Darkhollow
Deep in the Harwood Forest a tall wooden palisade surrounds a small city, one built in levels with some homes nestled into the branches of the larger trees, quaint brightly-painted cottages on the ground, and burrow-like homes within the roots of the trees themselves. The trees and canopy have been trimmed back inside the walls to allow light to reach the ground where small fields have been tilled and grow herbs, flowers, and even a few crops. Halflings make up around 30% of the population, with the rest of the residents split almost evenly between humans and elves, with half-elves and individuals of a few other races making up the difference. Most of the halflings live in underground homes tucked into the roots of the trees. As one would expect, many of the elven residents occupy the homes built in the upper reaches of the trees, with some of the elves and a majority of the humans living in the cottages.
Most of the residents here delve into the forest during the daylight hours either for hunting, logging, collecting herbs or food, and in some cases seeking out gems or other rare items. Others focus on woodwork or other crafts. In truth, most of the residents here are simply working and living here because it is the only life they have known. Others know that there are places where life would be easier but choose to live here for reasons of their own. A few rare individuals are hiding out to avoid being captured and charged with crimes committed elsewhere.
History and People
Darkhollow contains a strange combination of races that came together out of necessity in a bid for simple survival. Originally split into encampments and villages of their own, the races were driven together to form a larger, safer community by the foul predations of a coven of hags. The hags would easily overrun smaller communities and use the residents in their foul rituals before moving on to another small village. Banding together to form a larger, organized force under the nominal control of an elven ranger known as Kailee Redarrow, humans, elves, and halflings managed to defeat or drive away the hags. After the hags were defeated, leaders of the three groups agreed to stay together for mutual protection. After more than 100 years, problems are rare, with everyone working together simply to survive in the dangerous environs of Harwood Forest.
Rather than breeding a people as harsh and dangerous as the forest they struggle to survive in, the hardships faced by the citizens of Darkhollow have made them open to visitors and they are usually welcoming and friendly. Working together ensures the continued survival of the city and the people within, so most of the residents here are happy to help others and expect that others will help them if they are ever in a time of need.
Trade and Commerce
Only a few items from this area are actually sent from Darkhollow in trade, those mainly being rare herbs and fine, rare woods. There is some trade in pelts and other items from creatures hunted in Harwood Forest, but travel from Darkhollow to other cities or nations that might want some of these goods is difficult and sometimes very dangerous. Most of the commerce is between residents who trade food for other items.
Loyalties and Diplomacy
Officially, the Duchy of Mains claims Darkhollow, but Darkhollow has yet to pay any tribute or taxes and nobody has ever come from the duchy to collect or provide any leadership. In truth, there is not enough wealth or strategic advantage to Darkhollow for any nation to spend the time and effort to truly control it. Residents here are fine with that situation, as they know that no large nation would provide them with any real benefit while trying to drain away their resources.
Government
The original agreement forming Darkhollow declared that each of the major races would choose one representative and that the city would be led by those three representatives working together. Triela Redbough, an elderly elven ranger, provides most of the leadership, as her knowledge and wisdom are often sought out by all members of the village, including Jorak Mural, a young human druid who is uncomfortable with his position as a leader of the village. Drogo Coldburrow provides leadership and advice to the halflings but stays out of village business, only coming to meetings to ensure no decisions are made against his people.
While there are guards and sentries, they are more focused on the threats from the surrounding forest than worrying about enforcing any laws within the city walls. Arguments and fights do break out at times, but these are usually solved through calm negotiation. If a crime is severe enough to require prosecution, the city leaders act as judges and the senior guardsman on duty acts as prosecutor. The most severe penalty is banishment to the forest without clothing, supplies, or weapons. This is widely considered a death penalty and is given only rarely.
Wilderness and Adventure
Entirely surrounded by dangerous wilderness, Darkhollow is constantly wary of the creatures of the forest. Many of its residents trek into the forest daily, but very few travel far. Rumors of lost cities and other treasures in Harwood Forest often draw adventurers here as a first step toward delving deeper into the unknown.
Settlement
Darkhollow, City of
Type
City
Owning Organization
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