Odd
Odd is a village on the South side of the Northern Isle. The roads from Odd lead to Belve and Stony, which has Echo Woods and Dusk Quagmire in between them - if travelers know of the legends of the Echo Woods, they will journey the longer way through Odd instead.
It is a very unusual place to visit, both visably and in customs - hence the name. Known for art and friendship celebrations.
On the North side of Odd stands an inland Lighthouse, made of white stone. It is home to the Lightkeeper Sinead Bryner - Half-Elf - and husband Stewart - Human.
The light glows all day and night, castings of Types of Magic to protect the people of Odd.
A large bronze bell stands beside the lighthouse, and Stewart rings it very hour and half hour, from six in the morning until two thirty in the afternoon. Then from four in the afternoon until eleven at night.
A smaller silver bell is rang at three in the morning and repeating at four in the morning, and then at three in the afternoon not repeated - to mark the Witching Hours.
The three story houses are build with stairs on the outside that go up to the entrance at the top, where the kitchen and living spaces are. Access to the lower levels is via hidden hatches (in the floor or furniture) and fixed wall ladders. The windows only open at very top - not allowing to be used as exits.
Top levels of homes are open plan and used for gatherings - such as Knitting circles (always indoors quilt-making groups; and baking clubs.
The surrounding trees have steps cut into them, so people can climb up and down.
The trees are mostly Baobab Trees (look upside down when bare), Naptovis Tree s and Monkey-Puzzle trees grow around the village, adding to the oddness.
A few hemlock trees grow on the outskirts of the village, with scattering of the poisonous Hemlock plant [The roots of poison hemlock can easily be mistaken for wild parsnips, while the leaves can be mistaken for parsley - the primary culprit for accidental poisoning], at the bases of the trees.
Bushes of yellow Dahlias grow along pathways - the bushes are 50cm tall with 5cm flowers. The dahlias get planted after the threat of frost has passed so they will flower for months from early summer until mid-autumn.
These yellow Dahlias are picked to celebrate Friendship Anniversaries (considered more important than individual's birthdays).
The wind off Dusk Quagmire sounds like whispers. There are people known as Interrupters, who Interpret the whispers, then Interrupt conversations with the what they hear.
DARK METAL
Blacksmith
Dark Metal is run by twin brothers, burly Dwarves Daldan and Grammund Hardaxe.
The homemade spiral water wheel runs outside the Blacksmith forge, in a river that only appears above ground for 500 feet. The water pump is attached, however is difficult to use (children are warned away from it).
ARTFUL EXPRESSIONS
Art College - Palett, Cane, Canvas, Clay, Brush, Glass, Fabric, Plants, Metals, Gems, and Mixed Mediums InstituteArt
Abstract, Contemporary, Classical
Painting, Sculpture, Pottery, Architecture, Literature, Theatre, Music, Dance, and more
PLAYS: Night Dancers by Cordites Tun; Dragon in the Woodshed; the Tale of Ronin Mikoto.
Study the art of Cordites Tun, who set up the Art College with three close friends.
THE PICKLED CAT TAVERN
Drinking tavern, Inn
The brewery, is attached to the Tavern The Pickled Cat.
Both are owned and run by a family of Tabaxi - matriarch is Berry [ Sweet Berry] who has white and grey fur).
* Related to Bakery in Souji named Honey Pie.
The brewery makes ginger beer (alcoholic and non) as well as raspberry wine and thistle cider.
* Has a good relationship with the Milk Thistle Wine Brewery in Castow - which allows the Tavern to sell both Milk Thistle Wine and NutMilk Wine.
The ingredients are grown in a roof garden, on top of the brewery.
THE WHISPER SCHOOL
The small schoolhouse is over 100 years old. It is built out of the ruins from the Quagmire Temple to Gil'lon The Master Cat, that once stood on the edge of Dusk Quagmire.It is built on stilts, with an indoor play area uderneath - which has three sides that fold back (not the one towards Dusk Quagmire.
The Witching Hours
During the hours of 3 to 4 - both morning and night, the people of Odd stay inside. During the day, they have a daily afternoon siesta. At night, they take herbs to help them sleep. They rely on the bells to time them the time.The heavy cloud of Spiral Peak lowers down to the Dusk Quagmire. Air Elementals and their herder Aerodos - of The Plane of Air - travel down swiftly to play on the quagmire with the Treant from Echo Woods.
Demographics
39% Tabaxi; 19% Dwarf; 15% Fire Genasi; 9% Human; 7% Earth Genasi; 5% Water Genasi; 3% Wood Genasi; 2% Earth Genasi
Government
The village governs by minority vote - which allows for much debate - people enjoy loudly agreeing and debating many issues.
History
superstitions of Odd
1. Give a Penny If You've Received Something Sharp - being handed a knife or scissors or sword ... or the relationship will end;2. Knitting Outside Can Prolong Winter;
3. Baking Alone Leaves Out the Love and Laughter ... a Bitter Bite;
4. Wedding Bells Ward Off Evil ... brides wear bells on the veil of their dresses to ward off evil spirits who might try to follow them and ruin their marriage
5. Expectant Mothers Should Eat No Seafood ... or the baby may be born as a merfolk;
6. Never Announce "This Is My Last Drink" ... you're tempting fate and your death will shortly follow;
7. Only Chop Wood Outdoors - or the relationships of those inside will splinter;
8. Always Wish Any Traveler at Night a Safe Journey ... or they will never be seen again;
9. A Party Must Start On The Half Hour ... so the fun is heading UP to the hour and guests will have a great time. 10. Never make the entrance to your dwelling easy to locate ... or the devils and demons from Ru'Than will come to collect your eldest living child - taking them through The Gahara
11. Never leave a window open next to a sleeping child, or it may be 'possessed' in the night.
12. A siesta is important each day - so not to attached unwanted attention.
Traditionally, on Esau, the penalty for speaking while in the state of being "jinxed" (ie, breaking a jinx) is a firm punch in the arm. Perhaps a more common penalty is that the person owes the jinxer (that is, the person who called jinx) a delicacy of the jinxers choice.
Most ways to reverse a jinx or bad luck, has to do with one of the five spoken elements (Wood, Earth, Water, Fire and Air).
Knocking on wood is the most common superstition used to reverse bad fortune, or undo a "jinx." Other practices are spitting into the wind; lighting a match and speak the jinxers name before the flame blows out; placing six worms into a ball of Earth at the base of a new tree; or having your name whispered by another person into the wind. Also, some people walk backwards towards a mirror, without looking, so the bad luck with be taken by the reflection. Another practice is to throw salt over each shoulder. Although it depends on the jinx, how it can be successfully broken.
Speaking the word "void" three times within your lifetime is said to cause a Void Elemental to find you and steal you away - removinjg all memory of your exsistance. The only ever noted reversal of this severe jinx, is to find a Jinx Fey and have them speak the word in your stead. They are returned to The Plane of Void, and the person is returned to having a zero count of speaking that word.
Points of interest
Friendship Anniversaries
Friendship in the settlement of Odd is highly valued - considered more important than individual's birthdays.Annually, a set of friends has a day of handholding, homemade gifts, and relaxing together. A set of artist will gather with the friends and depicted the friendship in various artistic forms.
Yellow Dahlias are picked to celebrate Friendship Anniversaries.
Remembrance Ceremony
A Service of Remembrance provides an opportunity to come together with family and friends to honour a friendship with a friend who passed away. A time to share memories of the wonderful times one friend had together with the deceased person. Held on the anniversary of the friendship, the year after the death of one of the friends.TRAVEL
to Dusk Quagmire = 1 hour
to Echo Woods
to Belve = 9 hours
to Stony = 13.5 hours
to Spiral Peak = 31 hours off road (about 3.5 days)
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