Villages of Athas

There are hundreds of villages in the Tyr Region. Even if it were possible to describe them all, there would be little point in doing so. By the time you visited any particular village, there is a good chance that it would be gone - having been destroyed by raiders or simply deserted after serving its purpose. Therefore, only the villages that seemed to me more or less permanent are described below.

Altaruk

Located at the heal of the Big Fork of the Forked Tongue Estuary, Altaruk is a client village of the merchant houses of Wavir, Rees, and Tomblador (based in Balic). As villages go, Altaruk is heavily fortified; it is surrounded by a fifteen-foot wall and defended by five hundred free mercenaries armed with mekillot-hide shields, wooden lances, and daggers of sharpened bone. This contingent of warriors is commanded by Arisphistaneles, a powerful Preserver. Because of Arisphistaneles, influence, the Veiled Alliance is openly tolerated in Altaruk, and the city is fast becoming known as a safe meeting place for Preservers - though Defilers are strictly forbidden entry. Despite its formidable defenses, Altaruk is destroyed on a regular basis by giants from the islands of the Forked Tongue Estuary. The sponsors always rebuild the village promptly, for its garrison is a key deterrent to the raiders that would otherwise prey on the heavy caravan traffic at this critical junction. This protection is extended to caravans of other houses in return for payment of a heavy toll as they pass through Altaruk.

Makla

Makla is a client village of Urik, located on the shore of the Lake of Golden Dreams. It is a rugged town serving as a supply center and base camp for the slave gangs quarrying obsidian from the Smoking Crown. Makla is rarely harassed by raiders, for 500 Urik soldiers armed with obsidian-edged swords and spears are stationed here. They are supplemented by 50 half-giants armed with lances and clubs and a force of 25 halfling hunters assigned to track down escaped slaves.

North and South Ledopolus

These two dwarven villages are located on opposite sides of the Big Fork of the Forked Tongue Estuary. The inhabitants of North Ledopolus are trying to build a stone pathway to Ledo Island from their north shore of the estuary, and the inhabitants of South Ledopolus are trying to do the same from the south shore of the estuary. Their intention is to bridge the entire estuary, opening a shorter caravan route from Gulg and Nibenay to Balic and other cities south of the Tyr Region. Occasionally, the giants living on Ledo Island wade out to tear down some of what the dwarves have built. This usually occasions a fierce battle between the two contingents.

Salt View

Salt View is a slave tribe village located on the eastern face of the Mekillot Mountains. Like most slave villages, it is a boisterous, unruly place filled with ex-slaves of all races, yet it is also known for its fine theater. The former slaves of Salt View have recently begun to supplement their normal means of making a living (raiding caravans bound for Gulg or Nibenay) by sending out acting troupes to put on shows for wealthy merchants (they will have nothing to do with nobles). Salt View's leader is an exgladiator mul named Xaynon.

Ogo

Ogo is the home of the halfling chief, UrgaZoltapl. It consists of a massive step-pyramid rising just high enough so that its summit sits beneath the shade of the forest canopy (about seventy-five feet). Urga-Zoltapl's palace sits atop this pyramid, and it is here that he receives his tribesmen. A dozen stone buildings, homes for his servants and wives, stand scattered around the base of the pyramid. Ogo is unique among halfling villages in that an outsider may hope to visit it without being eaten - but I would suggest undertaking the journey only in the company of halflings from Urik. Otherwise, you'll be taking your chances as to whether UrgaZoltapl thinks you would be more interesting as a conversationalist or as a meal.

Walis

This small village is hidden away up an obscure side canyon in the foothills of the Ringing Mountain - and that's the way the citizens like it. From the outside, it looks like the long-deserted ruin of an ancient castle, and many travelers no doubt pass right beneath it without a second thought. Walis sits atop a high spire of rock that can only be reached by scaling a five-hundred foot cliff, by flying, or by being hoisted in a cargo-bucket that the natives operate for that purpose. Those who do know of Walis's true nature must stand at the bottom of the cliff and ask to be lifted, and the natives will oblige only if the individual is known to them. The reason for all this secrecy and security is that Walis sits atop the only gold mine in Athas that I know of. Lest you get any ideas about getting rich quickly, however, I should warn you that all commercial transactions in the village are handled by the Tomblador merchant house, which also pays a small company of Defilers to live in the village and protect it. Like the iron mine of Tyr, the gold mine here gives up its precious treasure only at great cost in sweat and blood.

Misc. Villages/Outposts/Forts

Fort/Village/Outpost  Owned/Operated By      Ablath  House Tsalaxa  Cromlin  House Shom  Fort Adros  House Inika  Fort Amber  House Vordon  Fort Courage  House Stel  Fort Ebon  House Tsalaxa  Fort Firstwatch  House M'ke  Fort Fyra  House Fyra  Fort Glamis  House Wavir  Fort Harbeth  House Inika  Fort Ianto  House Ianto  Fort Inix  House Shom  Fort Iron  House Stel  Fort Isus  House M'ke  Fort Kalvis  House Tsalaxa  Fort Melidor  House Shom  Fort Sandol  House Stel  Fort Skonz  House Inika  Fort Sunset  House Shom  Fort Thamo  House Vordon  Fort Thetis  House Wavir  Fort Xalis  House M'ke  Jalaka  House M'ke  Mira's Halo  House Vordon  Outpost 10  House Wavir  Outpost 19  House Wavir  Rumish's Rock  House Tsalaxa  Shazlim  House Inika