Village of Rybalka
Rybalka is a frontier town set on the edge of the Province of Piliser and situated a long way from the city of Arisdeep. It hasn’t been many years since the territory was taken from the indigenous locals (the Vikmordere) but folk here have absorbed elements of the traditions of the tribal peoples. One of these Vikmordere traditions ensures that “light follows dark” on the longest night of the year. The Rybalkan cathedral houses The Moonshard, a sliver of mysterious rock that glows at the moment when the longest night wanes, beginning the lengthening of days.
A fishing village adjacent to a healthy iron mine, Rybalka had a different name just a few decades ago and was controlled by the Vikmordere. In the past, the Vikmodere raiders used the strategic location of the settlement as a launching point for attacks against the Province of Piliser. The abundant mine nearby provided all the ore the Vikmordere raiders needed for their tools, weapons, and armor.
The Piliser exarch moved troops into the Vikmordere Valley and launched an arduous assault against the local population in hopes of securing this strategic location and obtaining the lucrative iron mine. After many failed attempts and the deaths of hundreds ground troops, the Province of Piliser was finally able to oust the Vikmordere raiders from Rybalka. In order to hold the location, additional soldiers were brought in to clear the mountainside forests of the rest of the Vikmordere warriors. This resulted in horrible casualties for the Piliserians, losing ten soldiers for every local raider found and killed. Many of the Vikmordere avoided persecution by hiding in abandoned ruins and mountain caves where it is thought they persist to this day.
The Province of Piliser placed a permanent contingent of guardsmen at Rybalka to protect the populace and the vital iron mine—without access to the ore in the mine, the Vikmordere's military strength and foothold on the region would be greatly reduced. Many Rybalkan Vikmordere villagers who were not affiliated with the raiders were allowed to stay and live freely if they continued to provide services to the Piliserians settlers: blacksmithing, fishing, mining, and construction as well as various menial tasks requested from time to time. Racism in Rybalka is still prevalent, especially amongst new, incoming Piliserian settlers, and a few interracial families that were harassed and persecuted by these fresh faces moved into the dangerous and unforgiving wilderness to escape the ignorance and hatred of the misguided.
Demographics
324 humans; 1 gnome; 1 half-elf; 1 halfling, 1 dwarf
Government
Government autocracy
Industry & Trade
Thirsty Serpent Tavern
The Thirsty Serpent is the most popular and almost certainly the safest establishment to get some food and drink in Rybalka. The tavern is run by Fin Starling, a former adventurer who runs an honest inn and enforces a strict “no weapons!” rule for all patrons—as a result, his bar is usually busy and frequently packed. Gambling is popular, as is rumor-mongering; some of the gossip is even true. Starling does a neat sideline in selling legends and their accompanying maps to parties that look capable, either for a set price or a share of the proceedings. Many folks claim Starling is a “fixer,” but he just laughs these comments off.Rybalka Lodge
If you want the best night’s stay in Rybalka, the lodge is the place to go. Recently refurbished after a mysterious fire, the lodge has become a byword for comfort and, for Rybalka, luxury. Few Rybalkans can afford to go there more than once a year unless they strike it rich, yet the place is managing to get by on a regular, if not frequent, stream of successful fortune hunters.The Council Offices and Jail
As the center of the mining, logging, and hunting industries—as well as the day-to-day administrative and legal hub—Rybalka’s council offices have something for everyone, and any party spending more than a day or two in town will probably pay a visit here. Mayor Igor Leonid (a jovial bear of a man from the capital) often authorizes tasks and activities for adventuring types, as a state seal of approval gains support from the townsfolk. The building is thick, sturdy wood, with the below-ground jail formed from stone—the town guards operate out of this building.The Mastera Library and Sage Yuri Statel
Yuri Statel is the local sage in Rybalka and owns Mastera Library. This facility has hundreds of books dealing with myriad subjects, as well as the living quarters for the sage; effectively he works out of his home. Statel is also a wizard and an expert in all things magical and alchemical. If there is someone in town that can answer almost any question, it is Sage Yuri Statel whom the locals simply call “Yuri”.Rybalka’s Blacksmith and Weaponsmith, Quorron
Quorron has been the village blacksmith in Rybalka for over 30 years, long before the Piliserians came to rule here. When dealing with customers he is brief and to the point, ignoring small talk entirely if possible and working tirelessly to meet his clients’ requests. However, he approaches parties of explorers from time to time with “adventurous requests,” with payment being goods and services (as long as the party does not reveal where they received their information). Mayor Igor Leonid keeps a close eye on Quorron, but so far he has proven trustworthy and uncaring of local politics. The dwarven blacksmith provides general smithy services including construction and repair of weapons and armor. The mayor and village guards receive a reduced rate from the dwarf and for his part, Quorron ensures that the work is of the highest quality.Trades
Mining iron ore and logging coniferous (spruce, fir, or pine and to a lesser extent deciduous) trees are common labors in Rybalka. Those villagers willing to chance the appearance of raiders are fishermen of both small, shoal fish and larger aquatic predators in the deeper parts of the Serpent Lake. For the truly courageous, the hunting of bear, beaver, wolf, moose and other wildlife provides a reliable profession in the harsh north but not so much as of late—right now, they hunt for devils in the Dark Wood.Exploration Gear
Due to the nature of the many trades that take place around Rybalka—which involve spending time away from the village in the wilderness or in mines—much of the common equipment that the PCs may want is available at cost, even this far away from civilization. Some unusual items—like a second-hand block and tackle, iron miner’s pick, or sledge for example—are cheaper than the listed price because the mine uses them and they become available with greater frequency than elsewhere. However, certain items are much more rare. Although gear connected to logging, hunting, fishing, and mining is readily available (like basic lamps, ropes, nets, backpacks, and so on) other mundane equipment is more sparse this far west. As most of the mined iron ore is destined for Arisdeep, metal items can be anywhere from 30-100% more expensive than usual, and take Quorron more time to make (2-7 days depending on his other tasks). Masterwork items are often twice as expensive because quality base materials aren’t available. Anything that requires specialist tools (such as a spyglass) costs at least twice as much as normal, if it can be made at all.Infrastructure
LN small town
Corruption +0; Crime -1; Economy +1; Law +1; Lore +0; Society +0
Qualities insular, racially intolerant (elves, half elves, half-orcs), strategic location
Danger +0
Assets
Base Value 1,100 gp; Purchase Limit 5,000 gp;
Spellcasting 4th
Minor Items 3d4; Medium Items 1d6; Major Items 1
History
The Vikmordere/Piliserian Dispute
Historically what is now known as Rybalka was a traditional focus point for the Vikmordere—it was one of the few places where they could mine iron ore for their weapons and an ideal launching point for their trade, exploration and war vessels. During the war which took place as the Piliserians sought to conquer Rybalka, thousands of Vikmordere were killed, while many hundreds of Piliserians soldiers found themselves ambushed and “disappeared” forever. The sites of great battles are dotted all around the area, especially along the shores of the Serpent Lake. One particularly violent encounter took place at Krelgar Keep—to this day, the ghostly remains of warriors (and worse) can be found lurking in the shadows of this once magnificent structure.Geography
Rybalka is mostly surrounded by thick boreal forest, which in late spring and early summer becomes a taiga as the ground turns moist and swampy. The village is also on the shores of the Serpent Lake, which is used to travel to the far reaches of the Province of Piliser.
Maps
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Village of Rybalka
Type
Village
Population
328
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments