Introduction
Amidst the serene yet challenging beauty of a snow-covered forests, Hygrim evokes a bittersweet charm. Blanketed in a layer of pristine white snow, the town's wooden buildings exude a rustic elegance, adorned with delicate snowflake carvings that hint at the enchanting season. Despite the picturesque appearance, a palpable sense of sadness lingers in the air. The market square bustles with the constant traffic of resilient traders and locals, their spirits attempting to be warmed by hot beverages and hearty goods on display. A sense of community still binds the townsfolk together, as they move in small pacts and frequently can be seen embracing one another.
Upon entering you observe a farmstead to your left, surrounded by withered crops and clumps of frozen dirt. To your right are the homesteads – dozens – that populate two cobblestone roads. Straight ahead, in the distance, you see a massive manor – in stark contrast to the humble homes. It is surrounded by its own gate and populated with various guards. Out in front of the manor’s wall are a collection of market stalls and shops, where the majority of people are gathered.
Directly in the center is a large fountain, now drained of its water, surrounded by a series of blue crystals that shimmer and reflect the sunlight. There is a large, bronze statue standing alongside them, adorned with countless flowers and offerings. To the left of the fountain is a frozen lake, seemingly tranquil, presenting a stark reminder of the harsh reality of winter, yet cared for enough where it likely served as a place where friendships form and memories to be made.
Off on the far corners of the town, significantly larger buildings dot the landscape. It is difficult to make our their purpose from a distance.
About Hygrim
Hygrim was founded 142 years ago by the Papaya Family, a tight-knit group of traders from the Sword Coast. They initially wanted to establish a trading outpost in the east but fell in love with the history and beauty of the Mahia Forest. Legend has it, the town of Hygrim was named after a wolf that led and protected the Papay family as they settled into the area.
After constructing their manor, they soon found immediate success trading with the locals of the forest - Gnomes and Elves, while also establishing trading routes with nearby human settlements. This overnight success created the foundation for the town. Despite this initial success, the town soon became host to a wide variety of misfortunes and attacks. Whether it be disease, weather, or nature, the town and the Papaya bloodline soon struggled to survive. In one particular invasion, 42 people lost their lives - including all but one of the Papaya name (Francis Papaya). Total destruction of the town was only avoided when the wolf Hygrim sacrificed its life.
The town rebuilt itself over the course of a decade, with Francis Papaya using his family's influence to double-down on trade and commerce. After expanding his influence, he soon earned the title of 'Duke', and began implementing more cut-throat measures to make sure only the finest goods were sold in his town.
Soon Francis had a child - Jonas - who was wildly adored by the town. Unfortunately, Francis' wife passed away years later, and rumblings from the forest caused the townsfolk to believe that another invasion could happen soon. This caused the Duke to become deeply concerned for his son's safety. He Duke soon spent his vast wealth on guards and even employeed a sizable mercenary group to become his private army.
When the Duke's son was mysteriously murdered, this caused the Duke to fear he would be next. He has since used his wealth, influence, and power to sieze control of the forest, leaving Hygrim the center of a massive effort to route out a single killer.
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