High Peak

The town of High Peak is one of the oldest recorded ones in all of Usilia. Though the town is set at the base of a series of mountains the name of the town and its surrounding region harkens back to a legend of many years ago, far before the land was ruled by the Shogun.
The lands surrounding the town are under a permanent shroud of darkness as sunlight never reaches them. The only light that reaches the snowy valley comes from the moon which is always full and always looking down at the valley, like a watchful eye. The elders of the town tell a tale that once upon a time they were surrounded by lively mountains full of wild animals and fertile terrain, but only a child might believe such a tale, for the sun hasn't hit any building for centuries and they are inconstant threat of dangerous creatures that the hunters struggle to keep at bay.
High Peak has roughly 300 inhabitants, all of which are arduous workers. Being set in one of the most inhospitable places in Usilia has made these elves some of the hardiest, most disciplined and hard working people in the land. Rice wine and other delicacies from the south have no place in High Peak, instead they enjoy a strong derivative of rhum and follow a diet of underground vegetables, berries and meat.
Unlike any other town in Usilia, gold and silver have very little value. The High Peak citizens work extremely hard to survive and their economy is based on a trade and sharing of goods and services. Though you can purchase some things with gold you will find that prices for some goods are far steeper than in other towns south of the mountains.

Government

The town is lead by an elected Mayor. The position is usually a lifetime-appointed one as the person chosen as the Mayor tends to be utmost respect villager and the election requires an almost unanimous choice.

Defences

The town has no such position as guards as it is located in such a inhospitable location that it does not require them, however, the town has a significant number of hunters that gather food and keep wild beasts and other creatures away from the city.

Industry & Trade

High Peak is a mostly self-sustained town. Hunters help protect the town from threats and gather meat. Some tourists occasionally visit the town to see the famed crushed helmet and other relics of creatures known only in legends and stories.

Snow Tempered Steel

Every now and then a warrior will visit the town for its blacksmith, as the swords crafted in High Peak are said to be far more durable than ones crafted elsewhere in Usilia as the blade's metal is folded hundreds of time until the metal reaches a level of purity that is hard to match in most places in Usilia. Each time the blade is quenched on snow that is carefully gathered and maintained pristine, the metals contract at such a speed that helps tiny impurities escape. The cold weather is known to make poorly made weapons brittle and crack but one that is crafted in High Peak under its harsh, cold weather can withstand it with ease.
Most blades crafted in High Peak are considered heirlooms that are passed down through generations. Though these blades fetch very high prices when they show up for sale, it is known that the price High Peak's blacksmiths charge for them varies wildly depending on the person who wishes to buy it. While Kishutsuki will often pay next-to-nothing for one such blade, most southerners are usually charged exorbitant prices. The most famous of this cases came from the Shogun himself who sent a dispatch of men and gold to request such a weapon made for him. The price charged is unknown but it is said to have been so exorbitant that one could easily build a castle or buy an entire town with it. For months, convoys of gold were sent to High Peak and these convoys sparked the birth of the many bandit gangs that now live on the northeastern shores of Usilia and prey on merchants and travelers to this day.

Prosthetics

Due to the amount of attacks that threaten High Peak, it's not uncommon for many of its inhabitants to find themselves with maimed or missing limbs. One day, many years ago, one of the villagers, a cobbler, saw a need for creating wooden limbs that could help the victims regain some of their functions again, instead of burdening the village. While at first these limbs were simplistic, over time they became more complex with inner wiring and the skill of making these specialized artificial limbs began to be passed from one generation to the next. Nowadays, the limbs have become so sophisticated that the amputees claim they can feel a sense of sensitivity and can operate them as if they were normal limbs, given enough practice. Every year dozens of elves attempt the harsh traversal of the valley to reach High Peak to give their amputee loved ones a lease on life but unfortunately for them, most do not survive this journey.
Though other craftsmen are able to produce simplistic prosthetic limbs in other parts of Usilia, none approach the level of quality of the ones built in High Peak. It's hard for an industry designed for convenience to surpass one fueled by necessity.

Infrastructure

High Hammer - the oldest running forge in Usilia. It is said that that weapons that aren't forged in High Peak are unable to sustain the extreme temperatures of the north and can crack under use.
The Yuki Onna - this peculiar tavern has a roof shaped like a curved Pagoda roof that catches snow and slightly resembles the Snow Woman deity of legend.
The Red House - A museum of sorts that serves as the Mayor's house. All visitors are welcomed to visit the small museum upon arrival, as the mayor interrogates each and all that pass by or visit his first time.
Temple of the Four Saints - a religious cult that prays to the four deities that cursed the warriors. They believe that when their curse is lifted the snows will melt and Usilia awill enter a age of prosperity.
Tengu's rest - The town inn has a large nest on top of its roof said to have been brought from one of the harsh mountains up North where the Tengu, mythical bird-like creatures of legend, are said to live, though none have been reported for centuries. Perhaps that is for the best for they are considered harbingers of war.

Guilds and Factions

Moon Riders (Kishutsuki)

Though they aren't an official organization per se, with no headquarter, no leadership or structure of command, these skilled hunters are the lifeblood of High Peak. It is thanks to their efforts that the village has managed to survive many generations. You can often recognize a Kishutsuki's home by wooden boxes outside of their homes with the symbol of a sun overlapped by a crescent moon. People of the village will routinely leave them donations in the form of clothes, rum, salt and other necessary goods, often in generous amounts.
Despite not being recognized as an official military branch of Usilia, members of this faction are allowed to apply to join any military academy, even the illustrious Ruby Fields Academy, for their combat prowess precede them and one of the current Sword Saints is a former member of the group.

History

During the age of myths it is said that there was a massively tall mountain that dwarfed all surrounding ones, this mountain was called High Peak. On top of this mountain, far above the clouds it is said that there was a demon who was greater and larger than any other in Usilia, the one who led them all, the Red Giant. A 50-foot tall demon with red skin, 5 horns and 15 eyes.
For many centuries his rule and power was uncontested until the then-Lord of the land received reports of a large number of missing people up in High Peak and sent two of his bravest samurai to investigate. On their way the two warriors met four beautiful women, each with unique characteristics. One had nine fox tails, one whose robe was of the purest white they had ever seen and was constantly shedding flakes of snow. Another had the legs of a spider and the fourth had the body of a snake. These four women offered to aid the samurai if they would retrieve a lock of the Red Giant's hair. The samurai agreed and were given a plan by the women. they were to disguise themselves as monks and pretend that they were to deliver an offering of a poisoned rice wine to the giant who had been eating the missing people, offered to him by the monks. The warriors agreed, put monk robes over their armors and made their way to the top of the peak.
When they arrived the Red Giant recognized their garbs and gladly took their offering and in return offered them the remains of some of the sacrificed villagers. Unable to refuse the Giant, the warriors ate the flesh of fellow elves and waited until the red giant drunk his wine. When he did and finally fell unconscious the warriors cut his head and started making their way down the mountain. When they reached the four women they bare their fangs and hatred towards the warriors, for they were not to take his life. Though the warriors kept their word and gave them the giant's lock of hair they were cursed with with four curses: eternal life, eternal hunger, the inability to eat food and hatred of light.
With heavy hearts the men carried and just as they reached the bottom of the mountain the Red Giant's head came to life and started screaming and moving and gnawed onto one of the warrior's helmets until it was pierced in its middle eye. Once he was, the screaming subsided and the High Peak was enveloped by a thick mist. The two men camped for four days waiting for any change to occur. On the dawn of the fifth day the High Peak was gone and the place where the two samurai camped is where the town of High Peak was founded.
The crushed helmet of the samurai is one of the main attractions of the town until this day, as was the skull of the Red Giant, but a few hundred years ago the skull disappeared, rumored to have been taken by a cult of monks that lives deep within the mountains.

Type

Town

Population

300

Location under

Usilia