The Average Village: What to expect in Old Irumi

Oniake watched the sunset from his porch, just like every night. There had been a downpour early in the afternoon, but the clouds had retreated for the day, leaving a brilliant sky. His joints still ached from the weather, but he didn't mind.

He appreciated the view that living on the mountainside afforded him. He had grown up in the valley a day's journey from his current home, and never quite got tired of the mountain's vista.

There were drawbacks, of course. Being so far away from other villages meant that they rarely had to worry about highwaymen, but it also meant they had few visitors to their village and very little in the way of trade. Distance was a blessing in some ways, and a curse in others.

Toma came through the open door and kissed Oniake on his wrinkled cheek. "I'm just going over to Aiko's house, father. I'll be back before it's too dark."

"Give her my love, and stay as long as you need. Heaven knows she's had a hard time of it."

Toma nodded and left, taking a basket of food with her. Aiko would need help for many more months before she was well enough to cook again. Losing her husband to the war had taken an immense toll on her.

That was the way of a small village, the blessing and the curse of everyone knowing everything about your life.

Two heads appeared from the sloping path that led from the rice fields. Suuri and his son, Atsu, coming home for the day, just as predictable as the seasons.

"Hello, Oni." Atsu waved energetically.

"Good evening, Reishito," Suuri said with a bow, glancing at his son.

"We saw an Earthstalker campfire today," Atsu said excitedly.

"About a mile down the path from the fields." He pointed over his shoulder, and Oniake could just make out a faint wisp of smoke rising in the distance.

"That so? I should like to ask them for news." He fingered his walking cane, judging if his joints could make the journey that night.

"I would not do that, Reishito." Suuri shuffled on his feet.

Oniake sighed. "Tales always circle around Earthstalkers, like flies around a ripe fruit. I've never met one who had so much as kicked dirt at another human being."

"I ... suppose I haven't met any bad ones, no." Suuri rubbed his face. "But I've heard of a group that has caused damage to crops, or stolen livestock."

"You forget how many soldiers are still making their way home from the war, and that's not counting the deserters." He gestured at the sky with his cane. "It's easy to blame a people universally detested and outcast, since they have no means to protest the claims."

Suuri swallowed and nodded, bidding Oniake a respectful -- if slightly hasty -- farewell. Atsu smiled again at him before bowing and following his father.

His smile infected Oniake and lifted his slightly sagging spirits. He had to remember to curb his vigor when he spoke about these things. He had never been overly fond of how the Earthstalkers were treated, and most people didn't share his opinion.

Even his daughter Toma didn't trust the "vagabonds," as she often referred to them. It was different in the valley, but not by much. Times had changed since he was a boy, as had the culture he lived in.

He supposed that the more tightly knit a community was, the less willing they were to accept outsiders. He had lived in this village since he was a young father, and it still had taken them a full five years longer than normal to make him part of the council. They would defend each other to the last breath, but an unknown...

A blessing and a curse, he thought to himself as he relaxed back in his chair, watching the distant column of smoke. A blessing and a curse.

Demographics

Mostly poor, working-class families, with a few slightly more wealthy citizens who deal in trade. Larger towns may have mayors and markets. Most land is owned by the lord of the province and leased to those who work it. Owning land sets the upper class apart from the lower and middle. Most towns have only one land-owner, and most villages have none.

Government

Most villages and towns hold their own decisions via a council of the elder, most respected citizens. The lord of the province, Lord Tansa, delegates authority to bailiffs and sheriffs, who mostly leave towns alone except to collect taxes or to prosecute criminals.

Industry & Trade

Many communities are built around one or two trade items, such as wood or ore, yet most people even in those villages work farms. Villages host only one or two of the simpler trades such as metalsmithing, woodworking, and veterinary care. Places with access to more trade may boast breweries and tanneries, which define much of their community.

Infrastructure

Road maintenance is carried out by criminals and soldiers on major roadways, but villages have to maintain their own roads by setting aside a few days every year for the task and having everyone pitch in. Sewage is usually emptied into a nearby stream or buried in the ground. Towns sometimes have bathhouses but most families bath in streams or in their homes. Buildings are built by the people who live in them. Wells are dug by those who use them. Occasionally someone makes a living in construction but only in towns that experience steady growth.

Architecture

Wood makes up the frame of most buildings, and bamboo and stone make up the walls depending on what is most available. Only the wealthy have more than one story to their house. Sod houses are common in the valleys, while stone structures are often used in the mountains.

Natural Resources

All settlements require water, especially farming communities. Streams are most common, though lakes can be found in valleys and wells can be dug for times of drought. Most communities grow grain of some kind. Animal herding is reserved for the valleys, and most lumber harvesting happens in the mountains.

Type

Village

Population

100-500