Driftwood Hollow

Founded in 875 AD by a group of Kenku refugees seeking refuge after the events of the overseers descent on Astrium. Driftwood Hollow became a hidden settlement, leveraging the natural resources of Wyrmspine Gorge to build a home.

Demographics

Kenku: 98% Other: 2%

Government

• Driftwood Hollow is governed by the Mimicry Assembly, a group of elder Kenku who have mastered the art of imitation and use their mimicry skills to deliberate and present ideas. Decision-making is highly communal, relying on imitation to ensure ideas are properly understood before being acted upon.

Defences

• Natural Barriers: The cliffs of Wyrmspine Gorge and the dammed river provide natural protection against invasions.
• Scouts and Lookouts: Kenku scouts patrol the cliffs, relying on mimicry to sound alarms.
• River Traps: The river is lined with traps designed to prevent enemies from entering the village by water.

Industry & Trade

• Fishing and Water Trade: The river serves as the main source of food and trade, allowing for the village to export fish and river-crafted goods to nearby settlements.
• Mimicry Services: Kenku offer their mimicry talents for espionage, trade negotiations, and information gathering.
• Crafts and Woodworking: Driftwood and natural materials from the gorge are used to craft goods like tools, furniture, and simple trade goods.

Infrastructure

The village consists of huts and buildings built using driftwood and stone sourced from the gorge and river. The town has developed an intricate system of canals from the dammed river that runs through the village, utilizing water power to operate basic mills and irrigation for agriculture. Key Infrastructure:

• Dam System: The dammed section of the river provides fresh water, controls flooding, and powers mills.
• Water Lifts: Rope systems combined with waterwheels lift supplies between different levels of the village.
• Cliffside Homes: Homes built along the steep cliffs use ladders and lifts to navigate the village's vertical layout.

Districts

• The Rookery (Central District): The heart of Driftwood Hollow, where the council of mimics resides. It houses communal spaces, workshops, and important meeting areas.
• Riverside Quarters (Lower District): Situated along the riverbanks, this area is where most residential homes are located. The bustling hub for fishing, wood gathering, and small trade occurs here.
• Cliffside Retreats (Upper District): Cliffside homes built on stilts or embedded into the rocky walls of Wyrmspine Gorge.

Assets

• General Store: Offering basic supplies, groceries, and tools crafted by local artisans.
• Talon's Trinkets: A small magic shop that deals in enchanted items and curiosities, specializing in mimicry-based enchantments.
• The Feather Forge: A modest blacksmith shop specializing in tools, light armor, and simple weaponry used for defense and trade.
• Gale Tailor: A tailor shop where garments are made using local materials, with a special focus on lightweight clothing suited for the area's weather.

Guilds and Factions

1. The Riverhands: A faction dedicated to controlling the flow of the river, maintaining the dam system, and ensuring sustainable fishing practices.
2. The Mimicry Circle: A group of highly trained Kenku specializing in the use of mimicry for trade and diplomatic purposes.
3. The Gorge Wardens: Scouts who patrol the cliffs and river, ensuring the village's defense from outside threats.

Points of interest

• The Broken Dam: A section of the original dam that collapsed years ago, now serving as a natural waterfall and ceremonial site for the Kenku.
• Mimicry Amphitheater: A large, open-air theater where Kenku demonstrate their mimicry skills during festivals and events.
• The Perch: A high lookout point where Kenku scouts keep watch over the gorge, offering breathtaking views of the river and surrounding cliffs.
• The Riverwheels: Waterwheels powered by the river, used to grind grain and power basic machinery for the village.

Tourism

Visitors to Driftwood Hollow are rare due to its isolated location within the gorge, but adventurers often come to witness the mimicry displays of the Kenku or to experience life within the natural beauty of Wyrmspine Gorge. The Kenku's mimicry performances are a major draw for those seeking entertainment or information

Architecture

Driftwood and Stone Buildings: Homes and communal buildings are made from river driftwood, stone, and natural materials from the gorge, with a focus on lightweight and flexible structures. Cliffside Homes: Some of the most unique homes are built into the cliff faces, with ladders and pulley systems for transport.

Geography

Nestled within Wyrmspine Gorge, Driftwood Hollow is built along a winding river, with high cliffs on either side. The village's vertical nature requires the use of lifts, ladders, and water-powered mechanisms for transport.

Climate

Temperate: Mild and humid due to the nearby river, with cooler temperatures in the shadow of the gorge.

Natural Resources

• Freshwater Fish from the river.
• Driftwood and Stone gathered from the riverbanks and gorge.
• Herbs and Plants growing in the shaded areas of the gorge, used for medicine and trade.

Founding Date

875AD

Type

Hamlet

Population

3500

Location under

Wyrmspine Gorge

Characters in Location

• Chirper Blackbeak