Village - Zhepki

Location

Zhepki is a long, narrow village located in northern Bogland, southeast of Branik and just above the River Leypa. The settlement stretches across several grassy hillocks, rising above the surrounding marshes.

Surroundings

The village is set amidst a foggy expanse of damp marshes, dense vegetation, and treacherous knee-deep swamps. The hillocks provide pockets of dry land in the otherwise soft and muddy terrain, offering a rare refuge in the Bogland. Locals rarely venture into the lowlands, as they believe the fog conceals lurking dangers.

The village

Zhepki spans three distinct hillocks connected by a winding road, creating the appearance of "islands" rising out of a misty sea. These hillocks, known as "pockets" by the locals, inspired the village's name, as "Zhepki" translates to "Pockets" in the regional dialect.
From afar, the spaces between the hills are often shrouded in fog, giving the impression of isolated homesteads. However, Zhepki is a humble farming village, with residents tending to livestock on the grassy slopes and maintaining small gardens beside their modest huts. The lowlands are avoided entirely, as superstition warns of misfortune lurking within the mists.
The village hosts a blacksmith and a carpenter, but lacks an inn or market, reflecting its small size. Religious needs are met by a minor shrine dedicated to the Church of the Mason.
At the highest point of the central hillock stands a towering oak tree, surrounded by the village cemetery. The open grounds around the tree hold rows of simple gravestones, and a central pyre is used for cremating the dead. Once the ashes are collected, they are buried beneath the oak’s watchful boughs. The cemetery blends seamlessly with its surroundings, as no fences or hedges separate it from the woodland beyond, enhancing its solemn and timeless atmosphere.

Alternative Name(s)

Pockets

Type

Village

Location under

Area - Bogland

Owning Organization

Kingdom of Ardechia