Astanorus: The most isolated -- and probably the roughest -- village on Ixinos, Astanorus stands in the fields in the shadow of Mt. Ressam. Its population of 500 is largely concerned with farming the nearby fields that belong to the Kevidoro and Kuritha clans, but they must also keep a lookout against pirates and other enemies who sometimes try to land along the shores here. The sea-cliffs here dwindle to little more than rocky outcroppings, seldom more than 20 or 30 feet [6 or 9 m] high, and it is possible for rowboats to land along the rocky beaches for raids inland. Aside from the crops there is little in this area worth stealing, but invaders could make a beachhead here and launch strikes inland. A contingent of soldiers is always present here, and in the event of trouble they can signal the lookout at Moonrise Aerie, high atop Mt. Ressam, which will result in a general defensive mobilization.

Boles, The: The Boles is the clanhold of House Kuritha, and is now famous as the birthplace of Queen Elissa, a member of that clan. Chieftain Zelereo is mistress of the house, which is located near the northern slope of Mt. Ressam. A steep dirt road leads down the mountainside to Anarae, with an old stone staircase cut into the mountain alongside it.

The Boles is so named because of the two-story stone pillars on the front portico, which are carved in great detail to look like mighty tree trunks. The house has a magnificent view of Echo Bay and Anarae.

Citadel of First Light: The Citadel is considered one of the most beautiful temples to Lathea/Lathander in the Realms. It is located at the top of Mt. Aphaea, where the first light of morning touches the island. Although the Selûnite church claims more members on Ixinos, this temple is the largest and grandest on the island. It dates back to 469 DR, when the great mage-priestess Anzana Darahni laid the cornerstone.

The walls of the temple are of marble and are covered with morning-glory vines. The corridors inside are decorated with hand-painted porcelain plates set into the walls. In the main sanctuary (off-limits to males) is a 20-foot [6 m] high solid gold statue of the goddess. It is said that on some days, when the first light of morning strikes the statue's eyes, all women who look upon it will be blinded for a time, but will be healed of all wounds, diseases, curses, and harmful magics.

Echo Bay: Echo Bay is a shallow-water bay on the northeastern end of the island. It is the site of much fishing activity, centered in the village of Anarae. Echo Bay is surrounded on two sides by high ocean cliffs which produce echoes, especially on foggy mornings.

Because Echo Bay faces toward the Straits of Silvanus, it is often (a few times a decade) the site of shipwrecks as vessels trying to pass the Straits fall victim to foul weather or other misfortune. Survivors of such wrecks are usually healed of any serious injuries, fed, kept under watch, and transported off the island at the earliest opportunity with any cargo or equipment that could be salvaged from the wreck. Pirates are either left to die in the surf or are killed out of hand when they reach the shore. If the ship carried slaves, all surviving slaves are set free, and the master of the ship and his officers are carried ten miles out to see, tossed overboard, told to swim for their freedom, and left to fend for themselves.

Echo Bay is too shallow to support landings by seagoing vessels, but it is the favorite target for daring pirate raids via rowboat. As a result, it is quite heavily patrolled by the army and the She-Wolves.

Flowered Fane, The: This ancient, small, ruined structure on the slopes of Mt. Aphaea was here when the first Raumathari settlers arrived, and is the only aboveground ruin left of the ancient Jhaamdathan temple to Ishtar. All that remains are crumbling pillars, arches and stone blocks, which are kept overgrown with beautiful flowers and shaded by flowering trees.

Gelevorn: This busy town on the banks of the Flowerflow is the commercial hub of the Highlands, the center of the milling and textiles industries on Ixinos, and frequently the site of well-attended festivals and fairs. Its resident population is around 2,000, but on many days twice that many Genifari crowd its streets.

Hallow Hall: Located near the barren summit of Marble Mountain, Hallow Hall is the clanhold of the Weréne, looked after by Chieftain Nazeri. The Weréne control most of the armorsmithing and weaponmaking on Ixinos, and it shows in the decor of the manor: long rows of suits of armor representing dozens of different lands and eras, which have been collected by the family over the centuries. Some are probably enchanted to act as guards in the event of trouble.

The Weréne are firm followers of Tormo, and Hallow Hall serves as a shrine to that goddess, with several clerics in residence.

Harrow Hall: The stronghold of Clan Zeníse is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Ressam, and is the domain of Chieftain Tannixi. While the Weréne of Hallow Hall have the best collection of mundane armor on the island, the Zeníse keep a huge cache of magical armor and weapons in their hall, more for display purposes than for real use -- though if the need arose, the items would certainly not be left in their display cases.

Harrow Hall is said to be haunted, and many hair-raising tales of long-past events can still be heard on dark nights. Nowadays the hauntings (if indeed they are that) seem to be confined to strange far-off noises, disembodied muttering voices passing by in the corridors outside chambers late at night, and strange dreams experienced by people who sleep in certain rooms on certain nights.

Holymount: This pretty little town on the slopes of Mt. Aphaea caters to Genifari who come to visit the Citadel of First Light or the Flowered Fane, and to those followers of Lathea who do not have lodgings in the temple. It is the closest thing to a tourist town in Ixinos. Beyond Holymount, the road up Mt. Aphaea becomes too steep for most wagons or carts to negotiate, so large cargos must be offloaded here and brought the rest of the way to the Citadel via pack mules, human porters, or magic. Holymount's population is about 400.

Kevidoro Castle: Although the Kevidoro are the largest clan on the island with nearly 3,000 members, their home castle is not in the best condition; it was built during the far-off days of the War of Blue Sorcery to guard against seaward attacks by the forces of Umberlee, and it has been quite difficult to keep in good repair because of the remoteness of its location and the difficulty in reaching it. It stands upon the cliffs on the seaward side of Marble Mountain.

Chieftain Eithro is very old and in bad health, so most day-to-day affairs are run by her 17-year-old granddaughter Ayedrega, who is trying to become experienced at the tasks of clan leadership as quickly as she can.

Kevidoro Castle is the home of Shilabat, the Great Sphinx, and her three human helpers, the "Sisters of the Sphinx". The Sphinx uses the high cliffs here as a launching point for her flights.

Moonrise Aerie: The clanhold of the Zinthani is situated at the summit of Mt. Ressam, with a view of nearly the entire Highlands. Chieftain Allega's home is a picturesque half-timbered house built around an ancient stone tower. The surrounding hillside is covered with gardens, hedges, and woodlands. A constant watch is kept here over the vulnerable lowlands immediately to the east.

Mt. Aphaea: The highest point on Ixinos at 3,000 feet [915 m], Mt. Aphaea is the location of the Citadel of First Light, the Flowered Fane, and the village of Holymount. On clear days the summit can be seen from the Straits of Silvanus, and is used as a marker by mariners looking to avoid the island.

Mt. Ressam: This mountain rises about 1,500 feet [457 m] above sea level, is largely forested, and is accessible by a steep road that runs from the Lowlands all the way over the mountain and down to Anarae, passing the clanholds of Harrow Hall, Moonrise Aerie, and The Boles along the way.

Starglass Castle: Clan Jazeli calls this mansion its home. Situated on the northern shores of the Moon-Glass, the lakeward side of the building consists mostly of rows of windows, which are all lit with candles and torches on nights when social events are afoot at the castle. These reflect off the still surface of the lake, to gorgeous effect.

Sheleré Jazeli is the mistress of the house, but still better known is her astonishingly well-endowed, brash daughter Jonowero, known to her friends as "Jono the Busty".

White Tower: The clanhold of the Heithalata, chieftain Norikini's home is what its name indicates: a large white tower, 100 feet [30 m] high, standing in the pass between Marble Mountain and Mt. Ressam and overlooking the road from Anarae to Gelevorn. Staffed at all times by members of the She-Wolves (whose leader, Theia, is a member of the clan), White Tower's purpose is to provide needed military aid for Anarae and to close the pass off to any invaders who manage to get past the shore.