JALDONKILL The town of Jaldonkill is a border fort between Sartar and the Plains of Prax. It has approximately 500 residents - about 125 adult men, 125 adult women, 200 children, and 50 elders and leaders. At any given time there are a few merchants from elsewhere in Sartar, small bands of Praxians, and guests from the other clans. Approximately 1000 farmers and herders of the Blue Jay clan live outside of Jaldonkill in fortified steads.
BLUE JAY CLAN LEADERS The undisputed leader of Jaldonkill and the Blue Jay clan is the clan cheiftain, Derinith Horseman, a warrior who has long led the Jaldonkillers in war. He was badly wounded fighting against the Lunars at Caroman Pass some fifteen years ago and can only move freely when on horseback. Derinith leads the clan's sacrifices to Derik Jaldonkiller and to Orlanth Dar (Orlanth in his King aspect).
The chief and his household reside in a large hall in the lower town. However, the clan assembly is held atop the hill of Jaldonkill, in front of the temple to Orlanth and Derik Jaldonkiller.
TEMPLES AND PRIESTS
The clan's main temple is to Orlanth and Derik Jaldonkiller. The
temple is a grand wooden hall atop the hill of Jaldonkill. On its
roof is painted a stylized blue jay - similar to what is tattooed on
the clan members. Inside is Derik's hall, with a four-sided carved
Orlanth pillar, the chair of Derik, and plenty of trophies taken from
the Praxians, including a magical ball of the tails of beasts taken
from every Praxian tribes, and the skins and furs of the Praxian
beasts. Here, plunder from the Praxians is given to Derik Furman.
Sacrifices to Orlanth are made in front of the temple.
Desorlanth Braided-Beard is the clan's senior priest to Orlanth and leads most of the sacrifices and ceremonies. He is an energetic old man who knows more myths than most sages. Derinith defers to Desorlanth on questions of the gods.
The clan has a smaller temple to Ernalda and Narden the Great Woman. This temple is also located on Jaldonkill hill and is a square building made of wood and earth. Inside are statues to the goddesses and an ever-burning hearth fire. Weekly offerings to the goddesses are made here, and the clan's Ernalda ceremonies are performed here. However, the clan celebrates Queen Day in the tribal ceremonies at Dundealosford.
The Ernalda temple has two full-time priestesses. The clan's chief priestess is Big Esrenava, a large woman originally from the Black Bull clan. Her husband is Durevos Popeye, a wealthy and clever farmer who has many supporters. The junior priestess is Lindrella Orvanfalorsdottir, a very capable steward of the temple' resources.
Including the clan's full-time priests, the clan is supported by approximately 20 holy people, who lead rituals and ceremonies but also farm, herd, or fight.
TRADE AND MARKET
Jaldonkill has a weekly market, presided over by the clan's traders,
Orvanfalor the Thane and Riga the Harst (an Issaries worshiper from
New Pavis). They live in stone house across from the chieftain's
hall. Merchants from other tribes travel to Jaldonkill to purchase
horses, livestock, wool, leather, and bronze, as well as plunder and
slaves taken from the Praxians.
The annual horse market occurs in Fire Season when the Poljoni travel to Jaldonkill to offer sacrifices to Derik Jaldonkiller, their tribal Founder. This week-long festival is a major source of income for the town.
The town also profits from pilgrims traveling to Old Wind Temple. Many stay in Jaldonkill before traveling to the sacred temple of Orlanth. The more prudent pilgrims hire members of the Blue Jay clan as guides and as bodyguards - which keeps the Blue Jay clan from committing banditry against them!
DEFENSES AND WARRIORS
The town is defended by a tall wooden palisade, seven wooden towers,
two gatehouses and a grand stone tower built by Prince Jarolar.
Jaldonkill is garrisoned by 20 mounted huscarls and by the clan fyrd -
some 300 militia when fully mustered.
The Blue Jay mounted huscarls are elite warriors that are sworn to defend the clan chief. They are supported by the clan and live in the chief's hall. They are each provided with fine horses, bronze weapons (sword, spear and bow) and bronze armor (chainmail byrnie and a helmet). The mounted huscarls are led by Berevenos Charger, a fearsome warrior who is famed for his wild charges agains his foes. Berevenos is Derinith's nephew and extremely loyal to the chief.
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