Hallowcrest
Hallowcrest is a small, isolated village in the middle of Lestria. Being constantly buffeted by the island's endless blizzards, the villagers have turned from worshipping Airielis to worship Quidweldor, Blazing Rime (who they refer to simply as "The Flame"), burning wood from Wyrwood Trees found around Lestria's great forest (which the residents of Hallowcrest simply call "The Forest") as offerings. In exange, Quidweldor stokes a great flame in the center of the village that prevents snow from falling upon it and preventing its residents from freezing to death. However, unbenounced to the villagers, Quidweldor is also the source of the blizzards, tricking them into a cycle of burning which serves only to increase his strength.
The people of Hallowcrest blame Mavis Willowflower for sending the beasts which roam the blizzard to attack the village, believing her to be an evil Bheur Hag looking to extinguish The Flame and condemn Hallowcrest to an icy doom. Hunters tell tales of close encounters with The Hag and how she always manages to slip away, almost as if she becomes one with the blizzard itself, the only thing left behind being the sound of her wicked laughter. Only Frederica Willowflower, the caretaker of Quidweldor's flame knows the truth.
Although the blizzards only began around 9 years ago, Quidweldor's influence has altered most of the villagers' memories, making them believe that the blizzard and The Flame that protects them from it have always existed. This occasionally leads to unexplainable contradictions in people's memories, though the suspicion is never throughly investigated, soon forgotton in the struggle for survial in Lestria.
Demographics
The original inhabitants of Hallowcrest are entirely human, although some other races have become trapped in the village due to Lestria's unrelenting blizzards, eventually integrating and becoming part of the tight community.
Government
Hallowcrest is led by a High Hunter whose responsibility it is to ensure the survival of their people in the harsh landscape of Lestria. The High Hunter is the most skilled among Hallowcrest's Hunters, and when they perish (usually in battle), they are replaced by their second-in-command.
Defences
The village Hunters are the most skilled fighters, skilled with the blade and the bow. They protect the village from any external threats and take on the important task of hunting for food and gathering Wyrwood. Some Hunters have even taken a paladin's oath to protect their home. Severe domestic offenses are usually dealt with by exile, the offender sentenced to a cold fate in Lestria's endless blizzard.
Architecture
The buildings of Hallowcrest resemble log cabins, being built out of lumber gathered from the surrounding forest.

Comments