BLACKWOOD SPRINGS
Founded: 392
Lawful Neutral
Village
Corruption: -3; Crime: -1; Economy: 0; Law: -1; Lore: -1; Society: -1
Qualities: Tourist Attractions: "The Wellspring", Holy Site: "Onyx, the Earthrich"
Danger: 0
DEMOGRAPHICS
Government:
Council of Elders: Adelada Elkbough, Cherik Tevriklan, Roos Wandden
Master at Arms: Rodderik P’Lorith
Population: 357
288 Humans
32 Halflings
18 Gnomes
11 Dwarves
4 Half-Orcs
4 Half-Elves
Notable NPC's:
Adelada Elkbough - Eldest Council Member - (Female human)
Cherik Tevriklan - Council Member - (Male, human)
Roos Wandden - Council Member - (Male human)
Rodderik P’Lorith - Master at Arms - (Male human fighter)
Notable Sites:
The Wellspring:
Onyx, the Earthrich:
MARKETPLACE
Base Value: 600gp; Purchase Limit: 2,500gp ; Spellcasting: 5th
Resources: Lumber, Trapping, Farming, Woodworking, Tanning, Fletching
Taxes/Fees:
Business license: 20gp/year
Use of Wellspring: 2sp
Income tax: 10% of yearly income collected on the 1st of Crossan every year.
Magic Items (Base Value: 500gp)
Minor Items: 2d4; Medium Items: 1d4; Major Items: -
SOCIAL
Religions: Aluhs, Alarant, Taris, Selex, Fineral, Soleral
Blackwood Springs is a very open society when it comes to people’s beliefs. Since it is a rural community which depends upon nature and what bounties it can provide many worship Alarant, god of earth and nature, Taris, goddess of weather, Selex, god of the hunt, Fineral and Soleral, goddesses of the suns, but many other beliefs can be observed here as well, as the population comes from many cultures and walks of life.
Celebrations:
The Crossing - Crossan 1 – crossing of the suns and beginning of the calendar year. Temple of Alarent holds festival of light in honor of the sun goddesses. Town fills with population and attracts tourists.
Moonlight Renewal Festival - Quaren 16 - Honor the replanting of Onyx reborn and commemorate the dead of the Battle of Blackwood.
Harvest Fall – Harven 20 – when the crops are ready for harvest, homage is paid to Alarant, god of earth and nature.
Wellspring – Kahrillar 15 – Founding of Blackwood Spring and the celebration of the Wellspring as its cool waters rise due to the meltwater. Onyx, the Earthrich, is in full bloom when this occurs.
Planting Day – Festival Alarrin 15 – when farmers have finished planting their crops and celebrate a season of hopeful good weather and prosperity.
History:
In their quest to explore the vast wilds to the east of Aluhs in search of resources, a triad of ambitious adventurers stumbled upon a natural spring that was surrounded by nine stout trees of the richest black bark they had ever laid eyes upon. Dipping their cupped hands in the dark waters of the spring revealed a sweetness in its flavor and as they neared the small patch of land in its center, they found the water became even more pure and delicious. Further exploring of the nearby terrain revealed several other features that would provide a great foundation for a settlement.
To the west of the spring, rising from the rich soil was an immense tree of the same that ringed “The Wellspring” as they came to call it. Its bark was jet black and smooth to the touch. Its leaves were broad and the shade covered a lush ground that didn’t fade due to the lack of sunlight.
To the east ran a bubbling stream that was deep and fast flowing and appeared to be filled with game and the soil around its banks was dark and rich. The trees that grew in this region were straight, tall and strong, ideal for timber.
Knowing their find to be unique, the three decided to lay claim to the area and began to seek out individuals who would help claim the area and clear it of any dangerous hazards or creatures. A few brave woodsmen and craftsmen ventured into the wilds along with a retired Aluhs soldier and Blackwood Springs was founded only after a few scrapes with local monstrosities.
Building a well upon the parcel of land in The Wellspring has provided the town with an attraction of outsiders who have come to believe that the waters can perform some miraculous feats. Farmers have settled near the area, as well as a few more craftsmen that flourish in the timberlands.
The three that founded Blackwood, Adelada Elkbough, Cherik Tevriklan, and Roos Wandden have declared themselves the ruling body and all matters of importance filters through them at weekly meetings.
As the years passed, a nature priest, Jesder of Alarant, settled in the town as well and convinced the governing body to declare the large black ironwood a testament of the will of Alarant, the god of nature and named it Onyx, the Earthrich.
Location:
Blackwood Springs is located on the eastern-most part of the Kingdom of Aluhs about 500 miles distant of the capital city of Aluhs itself. It is nestled inside the Blackwood along a branch of the Ombia Plean River that flows from the northwest. 60 miles to the south is the kettle lake, Garnet Mere, and to the west 70 miles is the small lake, Copper Basin, on which the small village of Vestid resides.
To the very south are the vast Plains of A’Juil and further west is the Starla Forest and Northwood which extends north above Blackwood Springs as well.