Merlen

Overview

Merlen is a rather large town situated in the mountains of Dosjorya where the Habinin River empties into the Great Achton River. Located where a number of trees cling to the otherwise rocky slopes, Merlen's citizens have developed and perfected the art of wood sculpting, supplying the rest of Dosjorya with ornate figurines, fancy wood furniture, and decorative trim items for the homes of the wealthy.

Characteristics

Merlen lies along the gently sloping valley bottom, above its own croplands that lie where the two rivers frequently flood. In the croplands the remnants of abandoned houses must occasionally be removed from fields, a legacy of the days before the town rebuilt after one of the most deadly floods Dosjorya has ever seen. Before humans had arrived in Dosjorya, the junction of the two rivers in this region had carved a broad valley, allowing for Merlen to expand over a large footprint. Despite this, the town's population and land size has never grown so large that it would be considered Dosjorya's seventh city.
Farming and wood carving is Merlen's two biggest industries. Farming supplies the town's food needs, and the rest is sold to nearby villages. But nearly all carved items leaves the towns, typically being carried downstream to Hasenburg and beyond. Due to isolation and harsher winters than the rest of Settled Dosjorya, Merlen's residents have practiced wood work for centuries, becoming well known artisans and earning a great deal of wealth. Children are encouraged to find and plant oak and pine saplings closer to the town so that future artisans have easily accessible wood. Rarer woods are brought in from other places by the most successful of wood carvers, creating beautiful works commissioned by aristocrats, the Dosjoryan Army, and the Order of Innena.
Apprentices from all over travel to Merlen in order to learn their secrets, though the artisans never teach anyone all of their techniques unless that apprentice vows to remain in Merlen for the rest of their life. Typically, those that live there temporarily are only taught how to use the tools Merlen's artisans use, how to work with the wood for complex patterns, and general principles; specific patterns and techniques unique to the area are kept secret. All apprentices that travel to Merlen know who to cut and shape wood for plain, general purpose items used by all Dosjoryans, but are seeking to learn how to make wood items that combine form and function, or are purely decorative.

History

Though it is not the oldest settlement of any type in the mountains, Merlen was one of the earliest mountain settlements founded in Dosjorya that is still habited today. Early settlers were searching for another source of stone and ore to supplement what was being mined in Rock Quarry. Though no source was found, these people stayed in the area, intending for Merlen to become a base for additional expeditions up river. Living isolated for so long, Merlen was forced to become completely self-sufficient, fueling the rise of farming and wood carving.

Type

Large town