Nurisel

The principal seat of Earl Thabel and the second-largest settlement on the island of Melderyn. Nurisel was settled by the Jarin more than 2,000 years ago but standing stones and other evidence suggest even earlier occupation by the mysterious Henge Culture. Around 215?BT, Nurisel was the capital of Bradene, one of the Five Kingdoms that eventually merged to form the Kingdom of Melderyn. The present earls are direct descendants of the Bradene kings. Nurisel has a well-deserved reputation as a center of learning; there has been a Lyahvian Chantry here for more than 1,700 years, a seminary of the Church of Save-K'nor for almost 500 years, and a college of the Pilots' Guild for more than a century. The current earl, Sunoril Thabel, is 53 years old. Like many of his ancestors, he studied at a chantry of Arcane Lore in his youth. He is an insightful, intelligent lord with a reputation for coldness and formality. He is also an influential member of the Melderyni Council of Eleven.

History

The first settles at Nurisel were Jarin who moved into the area some 2000 years ago. There is some evidence (standing stones and other structures) to suggest that the mysterious people of the Henge Culture had occupied the region much earlier.

It is certainly true that culture of the Nurisel Jarin quickly came to dominate the immediate area. Ancient legends speak of the "witch kings of Denedos” who ruled "from the fanged waters to the whispering sea". Denedos has been identified as an archaic name for Nurisel; the "fanged waters" are undoubtedly the Indatha Straits; and the “whispering sea" appears in other Jarin tales as a reference to the sea of Ivae. While a Lyahvian chantry was established at Nurisel about 1000 BT, and these early mages may have ruled a small kingdom, there is no record of this in the chantry archives.

By 215 BT Nurisel was the capital of Bradene, one of the five kingdoms that predated the foundation of Melderyn. When Erebir established the kingdom of Melderyn the line of the kings of Bradene continued, although by the first century TR they were commonly called the Lords of Nurisel. By 200 TR the title had become formalized as Earl   of Nurisel, although most earls have also styled themselves King of Bradene.

From 84-93TR Nurisel was home to Lothraem Helmaenth. This man, a powerful Grey Sorcerer, was allowed to build a tower near the town. He rose high in the council of the Earl and was a trusted advisor. 

When the earl died suddenly in 92, leaving an infant son, Lothraem was named regent. Governing in the name of this child, Lothraem instituted a reign of terror. Various friends of the deceased earl disappeared or met untimely and grisly deaths, and the populace lived in fear of the regent's unpredictable cruelty. These excesses ended when Lothraem was apparently killed in a sorcerous duel with six mages in 93. The fact that his body was never recovered, the similarity in names, and his violent abuse of power has given rise to the legend that Lothraem Halmaenth was Lothrim the Foulspawner. The infant child matured to become one of the best beloved and most competent Earls of Nurisel, putting fears to rest that Lothraem might somehow have corrupted him.

Nurisel has a well-deserved reputation as a centre of learning. Besides the Lyahvian Chantry mentioned above, the church of Save-K'nor established Rhynhuthor Seminary in 243 TR, and the Haclaen College and archives were founded by the Pilot's Guild in 606.

Clan Thabel is one of the oldest and proudest families on Harn. Their lineage has extended unbroken since at least 200 BT, and there is evidence to suggest that the clan was founded several centuries earlier than that. The Thabels are the only reminder of the rulers of the ancient Five Kingdoms. The other four royal clans had either died out or had been superseded by a junior branch by 420 TR.

The present earl, Sunoril, is fifty-three years old. Like many of his forebears, he studied at a chantry of Arcane Lore in his youth. He is an insightful, highly intelligent man, although with a reputation for coldness and formality.

Government

Nurisel is governed by Earl Thabel and his principal lieutenants. A self-appointed council of guildsmen advise the earl on local matters but have no real power. The earl spends most of his time here, although he frequently visits Cherafir, and makes a yearly visit to Glenoth. The Thabels have traditionally governed the settlement with a light hand but have always shown considerable skill at resolving disputes or uncovering crime. Most earls have had a surprisingly thorough knowledge of Nurisel, and it is sometimes said that "the Thabels know thoughts before they are conceived". The present earl has numerous agents (both overt and covert) in the settlement.

Economics

Nurisel is the second largest community on Melderyn Island. It benefits both from its proximity to Cherafir and a prosperous maritime community, which includes a substantial fishing fleet. It is also a supply center for the island settlements in the Indatha Straits.