Highfolk, Town and Valley of
Highfolk is a fiercely independent land of elves, humans, and gnomes, nestled between the Yatil Mountains and the Vesve Forest, where consensus and autonomy shape its society. With no standing army but formidable militias and the elite Knights of the Hart, it thrives on trade, natural riches, and a deep-seated commitment to liberty.
History
Nestled between the southernmost Yatil Mountains and the vast expanse of the Vesve Forest, Highfolk consists primarily of the town of Highfolk itself and the narrow stretch of land following the Velverdyva River between the Yatils and the Vesve. The High Vale, including the strip north of the river running between the forest and the Clatspur Range, is also considered part of Highfolk.
Elves had long established themselves in the region before the arrival of humankind. However, the settlers who came were welcomed, as they valued liberty and independence as much as the olvenfolk. Highfolk was once part of the Viceroyalty of Ferrond, and when Ferrond declared its independence from the Great Kingdom, Highfolk followed suit. Though technically still considered part of Furyondy, no Furyondian monarch dares exercise rule over the fiercely independent people of Highfolk.
Politics and Society
The quasi-independent town of Highfolk serves as the gateway to the Quagflow Valley (called the Fairdells in Elvish), a land of breathtaking beauty and home to many small elven settlements. The High Lord of the Elves resides here, along with 10,000 high elves, while their sylvan cousins dwell beneath the leafy canopy of the Vesve Forest.
Talisyr, a silver dragon who appears as an elf, is the respected and unofficial ruler of Highfolk. Though he does not command in a traditional sense, his wisdom and guidance are heeded by elves, humans, and gnomes alike. Village elders, gnome princes, and elven earls all hold equal sway in council meetings, reflecting the region's deep-seated values of consensus and autonomy.
The Lord Mayor of Highfolk is elected by the town’s citizens. Other villages and settlements in the High Vale have their own leaders, with the mayor acting as a first among equals rather than a supreme authority. Decisions affecting the region as a whole require much deliberation, debate, and negotiation before they are finalized.
Highfolk enjoys a thriving economy, rich in metals mined by gnomes and supported by livestock herding in the Yatil valleys. Timber and game from the Vesve Forest provide additional exports, and a large tanning industry thrives in the region. Notably, coins minted from the gold veins of the Yatils never bear the face of a ruler, a stark contrast to the monarchies to the south and the tyrants of the northeast.
Religion
Highfolk’s religious practices reflect its diverse population. Ehlonna, the Oeridian wind gods, Phyton, and Fharlanghn are widely venerated. The Seldarine, the pantheon of elven deities, hold particular prominence among the olvenfolk.
Military and Defense
Highfolk has no standing army, as the people strongly resist the notion of a centralized military force. However, nearly every village and town maintains its own well-trained militia, ready to defend their homeland when necessary.
The region's woodsmen and hill fighters are renowned for their deadly effectiveness in guerrilla warfare, and they know the terrain intimately. In the town of Highfolk itself, a standing guard of 150 heavy infantry and 50 heavy cavalry—mostly elite warriors from Veluna—serve as the town’s main defense.
The Knights of the Hart of Highfolk, composed of the valley’s finest elven and half-elven warriors, stand ready to protect the region. Their vigilance is especially focused on the threat of Iuz, whose agents and raiders frequently attempt incursions into the Vesve Forest.
Notable Locales
The Carnalion Mines, located in the southernmost tip of the Yatil Mountains, are a prized asset, carefully worked by gnomes and closely guarded. The revenues from the mines are divided between Highfolk and Nyrond in a complex arrangement.
Beyond its natural resources and trade, Highfolk remains a land of adventure and mystery, where heroes and wanderers alike are drawn to its idyllic landscapes and the promise of freedom, wealth, and purpose.
Proper Name: Free Town of Highfolk; Valley of the Velverdyva (Highvale)
Ruler: Mayor Talisyr (appears as an elf - disguised silver dragon)
Government: Mayor of town is elected by popular vote of household leaders; nonhuman communities are governed by hereditary monarchs from noble families
Major Settlements: No capital; Highfolk
Resources: Gold, rare woods, gems (I), livestock (sheep, goats), vegetables, wild game, timber
Population: Elf, Human, Half-elf, Halfling, Gnome, Dwarf, Orc
Law: CG
Allies: Furyondy, Veluna, Verbobonc, Dyvers, Duchy of Ulek, Knights of the High Forest
Enemies: Empire of Iuz, certain denizens of the Vesve Forest
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