Oakwood

Introduction

Located near the northeastern borders of the Keraian Empire, the town of Oakwood stands on the edge of the mystical Eldergrove Forest. This vast and ancient woodland, shrouded in legend, stretches beyond mortal dominions, bridging the realms of men and the elven Kingdom of Zolirak. At the heart of Oakwood, an enormous white oak- older than recorded history- casts its sprawling boughs over the town square, a silent guardian of the settlement that bears its name.

Despite Thandor's claims to the contrary, no crown claims dominion here, nor does any noble hand dictate law. Instead, Oakwood bends to the will of the Lumberjacks, a guild of master woodcrafters whose influence surpasses that of kings in this untamed frontier. Their rule is absolute, their decree unquestioned, and at their helm stands the infamous Thomas Emerson; a man whose word is law, whose ambition is as relentless as the axes that fell the sacred trees of Eldergrove.

Geography

Oakwood lies at the very edge of Eldergrove, a forest so dense and veiled in ancient mysteries that much of it remains unexplored- at least from the human side of the border. The trees whisper with unseen presences, and strange sightings are spoken of in hushed tones by those who dare venture too far beneath its emerald canopy.

The roads leading to Oakwood are rough, poorly maintained, and treacherous for the unprepared. The best-preserved route winds northeast toward the great city of Vandoria, a journey of no less than ten days on horseback. Yet even this path is fraught with peril, as nature reclaims what civilization neglects.

Isolation defines Oakwood, both in its geography and its people. The town is cradled in a hollow valley, where the mighty peaks of the Dragonspire Mountains split into a great fork, enclosing it in a natural barrier of jagged stone. Harsh winters and shifting terrain make travel arduous, but it is the wariness of its inhabitants that truly keeps outsiders at bay.

A narrow river winds through the town, a silver thread binding two vast lakes: Silvermere, which lies within the empire’s domain, and Nymara, its twin, resting at the farthest reaches of Eldergrove in the elven Kingdom of Zolirak. The river serves as both a lifeline and a boundary, a whispering current that carries the weight of two worlds.

Governance

In Oakwood, law is dictated by the ruthless hand of commerce. Though a mayor exists in name, his influence is but a whisper against the roar of the Lumberjacks, the guild of woodcrafters who hold an iron grip over the town’s fate. It is they who sustain Oakwood’s economy, venturing fearlessly into the shadowed depths of Eldergrove to reap its coveted resources. Their dominance is absolute, their word unquestioned.

Nearly every soul in Oakwood is bound to the Jacks, as they are commonly known- whether as laborers in the sawmills, craftsmen in the workshops, or hired muscle enforcing the guild’s will. Independent artisans who attempt to ply their trade without the guild’s blessing are given a simple choice: swear allegiance to the Lumberjacks or vanish. Most choose submission. Those who do not are either hounded from the town under threat or disappear under circumstances too convenient to be called coincidence.

At the apex of this unspoken rule stands Thomas Emerson, an aging but formidable lumberjack whose thirst for wealth and renown outweighs any sense of mercy. To defy him is to challenge the very foundation of Oakwood’s power; a feat none have dared for years.

And yet, discontent festers. The people of Oakwood, weary of their silent servitude, have taken their first bold step toward resistance. In defiance of the guild’s tyranny, they have appointed an unofficial sheriff- an act unheard of in a town where the Lumberjacks are law. The man chosen for this role is Rylan Thornvale, a half-elven lumberjack and the illegitimate son of Thomas Emerson, the very guildmaster he once struck in defiance. Emerson, notorious for his iron rule, demanded Rylan’s obedience, but the young man refused; an act for which any other would have paid with their life. For now, Rylan walks the line between lawkeeper and outlaw, a lone figure standing against a tide of silent oppression. How long he can hold his ground remains to be seen.

Daily Life & Customs

Life in Oakwood is harsh, defined by labor, necessity, and the ever-present shadow of the Lumberjacks. From dawn until dusk, the air is filled with the rhythmic thud of axes biting into ancient wood, the groan of sawmills carving through felled trees, and the acrid scent of sawdust thick in the wind. Work is relentless, and for most, inescapable.

Men and women toil under the command of the guild, hauling timber, shaping planks, or reinforcing the great wooden palisades that encircle the town’s outskirts. The blacksmiths labor in dim forges, sharpening axes and reforging broken saws, while the carpenters craft everything from sturdy beams to fine furnishings, though few in Oakwood can afford the latter.

Merchants and traders are rare visitors, for the roads are treacherous, and Oakwood’s people are not known for their hospitality. The marketplace, if it can be called such, is little more than a scattering of stalls where necessities are bartered- leather, cloth, dried meats, and, of course, timber.

Evenings bring little reprieve. The Lumberjacks gather in the dim glow of the taverns, drinking away the day’s exhaustion, while the common folk huddle in their homes. The taverns, though lively, are not places of joy but of caution, where alliances are made, debts are settled, and where a wrong word can see a man disappear by morning.

There are no festivals, no grand celebrations. The closest thing to a town tradition is the Felling Day, when the largest and oldest tree marked for harvest is cut down; a grim event more akin to an execution than a festivity. The only real defiance against the bleakness of daily life is whispered in private, in homes where hope still lingers, carried on the uncertain shoulders of a lone half-elven sheriff who stands against the tide.

People of Oakwood

Thomas Emerson

Thomas Emerson is the undisputed leader of Oakwood, holding power through his control over the Lumberjacks. A grizzled, imposing figure, he commands both fear and respect. His love of wealth and influence has kept the town in an iron grip, though beneath his cold exterior lies a man who is deeply aware of his precarious position.

Rylan Thornvale

A half-elven lumberjack who rose to prominence after striking his own father, Thomas Emerson, in defiance of his tyrannical rule. Quiet yet fiercely determined, Rylan is known for his strength, integrity, and his unwavering resolve to challenge the Lumberjacks. The illegitimate son of Emerson, Rylan’s actions are further complicated by his bloodline, as he seeks to carve his own path apart from his father’s shadow. Though never formally appointed, the people of Oakwood have unofficially bestowed upon him the title of sheriff, seeing in him a rare symbol of resistance to the established power. To some, Rylan embodies hope for change; to others, he is a threat to the status quo. His path is fraught with peril as he stands against the entrenched authority that has ruled Oakwood for so long.

The ancient oak tree at the center of Oakwood stands as a silent witness to the passing of time. Towering above the surrounding buildings, its massive branches stretch wide, casting long shadows over the square. The Elder Oak is a sacred site for the townsfolk, a place where they gather for moments of reflection, or perhaps, to draw strength in uncertain times.

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Founding Date

564 ADA

Type

Town

Population

2,000

Location under

Vandoria

Owning Organization

Keraian Empire

Related Reports (Secondary)

• Session #0: Character Introduction
• Session #1: On the Road

"I'm an old bark to chop down. Many have tried, but their axes break before they reach the heartwood."

— Thomas Emerson, Guild Master of the Jacks

History of Oakwood

Long before the Empire's rise to power, the land that would become Oakwood was a realm untouched, a sacred place where the forces of nature held dominion. The Eldergrove, a vast and untamed forest, was considered holy by the followers of Sadorian, the god of earth and nature.
In those days, the Eldergrove was not only a sanctuary for the worshipers of Sadorian but also a refuge for beings of myth and legend. Fey creatures, capricious and enigmatic, danced beneath the moonlight, while centaurs roamed the glades, their hooves a steady beat against the forest floor. Unicorns, revered for their purity and grace, wandered the deeper, uncharted paths, and even phoenixes soared through the sky. In this wild, untamed land, druids of long-forgotten races communed with nature, their bonds with the earth strengthening with every passing season.
But this golden age of harmony was not meant to last. As humanity’s hunger for expansion grew, so too did their reach into the Eldergrove. The once sacred grove became encroached upon, as the humans of Keraian carved their empire from the forest’s heart. The ancient creatures and fey, ever protective of their sacred land, began to retreat into the deeper, more secluded parts of the forest, where the reach of mankind could not easily follow. The Eldergrove, though still vast and alive with the pulse of nature, became increasingly silent.
Among the remnants of this ancient past is an old, abandoned elven temple located in a clearing deep within the forest. It was once the stronghold of an order known as the Moonlit Guardians, a group devoted to guarding the secrets of the forest and protecting its sacred places. Their presence was a shining beacon of the old ways, but their temple, now crumbling and covered in vines, stands as a forgotten monument to what was lost. The temple’s ruin is a place of mystery, often whispered about by the locals who avoid the area, too afraid to venture too close. Many say that the spirits of the Moonlit Guardians still haunt the site, watching over the remains of their once proud order, but none have dared to confirm such stories.

Rovug Blood-eye

A hulking half-orc with a reputation as fierce as his name, Rovug Bloodeye has recently arrived in Oakwood and quickly established himself with a shady tavern and pleasure house. Known for its backroom gambling, dangerous games, and violent patrons, his establishment is a place where the laws of Oakwood seem nonexistent. Rovug’s vicious nature and brutal enforcement of "rules" make him both feared and respected. While he’s not hiding his connection to the Bruul Brotherhood, a criminal organization from Thandor, his violent methods and ruthless demeanor suggest that he’s here for something far more than just profit. Those who cross him often find themselves at the mercy of the half-orc's rage, and few are willing to challenge his growing influence in Oakwood.

Lorena

Lorena is a kind-hearted human woman who runs a humble herbal shop in Oakwood, offering basic herbs and remedies for those in need. Born and raised in the town, her family has deep roots in the community, and she is one of the few people the townsfolk trust without question. Her care for Oakwood’s people goes beyond business; she tends to the sick and injured with a nurturing touch, always willing to help those in need despite the town’s rough exterior. Though her shop is small and supplies are limited, Lorena is resourceful, often finding ways to provide what she can. Recently, whispers have begun circulating that she and Rylan Thornvale, the unofficial sheriff, share a budding connection.

Balinor Brighthelm

A sturdy dwarf, solemn in his dedication to Novirath, the god of light and valor. He has turned his humble home into a small, open temple where he offers guidance and blessings to anyone who seeks it, despite the harsh, unyielding nature of Oakwood. His arrival in the town came under the orders of The Suntouched, Novirath's official church, which saw Oakwood as a prime location to spread the god's light in a world darkened by corruption and violence. Though his efforts to establish a stronger presence among the townsfolk have faced resistance, his unwavering faith and tireless dedication to his god make him a quiet but determined force in Oakwood. His temple stands as a beacon of hope for the few who still cling to the ideals of justice and righteousness in this rough town.

Important Places in Oakwood

Timberheart Hall

The heart of the Lumberjacks' power, this imposing guild hall stands at the edge of Oakwood. Heavy oak beams and the smell of sawdust fill the air, and the guild leaders, including Thomas Emerson, gather here to plan their next moves. It's a place where respect is earned, and fear is often felt, symbolizing the guild’s unyielding control over Oakwood.

Hearth & Herb

Lorena’s shop is a small but inviting space. Shelves of dried herbs, vials of remedies, and potted plants line the walls, their soft fragrance mingling with the warmth of the hearth. With a gentle smile, Lorena tends to her customers, offering not just remedies but a comforting presence in a town often too harsh to show kindness.

The Roaming Stag

The Roaming Stag is a simple but comfortable inn, with sturdy wooden furniture and warm hearths that flicker throughout its low ceilings. Travelers passing through Oakwood can find shelter here. It’s a place where strangers gather, exchanging whispered tales over ale, but it never promises anything more than a bed for the night and a meal for the weary.

The Bloody Branch

A dark and gritty tavern that pulses with danger and temptation. Dimly lit by flickering candles, the tavern’s wooden floors creak with the weight of unsavory patrons. Rovug Bloodeye’s presence looms large here, ensuring the dangerous games and bartering for favors run smoothly.