Freseau

Nothing to See Here...

In the western plains of the Kingdom of Man, an unassuming farming hamlet can be found. This place, called Freseau, is so forgettable that even most official royal registers ignore it. Is there anything notable in this miniature Human and Halfling settlement, or is it the sole retreat from the world's chaos?

Fields of Grain

Wheat, rye, and barley fields surround the town of Freseau, and about 90% of its population consists of farmers. These serfs serve the Duke of the Western Reaches, though even he does not visit often and only sends people to collect taxes. When armies are raised, Freseau is almost always skipped over by the men-at-arms, left to produce its crops and mind its business. Though its crops do feed a large population in the duchy, it is not such a large grain producer as to need military exemption.

Across the Plains

The neighboring town of Avippes is more notable, as it has a large population of Dwarves and sits on the border of the Kingdom of Man and Dwarven Territory. To most people in Freseau, even going as far as Avippes (a day's ride to the east at most) is an exotic and dangerous trip. The people of Avippes largely see no reason to visit Freseau, and would sooner travel farther even just for a short visit, and when asked they have been known to talk about a strong distaste for Freseau that some think speaks to something greater than the town lets on.
What prevents most travel from Freseau is the Centaurs that roam the plains, hunting for prey. Though they are not always violent to Human travelers, safety can never be guaranteed, and neither can the safety of one's goods. They don't often attack Freseau, and this has led to some wondering if there is something in the town that keeps them away: a dark power that keeps enemies at bay.
Is there something special at the heart of Freseau? A power or secret that breaks through the fog and makes it stand out among its neighbors? No. This is an unimpressive town with so little to its name that even Centaur raiders see no value in it, and neither do Geltic militaries. They are better served staying on their farms and staying out of people's business, which they prefer to do anyway.

Freseau, Faith, and the Supernatural

The residents of Freseau are isolated from the magical world to a great degree. So great, in fact, that most of them don't believe that magic is real.
They have a strong faith in Izanagi, and have one of his shrines at the center of the hamlet that they pray to at least once a day, but that is as far as their belief in higher powers go.
Any strange global magical occurrences, like the Tilrak Auroras or even the ripples of the Tsar Bomba are explained by locals not as magic, but instead as signs from Izanagi. Some are blessings of a good harvest season, others are signs that bad luck has come for Freseau.
Residents who exhibit magical powers are often demonized, though they are believed by some to be a prophet sent by Izanagi. However it is far more common for them to be viewed as Demon Possessed and suffer horrible treatment, imprisonment, and even death for these supernatural abilities.