Village of Evenshade

Overview

Nestled between misty hills and the winding River Chionthar, the village of Evenshade appears serene, scholarly, and timeless. It is home to a modest noble house, a revered temple-library of Oghma, and a vibrant community of farmers, merchants, and travelers. Here, cleverness holds more sway than titles, and knowledge is the quiet heartbeat of life.

Though most newcomers arrive pronouncing it Eeven-shade, locals insist the name is spoken like Seven-shade without the s—a remnant of the village’s older name: Elven Shade.

Name & Etymology

The name Evenshade is known to have originated as Elven Shade, recalling the sheltering groves along the Chionthar where elves once settled in ages past. The phrase signified both the physical shade of the forests and the figurative shade offered by elven presence—wisdom and protection beneath their boughs.

Over centuries, the l slipped away in common speech, and the name softened to Evenshade. As the elves withdrew and their presence became legend, some assumed the name simply meant “evenly shaded.” Today, scribes of the Temple-Library preserve this history, but locals pronounce it with the short e (like seven-shade), while outsiders frequently stumble on the long "e" form.

Geography & Layout

• Residential District: Nearly a third of the central village, filled with cottages, gardens, and narrow lanes. Landmarks include Marna’s Elbow (inn), The Rusted Crown (tavern), and the Riverside Lycaeum (school).
• Shopping District: The heart of local trade. Anchored by a central commerce building with an open-air square on one side of the district and The Market on the other, it also houses the smithy, bakery, bookshop, potion-seller, and printing press.
• The Grove of the Temple-Library: A broad green ring of trees surrounding Oghma’s great Temple-Library, planted and tended over generations as a living symbol of knowledge and variety.
• The Harbor: Two great piers stretch into the River Chionthar, supporting both trade and ferry traffic. Ballista harpoons guard against pirates and smugglers.
• The Mill & Mill Race: A sturdy timber-and-stone mill, powered by a carefully engineered race channeling the river’s current. The mill is vital to Evenshade’s food and trade economy.
• The Ancient Mage Tower: The oldest structure in the region, predating the village by centuries. Maintained but avoided, it looms on its lonely hill as a silent reminder of forgotten ages.

Government & Society

Evenshade is overseen by the Evenshade family, a minor noble house whose authority is tempered by the influence of merchants, scholars, and the clergy of Oghma. The family motto, “The Truth Speaks Quietly,” echoes the village’s values of subtlety, cleverness, and restraint.

Though noble blood carries weight, Evenshade society prizes wit and learning over lineage. Those who lack sharpness may be tolerated, but seldom wield true influence.

Culture & Daily Life

• Scholarship & Song: The Temple-Library draws bards and thinkers from across the Chionthar valley—not for spectacle, but for reflection, study, and inspiration.
• Trade & Independence: Merchants whisper of growing autonomy from Berdusk, relying on the harbor and mill to sustain the village’s prosperity.
• Intrigue in Quiet: Among nobles, merchants, and the Watch of the Scroll, subtle maneuvering is common, though always conducted with outward courtesy.

Notable Locations

• Temple-Library of Oghma: Center of scholarship and worship, with eclectic architecture and a secret archive of forbidden texts.
• Evenshade Manor: Seat of the Evenshade family, attached to the council hall.
• The Rusted Crown Tavern: Gathering place for locals and travelers, known for music, storytelling, and lively debates.
• Ancient Wizard Tower: Prehistoric landmark, avoided by most but secretly tied to deeper mysteries.
• The Mill: Operated by Thaddeus “Tad” Brandt, its race and wheel keep Evenshade fed and supplied.

Secrets & Hooks

• Some scribes whisper that the name Elven Shade may hint at ruins buried beneath the village.
• The Zhentarim have tested Evenshade’s defenses for nearly a century, perhaps even now.
• The ancient tower remains a point of fascination—scholars know more than they admit, and villagers sense truths hidden in silence.