Ivywood Village
The village of Ivywood is nestled just southwest of Irotrie Lake on the Tressau banks of the Somerdale River. It is a somewhat new village having only grown since the Ivywood Lumber Mill was built several years ago.
With a population of only about 200 it is a close-nit community, the exception being transient loggers and mill workers. The heart of the village lies maybe a half mile inland from the river. It's built around the well that was constructed not long after the Lumber Mill. Many of the buildings look hastily erected and not very secure. The lone tavern, The Married Battleaxe, run by a dwarven couple. A gnomish family runs the General Store and are in the process of constructing a larger, more permanent structure. A half-orc names NAMEHERE is the village Blacksmith who operates the smithy on the southern edge of town. There is a small grassy field where the villagers gather for celebrations, one side has several small shrines to the Divines and various Deities. Only recently has the Human cleric with her acolyte arrived from the LARGER TOWN to help guide the locals with their monthly celebrations to the Divines. On the western side of town are several small tables and booths for use as a market. No one owns any of these, are are simply publicly available to whomever arrives first. Small rivalries have arisen between a few of the farmers who are vying for the better location.
Unlike many villages, Ivywood does not have a wall around it. This is mostly due to the relatively young age of the settlement. The recent attacks along the edges of the Forest have spurred the mayor, village council, and the manager of the mill to seriously consider getting a wall built. Outside of town are several family run farms that grow a variety of grains and vegetables. One apple orchard which also has bees, one family that collects nuts from trees that grow naturally in the area.
Demographics
Government
The village is guided by a Mayor who is selected by the prominent villagers. The current mayor is Gertrude Mayknot. There is also an unofficial council of elders who also help with making decisions.
Industry & Trade
Lumber Mill - Lumberjacks to cut down trees and bring them down the river to the Mill. Mill workers to pull logs from river, cut, stack, and load barges. Mill managers responsible for hiring and paying employees, keeping the books, etc.
Charcoal Burners - Logs bought from mill, made into charcoal, sold in town and downriver
Woodworkers - buy wood from mill, craft wooden items & furnature, sell in town and downriver.
Farmers - small farms and a few orchards to feed the local people.
Hunters - bring in game meat and skins for trade.
General Store - brings in supplies from out of town, buys some from locals, helps craftsmen to sell their items.
Tavern/Inn - The Married Battleaxe is where many of the mill workers frequent after their long shifts before heading home. The rentable rooms are small but impeccable, mostly used by any visiting ILC representives.
Market Day - Day in which farmers and others bring things into town in order to sell to the other villagers and whatever visitors are there.
Charcoal Burners - Logs bought from mill, made into charcoal, sold in town and downriver
Woodworkers - buy wood from mill, craft wooden items & furnature, sell in town and downriver.
Farmers - small farms and a few orchards to feed the local people.
Hunters - bring in game meat and skins for trade.
General Store - brings in supplies from out of town, buys some from locals, helps craftsmen to sell their items.
Tavern/Inn - The Married Battleaxe is where many of the mill workers frequent after their long shifts before heading home. The rentable rooms are small but impeccable, mostly used by any visiting ILC representives.
Market Day - Day in which farmers and others bring things into town in order to sell to the other villagers and whatever visitors are there.
Infrastructure
- Lumber Mill
- Small dock downriver from the mill where barges load the wood boards and other products.
- Roads and trails: One road coming into the village from the main trade route, one small road heading into the forest, and the road going from the village to the mill.
- Small stone well in the center of the village
Guilds and Factions
Ivywood Lumber Company - The mill manager is a representative of the company in all village dealings.
History
In 105 A.S., the Ivywood Lumber Mill was built on the river so Loggers from the Ivywood Lumber Company could cut down logs in the Irontrie forest, slide them into the rivers, then guide them down to the mill for processing. The mill required workers. The workers required homes and food. Local farmers found it was easier to sell their crops at the mill rather than trying to send them downriver. Overtime the village simply grew.
Architecture
Due to the relatively young age of the village, most of the buildings reflect the speed that they had to spring up once the mill went into full swing. The oldest buildings are quickly erected wooden structures that are known to be drafty and have dirt, straw, or woodchip floors. Since it's humble beginnings, newer more permanent structures are starting to be built.
The mill is the oldest structure to be built and is full of cutting edge technology so the building is very sturdy and solidly built of thick wood and solid cut stone. The Managers Office is also a solidly built small two room structure made of stone and wood. The bunkhouse is not near as solidly build, but livable.
The buildings of the village are a mixture of slap-shod quick buildings and newer more solidly built structures. The oldest houses are small, ramshackle affairs built of wood and dirt floors. Over the years the inhabitants have done what they could to reinforce the homes but they are still usually drafty. The General Store is also one that was a rather quick build, but construction is currently underway for a new, larger and sturdier built building.
The mill is the oldest structure to be built and is full of cutting edge technology so the building is very sturdy and solidly built of thick wood and solid cut stone. The Managers Office is also a solidly built small two room structure made of stone and wood. The bunkhouse is not near as solidly build, but livable.
The buildings of the village are a mixture of slap-shod quick buildings and newer more solidly built structures. The oldest houses are small, ramshackle affairs built of wood and dirt floors. Over the years the inhabitants have done what they could to reinforce the homes but they are still usually drafty. The General Store is also one that was a rather quick build, but construction is currently underway for a new, larger and sturdier built building.
Natural Resources
Lumber from the forest is the main resource, some fish from the river, game hunting in the forest, grain and veggitable farming, apples and nuts,
Founding Date
105 A.S.
Type
Village
Population
200
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Characters in Location
Comments