Shadewatch: A Village Under Mordredia’s Shadow
Shadewatch is situated in the open grasslands, approximately 100 miles south of Isondale and 40 miles north of Mordredia. The village is nestled along the banks of a slow-moving river, which serves as its main water source for drinking, irrigation, and washing. This modest settlement serves as a quiet waypoint for travelers and a source of produce for Mordredia.
General Description:
Shadewatch is a small, square-shaped village with a starting population of 397, though this number has declined sharply in recent weeks due to the False Hydra's predations. The town’s construction is humble and practical, with most buildings made from reddish-brown bricks formed from clay collected in the Western Nipamore Hills, 24 miles to the north. The rooftops are covered in ceramic tiles made from the same clay, giving the village a uniform, earthy aesthetic.
The streets of Shadewatch are simple dirt paths, occasionally bordered by loose cobblestones near the village square. The area smells of freshly tilled earth, faint smoke from cooking fires, and the occasional sour note from livestock pens near the edge of town.
Demographics:
Population (before the Hydra): 397
- 65% Human
- 25% Dwarves
- 5% Elves
- 5% Other (including orcs, halflings, and tieflings)
Most residents live humble lives as farmers, laborers, or crafters. A small number of merchants operate the general store, blacksmith forge, and a few other essential shops.
Leadership:
The village is managed by Tharvix Rellen, a changeling disguised as a human, along with his family. Tharvix is a cunning and pragmatic leader, focused on keeping the village productive and in Mordredia’s favor. He is aware of the recent disappearances but has no explanation for them, blaming "poor harvests" and "wandering beasts" to avoid stirring panic.
Culture and Daily Life:
Shadewatch is a poor village with limited personal wealth. Most villagers live in simple brick homes with one or two rooms. The population revolves around agriculture, crafting, and fulfilling their tax obligations to Mordredia.
Economy: Farmers trade surplus crops for tools and goods, but there is little room for luxury.
Religious Influence: The temple to Elaria Duskmantle casts a shadow over the village, literally and figuratively. Mordredia’s grip is ever-present, and the villagers avoid speaking against their rulers.
Social Divide: Tension exists between the farmers and the few who operate the brothel or tavern, as some view these professions as immoral, though they dare not speak out against Mordredia's practices.
Village Layout
The village is arranged in a square with the following notable areas:
Outer Edge (Farms):
The outskirts of the village are dominated by farms growing staple crops like wheat, barley, and vegetables. These farms provide food for the village and pay their taxes to Mordredia in the form of produce. Simple wooden fences border most farms, and the river supplies irrigation through a series of hand-dug canals.
Village Square:
At the heart of the village is a simple square, which serves as a gathering point for festivals and public announcements. Surrounding the square are:
1. The General Store: Stocks basic supplies such as farming tools, simple clothing, and preserved foods.
2. The Blacksmith Forge: Run by a dwarf named Dram Coalbeard, who crafts farming tools, horseshoes, and occasionally weapons for traveling merchants or mercenaries.
3. The Inn and Tavern (The Shaded Tankard):
- A single-story brick building with a small stable attached. It caters to rare travelers and locals seeking a reprieve. The innkeeper is Lylin Brightstem, a tired half-elf who dreams of leaving for Isondale.
4. The Bathhouse and Brothel:
- A modest building run by slaves imported from Mordredia. The establishment is overseen by a human named Thaleen Cragspear, who enforces Mordredian laws strictly.
Temple of Elaria Duskmantle:
A prominent brick structure on the northern side of the village, the temple to Elaria Duskmantle serves as a reminder of Mordredia’s control. Inside, the walls are adorned with black tapestries bearing the symbol of Elaria: a shadowy figure stealing a silver key from a field of stars.
The temple is managed by Brother Karrin, a human priest with a sharp tongue and a suspicious demeanor. He preaches sermons on secrecy, deception, and the importance of loyalty to Mordredia.
Rituals often include whispered prayers and symbolic gestures of thievery or shadow manipulation.
Current Events
Over the past month, the False Hydra has ventured from its lair in the Burning Flats to prey on Shadewatch. As a result:
The village population has dropped noticeably, though no one remembers the missing individuals.
Farms sit unattended, homes are abandoned, and the remaining villagers seem anxious and forgetful.
Night brings an unnatural silence, broken only by faint whispers of the Hydra’s song, which few remember hearing.
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