The Mountain Village

Recorded simply as “the mountain village,” this is Alvina’s birthplace. It is a small settlement of timber-framed houses gathered on a slope surrounded by deep forests and mountains. Its population is modest, and life unfolds on a scale where everyone knows one another’s faces and work.

Forestry is the village’s principal livelihood. Timber cut from the forest is sold to towns and exchanged for necessary goods, providing a limited connection to the outside world. The villagers gather wild greens and nuts, catch fish in the river, and grow seasonal crops in small fields. Although some travel and trade take place, most food and fuel are secured within the village, making its way of life close to self-sufficient.

The houses are built from timber with steeply pitched roofs, while hearth fires sustain families through harsh winters. Small plots and wooden fences surround the homes, with firewood, tools, and harvested produce kept close to the work of daily life. Born into a woodcutter’s family, Alvina also helped with household chores and splitting firewood before leaving the village.

Despite its tranquil appearance, the village lives under the constant threat of monster attacks. A ward made with protective talismans marks the village boundary, and entry into the forest beyond is forbidden. After sunset, local watchmen patrol the perimeter, and village law prohibits going outside on especially dangerous nights. Even so, wards and vigilance cannot eliminate every danger, making life here far harsher than in the city.

No wizards reside in the village. When monsters appear, the villagers have little choice but to rely on fire, the ward, their watch, and one another to drive them back. Against Savage Lupus, even all the village men working together can barely repel them. A life spent facing both the bounty and the danger of the mountains helped form Alvina’s easygoing nature and resolve to act.