Alfred Mill
A small village in the Golden Plateau, situated on the upper reaches of the Sirith-dûn River, close to the Cloudkeep Mountains and just to the north of Niphredil Forest.
Founded relatively recently, in 1093 AoU, life in Alfred Mill is fairly sedate, as it is in many of the farming communities of the Golden Plateau.
During The Demon War, the village did not sustain any major attacks from the demonic forces of Arch-Demon Val'Gorath, although did not go completely unscathed. Many local men signed up to fight in the armed forces, and as is the all too familiar story in such times, never returned. During the war itself, alongside a self-organised militia of citizens, the village was protected by a small number of troops from the nearby garrison at Midrest.
Government
Alfred Mill is led by a mayor, who is elected by the populace. The mayor reports to the Baron of Midrest. The current Mayor of Alfred Mill is a human named Rachel Dalton.
Defences
Alfred Mill does not contain much in the way of defensive fortifications. The palisade wall built to defend the village during The Demon War is long gone. The one remaining concession to defense is the town watchtower, adjacent to the sheriff's quarters.
The village is policed by a sheriff and two deputies, who may call on a citizen's militia in times of need.
In times of greater peril, pleas for more assistance are usually sent to the nearby garrison at Midrest.
Industry & Trade
Like many settlements in the Golden Plateau, the stock and trade of Alfred Mill is in agriculture. Local men work the fields around the town, producing enough food to feed both the village and for export to elsewhere in Vallanna.
Recently, a small dwarven mining outpost, known as Alehand's Folly, was set up in the nearby mountains, and has been supplying the village with small amounts of hewn stone, as well as iron for the blacksmith's forge.
Infrastructure
A large watermill, which the village originally grew around, is found on the western edge of the village, on the bank of the Sirith-dûn River. A bakery is built into the mill.
The village's main place of worship is a modest temple of Chauntea, located on the main town square. The Temple is currently tended by a pair of Clerics - Friar Thurlow and Acolyte Wenda.
Aside from the town square itself, public gatherings are usually held in the village hall, which is situated off of the square itself. The mayor's office is located within the hall structure.
Alfred Mill is home to two taverns - The Goat and Cabbage, and The Misty Oak Inn. The Goat and Cabbage is a typical country pub, and a favourite drinking spot for many locals after a hard day in the fields. The Misty Oak Inn has the more subdued atmosphere of the two taverns, but boasts lodging facilities for any travellers who may be visiting the village. Both taverns produce their own brands of ale.
The village is also home to several other businesses which provide for the needs of the people - A general store, a butcher, a blacksmith and a small tailor's shop. Several of the village's residents are proficient in carpentary, thatching, tanning and weaving, providing those services when required, alongside their other occupations.
Architecture
Most buildings in the village are constructed of timber from the nearby Niphredil Forest, although some of the more prominent buildings contain stone hewn from the nearby Cloudkeep Mountains.
Geography
Alfred Mill is situated on the banks of the Sirith-dûn River, and is in fact the first settlement which the river runs through as it makes its way westward from the Cloudkeep Mountains.
On the opposite side of the river to the village lies the northern eaves of Niphredil Forest.
Despite the village's relative proximity to the mountains, topographically the surrounding land is mostly flat; the foothills lying some five miles from the village proper.
Natural Resources
The main resource of the village is the foodstuffs which are grown and harvested by the farmers of the village in the surrounding fields. The proximity of the Niphredil Forest allows easy access to lumber for new construction.
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