"Think you can out race an Idani Skimmer? Think again..."
- Stevarik the Far Trader
Allune, sitting proudly at the mouth of Idan’s Ribbon, is a vibrant jewel at the southeastern edge of the Chaddamar Theocracy. The city is a patchwork of color and life, its skyline a kaleidoscope of brightly tiled rooftops that gleam like precious gems beneath the burning sun. The tiles, made from a unique, sun-baked clay found only in the surrounding hills, shimmer in shades of red, orange, cobalt, and emerald, giving the city a lively, almost dreamlike quality. These colorful roofs are not just a mark of beauty, but a symbol of the city’s prosperity, as artisans craft them with meticulous care, making Allune a destination for those seeking the finest tiles in the realm.
As the second-largest city outside the Theocracy's capital of Illhekar, Allune thrives as a bustling trade port, where merchants from distant lands unload goods onto the busy docks, and local ships laden with timber, metals, and textiles set sail for far-flung shores. Its deep harbor is a lifeblood to the region, with ships of all sizes constantly coming and going, and the air always filled with the scent of salt and freshly cut wood. The shipwrights of Allune are renowned across the Chaddamar for their craft, producing some of the fastest and most durable vessels on the seas. It is here that the legendary Idani Skimmer ships are constructed, famed for their sleek lines and tilted sails, which give their crews an edge in both trade and naval combat.
But it is not only the city’s trade and craftsmanship that make Allune notable—its whaling industry has long been a key part of its economy. Bold crews of whalers brave the treacherous waters of the Vast, hunting the great leviathans that roam the deep waters. The city is famous for its ability to extract oil and blubber from these mighty beasts, which is then processed into lantern oil, perfumes, and soaps that are highly prized throughout the Theocracy. The whaling ships, often adorned with colorful flags and banners, give the docks a boisterous, adventurous atmosphere, as tales of sea battles and massive catches are told by grizzled captains over mugs of spiced ale.
In Allune, the blend of vibrant culture, maritime industry, and artistry is as much a part of the city’s spirit as its people. It is a place where the hum of trade, the roar of the sea, and the scent of pine and salt combine in a living mosaic—a city where land and sea meet. It is this vibrant and colorful culture which has given the city a reputation of religious deviancy. Certainly, Allune seems somewhat more free from the religious oppression which is more evident in other cities. This is no doubt due to its distance from the capital and its booming economy. There are, however, rumors that the church maintains its spies even here. The church, no doubt, keeps an eye on this city lest the spark of wayward thought should ignite the fires of rebellion.
This page last updated Wednesday, December 24, 2008. Copyright 1990-2009 David M. Roomes.