Stormwatch

“The Sentinel”

“We stand between civilization and the storm. When the winds howl and the Aether churns, we watch. We warn. We endure.”
—Captain Aldric Stormborn

Quick Reference

Stormwatch - The Sentinel

Overview

Stormwatch stands at the boundary between the calm Bright Reaches and the violent Howling Expanse, serving as the Aetherium’s primary storm warning station. Its massive watchtower—60 meters of solid stone—provides unobstructed views of the western storm fronts, allowing trained observers to predict Aether-Storm movements and warn settlements in their paths.

The settlement exists for a single purpose: watch the storms, predict their courses, and save lives through early warning. Signal fires, flag systems, and fast courier ships carry warnings to Skyport Eos, Ironhold, and dozens of smaller settlements. Stormwatch’s predictions have saved thousands of lives and countless airships over the centuries.

Life here is disciplined, purposeful, and harsh. The population consists primarily of weather observers, signal operators, garrison soldiers, and support staff. Shifts run around the clock—storms don’t sleep, so neither does Stormwatch. The western wind is constant, carrying the roar of distant tempests. Buildings are fortified against storm surge. Chains secure everything not anchored in stone.

The settlement’s unofficial motto is “We endure so others may thrive.” It’s not glamorous work, but it’s vital. And the people of Stormwatch take fierce pride in their service, knowing that every accurate warning is lives saved, every storm tracked is disaster prevented.

Captain Aldric Stormborn commands the station with military efficiency and genuine care for his people. Under his leadership, Stormwatch has achieved 95% prediction accuracy—a record that stands as testament to skill, dedication, and constant vigilance.

Geography and Structure

Island Layout

Size: 1.2km diameter (medium, stable)

Terrain: - Relatively flat (intentional—clear sightlines) - Reinforced edges (storm protection) - Western face (storm-facing, heavily fortified) - Eastern face (calm-facing, docks and trade)

The Boundary: - Island sits at edge of Howling Expanse - Western side experiences constant strong winds - Eastern side relatively calm - Dramatic weather contrast visible from tower

Districts

1. The Tower (center, 60m tall) - Observation platforms (multiple levels) - Signal station (top) - Weather instruments - Command center - Emergency shelter (base)

2. Inner Ring (200m radius) - Barracks (garrison and observers) - Command buildings - Weather analysis center - Supply storage (critical) - Fortified walls

3. Middle Ring (400m radius) - Civilian housing (support staff, families) - Chapel (small) - Market (limited) - Workshops (maintenance) - Secondary storage

4. Outer Ring (600m radius) - Eastern docks (trade ships) - Western docks (storm-capable ships only) - Warehouses - Courier ship berths (fast vessels) - Signal fire platforms

Key Locations

The Watchtower

Description: Massive stone tower, 60m tall, 20m diameter base

Function: - Primary observation post - Signal station - Command center - Symbol of Stormwatch’s purpose

Features: - Multiple observation platforms (every 15m) - Weather instruments (wind gauges, pressure sensors, temperature readings) - Signal equipment (flags, fires, mirrors) - Emergency shelter (reinforced base) - Archive (weather records, 242 years)

Staffing: - 12 observers (rotating shifts) - 6 signal operators - 4 analysts - Command staff

Weather Analysis Center

Description: Fortified building adjacent to tower

Function: - Data analysis - Prediction modeling - Warning composition - Record keeping

Staff: - Chief Analyst (Marta Windreader) - 8 analysts - 4 record keepers

Methods: - Pattern recognition (historical comparison) - Instrument readings (pressure, wind, temperature) - Visual observation (cloud formations, Aether disturbances) - Intuition (experienced observers develop “storm sense”)

Signal Station

Description: Tower top platform, exposed to elements

Function: - Send warnings to other settlements - Receive confirmation signals - Coordinate courier ships

Systems: - Flag signals (daytime, coded system) - Fire signals (nighttime, visible 50km+) - Mirror flashes (clear conditions, 100km+) - Courier dispatch (urgent warnings)

Courier Dock

Description: Eastern dock section, specialized berths

Ships: - 12 fast courier vessels - Built for speed, not cargo - Rotating readiness (4 always fueled and ready)

Function: - Rapid warning delivery - Supplement signal systems - Reach distant settlements

Crews: Professional, well-paid, risk-takers

Economy

Primary Service

Storm Warnings: - Subscription service (settlements pay annual fees) - Tiered system (priority warnings cost more) - Free warnings for catastrophic storms (moral obligation)

Revenue: - Skyport Eos: 30% of income - Ironhold: 25% of income - Sky-Guild (shipping routes): 20% of income - Other settlements: 25% of income

Secondary Services

Weather Prediction: - Custom forecasts for expeditions - Route planning (avoid storms) - Seasonal predictions

Trade Waystation: - Resupply point for western routes - Last safe harbor before Howling Expanse - Modest trade income

Training: - Weather observer training (small program) - Storm survival courses

Economic Status

Stability: High (essential service, steady income)

Vulnerability: Dependent on continued settlement payments

Reserves: Significant (storm damage repairs expensive)

Society and Culture

Military Structure

Command: Captain Aldric Stormborn (absolute authority in emergencies)

Ranks: - Captain - Lieutenants (3) - Sergeants (12) - Observers/Soldiers (200) - Support staff (300)

Discipline: High but not oppressive (professional, not tyrannical)

Culture: Service-oriented, pride in mission

Daily Life

Shifts: - 8-hour rotations (tower observation) - 24/7 operations - No days off during storm season

Routine: - Observation - Recording - Analysis - Warning dispatch - Maintenance - Training

Recreation: - Limited (work-focused culture) - Storm stories (entertainment) - Music (wind instruments popular) - Gambling (off-duty)

Values

Vigilance: Constant attention saves lives

Accuracy: False alarms waste resources, missed storms kill people

Endurance: The work never stops

Service: Personal comfort secondary to mission

Pride: Best storm watchers in Aetherium

Notable Figures

Captain Aldric Stormborn

Role: Station commander

Age: 48

Background: Born during massive storm (hence name), raised at Stormwatch

Personality: Disciplined, caring, weather-obsessed

Reputation: 95% prediction accuracy under his command

Philosophy: “We don’t control the storms. We respect them and warn others.”

Chief Analyst Marta Windreader

Role: Head of weather analysis

Age: 56

Background: Former Sky-Guild navigator, joined Stormwatch after storm killed her crew

Skill: Legendary pattern recognition

Quirk: Claims to “feel” storms before instruments detect them

Master Courier Jens Swiftwind

Role: Lead courier pilot

Age: 34

Background: Fastest pilot at Stormwatch

Record: Delivered warning to Eos in 3 days (normally 5)

Personality: Daring, professional, slightly reckless

Current Situation

Storm Activity

Status: Increasing (last decade)

Frequency: More storms, more violent

Pattern: Less predictable (concerning)

Theory: Related to Rot spread? Unknown.

Warning Network

Coverage: 40+ settlements subscribed

Effectiveness: 95% accuracy (industry-leading)

Challenges: - Some settlements can’t afford subscription - Distant settlements hard to warn in time - New storm patterns harder to predict

Relationships

Skyport Eos: Major client, good relationship

Ironhold: Major client, military appreciates professionalism

Sky-Guild: Critical for trade route safety

Howling Expanse Storm-Sailors: Mutual respect, information sharing

Defenses

Fortifications

Walls: Stone, 8m high, storm-reinforced

Tower: Strongest structure (designed to survive direct storm hit)

Buildings: All fortified, anchored, storm-shuttered

Chains: Everything secured (wind can reach 200km/h)

Military

Garrison: 100 soldiers (defense against pirates, not main purpose)

Training: Adequate (not elite, but competent)

Equipment: Standard (focus on storm survival gear)

Purpose: Protect station, not project power

Storm Survival

Shelters: Multiple reinforced shelters (tower base, underground)

Protocols: Well-practiced evacuation procedures

Supplies: Weeks of emergency provisions

Experience: Successfully weathered 50+ major storms

Quest Hooks

1. The Warning: Massive storm approaching (help deliver warnings)
2. The Pattern: Storm behavior changing (investigate why)
3. The Silence: Stormwatch goes silent (what happened?)
4. The Prediction: Controversial forecast (evacuate or stay?)
5. The Storm Ride: Need to cross Howling Expanse (Stormwatch provides routing)
6. The Sabotage: Someone disrupting warnings (who? Why?)
7. The Training: Learn weather prediction (skill development)
8. The Record: Ancient storm records hold clue to mystery

Secrets

The Black Storm

Knowledge: Observers have spotted strange storm (doesn’t follow natural patterns)

Description: Dark, slow-moving, seems almost intelligent

Theory: Related to Rot? Voice Beneath?

Status: Classified (would cause panic)

Tracking: Aldric personally monitoring

The Old Prediction

Discovery: Ancient records predict “Storm of Unmaking” (287 S.)

Details: Vague, possibly metaphorical

Concern: This year is 287 S.

Action: Aldric investigating quietly

The Storm Sense

Reality: Some observers develop genuine precognition about storms

Explanation: Unknown (divine gift? Aether sensitivity? Coincidence?)

Marta: Most powerful storm sense on record

Secret: Not publicized (sounds like superstition)

GM Notes

Using Stormwatch

Purpose: Essential service location, storm expertise

Tone: Professional, disciplined, purposeful

Function: Source of storm warnings, weather information

Hooks: Storm-related adventures, warning delivery, investigation

Potential Arcs

The Great Storm: Catastrophic storm threatens multiple settlements

The Silence: Stormwatch destroyed/disabled (settlements blind)

The Pattern: Discover why storms are changing

The Black Storm: Confront unnatural storm phenomenon

Related Topics

• The Howling Expanse
• The Bright Reaches
• Skyport Eos
• Ironhold
• Sky-Guild
• Storm-Captain Kiera Windcaller

“The storms don’t care about us. They don’t hate us. They don’t even notice us. But we notice them. We track them. We predict them. And we warn everyone else. That’s our job. That’s our pride.”
—Captain Aldric Stormborn

“I’ve seen storms tear islands apart. I’ve watched winds scatter settlements like leaves. The Howling Expanse is beautiful and terrible. We respect it by never underestimating it.”
—Chief Analyst Marta Windreader