Halfrach
One of the smaller villages in Burakrin, Halfrach is easily disregarded as a backwater of Morninil by those who don't understand its history. However, despite it's humble appearance, this is one of the most significant Halfling settlements in the entirety of The Manylands.
Demographics
As a slum outside of Morninil, the entire population, including Republic Guards, are Halfling. Though some strange folks not native to Burakrin have been spotted within the walls of the Manufactuary complex...
Government
There is one Government building within Halfrach - the Village Hall, on the South-Western side of the village opposite the Market Square. Though Governor Tarquin is usually attending the Senate in Runedar, in his stead Councillor Galleon Mickles is the de-facto Government official.
Defences
Inilson's Watch provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area, and acts as a Sentry Post for Morninil, in days gone by warning of threats long before they reached the Halfling town. Aside from this, a small barracks within the Village Hall is the settlement's only form of defence.
Industry & Trade
Until recently, most inhabitants worked for the Manufactuary. Now the biggest employer is Mornbreak Farm, and it's owner Tomtom Brackenbough, though Goodberry Wine is proving harder to cultivate - apparently crows have been stealing the fruit.
Infrastructure
The village is amply supplied by an underground stream, with Halfrach Well being built centuries ago. Mornbreak Farm currently produces: pork from the pig farm, vegetables, and grapes for wine, including Goodberries, along with a winery on site. But the biggest business in Halfrach comes from the Manufactuary, which uses wood from Halflight Forest to produce all sorts of wood-based products. In fact, most of the interior of Inilson's Rest (the village tavern), as well as items in the Village Hall, came from the Manufactuary. The Manufactuary is currently run by Pat Galwright.
Assets
Halfrach Manufactuary
The second largest structure in Halfrach, the Manufactuary’s warehouse is over 20ft high, made of thick wooden beams with iron supports, as well as a corrugated iron roof. The complex is separated by six foot grey flagstone walls with iron spikes along the top. There are two entrances to the complex: the main entrance through the shop and the service entrance. There are two other buildings on site, hugging the Northern corners - one being the log store, a rudimentary wooden structure; and the other, a stone building 8ft high with small glassless windows with iron bars.Mornbreak Farm
Modest wooden farm buildings overlook the large fields to the North of the village. Separated into four sections, this year being: a vineyard (producing small batches of the famous Goodberry Wine), a muddy field full of pigs, a large vegetable patch, and one section of grassland left to recover.Inilson’s Rest
This squat thatched tavern, much like most Halfling buildings, only has one floor above ground. The recycled stone building is only 7ft high within at it’s arch, but this is more than adequate for the Halfling denizens. A wooden sign depicting a Halfling sleeping against a white rock with a wizard’s hat over their face, and inscribed “Inilson’s Rest”, hangs by the door. Inside, thick wooden beams and a large roaring fire make the Inn a welcoming but quaint establishment, adorned with many items of nautical memorabilia. Behind the bar, a canvas painting of a Halfling looking out from a tower over a scene of mountains, and a jet of fire erupting from behind the mountains. The Inn has 6 rooms to rent downstairs.Inilson’s Watch
This old tower is made of thick white stone, making it the most iconic building in the village. It is rumoured to have been built way back in the First Age by Inilson, perhaps the most famous Halfling in The Manylands history. It stands 40ft high, with a square tiled roof and bell installed at the top – along with a large bronze statue of a Halfling holding a wand aloft on top of the roof. The wand acts as a lightning conductor, and so during storms, the tower will be struck by lightning. Guards are usually posted to stand watch at the tower, with at least two manning it at any given time.Shrine to Ruush
Within Inilson's Watch, as well as the stairs that wind around the walls within it, there is also another set of stairs heading down directly underneath the main stairs. These lead 10ft down to the Shrine to Ruush, the only area dedicated to The Great Eight within the village. The recycled grey stone walls within the stairs and chamber echo with a rumbling of crashing water. At the bottom, the stairs open out into the Shrine, which is rather sparse. There are a few hemp cushions laid out, twisted iron candlesticks standing in the corners holding eight candles each, and a white marble altar at one end. A bronze shield with an exploding mountain embossed on it hangs on the back wall above the altar - the symbol of Ruush . Deacon Madlis Underhill was recently assigned to the Shrine, after it's last attendant, Deacon Harrow, went missing.Halfrach Well
This well provides water for the entire village, particularly the wooden houses gathered near the well and the Manufactuary. Nobody from the Manufactuary, with the exception of the owner, uses the Well. It is sheltered by a small wooden roof, with a metal bucket and a long hempen rope, tied round the wooden support column, being used to dangle inside to gather water.Galwright Manor
The home of Pat Galwright, owner of the Halfrach Manufactuary. Unlike most other houses in the area, Galwright Manor is lavish, with white marble, including a columned porch, rather than the wood used by most other buildings. It stands slightly taller than the other houses too, at 8ft high, with a black tiled roof, and gargoyles depicting eagles on the corners.Turning Tides
Overlooking the market square, this general store looks relatively newly built from recycled wood. Rose bushes have been planted along the frontage, with a metal archway over the entrance where ivy has started to grow. Inside, the store is cluttered with half-opened crates and barrels, and smells of incense, which burns periodically. Yin Tidewall, the owner, seems a little scatter-brained and impulsive, buying anything that takes her fancy – placing more value on aesthetics than anything else.Market Stalls
These contain varied traders, dealing in wares of food, hunting gear, artistry and jewellery. One even has basic weapons for sale, as well as a Grappling Hook.Village Hall
This splendid white marble building rivals that of Galwright Manor, and is most certainly larger. This is the only Government building within Halfrach, with an office, small barracks and smith within. The furnishings within the Hall are made of hardwood, supplied by the Halfrach Manufactuary.Halflake
Half a mile East of the Manufactuary is Halflake, where some of the village come to fish, and others to bathe. The water is supplied by the underground stream.History
Halfrach started life with the tower, which would later be named Inilson's Watch after the famous Halfling who built it. It was Inilson who warned Morninil of the dragon Ushtarg the Deceiver's attack, saving many lives. And it was Inilson who managed to broker a peace treaty with the formidable dragon. After the Well was built, a village started to grow, as those who couldn't afford to live in Morninil and beyond opted to start life in the shadow of the tower.
In more recent times, the village became popular due to the success of the Halfrach Manufactuary, the largest woodworker of its kind in the area.
Geography
Situated on a relative plain, with the Rachgarurt Mountains to the North, Halflight Forest to the South-East, and Morninil to the South-West.
Natural Resources
The farm has pigs, grapes, wine and vegetables. Wood from Halflight Forest is harvested by the Manufactuary.
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