The Curious Pasttimes of a Curious Peoples

The Curious Pasttimes of a Curious Peoples is a book discovered beneath the ruined keep of Cal Dorthorne.

## Description

Bound in panels of wood in place of leather, the Curious Pasttimes of a Curious Peoples is in itself a curious book. Beyond the risk of splinters during the reading process, the images and diagrams within done in charcoal and so prone to smudging if inappropriate pressure is applied.

## Research

### Completed by Otto van der Velde VI

*Preface: Researched, written and published by the hand of Stenner Stillbraid, with assistance from and thanks to Tuth Vusk, Dalkom Redbeard and the Esterving Printing Guild.*

*Before the certain level of standardisation that came from Astedian rule, the peoples of Halholm partook in some most curious habits when it came to their governance. Lead by the enigmatic Halm, a figure held in near-mythic regard by the residents of the realm for his supposedly infinite wisdom and longevity (having claimed to have been alive since before Aita's Second Gift), these nomadic people roamed the northeastern Realm named in his honour for their entire lives, stopping only to meet every decade at the only true city within its borders. At Halm's Hold, the people of Halholm shared stories and tales, as well as bartering and trading with each other for one week and a week only, before heading back out in the plains, hills and forests once more for another decade. While this sounds curious enough by civilised standards, this is simply the start of their strange customs.*

*The residents of Halholm, predominately human, halfling and dwarvish, do not drive conventional beasts of burden but rather scaled beasts only found in the deepest jungles of Tourmalini'i and in the picture books of children with wealthy parents. Most ride atop strong-legged upright saurians with large eyes and brightly coloured scales that are ritually patterned further by their riders. As a species, they are referred to as Fastieth, but each is given by a name by the rider to which they bond - a process started with placement of a Fastieth egg in the wicker crib used to safely transport the newborn babes of the Halholmite people. In times of war, either between competing tribes or the neighbouring realms, the Halholmites instead ride more vicious and wild beasts, including Clawfoots (named for their cruel sickle-like toe claws) and Terrorwings (flying reptiles with wingspans of up to 20 feet.)*

*At the heart of plainlands - naturally known as Halm's Plains, is a deep canyon called Halm's Break. The Halholmites treat this place with a deep and genuine reverence, for this is the supposed home of their leader and quasi-deity Halm. No foreigner is allowed within twenty miles of the canyon, on pain of immediate execution, so the true nature of these claims remained unknown until the conquest of the Realm by the Astedian Empire. When the 12th Aerial Fleet surveyed the canyon from above they found naught of interest, a discovery further established by excursions into the location by 46th Cogheart Legion. Nonetheless, the Emperor and Increscent Six ordered no further explorations would take place without their official permission.*