Krezko

Overview: Krezko was a small, isolated village located in the northernmost part of the Southlands, nestled at the foot of Harrow Hill. This remote settlement was largely self-sufficient, relying on what its inhabitants could produce, hunt, or manufacture. However, it was also heavily dependent on a clandestine smuggling operation run through a local inn and boarding house, Jorik's Rest.   History and Significance: Krezko’s origins date back to a period of quiet expansion in the Southlands. The village was founded around Harrow Hill, named after a long-dead figure said to have built the first homestead on that very spot. The village's main gathering place, Jorik's Rest, was established by Ren Jorik, a former commander during what was called the Wars of Subjugation in Waylan , and the Border Wars by the Duvik people. After being presumed dead, Jorik chose not to return to Sevgorod but instead "retired" to Krezko, where he established the inn and lived out the rest of his days. His decision to lay low in Krezko gave the village a reputation as a haven for those wishing to escape the reach of the Crown.   Economy and Community: Krezko was a tight-knit community with a population of around a hundred. The villagers were known for their resilience and self-reliance, living off the land and engaging in small-scale trade. The smuggling operation through Jorik's Rest became a lifeline, bringing in goods that were otherwise unavailable in such a remote location. This operation allowed the village to thrive, maintaining a semblance of prosperity even as it remained cut off from the wider world.   The Fall of Krezko: Krezko met a tragic end due to its ties to the The Circle, a budding resistance movement against the Crown. The smuggling network that sustained the village was exposed, drawing the attention of the Crown’s forces, particularly the feared Witch-Hunters. Inquisitor Ilarik led a brutal assault on the village from afar, culminating in the burning of both Krezko and Jorik's Rest. Although the details of what actually happened took a matter of months to come to clarity, Ilarik was using Dream Magician combined with his ability to Dominate, and possessed much of the village, forcing them to calmly build pyres and burn themselves alive. Those who did not succumb were restrained and bound by The Regiment. At the time it was believed that Ilarik must have been nearby, but it later came to light that he had no need to leave Sevgorod.    The villagers who weren't burned alive were either captured or forced to flee into the surrounding wilderness. By the end of the siege, Krezko was reduced to ashes.