Ayakar, nicknamed the Carnelian Star Among Opals, was a coastal trading town in Northern Turmish that was famous for its widely-popular bazaar. It received ships from far and wide across the diverse nation.
“
May your bread be sour, and your salt be fresh.
”
— A common Ayakaran welcoming to visitors.
Ayakar is a bustling seaside trading post, famous for its large bazaar that juts out over the cliffside, facing the Sea of Fallen Stars, Faerûn’s largest inland body of water. The air in Ayakar is thick with the briny scents of the sea, and there’s a permanent chill in the air. The waves crash into the cliffs, a metronomic sound, leaving a film of salt on every surface. Fishing here is abundant and prosperous, for the bay is filled with strange and exotic fish that are unique to this region. The anglers born and raised in Ayakar are hardy folk, as boating in the bay is no easy task.
The harbor is blustery, but this doesn't stop the local anglers from braving the elements to wrangle their daily catch in woven nets. The air is thick with the perfume of spiced tea and the sharp scents of the sea. Storm clouds roll over the bay — thunder rumbles and a rough wind catalyzes the waves, turning the caps white.
Features of Ayakar
Although the weather is chilly throughout the year, most of Ayakar’s buildings remain open to the elements. Ayakarans are used to being perpetually damp. As a settlement, Ayakar has a residential area a little farther from the coastline, but the bazaar functions as the central hub for all goings on. To visitors, Ayakar’s bazaar appears haphazardly constructed despite having remained sturdy for centuries, although its once colorful facade is faded and weathered from the constant storms that plague the coastline.
Ayakar shares much of its culture with greater Turmish but its distance from other settlements has given it some unique customs.
Terrain. Ayakar is rocky and it’s a wonder that a settlement was built atop the jagged terrain. It is easy enough to traverse, thanks to many small bridges and the bazaar structure which allows people to pass through most of the village under cover and on flat ground.
Lighting. The lighting is overcast; a thick fog hovers in the bay and diffuses the light from the burning orange sun. The sky in daytime is often a strange pale red.
Local Lore. Ayakarans speak poetically and their long, elaborate sentences sometimes confound (though frequently delight) visitors. Ayakarans revere Selûne, goddess of the moon and protector of navigators. Their relationship with Selûne is personal, as they see her domains manifest in the climate of Ayakar; the moon controls the tides and the behavior of the ocean directly impacts their daily life.
The Harbor. Ships travel to and from the harbor from across the realm, and the ships reflect the places from which they travel. Ayakaran shipwrights build and sell ships to buyers from around the bay, so new ships are common to find here.
Notable Phrases of Ayakar
- They call Ayakar, “The carnelian star among opals,” referring to the settlement’s color in contrast to the other settlements and islands in the Sea of Fallen Stars.
- They greet new visitors by saying, “May your bread be sour, and your salt be fresh,” referring to the traditional meal of sourdough bread accompanied by a bowl of salt. Turmish nobles often present this to guests as a sign of good faith and trust. Ayakar is famous for this bread as fermentation vats line the coastline, capturing the naturally occurring yeasts from the sea, and Ayakarans are especially proud of this export.
- When distressed, they often exclaim the phrase, “Cut the moon!” This is used sparingly, however, and they often retract the statement, so they don’t invoke Selûne’s wrath.