fishing commmunity. The town predominantly produces wheat, barley, and corn with some fish from Lake Lias supplementing the local diet.
The Haunting of Dowsalt
In 1491 DR, Sylas Longwhistle captured the spirit of Leon Harkan, the warden of Dowsalt Prison, as a component of the ritual to free the Shadow Tyrant. Professor Peytr Ravenmore caught him in the act and was killed. Longwhistle made Ravenmore's death look like an accident, so no investigation into the murder was conducted.
However, with the warden's soul missing, the ghosts of the inmates of Dowsalt gained power and began leaking from the prison. The ghost of the warden's wife, Eodwynn Harkan, did her best to contain the ghosts. With the help from the Dawn Guard (well before they adopted that moniker), the prisoners were subdued and the prison secured.
Government
The Yahill Town Council runs the affairs of the city.
Notable Locations
- A. Town Square
- A simple wooden gazebo at the center of a grassy plaza serves as the hub for Yahill's major festivals and gatherings. The area's farmers meet here every tenday to sell their goods. There's a plaque here dedicated to Old River, a town dog who died in 1492 DR.
- B. Posting Poles
- Wooden poles used for posting leaflets and signs.
- C. The Laughing Demon (Tavern)
- D. Yahill Town Hall
- In classic small-town fashion, the people of Yahill use this all-purpose facility for everything from council meetings to wedding receptions. The Town Council meet here on the second day of each month.
- E. Temple of Kelemvor
- F. General Store
- Donny Olson took over the store from his father, Luthor. It's a large, two-story building with the first floor being the store and the second floor serving as the Olson residence. The shop sells all sorts of everyday items needed by the local populace.
- G. Folg's Forge
- A middle-aged dwarf woman named Folg runs the local smithy. She specializes in agricultural and fishing tools, but also makes weapons and armor, if requested.
- H. Jorminda's Apothecary
- Closed after the death of Jorminda Fallenbridge. A "For Sale" sign hangs in the window.
- I. Yahill Jail
- Sheriff Thom Callyhr is a second-generation lawman and does a fine job of keeping law-and-order.
- J. Closed Shop
- This used to be a moneylender's shop called The Silk Purse, but it's been closed for twenty years.
- K. The Outward Inn
- L. The Unfurling Scroll
- Run by Elror Lightbreeze, a wisened high elf.
- M. Council Member's Homes
- N. House
- Formerly owned by Petyr Ravenmore and his daughter, Kendra.
- O. Dowsalt Memorial
- A moss-covered stone plinth dedicated to the twenty-five people who died in the fire of 1441 DR. Their names are etched at the base of the plinth. Today, the memorial is a site for lovers' trysts and is as close to the prison as most folks dare to go.
- P. Graveyard
- A large graveyard, known as the Restlands to locals, is reserved for interring Yahill's dead. It is well tended by the clerics and acolytes at the Temple of Kelemvor.
- Q. Ruined Shack
- R. Dowsalt Prison
