Farmer's Valley
The Jewel of the Northern Farmlands
Rural Village, Known for Healing Waters and Fertile Fields
Settlement Summary
- Population: 4,000 (primarily humans, halflings, and a small number of dwarves and elves)
- Government: Overseen by an Elder Council of local landowners, reporting to Westrun’s monarchy
- Alignment: Neutral Good
- Languages: Common, Halfling
- Notable Locations: The Crystal Lake, The Valley Shrine, The Market Square, The Millhouse
Notable Features
- The Crystal Lake: A pristine mountain lake at the village’s edge, renowned for its healing properties and ability to enhance crop growth, filled from an underground source. The lake is both a natural wonder and a spiritual site, drawing visitors from across Westrun.
- The Valley Shrine: A small but beautifully maintained shrine dedicated to Lera, where villagers offer thanks for their fertile fields and clean water.
- The Market Square: A modest market where farmers sell their produce, and merchants trade goods brought in from nearby settlements.
- The Millhouse: A watermill powered by the spring, used for processing grain into flour for both local use and trade.
Special Qualities
- Healing Waters: The Crystal Lake is a source of clean, mineral-rich water believed to have healing properties. Its water is bottled and sold throughout the region, providing a steady income for the village.
- Fertile Land: The village’s fields, irrigated by the spring, yield bountiful crops that supply Wistmeadow and other northern settlements.
- Community Spirit: Farmer’s Valley is known for its welcoming and cooperative residents, who share resources and support one another during difficult times.
Defenses
- Local Militia: A small militia of 50 farmers is trained to defend the village in times of need.
- Windsinger Patrols: The proximity of the Windsingers ensures periodic protection for the village and its surroundings.
- Natural Barriers: The surrounding hills and spring provide some protection against incursions.
Notable NPCs
- Elder Mara Greenfield: A halfling leader of the Elder Council, Mara is deeply respected for her wisdom and dedication to the village.
- Caretaker Orin Watershade: A human steward of the Crystal Spring, Orin ensures the spring remains clean and accessible to villagers and visitors alike.
- Priestess Nyla Streamsong: An elven cleric who tends to the Valley Shrine, offering blessings and healing to those in need.
- Merchant Kaelen Brightplow: A human trader who manages the distribution of bottled spring water and other village goods to nearby settlements.
- Millmaster Harvick Stoneshield: A dwarven craftsman who maintains the Millhouse and oversees its operations, ensuring a steady supply of flour for trade.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Overharvesting Risk: The popularity of the Crystal Lake's water raises concerns about overharvesting, potentially affecting the village’s crops and livelihood.
- Water Disputes: Occasional tensions arise with neighbouring settlements over access to the lake's water, particularly during droughts.
- Infrastructure Strain: The village’s modest infrastructure sometimes struggles to handle the influx of visitors seeking the spring’s healing properties.
- Crop Pests: The fertile fields of Farmer’s Valley occasionally attract pests, requiring constant vigilance from the farming community.
The Crystal Lake
"A Gift of the Mountains"
The Crystal Lake is the lifeblood of Farmer’s Valley, its waters said to heal wounds, cure minor ailments, and invigorate crops. The lake gets its name from the glittering sand and growths that make up the lakebed. It is said that the crystals come from creations of Eenar, shaved down by flowing, underground rivers and deposited in the lake. Eenar's protective magic cleanses the water, or so the mythology goes.
The Waters of the Lake
While the waters of the Crystal Lake are attributed powerful healing properties gifted by Eenar, the truth is surprisingly accurate, if exaggerated. A wizard by the name of Beylin Worthwood once experimented on the water to derive its magic, and discovered that while the crystal dust was in fact the byproduct of a Eenaric crystal, the water itself had no inherent magic; it was simply very, very clean. Use of sterile water had been proven to aid healing, so while the magic might not be quite what people expect, it goes a long way in living up to its reputation. While Beylin published this work in the college libraries, he kept it out of public record.
The Millhouse
"Turning the Land’s Bounty"
The Millhouse is a vital part of the village, its waterwheel powered by the spring to process grain for both local use and export. With several smaller mills spread through Westrun's farmlands, the Millhouse is the only one outside the outskirts of Wistmeadow which can produce fine and refined flour.