Hightower Village

Hightower, named for the abandoned mage tower the village grew around, is a small, quaint village. It's pastoral, simple and unrefined, featuring an inn, a local market, a bakery, and a watermill and farm just across the wooden bridge over the river. There is a shrine to the Moonweaver in the centre of the village, as is common in Halfling areas. The village is 70% halfling, with 20% gnomes, and 10% dwarves/humans. It has wooden walls and a guard tower, with a small group of watchmen (ten men and women who take 12 hour shifts, day on, day off – 2 watchmen on patrol for each 12 hour shift). For the three days around the full moon, 4 watchmen were on patrol at night. The abandoned mage tower was left alone, with trees and bushes allowed to grow wild around it. The locals tell their children never to go near it, and of course, local teens dare each other to get as close as possible. All in all, it's a quaint, rustic little village, with a dark secret.

Points of Interest

The Abandoned Mage Tower: In the very center of the village lies a crumbling tower. Once owned by a wizard named Blammyzatoom (no, he's never forgiven his parents for that one) and his druid wife, Charthra, the tower is now abandoned. It's filled with defensive spells and entities. Moonweaver Shrine: The Moonweaver's shrine is older than the village itself, and was built by halfling worshippers of hers as it was an excellent spot to view the stars. There is nothing of note here, save for it being an excellent spot for young lovers to meet, ask her blessing, and slip into the shadows to avoid being spotted by parents or other unwanted eyes. Local teens ask for her blessing before going on their annual prank war, on the Moonweaver's day. The annual prank war stipulates that pranks must be ultimately harmless, do no damage to property, livestock, or people, and must not be malicious. As such, the local teenagers get very creative, with pranks such as dropping tree sap and leaves on one another; replacing each other's belongings with cabbages; or jumping out of hidden places to scare each other. It's all in good fun and good spirits. The Laughing Ogre Inn: Run by a halfling of indeterminate gender, named Ziggy. Ginger haired, no eyebrows, blue eyes with one permanently dilated. Aided by his three members of staff - Andy (with hair like a fuzzy dandelion), Hermione, and Jean. The local bard, Davey Jones, often performs here, and has written a song inspired by the inn's name. Market: A local market, open every 2nd day. Stalls available include a mending stall (leather and cloth repairs fresh produce (eggs, honey and beeswax, flour, butter, milk, seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh fish in the afternoons wool and cloth; candles and torches. Once a month, live animals can be sold (namely chickens, kittens, puppies, rabbits). One local, Hilda, sells more exotic creatures at a separate stall a little bit away from the main market. The Dusty Apron Bakery: Run by Andy's parents, a gnome couple, Zowie and Angie. They sell all manner of baked goods, getting their flour from the local watermill. They also allow locals to bake their own bread in their oven in the afternoon, once their own baking is done. They bake small cakes and pastries, as well as bread and scones. Angie's ancient mother, Ogda (Around 450 years old), sits in a rocking chair in the corner, creaking back and forth. She knows pretty much everything about the village, having been a child when the mage tower was still occupied.