Hythe

When a recently nomadic people found themselves battling a fatal plague, they were forced to settle after suffering numerous fatalities. The residents began to build permanent structures in order to survive the impending winter, and quickly discovered the exceptional quality of the wood surrounding the plateau on which they built their temporary home.
Hythe is a medium-sized village founded on the edge of the Hythean Wood, on a plateau overlooking the Delismere Valley and Langdows River in Delismere. Since its founding the village has grown substantially due to the lumber industry the residents established after discovering the remarkable quality of the local woods.

Demographics

Hythe is a small village made up entirely of human residents; this does not account for itinerant visitors. Most Hytheans have enough income to live a good life, and a fair amount live quite comfortably.

Government

As Hythe is quite small, there is no organized government, nor are there any readily identifiable leaders.

Defences

Nestled into the woods, Hythe has no external defenses. The village is largely peaceful with little to no crime. An organized body of citizens -- led by some of the village's elders -- provides what little policing is required.

Industry & Trade

Hythe makes its fortunes through lumber exports. The majority of Hytheans are in some way involved with the village's logging and lumber industry. The town is quickly becoming known for its exceptionally high quality timber, and most efforts go towards the sustainable production and processing of the local woodlands.

Infrastructure

In order to process the lumber from the Hythean Wood, the village has built an effective processing system in the form of a woodcutter's, lumber mill, and tree farm and nursery for replanting harvested areas. These are easily the most notable structures in the village, employing a large percentage of the residents. Due to the relatively recent founding of Hythe, the roads remain clear and unpaved, if not rutted in areas of high traffic.

History

The village of Hythe was founded 14 years ago, when a human settlement was forced to relocate after their original lands were claimed through forced fealty to a local noble. Rather than deal with new restrictions on freedom, and in order to avoid exorbitant taxation, a small portion of the population chose to find a new place to settle. After a few months of living as nomads, the group was stricken with a particularly deadly plague. Forced to homestead, they settled on the edges of the wooded region bordering Hythe while they recovered from the tragic loss of many of their party. While dealing with the extended duration of the catastrophe, permanent structures began to be erected to help the citizens survive the impending winter. During the construction of these first buildings, the quality of the local timber was identified, and Hythe was officially founded.

Points of interest

A small settlement, Hythe doesn't offer much in the way of amenities to outsiders. The center of town is home to a small market square where traveling merchants can set up their caravans. Additionally, the square is lined by a number of small shops and businesses run by locals, the most notable of which are the Gilded Chicken Inn and Tavern and a small magic shop that specializes in weapons crafted from the local timber, The Living Wood.
Hythe also maintains a gathering hall on the outskirts of the village where residents meet to discuss local business and trade, as well as for holding celebrations and special events.
Lastly, the residents have constructed a sizeable sanctuary to Amanis, the god of plants and woodlands which can hold upwards of 100 people.

Tourism

Hythe doesn't promote a significant amount of tourism outside of the trade traffic it receives, however the locals are typically friendly, welcoming, and slow to take offense. A fair number of traveling merchants can usually be found, most of which hope to peddle their wares to the remote villagers, and also to obtain goods from The Living Wood and timber industry they can then sell elsewhere at a hefty mark-up. While decently remote, Hythe sits almost equidistant between two major cities of the region -- Delismere City and Invetowai, making it an excellent location for travelers to find respite on the road.

Architecture

As one would expect, nearly all structures found in Hythe are traditional log structures. Some newer construction has seen the use of processed timber as the village continues to grow. The timber is strong and hearty, providing ample shelter and protection from the elements.

Geography

Hythe is nestled in the fringes of a fairly substantial forest that has become known as the Hythean Wood. The western edge of the forest marks a natural border between the expansive plain region of Delismere Valley and ever increasing elevation. The village itself sits atop a plateau separating the hilly woods from the plains. A small river flows from north to south on the eastern edge of the town and is likely to have carved the plateau into the land. Due to its unique location, Hythe suffers from harsh winters with particularly strong blizzards that make winter travel treacherous.

Natural Resources

Known primarily for its wood, Hythe also produces generic crops and livestock for the locals.

Type

Village

Population

279

Inhabitant Demonym

Hythean