Siochain

Siochain is a city located on the western coast of the island of Sisceal. The weather and climate could be compared to Ireland or Scotland, given that it has good rainfall, but rocky soil that makes agriculture difficult. The city is also built half-into the mountains there, so the steep incline make more than kitchen gardens almost impossible.

Siochain lives under the flag of Urraim, the sword and rose. However, the Scathachs do not often come to Siochain, instead preferring to spend their time overseeing Urraim, the capitol city of Sisceal. Instead, the city's management is left to Kensa ta Gwydion, the countess who handles Siochain's affiars.

One of the interesting features about the city is that it is half in the real world of Furcadia and half in the Fae realm known as Elsewhere. While you can safely venture some distance from Siochain without becoming lost, it is easy to step into Elsewhere by mistake. Living on the outskirts of Elsewhere provides some very unusual weather and events to those that live within the city. It has been known to rain peanuts or snow feathers on occasion. Rarely are these strange events harmful, but... they are certainly unusual, that is for certain.

Elsewhere's proximity is more than a mere curiosity, however, it has proved to both be a boon and a curse for the city. Fell beasts have been known to attack the city and do injury and very real damage. Though the occasional rainfall of chocolate milk or candies is not entirely unwelcome.

Medieval Roleplay

Siochain is located on the western cost of the continent of Sisceal, its weather and geography resemble the British Isles in that it gets a good amount of rainfall, but the soil is too rocky and acidic to make for good farming. As such, Siochain relies on imports for many of its food supplies.

Siochain sits some distance from the coast, set into the side of one of the mountains that guard this side of Sisceal. Much of the trade and commerce to Siochain comes up the River Taranau to the city, which sits near the birthplace of said river. Those unfamiliar with Elsewhere, or lacking a guide, are discouraged from wandering too far into the forest. The main roads are the only land means into the city from the surrounding region without getting lost in the woods which, in many places, branch into pockets of Elsewhere, rendering travel through them almost suicidal.

Back behind Siochain rises a mountain chain stretching from north to south along the rugged coastline about two weeks' travel overland from Urraim on the far side of the island. Siochain is also a three day sail from the Isle of Etla and the lands of Silvaria.

Elsewhere is known by many names. Many many names. But the essence of it remains true. The realm of dreams is a complicated and dangerous place, even to those who know it. And for those that do not, it is frequently fatal.

The very edges of Elsewhere (known as the Shallows) are safe enough, seeming to be little more than a vaguely surreal version of the waking world. Perhaps the sky is a tad too blue or the flowers smell a trifle too sweet. Either way, it is not an entirely foreign place. However, just because it appears tame does not mean it is safe. Dangers lurk in the shadows and cracks, though they pale in comparison to the Deep. Most of fae society is built in the Shallows, though a few have carved homes into the Wild. It is considered a mark of prowess to live in the Wild, and most of the Great Houses have their strongholds in the Wilds as a result.

In a little further from the Shallows are the Wilds which, aptly named, are untamed wilderness. Through this area of the dreamworld is series of Paths created by the ancients (some fae even think the Tuatha themselves walked them) and all but the most experienced are well taught not to stray from those roads. There are, of course, other dangers to consider in the Wilds, such as the beasts that live in this section of the land of dreams. However, none but the most monsterous can set foot on the Path. Despite that, some of the older creatures have devised methods of getting around that caveat by luring or forcing travelers off the Path and into their wide, open jaws.

In addition to the creatures of the Wilds, there are other dangers. The path not always straight and wide; there are places where it fades into near-emptiness or runs straight into a cliff face or into an ocean. There is no map available since it is never the same twice. So, despite the path, it is easy to become lost.

Beyond the Wilds is the Deep--a place without explanation. Time itself is distorted, moving from high speeds to a mere crawl or, on occasion, stopping altogether. The Path here is patchy and broken with little coherence or direction. While there are no creatures known to live in the Deep, the time shifts are enough to drive any but ageless species mad. Or kill them outright. Very few fae can withstand more than a few hours in the Deep, though there have been record of cases of fae staying up to a day there.

Siochain is set in about the same timeframe as Urraim 3--the mid-1500's, give or take a little. Glamourtech is a little more advanced here than it was in Urraim (evidenced by the Gates). The royal family has become much busier than they once were with the expansion of their kingdom following the war. Archimedes has retired from leadership of Urraim, as most know, and now spends much of his time in Elsewhere at court handling affairs as Patriarch of the Scathach line. Christiana, of course, is at his side. The two also occasionally travel, visiting other lands to see old friends or strengthen trade agreements.

Thomas and Dutch have several children, the oldest being the crown prince, Cian. He's grown into a handsome man the ladies appreciate a little too much (like anyone's surprised by that). They still entertain visitors, but are too preoccupied with the business of running a large kingdom to spend much time amongst the people as they once did.

Urraim still struggles with the fallout of the great war between Seelie and Unseelie. There is still some racism, though it isn't as prominent these days. King Thomas cracked down on it hard and has maintained a very strict policy against hate crimes in the city. However, the scars between Seelie and Unseelie run deep in that city, particularly between those who participated in the war.

Siochain was founded by folks after the fall of Urraim 2 who wanted nothing to do with the racism or with the war. They just wanted to live their lives in peace. Following the fall of Urraim 2 during the height of the war, when many people were scattered, these folk made their way to the western coast of Sisceal and settled there.

Several years after the war, the Scathachs discovered the existence of the small town when they had a crop blight and asked the Scathachs for help. In exchange for assisting the struggling town Thomas asked that they come under the banner of Urraim. He promised them the ability to govern themselves as they saw fit, providing they followed the law of the land. They agreed, and Urraim helped develop Siochain into the flourishing city it is today. The relationship between Urraim and Siochain is very positive, and there is frequent trade and travel between the two. The royals occasionally visit to check on the status of things, but their presence is uncommon.