Yarmac by-the-lake

Yarmac-by-the-lake is a village located in the western banks of Lake Amnevos. Its inhabitants are primarily human settleres from across the nations and city-states of the Ermothine Sea Coalition. It was established around seventy years ago, though its initial location was five miles to the west. Back then it was simply called Yarmac, named after the man who led the settlers' expedition and who founded the village, only to die a few months into the building of his namesake. Twenty years later the villagers begrudgingly decided to move closer to the shores of Lake Amnevos, since their main occupation was fishing in the lake, and the moors around Yarmac hadn't yielded any considerable amount of crops through their cultivation. Subsequently, old Yarmac was abandoned and a new village was built by the lake, hence the addition to the village's name.

Yarmac is one of the farthest settlements built into Valthassora's mainland. As such, it is relatively isolated from the larger settlements, such as Aràthborough and Port Avìgnia. Therefore, its inhabitants cannot rely on any form of outside aid when they inevitably face significant trouble. Of course, trouble in these parts of the region usually refers to the many peculiar and dangerous creatures which roam the land and water alike. Sometimes, especially during winter months, these beasts become bolder and -driven by hunger- systematically hunt the inhabitants of Yarmac, going as far as to try and break through the wooden village walls during nighttime. Be that as it may, over time the villagers have been hardened by these inhospitable conditions and have resolved to defent their home and their lives against the perils of the wilderness. As a result, they have become a very tight-knit community, looking out for one another and relying heavily on cooperation and camaraderie. They elect a village mayor every two years, voting for the most capable among them, and a council of elders oversees many aspects of the village's everyday life and decision making. They have an organized militia group, in which all able-bodied adults are expected to serve when need arises. And thus they fend off the dangers of the wild, while hoping that one day the Coalition will eventually tame the land of Valthassora and bring even a semblance of stability to places like Yarmac.

The village is nestled in a cove at the western shores of Lake Amnevos. It is surrounded by fifteen-feet-high wooden walls, and a moat has been dug around it, filled with spikes carved out of wood. Every hundred paces or so a wooden lookout tower rises along the wall, where a member of the militia is stationed at all times, observing the surrounding area for any sight of beasts or other potential threats. At the centre of the village stands a lofty stone building, which is used as an assembly space for the village council, and partially as a storage area for the weapons of the militia. The village houses are typically either made of wood or stone, with domed thatched rooves made of dried sedges from the nearby moorlands. Most of them stand on raised wooden decks, partially or completely over the water of the lake, though there are some which have been built on sturdy foundations upon the sandy soil. Numerous pathways and small wooden bridges connects each cluster of buildings, while water canals run between or underneath them.

The region around Yarmac-by-the-lake is a heath stretching for miles on all directions -the lake notwithstanding-, filled with mostly shrubby vegetation, though numerous trees can also be found scattered around. The entire area is very humid, resulting often in thick veils of mist wafting over the moors. Such mists conceal the movement of animals, predators and prey alike, so every wanderer must be ever-vigilant, lest they find an untimely death by the jaws of a prowling beast, the bite of a venomous critter, the toxins of many a poisonous plant, or the occasional patch of moving sand.

Demographics

Most villagers are humans, though there are other races present as well, such as elves, tieflings and halflings.

Government

A village mayor is elected every two years by voice voting in the village assembly. A council of "elders" is assembled when any major issue needs to be resolved. Some of the council members are former mayors, while other prominent members of the community are also included, such as the village school's headteacher and the local healer.

"Night falls quickly in these parts of the world, regardless of season. And at night strange creatures stir in the darkness. Beware of the still water and the silent heath. Out there, nowhere's safe after dusk. Stay at home, behind locked doors and barred windows, with a blazing fire to ward off the darkness. Aye, home's the only safe haven once night comes." 

advice from the villagers of Yarmac

Population

around 1,000 inhabitants

Inhabitant Demonym

Yarmackene