Pine Mills

There are many small towns in the Deer River Valley and the largest of these towns is Pine Mills. It serves as a gateway into the region for those traveling from the capitol region. The main road through the woods is well maintained as it is frequented by lumber carts. The town is almost never dry, the moist air from the waterfall that runs its iconic mill gives the town a refreshing feeling. Balsam Timber makes some of the finest lumber in the kingdom. Rumor is they employ an alchemist who makes special blades for their saws. This also means the entire town smells of pine. There is not much in the way of the ammenities we would expect in the city but there are people who perform in the square and draw many locals out for a party in the evenings. One inn offers a reasonable variety of seasonal food for a town that of this size. It is a great feeling to sit down at the end of a day and have some local beer that's been chilled in the river.
— Carlyle Westerward, Travel by Horse: The Deer River Valley

A Town of Industry

The largest business in Pine Mills is the Balsam Timber Company run by William Balsam. Like many of the towns in the surrounding area it is said that the roads are paved with wood. Only the main road of Pine Mills is actually made of wood but many small towns in the region were founded by the Balsam Timber Company to expand their business. Milling - now the second largest business in Pine Mills and its namesake - is still common. Wheat is transported from many nearby farms and farming communities for milling. While in most places, the mill takes a portion of the wheat as payment, Ryver's Mill requires only a neglibible fee thanks to the deceased owner who donated the building to the people. This money is used to keep the mill in good working order.

Hub of the Deer River Region

It is from Pine Mills that Administrator Micah Chambers handles the affairs of the Deer River Valley. The town is situated along a main transport route for goods toward the capitol region. In addition to the goods produced in the valley, goods and people from the port city Winsound Inlet travel up this route. Large pine is sent down the river to the port city to be used as masts in the shipyards there.

Cut the logs and watch them fall,
for we are lumber jacks.
Throw them in the river now,
and watch them float away.
Chop and chop and chop some more,
how hard we work all day.
Give us time when we are done,
to drink the night away.
— Traditional lumberjack song

Brief History

63BCE

Pine Mills was founded before Jarus Sabah became the first king and brought an end to the dark times.

59BCE

Construction of Ryver's Mill is completed enabling the grinding of flour in the burgeoning township.

24CE

The Balsam Timber Company is founded in Pine Mills.

137CE

The lords of the capitol install Micah Chambers as the new administrator of Deer River Valley. He resides in Pine Mills and directly manages the town.