Oakthorn
Oakthorn
Oakthorn is a simple village on the Hillspring river. The land to the south is fertile and small farms dot the countryside. The village serves as a hub for the farmers and craftsmen to peddle their wares, selling them to both the citizens of Oakthorn and beyond by use of the river.
Mithraeum of the Spring Harvest is the sole temple of the city village and is a true hub of social life there. It has a large focus on community. Though it is devoted to the radiant dragons, none call it home. Eimrag the joyful will on occasion come from Dane Caelen to spend time in its peaceful halls.
Oakthorn sees four seasons. Summer brings clear days and bright, hot sun. Autumn brings cool nights and an occasional early frost. Winter brings dark nights, moderate snow and cold rain. Spring brings breezy warmth and good hunting.
The village is far from rich, though it’s residents are generally comfortable with their standard of living. Finding more expensive items, especially anything of a magical nature, will be difficult if at all possible. The craftsman and farmers are proud of their wares and offer them at honest prices, however.
The population is almost exclusively elves here, with a small community of wild elves being present. The separation between the two groups is not as prominent as it is in other places, such as the capital. Many wild elves have forgone the grey cloaks and some high elves have adopted the garment.
The village and surrounding country side supply produce to much of the isle, including the capital. Game is plentiful in the forests, as are wild greens and garlic. The village is known for it’s sweet spiced hare with potatoes and apples. Oakthorn does have one other strange export, however.
Feather Mound, to the west of the city, is rumored to be the site of a large battle between the high elves and the avriel in the last days of the war in the heavens. Those that fell were buried in a mass grave on the site. There are those that would disturb the burial sites, digging for ancient artifacts. An old avriel pendant or glass sword is worth much to the right buyer. While the citizenry frown on such a profession, there is no law to bar it.
The city guard consists of five watchfolk. Their duties generally consist of dealing with drunk and disorderly inn patrons. Each night, one of the five patrols the river between the inns in a small rowboat, keeping what peace needs kept. There is no standing army in Oakthorn, but there is a militia of peasants and farmers that can be pressed into service by the Headwoman if need be.
Population: 693 high elves, 186 wild elves, 9 misc.
Religion: The worship of the Radiant Dragons here is prominent, though wild elves and some high elves alike still worship the Astar Uln. There are no public temples to the old gods and their worship is practiced in private.
Government: Headwoman Brenischt oversees Oakthorn, dealing with disputes between farmers and the organization of festival days. It is a peaceful town, and thus the most dangerous thing she has oversaw has been the organization of hunts for animals who have become a nuisance. One of her most famous songs she sings at River’s Welcome is that of the stag in rut 7 years hence. Others sing a more bawdy version of the song at River Folk’s Folly.
Oak Market
Oakthorn has very little in the manner of permanent store fronts. The citizens know who the craftsmen are and which homes to go to. For those with goods to sell, however, Oak Market is where to make a living. Market days, held traditionally every week on Essen and Gwaing, offer much in the way of local produce, game, clothes, and most anything else the village has to offer.
Thornhall
Thornhall is the capital building of the village. Brenischt, the headwoman of the village, lives and works here, though she can also be found performing at River’s Welcome at times. The building is an old tower, rumored to have stood when elves and Avriel still warred. It has been kept in great condition, though it’s age shows after many centuries. The rest of the village is of more modern creation.
Tilor's Herbs
Tilor’s Herbs is the home and store of Tilorune, who is half high elf and half wild elf. He functions as the town herbalist, doctor, and midwife. His apprentice, a young wild elf clad in a grey cloak named Ferinh, functions as such when Tilorune is off gathering herbs in the countryside.
River's Welcome
River’s Welcome is one of the five riverside inns for which Oakthorn is known. It claims to be the most artistic, hosting musicians nightly and giving space to any traveling theatrical troupes. It is often avoided by the humble locals, who think it to be too upscale. River’s Welcome does tend to draw those with gold pieces to spend.
Sweet Pine Inn
Sweet Pine is one of the five riverside inns for which Oakthorn is known. Away from the hustle and bustle of the village proper, Sweet Pine provides a much more relaxed atmosphere. Fresh baked goods are always layed out in the commons and rarely is there not a kettle of water on the hearth. It looks out over the three rocks in the river and patrons are serenaded by the gentle sound of the surf.
The Mithraeum of the Spring Harvest
The Mithraeum of the Spring Harvest is Oakthorn’s only church. Ran by Cilifice, it functions as a community hub and often brings together the village in times of harvest to communally put up stores. The basement houses many sacks and barrels, storing essentials away for lean times.
Feather Mound
Feather Mound gives the locals more reason to believe in the Avriel wars than most other elves. It is said one of the last battles were fought here and those that died were buried in a mass grave. Most locals see it as bad luck and stay away; though a few will visit with shovels, hoping to dig up ancient artifacts to make their fortune. While not illegal, it is frowned upon. Those that engage in this practice are not popular among the majority of residents.
North Path
North Path is one of the five riverside inns for which Oakthorn is known. It is frequented by the fisher folk who spend their day’s toil on the river. The food is hearty, and the fire is warm. The evenings here are full of tales, as the fisher folk trade stories of humor, life, and love.
River Folk's Folly
River Folk’s Folly is one of the five riverside inns for which Oakthorn is known. It draws a different crowd than the rest, however. It proudly refers to itself as, “The wrong side of the river.” The stage often sees the bawdiest acts with the states of undress increasing as the evening goes on. It sees many humans and dwarves grace its ramshackle rooms, drinking cheap ale and eating greasy game.
Girael's Retreat
Girael is a courtesan. She once lived and worked in House Earth in Dane Caelen, but the call of the country life seemed more suited for her temperament. When she came to Oakthorn, she used her savings to open Girael’s Retreat, a comfortable house where she could ply her trade.
OLDfinch
Oldfinch is one of the five riverside inns for which Oakthorn is known. It rivals River’s Welcome in terms of its scope, though it has a more local feel. The musicians here come from Oakthorn, of which there are surprisingly many. The village has a rich tradition of music, and Oldfinch has taken it upon themselves to showcase it.
The Guardhouse
The guard house quarters the five guards of Oakthorn, though the barracks is large enough to house many more. They report to Brenischt at Thornhall. The surfaces are generally adorned with dirty dishes and the floors with dirty clothes. The guards live like bachelors, and the stench of the guard house is a testament to that. They are quite devoted to their job, however.
Egris the Smith
One of the few storefronts in Oakthorn, the home of Egris the Smith doubles as a workshop and a place for them to sell their wares. They do not make many decorative items. Instead, they make their living hammering out the necessities for the citizens of Oakthorn and the surrounding farms. Nails, knives, forks, and tools: Egris is kept busy with their supply.
Wet Mill
Wet Mill is another great source of revenue for the village. It is here that grain is ground for bread and barley is made into ale. It supplies the inns on the river with ale, leaving enough left over to export to any sea captain with a ship to make the voyage and coin to pay for the cargo.