Riegen (ree-ginn)
"One of the world's last known fiefdoms, the village Riegen is full of workers who toil day after day to serve their Lord. So much so that they've become complacent in their exploitation - in fear of either the Glaive or something far more sinister coming for them."
Demographics
The village Riegen is entirely Human.
Government
Riegen is one of the few places in the world (or even the Occidental Kingdom) that still operates under a system of feudal law. The Riegen family were permitted in the mid-400s to settle the arable land directly south of the Boundary Forests, and so they spent two decades building a castle and a village of serfs to serve it. They've been the regional Fiefdom Lords ever since, making them the third-oldest noble family in Uthilith (behind the Aegir Duchy and House Seiruf) to still maintain power.
Defences
In the 1200-odd years that Castle Riegen has stood, it's been extensively fortified due to the looming threat of the Baba Yaga, an Archfey who took up residence a few miles west of the village. However, the rest of the village is left completely unprotected from outside threats.
Industry & Trade
Riegen participates in trade with Drakenmoor, New Nord'ial, and the capital city of Fenrir. It exports wood from the Boundary Forests (though the lumberjacks can only maintain their line of work for so long before becoming haunted), and fruit-based goods (such as jellies, juices, and beauty products) from foraging nearby.
History
Riegen's history contains very little that would set it apart from the remainder of the 'small village' archetype. It was founded in Guardian Moon of CY 412 by Lord Amos Riegen, a man who swore deep fealty to the Flodfald Family out of Fenrir. He was granted this large parcel of land and began to construct a castle and village to protect himself and his family from rumors of monsters within the Boundary Forests.
With the exception of a few attacks on the village by Fey who found their way into the Secondary Material from the Forests, not many major events occurred in this town between its founding and the year CY 1657, when the Lady Vasilisa Riegen (née Ivanovna Medvedev) became the first human in town to survive an encounter with the Baba Yaga. In the aftermath, Vasilisa was given the power to kill her abusive stepfamily, and Lord Erastus Riegen led the investigation into their deaths. However, Vasilisa blamed the murders on the Baba Yaga, and during the affair, Lord Erastus fell in love with Vasilisa - and the two would be married within the next three years. She currently holds the title of Lady Riegen, and is an active cog in the feudalist machine of the village.
Geography
Riegen sits on a small plain between the Western Slopes, the Hearthstone River, and the Boundary Forests - they have just enough flat land to hold the entire village and castle. All three of these landmarks sit on a different Ley Line, which gives the surrounding environments a curious degree of supernatural happenings.
Climate
Riegen possesses a humid continental climate of harshly cold winters and hot, muggy summers. It often undergoes periods of unpredictable thunderstorms and blizzards.
Founding Date
CY 412
Type
Village
Population
608
Inhabitant Demonym
Riegenians
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
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