Hillside
A relatively new village established in recent years, Hillside is a medium sized settlement of approximately 60 buildings, holding on to its existence with the barest population to keep it alive.
The community is solely human, formerly led by a village elder from the Houser family named Caeden. Though his personality is generally aloof, the villagers recognize that most of his decisions have led to their survival. A lone, voluntary peacekeeper ensures security and de-escalation of conflicts: Lars Gerretson. He is well-liked by the community and recognized as a fair and even arbitrator of disagreements. Due to the hardships in the past, the villagers are of average means, neither wanting for basic necessities but also lacking in luxuries. Crime is almost non-existent, with most offenses stemming from drunken outings at the Inn.
The village itself supports a few specialty establishments. The most notable is the Sanctuary, devoted to the gods Ra, Hathar, and Graehm. A community gathering hall was also built to celebrate weddings and holidays. A clearing at the edge of the forest was converted into an outdoor park for local youths. Before the schism, the Feargus family sponsored the building of an Inn to house traveling traders interested in establishing trade routes for their crops, which has since been taken over by a different couple who focus their efforts on serving exhausted farmhands and stone-miners after long days of work. A local butcher set up shop for game hunters and a woodcarving sculptor has also taken up residence near the forest’s edge, where he displays his sculptures for all to see upon his lawn (he often travels out of town to sell his art in larger towns). Several of the local shepherds have also set up a joint stall to sell wool to other locals. A fisherman’s stand has been set up near the stream where fish can be traded or bought, while a small pier juts out into the stream where most of the fishermen congregate to cast their lines. At the base of the hills is the stone foreman’s hut (though soon it will also be the silver-foreman’s hut) and a logging camp is set up near the forest’s edge. Near the inn is the carpenter’s workshop. Being a settlement based primarily on production, a number of farmsteads, mills, barns, shearing sheds, and pastures can also be found.
Recently, the ceremony to unveil the official opening of the newly discovered silver mines was interrupted by a Caladore cult of the Dark Goddess. The attack resulted in significant casualties, including those of several local champions taking place in a tournament to determine patronage for an official town protector. Four young adventurers foiled the cult's plans and inadvertently deposed Caden House as the town master. In his place, Lars has been installed as an advisor to the adventurers who have been officially named as the village protectors.
Demographics
Human.
Government
Formerly admistered by the Houser family. As of recent events, protected by a group of adventurers under the advisory of Lars Garretson.
Defences
Lars Garretson is the local peacekeeper.
Infrastructure
The village has a workshop focused on smithing, a docks, hunting cabin, town hall, mine (silver and stone), a farmstead, and grain silo.
History
Originally founded as a farming hamlet, the settlement grew quickly due to its proximity to timber and a tributary stream that feeds into the Mehraz River after a few days of travel. The land around it is rich and crops grow aplenty in the soil. With ample land, sheep herding was also taken up by some a few residents as a trade. The nearby hills are rich in clay and granite stone, providing adequate resources for the town to prosper.
Unfortunately, two major events have hampered the village’s overall progress. A few years ago, two of the major families disagreed on the future prospects of the village, with the Houser family desiring a future based on mining the nearby hills and the Feargus family wanting to focus on wheat, barley, and wool trades to enrich the village. Eventually, the conflict caused a schism in which half the village left for ventures elsewhere, leaving the rest to fend for themselves. The remaining villagers were shocked, and their natural goodwill was somewhat tempered as they now view outsiders as potential spies from those from the split. Further straining the village was the revelation that the fertile lands came at a terrible price: tornadoes. Every fall, tornadoes form in the area, and although the settlement was fortunate enough to avoid them, a terrible great vortex of wind struck upon them in recent years, destroying much of the village and causing immeasurable damage that to this day has yet to be repaired. Many residents found themselves moving into the abandoned houses once occupied by those who’d fled the village in the schism, which had been left un-maintained since. As such, although there is adequate housing for the time being, much of it is in disrepair and ramshackle condition.
Natural Resources
Lumber, Stone, and Silver
