Aruldusk

Prefect Irulan Corgef (she/her) is a middle-aged human who has governed the town for the last 18 years and is an adherent of the Pure Flame. Hailing from Flamekeep, Irulan was familiar with the halls of power from an early age. Her grandfather was one of Thrane’s many lesser nobles, a crown reeve with lands in the western part of the nation. With the transition to theocracy, Irulan’s grandfather zealously embraced a new role as a minister for the church, making friends with regressive church leaders and slavishly serving them in exchange for patronage. This has paid off, with the Corgefs now wielding far more power within the church than they ever did as the ir’Corgefs. Irulan is a true believer in the harsh policies of the Pure Flame—while her grandfather and even father might be cynically exploiting the system, Irulan does not see herself as a hypocrite or charlatan.

Source: Cultures of Thrane

Source: Cultures of Thrane

While Aruldusk is not the most populous settlement in Thrane, visitors by road, rail, or ship have ample options while in town.

Cannith South Enclave

Merrix’s foothold in Thrane is in Aruldusk, where Viceroy Kyranah d’Cannith (she/her) has established new manufacturing capabilities to replace the lost textiles production from Cyre. The new jobs available do have advantages compared to the local tourism and fishing industries, but the long, brutal hours and high accident rates have residents asking about forming a labor union. Meanwhile, the freshly constructed enclave sticks out with its embrace of high Cyran culture, with silver filigree adorning the exterior of the structure.

Kalhina Camps

While the Rudari culture is nomadic, it does have some permanent residences as a byproduct of government policies. Specifically, border controls imposed during the middle years of the war disrupted the plans of the Kalhina clan, who had intended to continue southwards to Breland. For many years the Kalhina had happily integrated with Aruldusk, mingling and trading with both permanent residents and the many travelers that pass through the city, but the promotion of Prefect Irulan in 980 YK changed that. 

While the Prefect has enacted all sorts of hostile and xenophobic decrees, the most damaging was made shortly before the Day of Mourning, banning the Kalhina from building any permanent structures because they didn’t “fit the aesthetic sensibilities of Thranish design.” This also came with eminent domain claims against existing buildings, forcing the Kalhina to relocate further outside of town without the benefit of durable shelters. 

While some of the Kalhina have left, many have chosen to stay—they had forged bonds of friendship and family in Aruldusk, ties that are not so easily abandoned in the face of changing political winds. Many hope that Irulan can be outed, but the Rudari have little voice in Thrane’s politics.

Fortune's Hall

Perhaps one of Aruldusk’s most popular attractions is Fortune’s Hall, which every summer brings tourists from all over to enjoy a wide variety of performances. Founded by acolytes of Olladra, Fortune’s Hall is currently run by House Phiarlan, with Taran Shol d’Phiarlan (he/him) producing most of the shows. While Aruldusk is no longer home to a dedicated sect of Olladra, one old gnomish acolyte named DJ (he/him) is still around. He publishes a newsletter that often critiques the Phiarlan performances for lacking a heart that makes for true art.

Despite the popularity of their shows amongst the citizenry, the Rudari have been forbidden from performing in the theater, relegating their shows to makeshift productions within their camps. Majaris (she/her), a shifter member of the Kalhina clan, is trying to organize a letter-writing campaign amongst the townsfolk to make the case that the ban should be lifted.

Twilight Anchorage

The southernmost of Thrane’s ports, Aruldusk’s docks have historically been home to more fishers than merchants. While Balinor is often thought about in relation to big game hunting, Balinor is also the patron deity of fishers, who even in the most placid lakes risk their lives every day on the water. While the popularity of the Church of the Silver Flame has pushed overt services into disfavor, the superstitions of Aruldusk’s fishers are almost all outgrowths of traditions rooted in the worship of Balinor.

In one of the community’s more welcoming moves, the fishers of Aruldusk have made room for a small community of Cyran refugees. When the Day of Mourning hit, a rescue operation brought Cyrans from the eastern shores of the Brey River into Thranish territory. While most of the survivors have left for elsewhere, many of the fishers have simply relocated their operations to the western banks and become Thranish citizens.

However, not all newcomers are so welcome. The post-war growth of tourism has turned Aruldusk into a popular vacation spot for wealthy Brelanders, whose large watercraft are disruptive to both local flora, fauna, and folk. Unfortunately, Prefect Irulan sees the Brelander’s presence as validation of her policies and has no intent of sanctioning them for their disruptions.