Lustrum - Applemill
Applemill is a peaceful, forested district within Lustrum Metropolis, home to the Firbolg people. Situated on the northern edge of the city, Applemill is a sanctuary of tranquility where the Firbolg live in harmony with nature. Hidden deep within a lush, ancient forest, the settlement features homes and structures that are seamlessly integrated into the trees, with branches, vines, and roots shaping natural huts and larger communal spaces. The Firbolg, who prefer a life of solitude and contemplation, are known for their exceptional stewardship of the land, cultivating the forest to be abundant in both life and resources. Applemill is also known for its mystical culinary traditions, using rare herbs and ingredients to create food with magical properties.
Founded in 700 The Firbolg, after centuries of wandering and secretly cultivating the forests of Astrium, officially joined the Lustrum community during a summit, marking their permanent settlement in Applemill.
The settlement was formally established by a Firbolg elder named Thistlebranch Eversway, a quiet but wise leader who guided the Firbolg into integrating with the other stray races of Lustrum Metropolis
Applemill, with its deep connection to nature and its peaceful way of life, is a sanctuary for the Firbolg and a place of wonder for those fortunate enough to visit. Its harmonious blend of fey magic and natural beauty makes it a unique district within Lustrum Metropolis.
Demographics
Approximately 22500 primarily Firbolg, but a small population of Gnomes and Eladrin Elves also live within the district, drawn to the serene lifestyle and connection to the Feywild.
Firbolg (90%)
Gnomes (5%)
Eladrin Elves (3%)
Other Feyfolk (2%)
Government
Applemill operates under a communal council system. While the district is represented in the Lustrum Metropolis Council, the Firbolg prefer to resolve most matters internally, consulting with elder druids, nature priests, and wise folk who speak on behalf of the forest and their community. They follow the guidance of the Circle of Verdant Harmony, a group of Firbolg druids who ensure that the balance between the city and the forest is maintained.
Defences
Applemill relies primarily on natural defenses and druidic magic. The Forbidden Forest, a large expanse of wilderness just beyond the district, is warded with powerful glyphs and enchanted barriers to prevent unwanted intrusions. The Firbolg druids also protect the settlement using tree guardians—animated trees that patrol the area in times of danger.
Industry & Trade
Applemill's main industries include herbalism, culinary arts, and nature-based crafts. The Firbolg harvest rare herbs and plants from the forest and trade them with other districts for supplies. Their enchanted foods, known for imbuing consumers with magical effects, are a prized commodity throughout Lustrum Metropolis. The Firbolg also craft enchanted tools and clothing that promote harmony with nature.
Infrastructure
The settlement consists of natural dwellings formed from living trees, woven into homes, communal halls, and market areas. There is a strong reliance on druidic magic to maintain and enhance the structures, with rope bridges, hanging vines, and elevated platforms connecting various parts of the village. Stone pathways, lightly enchanted with growth-suppressing runes, lead visitors through the district.
The Heartroot Plaza: The center of the district where the Firbolg gather for markets, ceremonies, and meetings.
Treeweave Canopy: A network of elevated homes and walkways nestled high in the canopy, where some of the elder Firbolg dwell.
Districts
- The Elderwood Quarter: Home to the oldest and wisest of the Firbolg, where the druids and leaders reside.
- The Verdant Market: An open-air marketplace where the Firbolg sell their mystical foods, herbs, and goods made from natural materials.
- The Shaded Grove: A quiet residential area where most of the Firbolg live, with homes hidden among the trees.
Assets
- Applemill Apothecary: Specializes in herbal remedies and potions made from rare herbs found only in the Forbidden Forest.
- Elderbranch Tailors: The Firbolg's master weavers create garments from natural materials, particularly fabrics woven from enchanted vines and leaves.
- The Wildroot Forge: A small, secretive armory where the Firbolg create nature-infused weapons and tools for their own use, rarely selling them to outsiders.
- Verdant Provisions: A general store offering enchanted foodstuffs, natural ingredients, and magical items imbued with nature's energy.
Guilds and Factions
- The Circle of Verdant Harmony: A druidic faction that governs the relationship between the Firbolg and the forest. They are responsible for ensuring that the district remains in balance with the natural world.
- The Order of the Wild Kitchen: A guild of Firbolg chefs and herbalists who specialize in creating magical dishes. They preserve ancient recipes that use the forest's rare ingredients to produce foods with powerful properties.
Points of interest
- The Forbidden Forest: A mysterious, heavily protected area just beyond the Firbolg district, warded by powerful glyphs. Rumors say that ancient Feywild beings and creatures still reside here, and few dare to enter.
- The Verdant Altar: A sacred site where the Firbolg druids gather to perform rituals honoring nature and the fey. It is a place of deep spiritual importance to the Firbolg.
- The Wildroot Tavern: A community gathering place where the Firbolg relax and share stories, serving drinks infused with herbs that promote clarity, insight, or calmness.
- Heartroot Plaza: The social and trade hub of Applemill, where Firbolg merchants sell enchanted foods and handcrafted goods. The plaza is often filled with music, storytelling, and quiet celebration of life.
Tourism
Though the Firbolg generally shy away from outsiders, Applemill has become a point of intrigue for those interested in nature, magic, and peaceful living. Visitors come to experience the district’s Verdant Market, where they can sample enchanted dishes and purchase rare herbs. Guided tours of the outer Forbidden Forest are available, but only under strict supervision from the Firbolg druids.
Celebration - Verdant Renewal - 15th Astravale
Overview:
The Celebration of Verdant Renewal is an annual festival held in the district of Applemill, home to the Firbolg people. This sacred event honors the cyclical nature of life, the rebirth of the forest, and the Firbolg’s connection to the Feywild. Occurring every year during the first week of Spring, the celebration marks the end of winter’s dormancy and the beginning of a season of growth and renewal. The Firbolg and their neighbors in Lustrum Metropolis come together to participate in rituals, enjoy nature-infused feasts, and partake in magical displays of druidic power.
Origins:
The Celebration of Verdant Renewal began shortly after the Firbolg settled in Applemill in Year 601 A.G.C.. Initially a quiet, private event among the Firbolg elders to honor the forest and renew their connection to it, the celebration grew over time into a district-wide festival as the Firbolg integrated more with the people of Lustrum Metropolis. Over the centuries, it became a grand celebration where Firbolg traditions of nature reverence, fey lore, and magical cooking are shared with others.
Traditions and Events:
- The Verdant Awakening Ritual: At dawn on the first day of the festival, the Firbolg druids gather at the Verdant Altar, a sacred stone circle deep within the forest. Here, they perform a ritual to call upon the spirits of the land and awaken the forest from its winter slumber. Using ancient druidic magic, they encourage the first blooms of the season, and the forest comes alive with vibrant growth and the calls of creatures returning from hibernation. This ritual is attended by the entire community, and it sets the tone for the rest of the celebration.
- Blossom Feasts: Throughout the festival, Applemill’s Verdant Market is transformed into a grand outdoor banquet, where Firbolg chefs prepare enchanted dishes made from freshly harvested herbs, flowers, and roots. Each dish has magical properties, from restoring energy to providing temporary boosts in strength, clarity, or emotional balance. Visitors from across Lustrum Metropolis come to experience these fey-inspired meals, and the Order of the Wild Kitchen takes great pride in showcasing their culinary talents during this time.
- Treeweaving Ceremony: On the second day of the festival, the Firbolg perform the Treeweaving Ceremony, an ancient practice where they work together to weave new homes and structures from the living trees of the forest. This ritual represents the renewal of both the forest and the Firbolg community. Using druidic magic, they shape branches and vines into intricate designs, creating new living spaces that blend seamlessly with nature. This event is a community effort, and visitors are invited to help or simply admire the Firbolg’s unique craftsmanship.
- The Feywild Revel: As night falls on the third day, the Feywild Revel begins—a magical evening of dance, music, and storytelling around the Heartroot Plaza. Firbolg bards, alongside Eladrin and Gnomish musicians, perform ethereal tunes reminiscent of the Feywild. Lanterns made of glowing moss and flowers light up the trees, creating a surreal atmosphere. The stories told during the revel often involve fey creatures, legendary heroes, and tales of the Firbolg’s journey through Astrium. Some say that during the revel, echoes of the Feywild can be felt, and occasionally, Fey creatures join in the celebration.
- Blessing of the Grove: On the final day of the celebration, the eldest Firbolg druid leads the Blessing of the Grove. This ritual takes place in the Forbidden Forest, where the Firbolg renew the wards and glyphs that protect the sacred grove from intruders. They offer prayers to the ancient Feywild spirits who still watch over the forest, thanking them for their protection and guidance. This is a deeply spiritual ceremony that only Firbolg may attend, though its effects are felt throughout the district as a sense of calm and balance permeates the area.
- Leaf Garlands and Wreaths: During the celebration, everyone in Applemill wears handwoven garlands made of fresh leaves, flowers, and vines. These garlands symbolize new growth and the interconnectedness of all life. Visitors can buy or make their own garlands at the market as a way to partake in Firbolg tradition.
- Offerings of Renewal: Participants leave small offerings of seeds, flowers, and crafted wooden trinkets at the foot of the largest trees in Applemill. These offerings are meant to honor the forest and invite continued growth and prosperity for the coming year.
- Spirit Dances: Each evening, groups of Firbolg perform Spirit Dances in tribute to the fey spirits of the forest. These dances are elegant, flowing, and resemble the swaying of trees in the wind. The Firbolg believe that through the dance, they are able to commune with the spirits and draw their blessings.
- Verdant Market: A must-visit during the festival, where enchanted foods and rare herbs are on full display.
- Heartroot Plaza: The center of celebration activities, including the Feywild Revel.
- Verdant Altar: The sacred stone circle where the Verdant Awakening Ritual takes place, set deep within the forest.
- Forbidden Forest: Though off-limits to most, the boundaries of this sacred grove are a place of quiet reflection during the festival.
Architecture
The architecture of Applemill is entirely natural, with homes and buildings formed from living trees and plants. These structures grow and shift over time, thanks to the druidic magic that sustains them. The settlement's architecture blends into the surrounding forest, with woven branches, leaf-roofed huts, and root-wrapped homes. Nothing is artificial, and every structure serves to further the Firbolg's connection to the earth.
Geography
Applemill is located in the northernmost reaches of Lustrum Metropolis, where the forest is thick and ancient. The district is surrounded by towering trees, dense underbrush, and streams that flow down from nearby hills.
Climate
The forest has a temperate climate, with cool, misty mornings and warm, gentle afternoons. The seasons are pronounced, and the district’s appearance changes drastically with each, from the golden leaves of autumn to the snow-covered branches in winter.
Natural Resources
- Herbs and Spices: The forest around Applemill is home to countless rare herbs and spices that are essential for the Firbolg’s enchanted dishes.
- Magical Plants: The Firbolg cultivate Feywild flora that has found its way into Astrium, such as moonvine and blossomweed.
- Wood and Stone: The trees and rocks of the forest are carefully harvested and replenished by the Firbolg, who use them to craft tools, buildings, and weapons.
Founding Date
700
Founders
Type
District
Population
22500
Location under
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