Cotstow

Cotstow is a Marwhini village built on the side of a small hill on the edge of the Rillan Marshes about eight miles south of Maethelburg. It was founded by the folk of Maethelburg and its inhabitants have the same rights as the citizens of that town and may attend meetings of the Ealdarmot.

The village exists due to two craft industries - pottery and basketmaking; the nearby wetlands supply both the clay and the reeds these industries need. Nearly all the pottery exported from Maethelburg will have been made in Cotstow. The buildings are typical Marwhini longhouse in style and the village supports some 70 souls. Nearly every family in the village owns a small boat in which they can travel through the marshes.

The map is keyed as follows:-

• Dock (1). A single wooden dock provides a landing for traders but this is often completely submerged in the spring.
• Causeway (Flogardh) (2). A broad earthen causeway some 12' high provides access to the dock from the village.
• Pottery Yard (Laiskerpargeard) (3). This yard provides employment for 19 members of the village. The distinctive pottery can be found as far afield as the coastal towns of the Tangara Naji.
• Fields (4). These fields are tough to plough due to the hillside location. Larger, flatter fields which can use auroch-pulled ploughs are situated over a mile away.
• 'Lake Street' (Seah Straeton) (5). This is nothing more than a rutted dirt track which leads to the village's other fields and on to Maethelburg.
• Lidhas (6). The two wooden gates which are close shortly after sunset are the only way through the 8' palisade surrounding the village.
• Basketmaker's Hall (Taynel-wirtashuil) (7). Flana, the village's leading basketmaker lives and works here with her extended family and two apprentices. Other families make baskets in their own homes which are then sold through Fana.
• Cobbler's Hall (Hudh-wirtashuil) (8). The village cobbler lives here with his extended family and apprentices.
• General Store (9). Run by a widow and her son.
• Trapper's Hall (10). Houses a trapper's family but the trapper is often away.
• Well (11). The community well.
• Fennric's Huil (12). The family home of Fennric who owns the Pottery Yard.
• Farrier/Blacksmith Hall (Airn-skaparashuil) (13). The blacksmith and his son are part time at this trade and part time farmers.
• Folcsteall (14). The village's communal stable and paddock.
• Shepherd's Hall (15). This family own a flock of sheep.
• Huc's Cottage (16). A thatch and wattle building which is the home of the orphan Huc and his animals which include a marsh mastiff and a tame heron with a broken wing.