Veil-Tenders Village

The Veil-Tenders live in Haryk's Valley year-round. Their main focus is to protect and maintain the Portal of the Veil. Their secondary focus is to mine and refine the Haryk Crystals that are found in the area. Throughout the valley are farms that are also part of the Veil-Tenders settlement. They are leaders in the research on Haryk Crystals.

Demographics

The population is a mix of Humans, Terra-Born Elves, and a few Dwarves. Interspecies marriage is allowed, though not common. The Humans are both magic-users and non-magic users, though the population skewers toward magic-uses. The Terra-Born Elves are those who were born on this side of the Veil. Dwarves are drawn to the area because of the Haryk Crystals and their specialized knowledge in mining.
Wealth Distribution is based on who works with the crystals and who tends the Veil. The Haryk Crystals are a large income source for the Veil-Tenders and those who work with the crystals often hold the most wealth. Those who work with the Veil hold the more prestigious positions in society. They are more along the lines of "old wealth" since the Portal to the Veil was established before the crystals. Their family wealth comes from trading goods from the Veiled Realms. Farmers, artisans, and other merchants make up the rest of the wealth distribution.

Government

The community leaders meet once a month to determine any policies and distribute any information. The leaders are usually those in charge of their respective guilds. The Elder of the People also works closely with the Veil-Tenders since the Council of Elders is responsible for any regulations to the Haryk Crystals, receives and distributes taxes, and manages the overall village. Taxation is based on wealth. The taxes go to fund the Council of Elders and to manage the village.

Defences

The valley is difficult to get into making the natural landscape a useful means of defense. The defenses also include magic-users trained in combat, fortified buildings, and magical beasts as guards.

Industry & Trade

Haryk Crystals are the main industry in the village. Transportation and import/export between the Mortal Realm and the Veiled Realms is the other major trade. Artisans have also called the valley home as there is a nearby major trade route within the Mortal Realm for magic items. The Gathering Season that occurs every ten years is also an important income source.

Infrastructure

Farms are important since the valley is relatively self-sustaining. The Lapidary and surrounding buildings are for the Haryk Crystals mining operation and research.

Guilds and Factions

• The Crystal Guild: Everything to the with the Haryk Crystals from mining to research. They wield a considerable amount of power not just in the village but also within the Council of Elders.
• Society of the Veil: They are the group the regulates the transportation between the Mortal Realm and the Veiled Realms. They are also responsible for the first line of defense in the valley if anything "bad" should travel through the Veil.

History

The village was founded by humans and Terra-Born Elves as a place where they can safely live. They determined to protect the Portal of the Veil and create a permanent settlement in the valley for trade, education and safe haven for magic-users. After the discovery of the Haryk Crystals, the village began to focus on research as well.

Points of interest

• The Lapidary: a collection of buildings dedicated to all things Haryk Crystals
• The Portal of the Veil: natural wonder of magical confluence. The place where travelers can cross to the Veiled Realms.

Tourism

It's not really known as a tourist destination, but more of a stopping over port before traveling on to other locations. Those that travel here are usually looking for research on the crystals or the portal. The only time it becomes the tourist focal point is during the Gathering Season at the adjacent Council's Camp.

Geography

The village is situated on a tree-filled terrace that slopes down to the river that runs through the valley. It is surrounded by farms and the sides of the mountains. The mountains contain the mines.

Maps

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  Veil-Tenders Village

  A village where the Veil-Tenders live. It houses The Lapidary and The Society of the Veil houses.

Founding Date

900 AD

Type

Village

Population

580

Inhabitant Demonym

Veil-Tender

Location under

Haryk's Valley