Istakax is inhabited by a thousand humans and a few trolls. The city covers a large area, but one has to consider that crops are grown and livestock is allowed to roam free within the earthworks. Approximately two out of every three houses are restored ruins, built largely of stone. The rest are of traditional wooden make. Most of the inhabitants live by farming and animal husbandry, but a significant minority seek an income from the lake or in trade, usually with trolls or Galanini. Also, the Goodmead clan ships its beer through Istakax. Strangely enough, none of the local inns stock it. Another export is containers made of soapstone, which abounds in the surroundings.
Politically, the city is a neutral zone. There is no formal government; most people mind their own business. There is a city militia though, and its captain (Eagin Dragonslayer) sometimes acts as if he owns the place. As a matter of fact, he almost does. His only real rival in terms of influence is Barnan Redhair (high priest of Orlanth). Some visitors are surprised that humans and trolls (and even tusk riders!) get along so well in Istakax - the two races have, historically speaking, always been enemies in this region. What is easily overlooked is the fact that the current inhabitants are unrelated to the previous ones, thus having no feud to carry on. Also, if you want to survive in a tough frontier environment like this one, you can't afford to be loaded down with a lot of preconceptions. Both the Nardain and Rolin tribes have realized this, and now have mutually beneficial arrangements with the people of darkness. Ozobo, the Ajim clan closest to Istakax, is friendly with at least some trolls for religious reasons: this clan is dominated by Storm Bull worshippers.
The religious life is of course dominated by Orlanth; the Major Temple draws not only locals, but also worshippers from the neighbouring clans of the Nardain tribe and a fair amount of transient adventurers on Holy Days. Ernalda can maintain a Major Temple on the basis of Istakax alone, but doesn't mix in politics. There is a small Issaries shrine at the trading post, and a travelling Uleria troupe sets up shop here once in a while. Apart from these, sites are scattered around the city - like Chalana Arroy (next to the Ernalda temple) or Eurmal (in Norim's shack, not much to look at). The trolls probably regard the "ZZ Temple" as a site, but Xog doesn't answer questions from nosy humans.
While under the Dark Empire's thumb, the Delelans were naturally not allowed to occupy such a strategic spot; it was instead riddled with troll hovels. With time, the Empire started to decline in power: the conflict with Seshnela was deemed of greater importance than the Wilds, so the Orlanthi seized their chance. The trolls were evicted and a new Istakax erected (728-9) to serve nearly the same functions as the old one. It was much less ambitious in scope, however: where the old walls had the same extent as the present-day earthworks, the new walls are the ones of which remnants are still standing. The only more-or-less intact buildings from this period are the keep and one of the towers. Istakax came for a time to serve as a watchpost against the Vindor tribe, which succumbed to dragon worship and later died out, leaving the lands along the Rendalian unoccupied. The city was destroyed again in 1302, when the troll buildup in Corolaland finally allowed them to retake it.
This time their victory was short-lived: Retter drove them back after only a few decades. Resettlement still posed a problem, but for reasons of Delelan politics. The previous citizenship had fiercely maintained its independence from all of the surrounding tribes. But by now, the Nardaini had expanded to enclose Istakax, something the Ajim and Rolin tribes were unhappy about. In 1351 a treaty was finally worked out, allowing a trading post to be established on the site and guaranteeing non-interference. About ten years later, the tribes also agreed to build an independent temple to Orlanth in Istakax where all visitors could worship (allowing it to become a Major temple). No full-scale, systematic reconstruction was accomplished for lack of inclination (the troll threat seemed to be ended), funds and proper expertise.
In 1581 the first Lunar caravan came to town. This caused some confusion at first, but as they paid their way with solid silver, they were soon accepted. They quickly worked out that overland travel is a very inefficient way to reach central Ralios from here. But going by river meant leaving their pack animals in Istakax, which meant an extra cost for stabling and guarding them. Installing Lunar troops as a garrison was obviously not a good idea, so they tried to convince locals of the need for some sort of protective force. This proposal was for a long time met with indifference.
9 years ago, some Humakti decided on Istakax as the logical place for their new temple (they already had branches in Kilwin and Dorflik). Suffering from their usual delusions of grandeur, they erected a building that dwarfed all others in the city (excepting the keep, of course). Needless to say, this rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Thus when a band of trolls, spearheaded by several Death Lords, launched a surprise attack 2 years later (on Zorak Zoran's High Holy Night), Orlanthi help was slow in coming. In fact, after a promise that the berserkers would vacate the premises had been extracted, the town leaders allowed Argan Argar to maintain a 'temple'. The Humakti have staged three raids to retake the temple, but since they always attack on their High Holy Day, the trolls know when to strengthen their defenses. It was after the first of these assaults that the Lunars finally got their way and a city militia was formed to keep the peace, jointly paid for by all of the city's businessmen and temples. As a compromise between the involved parties a (supposedly) neutral militia captain was appointed.
The Baths: The 'tough' inn. Originally a guard tower with bathing facilities for the soldiers, it was turned into an inn by Torgen Twisnout when trolls and tusk riders started visiting the city. This presence is now in a decline, so business is poor. There is a storage cellar, a bar on the main floor, an abandoned second floor where customers lacking in common sense can sleep, and a top floor inhabited by Torgen (no one else has ever seen it). Beer prices are related to the purchaser's race and skill with a lance. They also depend on time of year, hour of day, number of guests and water level in the river. Regulars include the Biff Boffs (a local gang of comparatively meek tusk riders), trolls from the temple and really butch humans like Hubrik or the Stormback brothers. Rumours circulate that Minotaurs have been seen in here.
The Bronze Bell: A 'fashionable' inn (compared to the Baths). Owned by Eagin. Bolp, the innkeeper, has a medium-sized (100 lbs.) bell of cast bronze hanging over the bar. He's heard from travellers that bartenders in Safelster signal with a bell whenever they get a tip. This sounded so trendy that he just had to take it up, not realizing that the bells were supposed to be little tinkly things. He doesn't get many tips these days. There is usually some form of entertainment (bards, jesters etc) in the evenings, a good-natured atmosphere and plenty of customers (many of them Orlanthi from the temple). Dorian Sleepyhead and his pals accuse Bolp of diluting the beer with mineral water from Istakahixa. Norim defends Bolp on this point, calling Dorian a tastebudless twerp. Other rumours state that Norim gets a discount on beer.
The Keep: Where Eagin and Gerkor stay when they're not at the Bronze Bell. A small, but solidly built stone fort. The cellars house prison cells and cages for those unfortunate beings destined to fight in the arena, to which an underground tunnel leads. Most of the twenty-odd militiamen/arena-keepers live in the barracks.
Temple of the Copper Lizard: A Major Temple to Ernalda, housing 5 priestesses. An equal number of acolytes serve there, but live with their families. Two Chalana Arroy Healers live in a small house on the temple grounds. The name derives from an ancient, verdigrised copper altar, covered with engravings of an elongated, eight-legged lizard. Such a creature is said to have lived here before Time, punishing desecrators of the Earth. One fragment of an old poem suggests that the lizard was ridden by some kind of warrior.
Jorvin's Trading Post: Jorvin himself is often away on business, at these times old Kallum is in charge of the post (but can usually be found at the Bronze Bell). In the house (which is of course protected by a Market) 'civilized' imported goods such as fine fabrics, well-crafted swords and a crossbow from Safelster can be found. There are also products of local and troll make, waiting for transportation elsewhere.
James' Workshop: This is where James, Istakax' most famous smith, resides and works. He makes extravagant weapons and suits of armour, covering them with spikes, studs and other non-functional details. It's all high quality and even higher encumbrance. James' best customers are the Zorak Zorani - they've given him two zombies, one of which is always modelling the latest tasteless equipment outside the Workshop, striking various melodramatic poses. On a wall inside the smithy hangs the magnificent suit of plate armour that earned James his title of Master Smith in Loskalm, before his illness (no spikes there!). The rest of the building is littered with bronze and lead hardware, all of it looking very weird.
The Shaman's hut and garden: Guolo Twelvepointer cultivates all kinds of interesting plants, including a few varieties of mushroom that he traded from the black elves in Bigbelly Valley. At first, he had some trouble with pilfering, but this stopped once word got around about the side effects of eating something from Guolo's patch.
The Tent Camp: Quite a few hsunchen families visit the city intermittently, and this is where they pitch their homes. The most common guests are Galanini and Lotari. This is also where the ambulatory Uleria shrine can be found if it's in town.
The Hill of the Wind: Orlanth's temple in Istakax hardly seems large enough for its congregation; in fact most ceremonies are held outdoors. On these occasions, Barnan flies to his position on top of a tall pillar (specifically built to stand taller than any building in town), from which he invokes the winds. Many participants drift over to the arena after services are over. Apart from Barnan and Tormod (who have their quarters on the Hill), three priests and four acolytes are attached to the temple. Both cats and chickens are raised on the premises, and some effort is spent on keeping them apart.
The "Zorak Zoran Temple": Is really nothing more than a meeting-place for visiting trolls. A dozen dark trolls and twice as many trollkin live here more or less permanently. Most of these are Argan Argar worshippers, including the self-acclaimed High Priest Tuzzabuzz Bolgmonger.
Hubrik the Galaninieater: An ex-Galanini who now worships Storm Bull. Berserks enthusiastically, but with a poor sense of timing.
Bolp: Nervous, greedy and servile, not to mention overweight. Bolp is very anxious to maintain his inn's reputation. He also has a comically high opinion of anything 'western'.
Norim, the egg-headed one: The run-down old Trickster, suffering from infirmities acquired at the Baths. Seldom goes there nowadays, which doesn't prevent him from getting drunk. The Healers no longer trust him (the money he gave them last time just disappeared), so his leg is still lame. Distantly related to Barnan Redhair. Rumour would have it that they're half-brothers and that Norim has some kind of hold on Barnan.
Kallum, the old troll: The only one of his race normally seen at the Bronze Bell. Has observed all of the Humakt-Zorak Zoran fights with his own darksense, and tends to get rather long-winded on the subject.
Eagin Dragonslayer: An atheistic foreigner of unknown descent. Since his appointment as captain of the militia, Eagin has gradually bought into the various businesses in town, and now holds more power than any other individual. Many rumours circulate about him, the main theme being a HeroQuest where he stole three fingers off Ping! the Little Gorilla. Other stories concern all manner of dishonest and underhanded deeds. Some prefer to call him Dragonsnailer (when his back is turned). Eagin's hidden agenda is long term stabilization of the entire area around Istakax on behalf of the Lunars, who pay him extra for this. For the past two years, he has been working with a dwarf called Ironshield, who runs a smithy in the Keep, to get access to better armaments. This fact is kept well hidden, on account of all the trolls nearby.
Gerkor Bloodwolf: Started his career in arenas with a pit in the ground where starved wolves would fight, Gerkor handling the betting. After teaming up with Eagin, he soon gained access to a real arena. Many different animals and monsters have been on the repertoire since then. Gerkor's wife is said to be a werewolf, and some would have it that he is himself a fugitive Telmori shaman. This year he finally managed to defeat Barnan Redhair for the title of Best Dressed Man in Istakax.
James: Once an Orlanth cult smith, James was struck with Brain Fever on his way home from Loskalm. He is now mentally retarded (INT 6). Because of his acute difficulties with numbers, he takes payment in "sacks". A "sack" is simply a sack so full of Bolgs that he can barely lift it.
Guolo Twelvepointer: A recent addition to the population, Guolo is a shaman. Formerly of the Damali tribe, he still dresses in women's clothing. He knows very little of local affairs and is tight-lipped about his past. But for a suitable donation he will enter a state of higher consciousness, where he can acquire scraps of information that might (or might not) be useful. This is accomplished through ingesting or inhaling various concoctions of herbs and fungi from his garden.
Xog: The one Zorak Zorani that insists on staying put. Isn't interested in talking to humans, but might consider eating some. The only thing that's ever scared him is his mother.
Bigtuft: Very self-conscious about being the high priest's familiar. She likes to order the other intelligent cats around, and doesn't seem to notice their lack of attention (as long as they don't contradict her).
Tormod Newtlingbane: Would never have stayed in Istakax but for the fact that his brother is high gonzo in the local temple. There isn't nearly enough action around here to satisfy an up-and-coming young Wind Lord. Tormod would have pulled up his stakes long ago if Barnan hadn't kept going on about his feeling that something's about to happen. Typically enough, he was in Kilwin when the Humakti had their last rumble with the trolls - the only reliable entertainment in this dump. If any fighting or other kind of excitement breaks out in town, Tormod will want to be in on it (though he'll probably show up too late).
Shard: Tormod's familiar; shares her master's martial predilections, though in a somewhat less disciplined fashion. She's easily distracted by any kind of unusual goings-on.
Beirgil Slowhand: A big brute of a Storm Voice, who would seem better suited as a Wind Lord (or perhaps Storm Bull) but lacks the inclination to adventure. He is also very calm-tempered; few have ever seen him actually use his greatsword.
Ceanbard Lightheart: Physically unimposing, but possessed of great energy and vigour. If his best friend Beirgil can be likened to a brooding storm cloud, then Ceanbard is a swift but erratic breeze. An enthusiastic poet, he never tires of praising Orlanth and the winds for their life-giving influence.
Glasmac Nightstrider: Is, apart from his normal duties, an associate priest of Yinkin. He is thus in charge of the temple cats, and some of their characteristics seem to have rubbed off on him - like a nocturnal lifestyle and a somewhat odd sense of humour.
Morris: Glasmac's familiar. Notably lazy, even for a cat. He prefers Glasmac's company to that of the other cats. Bigtuft and Shard are real pains in the neck, and the rest are just brainless ninnies.
The Stormback brothers: Barnan's housecarls, according to an hereditary agreement between their family and the temple, and Istakax' most arrogant Orlanthi. Like to slouch around near the Hill, commenting unfavourably on passing Player Characters. When drunk, they enjoy brawling with each other (and anything that gets in their way).
Toralt Giantsword: A somewhat sloppily dressed Orlanth initiate, with a faraway look in his eyes. Dislikes Bolp intensely, and feels there should be room for an alternative inn in town, cooperatively run by the Orlanthi. He gained his honour-name by bringing home a 2 metres long, crudely forged sword from an expedition into Corolaland.
Isaine Sixfoot: The oldest priestess, with more than eighty years of life behind her, is also an initiate of Ty Kora Tek and officiates at most burial ceremonies. Her outlook is deeply fatalistic: the Earth covers everything in the end, struggling against it is futile.
Krisdel Glitterface: To this young lady, the cult is more an aid to social advancement than anything else. Naturally, she finds Erien's pacifist policy frustrating. She is the only unwed priestess - she has a child of course, but the father is unknown.
Brenma the Wide: Embodies the maternal aspects of Ernalda. More interested in the welfare of the people (in particular, the families) of her community than in the soil itself.
Kardavyn: A widow, looking far older than her years. Her husband was a Humakti, slain by trolls seven years ago; her son died in a sudden illness soon after. Since then, she has been completely absorbed by her religious duties.