Yaolin (ˈYah-Oh-Lin)

In the Olaluma Mountains, high atop Nai Ancalen, three borders cross a large lake. This lake fills most of the caldera of the long-dormant volcano, and is known to the people of Glaerhiel as Laa Serine. Half of the lake belongs to the nation of Touhaba. The other half is split between Ochua and Glaerhiel, along a line from where the river Aman Serine leaves the lake and descends downhill, forming the border as it goes.
On the Glaerhiel portion of the caldera, there sits a small village known as Yaolin. Originally a lumber camp on the far side of the caldera ridge, it has since migrated to the fertile lands surrounding the lake. Today Yaolin numbers about two hundred or so buildings, including a town meeting hall. They are around six hundred citizens strong, mostly Elven, but also quite a few Tabaxi and Firbolgs. The villagers build their Kauri-wood homes with clever designs that mimic nature, and revel in the natural beauty around them. Lumber is no longer all that this village is preoccupied with. There are farmers here, and a good number of craftspeople, as the village has found that it has to make or grow most things that they need. They are fishermen, as well, harvesting the bounty of the lake as well as the river that springs from it.
The village's only claims to fame were being the highest settlement in Glaerhiel, and being one of only twenty sites allowed to harvest certain exotic trees for their wood. It is a prestigious honor, and it requires having a stellar reputation for forest management and husbandry techniques, as the government is highly interested in conservation. The elves of Yaolin harvest such woods as ebony, teak, and mahogany. These woods fetch high prices in markets near and far.
Recently, however, the village has been harrassed by thieves, stealing from the lumber piles and other trade goods. The woodcutters are left having to come up short with their quotas. There is also the quandry regarding the town's needs, and whether there will be enough to trade with on the next delivery. There are reports of seeing bands of armed men in the distance through the trees. These men appear to wear no markings on their armor, but the villagers can tell that these men are too well armed and armored to be bandits. The inhabitants of Yaolin do what they can to protect and guard the stockpiles, but their arsenal consists of several bows and arrows and some boar spears, plus whatever they could press into use as a weapon. The town would be fairly helpless against a true raid.
With no other recourse, Mayor Zaleria Miaren has sent out a delegation of strong men to the capital of Sela Shaeras, in hopes that the government will be able to help. The prevailing belief is that the nation of Ochua is attempting to move the boundary through occupation, and harvest the bounty surrounding Yaolin. The villagers also fear that things may escalate, and Yaolin may not exist by the time help arrives. A few lit torches in the night could be all that it would take.

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Demographics

Total Population: 632 Primary Race: Elf Children: 95 Adults: 499

Elderly: 38 Ill/Infirm: 64 Urban Population: 594 Rural Population: 38

Government

Town Council: 4 councilors and a mayor, generally elected.

Defences

Walls: None
Natural Defences: Caldera, River

Infrastructure

Road Construction: Dirt Roads
Main Irrigation: Furrow Irrigation
Number of Districts: 1

Districts

• Type: Residential
• Population: 594

Assets

Lumber Camps Ebony 17 workers Teak 23 workers Mahogany 37 workers

Kauri 14 workers Corkwood 5 workers Stone Quarries Sandstone 59 workers

Architecture

Primary Building Style: Kauri Wood

Secondary Building Styles: Sandstone

Aesthetics: Organic

Cleanliness: Tidy

Upkeep: Handsome

Geography

Volcanic Caldera Elevation: 7,900 feet above sea level Ground Cover: 100% Crater Lake Salinity: fresh Depth: 528 feet Navigable: Yes Aquatic Animals: Trout and Clams

River Salinity: fresh Depth: 43 feet Width: 305 feet Navigable: Yes Aquatic Animals: Clams, Catfish, and Snakehead

Natural Resources

Stones Igneous: Basalt Metamorphic: Gneiss Sedimentary: Sandstone and Travertine Ores Minerals: Lye and Sulfur Metals: Antimony Gems Precious: Ruby

Grains Warm Seasons: Sorghum and Corn Cool Seasons: Wheat Food: Sorghum, Wheat, and Corn Animal Feed: Sorghum and Corn Vegetables Marrow: Zucchini Cruciferous: Broccoli Alium: Garlic Utility Crops Fiber: Jute

Landscape photo of mountain near body of water photo by Angela Compagnone

Climate

Tropical Rain Forest
Avg. Annual Temperature: 68F
Avg. Annual Precipitation: 10 feet
Seasons: Dry Season and Wet Season
Prevailing Winds: northeast to southwest

Founding Date

687

Type

Village

Population

632

Inhabitant Demonym

Yaolene

Location under

Olaluma Mountains

Owner/Ruler

Zaleria Miaren

Ruling/Owning Rank

Mayor

Owning Organization

Glaerhiel

Flora and Fauna

• Livestock: Alpaca
• Prey: Warthogs
• Aquatic: Trout, Snakehead, Clams, and Catfish
• Trees: Mango Tree, Grapefruit Tree, and Limba
• Grass: Blue Fescue Grass, Feather Reed, Grey Fescue Grass, and Cloud Grass
• Shrubs: Raspberry Bush, and Butterfly Bush
• Moss: Haircap Moss, Fern Moss, Tamarisk Moss, and Peat Moss
• Vines: Balloon Vine, Poison Ivy, Butterfly Pea Vine, and Water Vine