Rånesleig
Rånesleig is a tiny settlement nestled in the fjords in Retland. It subsists primarily on fishing and is inaccessible except by sea. The inhabitants have been there for generations, but the younger members prefer to leave the town in search of a life elsewhere. The village is very sleepy, and it tends to be a poor area of Retland. Additionally, they also speak a dialect of Retisk caused by their isolation. In the winter, the town is completely sealed off from the outside world, and polar bears and seals become prominent prey for the villagers. In Rånesleig, hunting a polar bear is seen as a major achievement, and there is a special ritual for boys who succeed at their first hunt. The boy's face is painted with polar bear blood, and he wears the tail around his neck. Everyone knows everyone else in Rånesleig, and the place is very communal. The few families that live there are close-knit and are closely related. Most people who marry outside the village leave to go elsewhere, and each year, the population of the village dwindles. It's a harsh area to live in with sheer cliffs on all sides and cold water. However, for anyone daring enough to climb the mountains, the view is gorgeous, and the land is rich with mountain berries and birds. There is one trade ship built by the village and used to sell goods elsewhere. From time to time, a passenger ship comes by the village so that others can see how people in Retland live traditionally. Many people in Rånesleig still worship the Ancient Ones, and this is one of the few places largely untouched by steam power. In recent years, the people of the village have taken to making traditional crafts to sell to visitors and talking about old traditions that have faded from much of the rest of Retland. The people have a deep connection to the land, and they hunt and fish primarily for sustenance. Stonecraft is common here, and most of the trinkets sold are bits of carved rock or bone. It is fairly popular for the exotic nature of the town being so isolated from civilization particularly since Rånesleig is close to home for anyone in Retland. Other tourists require a guide.
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