Frostholm
A collection of squat buildings, built against the surrounding forest borders for shelter, Frostholm can be easily missed by those who expect something larger. Much of the settled area is open ground, scattered through with huts too small for living in. Towards the coast, a number of boats are dragged onto the snow, beached away from the ice and supported off the ground to prevent them freezing to the floor.
Demographics
Species
| Species | Number (%) | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gnome | 9 (33%) | 6 (67%) | 3 (33%) |
| Tiefling | 18 (67%) | 9 (50%) | 9 (50%) |
Jobs
| Career | Number (%) |
|---|---|
| Guard | 3 (11%) |
| Hunter/Fisherman | 12 (44%) |
| Labourer | 12 (44%) |
Government
Ostensibly, the Tieflings present rule the hamlet. They follow their laws and ways as dictated by their leader, and the Gnomes live by their laws. The Hamlet is effectively divided into two; the eastern side of Gnome territory, while to the west the Tieflings hold land. The split is purely due to the differences in how their people live; the two races exist, live and work together happily, with neither side seeing a reason for conflict.
Defences
The only guards for the hamlet are a pair of Tieflings and a single Gnome. Despite that, they are more than capable of keeping their homes safe. With the skills of the Gnomish inhabitants, a number of curious contraptions exist; attack dogs built of wood with filed bone and woven sinew for weaponry and joints prowl alongside the guards, while atop the buildings piles of rubble can assemble into crossbows which need no operator to load and fire.
With the small population and being built directly against The Faewoods and the Icebranch Woods, such defensive measures are necessary against larger beasts which might approach. The hunters of the hamlet can assist, but often they are deep in the forests or taking the boats out to fish; such automated defences are therefore mandatory for survival.
Industry & Trade
The toys and tools of the Gnomes are often traded for goods in Woodspan during the market days. Their defensive creations are desired and sought by many more, but they refuse to trade them or share their techniques for fear of what may happen.
Infrastructure
The boats that exist are old but maintained, and all show signs of Gnomish tinkering; delicate details worked into metal caps for the prow of the boat or repairs made with thin sheets of lumber that could be mistaken for being an original part of the vessel. A small workshop exists for the Gnomes to do their work in, but much of their skills are now found to excel in woodworking rather than metalworking, creating toys, handles, and tools for trading.
Assets
The workshop of the Gnomes is often busy, where they maintain the tools of the Hamlet and make new ones if needed. While it can seem thankless, they're also why the hamlet has so few guards, their skills creating a range of defensive items. They often trade small items or services for materials needed, though it may require waiting for the desired item to be finished.
Guilds and Factions
The Gnomes present are the remains of the once strong Deepwound Springs, a collection of Gnomes whose creations were respected and feared by many; with their origin lost in the depths of time, many attribute the magical sentries known as Haemonculi to a poor mimicry of their art and techniques created by a jealous mage.
History
Frostholm was founded to create a short supply route for sustainable fishing to the region around it. It was never particularly large, and after the Cataclysm was abandoned by its inhabitants who sought out more populated areas to live in.
A few decades after abandonment, it was repopulated by the unusual residents it currently has; Gnomes emerged nearby, driven to the surface by progressive flooding of their underground lands, while Tieflings who were blamed and attacked for the Cataclysm found Frostholm a place where they were welcomed, if with caution. Over the years, they and the Gnomes developed a trust of each other, working together to secure their new homes against dangers and gathering steady supplies for living. While the Gnomes required the aid of the Tieflings for many things, the Tieflings in turn were unable to sustain and defend their homes; as such the two species developed their still-present supporting relationship to each other.
Architecture
The hamlet is primarily created from the repaired ruins of the village which once existed here, only the buildings needed by its inhabitants restored. The core materials are the same, being wood, thatch and reclaimed stone, though the design differences are prominent. The Gnomes often favour designs which show complex patterns and thoughts, with the buildings being simple in appearance, thatched roofs and simple walls suiting their needs. The Tieflings rebuilt with a more pragmatic view, however. Their buildings often featured a raised section in the roof, creating a point at which an archer can shelter while firing out at attackers. Bone from animals has been used to create some building defences such as bars across windows and a pit on the inside of the floor where a thick bone can be tamped down, jamming the doors shut.
Geography
Sheltered heavily on the east and west by the proximity to the Faewoods and Icebranch Woods, though exposed to any northern or southern winds and storms in return, Frostholm is a relatively secure location. Its inhabited buildings are all clustered against the forests for maximum shielding against the weather, with the remains of the uninhabited village scattered across a declining hill to the coast. The hill itself is relatively light for inclination, able to be walked up and down with ease.
Natural Resources
The forests nearby provide food in the form of game, nuts, and seeds. The lumber present isn't gathered but instead obtained from Woodspan at markets, though branches to repair thatching can be gathered by Frostholm hunters during their return trips with ease.
The boats can provide fish easily, though the northern waters are prone to bad storms and icing over during the winter months; traps created by the Gnomes are often used for crustaceans in the shallows during these months, using bait to lure in hungry crabs and other creatures.
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