Everlenen

The majority of the remaining inhabitants are humans who worship and attend to the Stairs of Change, but many Wood Elves in the nearby forests visit regularly.

The Stairs of Change officially opened its doors to pilgrims and followers in 975 A.F., but many of those who visited were facing such harsh times that rather than return home, they often stayed at the Temple instead. Soon, the numbers became too great and a small village was founded at the foot of the Temple's steps. The proximity of this village to the Breathing River made for easy trade routes, and the town began to flourish on the export of goods harvested and cultivated from the nearby forests, and the influx of visitors who had come to visit the Stairs of Change. By 1050 A.F., the town's population had grown to nearly 400, from a meagre 50 back when the Stairs of Change was first constructed in 975 A.F.. However, the low-lying lands of soft soil make the rivers in these regions susceptible to meandering, and during a particularly harsh flooding season in 1075 A.F. a point bar formed between two meanders, creating a new path for the river to follow. The next few years brought drought to the town, and the section of river that the town was built next to was completely cut off from the flow, resulting in a lake which became known as Everlen' Lake. Over decades it became lower in depth and less populated with fish. People who relied on the river for mercantile or trade enterprises left quickly. Many took to founding a newer but much less profitable township closer to the new river, called New Change. The fishermen of Everlenen caught what they needed to live for a long while, but with no way to conduct export or to acquire materials they needed, they too left, leaving only those who tend to the needs of the Stairs of Change. By 1250 A.F., there were less than 50 people in the town, and it's remained that way ever since as the town's buildings have rapidly fallen into ruin.