Farmloss
The trees of the Oldbark Forest cluster together, odd shapes visible through the trunks; abandoned buildings with trees pushing through the roofs, collapsed walls scattering bricks from overgrown animal pens. Passing further on, the trees eventually thin out to reveal a clearing packed tight with a densely settled village. Much of the surrounding area consists of agricultural fields, some of which are abandoned and overgrown. The streets are packed and busy with inhabitants, not so much due to overpopulation but the lack of inhabitable buildings and sustainable farmlands, reducing each passing year.
Demographics
Species
| Species | Number (%) | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human | 104 (48%) | 65 (62%) | 39 (38%) |
| Elf | 35 (16%) | 13 (37%) | 22 (63%) |
| Halfling | 63 (29%) | 34 (54%) | 29 (46%) |
| Half-Elf | 16 (7%) | 7 (44%) | 9 (56%) |
Jobs
| Career | Number (%) |
|---|---|
| Farmer | 114 (52%) |
| Guard | 33 (15%) |
| Lumber | 21 (10%) |
| Trader | 15 (7%) |
| Hunter | 25 (10%) |
| Butcher | 3 (2%) |
| Tavern Keeper | 2 (1%) |
| Baker | 5 (3%) |
Government
Farmloss derives their laws from those set in Buches, retaining close connections to the city. Within the village itself, the population is governed by a representative of each race, overseen by an individual from Buches who ensure the law is followed.
Defences
The Oldbark Forest provides a level of defence for the village, surrounding it with dangerous terrain for those who try to approach without using the roads and paths. To the north, The Rise provides a secure defence, though there is still the concern that should the Rise develop further its path will tear through the village.
The guards of the village alternate in duties. They patrol the area around the village, ensuring the abandoned regions are not inhabited by dangerous beasts or bandits and travel the roads to check for dangerous locations. Keeping the peace in the village is another duty, particularly when outsiders arrive or the Grainfeed has a fresh supply of homebrew available.
Industry & Trade
The presence of both the Bartering Hall and the Grainfeed allow for a modicum of income generation, in addition to encouraging others to make the trip. The grain gathered from the farms is a major trading power in Farmloss, but the inability to keep their farmland maintained with the current population places them in a descending spiral of supply capability.
Infrastructure
Many farmhouses exist around the village, though the majority are overgrown and abandoned now. Grain silos composed of stone are crumbling nearby, with several in good standing along the area surrounding the village. A collection of buildings sharing walls have had the inner walls removed, combined into a tavern and bakery claimed by Halflings eager to establish a business.
Assets
The equipment of the guards is repurposed from farming equipment, maintained and recreated as needed. Their armour is composed of untreated rawhide and leathers, thickly padded and worn with time.
The Grainfeed is a rudimentary tavern run by the Halfling clan present in the village; several buildings combined and supported together, it's a combination of brewery, bakery and rest stop. Many who reside in the village can trade work and raw materials for supplies, while travellers and traders can find board and supplies in exchange for materials, services and stories.
The old village hall is built up and serves as the point of residence for the guards, forming the centre of the inhabited region. Their arms and armour are stored and maintained, along with the materials necessary for such actions.
Near to the centre of the village, an old shop is still in use. Known as the Bartering Hall, it serves as a location where anyone in the village can bring goods to trade. The walls and shelves are lined with various notices and boxes for trading, while outsiders can find requests or offers detailing items that can't be found in the village area.
Guilds and Factions
The Grainfeed is run by the Halflings of the Whiteriver Clan, who have achieved a secure position within the village. They have a vocal position in the village thanks to the services they provide, in addition to the Clan Matriarch holding a seat on the council. They regularly find their Clan in opposition to the guards of the village, who find the effects of their cheap alcohols disruptive to peace.
The Elves live outside of the village itself and have claimed several of the overgrown buildings for their own. They refer to their selves as the Verdant Hand and direct the actions of lumber activity to where it is least harmful to the forest. They guide and train a collection of the village as hunters who seek out and drive away or destroy harmful wildlife to the village.
History
Farmloss was settled in an area of highly farmable terrain. The village was near enough to becoming a town of its own, surrounded by sprawling farms and agrarian developments, able to supply grain and produce to much of Bukhisal by its own surplus.
The Cataclysm left the town in good shape, but the population was drastically reduced. Without the previous level of inhabitants, many outer farms were lost to wild growth or destruction. The village suffered a further loss when much of the stockpiled supplies were found to have spoiled, a third or so of the population leaving to try and reclaim Shardstand in the hopes of finding a better source of sustainable food.
Tourism
Travellers who pass through can find supplies and trade at the Bartering Hall, while others come to stay at the Grainfeed to sample Halfling cooking. The large amounts of grain that the village generates provide the motivation for these travellers to come, while others seek to settle and join with the population that currently exists.
Architecture
The outer constructions are made from wood, while the inner area with is currently inhabited was reinforced with stone. In particular, the Grainfeed and Guard base has been reinforced with stone, such additions made to reinforce all the inhabited buildings.
The Verdant Hand encourage the plant life that grows in their claimed housing area, shaping the trees and plants to their need with ease; mushroom caps collect rainwater in half-bowls against the bark, while the trunks create shelter and shade against the elements.
Geography
The terrain around the village is rich for farming, surrounded by dense growths of forest. The area is perfect for such developments, though the northern area has been destroyed by the Rise tearing up through the ground. The water source that used to flow from the north was similarly destroyed, and many are concerned that in time the soil will lose its ability to sustain such a forest and agrarian regions.
Natural Resources
The forests are a source for wood, meat, leather and foraged materials gathered by the hunters of the village. These are often used to supplement the grain products developed within the village itself, particularly during the winter months.
The Rise is at times scavenged for deposits of ores, used to barter for other materials from travellers, though the lack of ability to smelt and smith within the village itself renders such actions less than common.
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