Rhew

The villagers are a hardened folk, distrustful of outsiders and bound together by deep traditions. They speak in low, measured tones, their eyes ever watchful. Rhewans believe in omens and portents, reading the flight of northern ravens or the patterns of ice crystals forming on their doorsteps.

Women in Rhew are particularly regarded with suspicion by outsiders, as rumors swirl that they practice witchcraft. While they deny outright accusations, it is no secret that many women of Rhew learn the art of alchemy, brewing potions and salves from the resilient plant life that survives in the cold. Some say they can call upon spirits of ice and shadow, while others whisper of older, darker magic hidden within the tundra.

The Elders’ Council

Rhew is ruled not by kings or lords, but by a Council of Five Elders—each representing an essential part of the village's survival. They are seen as the keepers of knowledge and are feared and respected in equal measure.

• Elder Hjordis Frostbane – A stern woman and the eldest of the council, she is rumored to be the most powerful alchemist in Rhew.

• Elder Vannick Coldwolf – A former hunter and tracker, he ensures the village has enough food and deals with incursions from predators—natural or otherwise.

• Elder Osrik Hollowtide – Keeper of traditions and rituals, he oversees the village’s spiritual practices, often accused of dabbling in ancient, forgotten rites.

• Elder Ilsa Blackthorn – The quietest of the council, she tends to the sick and injured, wielding her knowledge of rare northern herbs.

• Elder Skaldir Rimehand – The youngest of the Elders, he is the village’s link to trade, ensuring that Rhew has enough supplies from occasional traveling merchants.

Despite its small size and extreme isolation, Rhew has developed a handful of industries that sustain its people. Unlike other settlements in Bijela that rely on large-scale trade with Hardport and the south, Rhew operates in near self-sufficiency, relying on barter, local craftsmanship, and the rare but valuable goods it produces.

Primary Industries

1. Fishing & Hunting

Rhew's economy is built on what the land and sea provide.

• Ice Fishing: The frozen Icebound Lake and the frigid coastal waters are home to massive coldwater fish, some growing to unnatural sizes. The Shadow Pike, a rare bioluminescent fish found in the deepest parts of the lake, is highly sought after for its shimmering scales and rumored alchemical properties.

• Whale Hunting: Though rare, when the northern ice whales migrate south, the people of Rhew hunt them for their blubber, bones, and meat. The oil rendered from the blubber is used for lanterns and heating.

• Arctic Prey: Hunters track caribou, snow hares, and even the fearsome frost wolves for their meat and pelts. The pelts are one of Rhew’s main trade commodities, considered some of the warmest in Pharus.

2. Alchemy & Herbalism

Rhew’s alchemists are some of the most skilled in Pharus, working with resilient northern plants that survive against the odds.

• Icebloom Petals: A rare flower that only blooms during the full moon, its essence is used in elixirs that grant resistance to cold.

• Frostcap Mushrooms: Found deep in caves near the Howling Fjords, these fungi are used in potent hallucinogens and medicinal potions.

• Bitterthorn Roots: A key ingredient in an elixir that grants temporary immunity to poisons.

• The Frostbinder’s Draught: One of Rhew’s most famous concoctions, this potion allows a person to withstand the bitterest cold for days without proper clothing. The secret of its creation is fiercely protected.

Alchemical goods are the village’s most valuable trade items, with merchants willing to brave the frozen roads to buy them.

3. Peltwork & Leathercraft

The village’s hunters provide a steady supply of furs, which are turned into cloaks, boots, and gloves.

• Rhewan Furs: Known across Pharus for their durability and warmth, made from fox, wolf, and caribou hides.

• Ice-Bound Leather: Treated with a secret alchemical process, this leather is resistant to frostbite and cracking, making it highly valued by soldiers and explorers.

4. Bone & Horn Crafting

Rhew’s artisans work with bone, horn, and ivory.

• Bone Weapons: Knives, spearheads, and arrowheads made from the massive bones of ice whales or caribou.

• Horn Carvings: Intricate carvings sold as charms or protective talismans, often believed to ward off spirits.

Trade & Relations with Other Settlements

1. Limited Trade with Hardport

• Despite Rhew’s isolation, traders from Hardport occasionally venture north for rare alchemical goods and furs.

• In return, Rhew imports metal tools, cloth, and preserved food.

• The relationship is strained, as Rhewans distrust Hardport’s close ties to King Eldric Oerfel.

2. Smugglers & Independent Traders

• Some merchants prefer to deal with Rhew in secret, avoiding taxation or royal scrutiny.

• These traders bring rare spices, fine liquors, and contraband that the Elders either tolerate or turn a blind eye to.

3. Trade with Nix

• Rhew and Nix share an uneasy relationship.

• Nix provides Rhew with surplus lumber, in exchange for alchemical potions and strong furs. Rhewans view Nix as too friendly with the King, while Nixians see Rhew as needlessly paranoid.

4. Secret Exports to the South

• A handful of Rhew’s alchemical goods have reached the noble courts of Pharus, fetching absurdly high prices.

• Some suspect that rogue merchants and scholars from Callor and Harika seek to acquire Rhew’s alchemical knowledge.

Economic Challenges

• Extreme Climate: Farming is impossible, and hunting can be dangerous, meaning food shortages are common.

• Isolation: Most merchants avoid Rhew due to the harsh journey, limiting trade opportunities.

• Political Tensions: With Rhew resisting royal control, King Eldric Oerfel may try to cut off supplies from Hardport.

Rhew’s economy thrives on scarcity and secrecy—its goods are rare, but those who know their worth will travel great distances to acquire them. The village’s industries make it a hidden gem in Pharus, but also a target for those who seek to control its resources.

Rhew endures one of the most brutal and unforgiving climates in all of Pharus. Its frigid environment shapes every aspect of life in the village, from the way its people survive to the strange and resilient flora and fauna that persist in the icy wilderness.

Rhew’s climate is more than just a backdrop—it is an active, relentless force that shapes the lives of its people. Survival is never guaranteed, and the village’s isolation means that even a single harsh winter could spell disaster. But for those who endure, Rhew offers a life like no other—one built on resilience, mystery, and an unbreakable bond with the frozen land.