(3002) Village of Pineford

Pineford is a small village beholden to the High Lord of Capricia. Most of the region is small homes and cot holds scattered about, for a total population of around 300. The village consists of homes and structures made of granite blocks and stones. Each has a slate roof, chimney, and usually an enclosed yard. The main part of the village consists of 14 primary structures, based around a large stone bridge built over the stream. The large east-west dirt road that the village is built around is obviously well traveled. At any given time the human and halfling inhabitants of the village can be seen moving back and forth in the enclosed fields or taking a herd of sheep northwest out of the village and into the enclosed pastures.

A. TEMPLE:

This beautiful building stands quietly against the stream. The strong stone seems to rest comfortably on the grass and seems more a natural extension of the landscape than a building. However, despite its beauty and obvious importance to the local village, there is a quietness, a sense of emptiness around it. In the adjacent graveyard are rows of graves, with tall trees here and there among them. Wherever you stand in the area, the sound of the stream is clearly audible, and over the moors the sound of sheep bleating can also be made out.

The temple is a large structure made of stone, with two prominent oak doors, each carved with images of Oshakira, the Halfling god of shepherds. The building overlooks the stream and has a large number of glass windows.

A graveyard lies to the west of the temple, surrounded by a low stone wall. Tall, well-trimmed trees are scattered throughout the graveyard, and a stone crypt is in the far northwest corner.

Inside, the building is a very plain temple, with a small study and library off the main worship room. Above, reached by a small stair case, is an apartment. It's nothing more than a private worship area, a window overlooking the pastures, and a cot and chest. Inside the chest are priestly vestments, and a beautiful holy book and symbol.

Note: Oshakira is a halfling god of shepherds and is represented by a squirrel.

B. WEAVER'S GUILD:

This building is marked as a local chapter of the Weaver's Guild. The stout door is made of oak reinforced with bronze bands, and the windows are covered in metal grates. A small wooden plaque hangs over the door, on it an artistic representation of a loom has been lovingly painted. In a large walled in yard next to the Weaver's Guild are large wooden vats, being tended to by an older gnome. He walks with a cane and wears a finely-woven robe and cloak.

The Guild is interested in controlling sources of wool, and has established a local presence in the village. This is both a home for the resident weaver and also a place to store wool until a caravan can make a pick up. As such the weaver, a wizened old gnome, usually has a large stash of currency available to purchase the best wool from the local shepherds. The place has a good strong door, and barred windows for security.

The gnome's name is Klostice, and he is a master weaver. Since the troubles started many years ago, he has worked hard to develop some kind of protection for the local villagers. He is willing to trade and talk with the adventurers. He has created thick overcoats and vests using nothing but wool and leather which can be used as padded armor.

Type Cost Slots AC

Padded Overcoat 25 gp 2 12+DEX, Disad Swim, Thieves can use.

Padded Vest 10 gp 1 11+DEX

C. PINEFORD INN:

The Inn is a large, white washed structure that is obviously the center of village activity. A set of stairs leads from the street, over the gutter, and into the main part of the building. A walled yard has a small stable and plenty of room for a market. Behind the building near the stream is a two story building with a large water wheel. Obviously a mill of some kind. From the door, into the Inn, comes the smell of fresh bread and stew. Inside a small crowd can be seen having a meal, being served by a pleasant halfling in a badly stained apron. The floors are old and worn smooth by years of passing feet. Even the granite steps have a slight polish to them!

The Pineford Inn is a large two story building with multiple chimneys. The building itself includes a common dining room with five tables, a bar, and a large fireplace. Over the fireplace is a shield and warhammer, once used by the proprietor in his more adventurous youth. The upstairs consists of two rooms: one full of bunk beds where those who stay the night can rest, and the other a private chamber for very wealthy guests, such as a caravan master. A small kitchen provides the inn fare, mostly stews and breads. The Inn also has a walled yard which has a rickety stable and a small two story mill and waterwheel. Here bread is made for the village.

The proprietor is an older halfling, with thick grey hair and a large smile for any who enter his Inn. He has lived here his entire life and is happy to talk about the beautiful vistas, bountiful land, and the very good neighbors. He offers bread for sale, iron rations, and of course meals and lodging for reasonable prices. His home and family live in the wheel house, on the second floor.

D. FARMER HOMES:

A small cluster of homes sit facing the road. Around each are large plots of land, cleared from wall to wall to provide room for farming. Unlike the farms passed further south, these are far smaller affairs, and probably just provide enough food for the needs of the village. Men, women, and children, human and halfling, dot the fields, either working the earth, tending to the plants, or carrying the tools and material needed for their trade. A few look up at you, but only for a moment before returning to their work.

These small structures are clustered together on the south east side of the stream. Here small farming plots have been cleared from the forest and are tended to by the farming families. As the adventurers pass them, at any given time of day, the fields probably have workers in them; the workers are about equally likely to be halflings or humans. This is a very simple community, and activity focuses around survival: farming, shepherding, or gathering wood and supplies from the forest. As such people spend their time working, rather than adventuring.

E. BUTCHER & TANNERY:

This low building has a large number of chimneys as well as large vats and wooden structures in the yard. There is a slight stench to the yard, however, it is clearly a very busy place. A few poles come out of the roof and from them dangle two deer carcasses, obviously being cleaned and prepared for food. A sign proclaims "Fine Leather Goods" and another near the building declares "Game Meats". Here a man is working, a large number of skins have been spread out on a table in front of him, and he is methodically cutting into them with a large knife. The man nods to you as you watch him, but seems very focused on what he is doing.

Here the three hunters of the village live and work. Two usually enter the forests in the morning and do not return till the evening, usually with a large buck, or a large number of rabbits. The meat is processed and sold or bartered to the villagers, and the skins are used to create leather goods such as bags, gloves, boots, and belts. The hunters are two humans and a halfling. The halfling is an expert trapper and slinger, usually returning with rabbits, pigeon and other such game. Although there is currently no leather armor made and available for sale, the three are willing to make a set for any interested player. This will take a few weeks, and will be expensive: 30 gp instead of 20 gp. However, it will be tailor made, and will last longer than regular armor without maintenance. For an additional 20 gp the local blacksmith will add bronze buckles and pins. This provides an additional +1 armor class bonus and makes the leather armor studded.

F. BLACKSMITH:

The sound of metal striking metal reverberates from this building. Black smoke billows out of the chimney, staining the roof a soot black. The front entrance is actually overly large, made of two iron reinforced oak doors, easily able to take in a small cart or wagon. The building itself is one and half stories in height, with a slate roof. A sign showing an anvil and hammer make it clear that this building is home to the blacksmith. Looking through you can clearly see that another pair of doors go straight out into the backyard. Around are work tables, and shelves covered in iron working tools and various goods. A single apprentice stands near the forge heating metal with a pair of tongs. Outback a loud voice calls out requests, probably the blacksmith looking for some necessary item.

The smithy has a large open area and a loft where the blacksmith and his family live. Most of the first floor is dedicated to the business, with a large area for showing off finished goods, such as plow blades. The yard in back is full of small wooden structures used for storage. Here wood is stored for the furnace, and ore is stored to be processed. This area is also used to test the equipment made here. Also in back is a large and docile pony, used by the blacksmith to carry his items to his customers. Here the adventurers can buy basic iron and bronze goods, such as pitons, lamps, nails, horseshoes and so on. In addition to this, there are number of tools that are easily converted to weapons, such as axes; however, he has no particular ability as a weaponsmith or armorer.

G. SHEPHERD'S HALL:

This building is large, with great glass windows. The walls are white washed, with a strong slate roof. Over the door is a small holy symbol, the same as the temple. A sign above the door reads "Shepherd's Hall." The building has a large grassy yard, carefully tended, and the building itself is but a single room, dominated by a large table, and row after row of benches. The hall was built to regulate trade and is the last building of the village before you enter the pasture lands. Here shepherds can leave notices for each other, trade their herds, and also regulate the use of pasture land.

This hall is the center of all sheep trade in the valley, as well as the de-facto city hall. The hall is where shepherds arrange trades and breeding of their herds as well as make important decisions such as which grazing fields go to whom. It is also used by the village council, made up of the eldest villagers, who gather here to drink tea and discuss important matters.