Acumin
Protected Village of the Dolwoods
The village of Acumin was nestled deep in the Dolwoods, hidden among the tall trees and thick shrubs of the vast and mostly unexplored forest. Wagon tracks led to and from the town, their deep ruts an indication of the towns past heavy trade history. But Acumin was no longer a trade town. This was partly because of a lack of inclination, partly because of a lack of manpower, and mostly because of the rather restrictive spell that surrounded the town.
This spell had been cast by a Treant Elder as a very effective defense against outsiders. It was translucent for the most part, an invisible barrier against the world outside, but whenever the light of the three suns hit it at just the correct angle it would light up into a beautiful display of rainbows. This spell covered the entire town in a tall and very thick bubble, and was anchored at five boulders spaced evenly around the town. It was nearly 20 feet thick, and that factor combined with its protective property made entering it very difficult. The spell was designed to let those designated as Carmelya's Children pass through unmolested... everyone else was slowed down as if they were stuck in especially thick molasses. Birds, snakes, dogs and all other animals walked through without problem, as did druids of any level... but all others couldn't make it through the barrier in less than four candlemarks, making a stealthy attack nigh on impossible. In case someone did take attack into mind, the village’s rangers patrolled the borders constantly, their bows and staffs in hand.
In return for this spell, the Treant ordered the citizens of Acumin to live in a way that would show their respect and love for Carmelya. They had taken this into heavy consideration especially where their buildings were concerned. All the buildings were made out of completely natural materials and it was, if possible, mostly still living. Vines had been trained to grow on special grate structures that formed building, their growth sped up to a reasonable rate by the magical influence of the many druids that lived there. The huge trees of the city, those few that had survived the fire, were modified into tree houses. Some trees were so massive or, conversely, their inhabitants were so small, that the insides of the trees themselves were hollowed out and turned into living quarters, or had stairs carved into their trunks. For those who chose not to use plant life for the building of their homes and workplaces there were other options. Many had simply dug their buildings out of the ground or built them out of slabs of sod. But nowhere was there a brick or a wooden plank, save for one single solitary building... the Tavern, a relic from days of old that managed to survive the fire and had acted as a sanctuary in the days afterward. As such, it still remained, a testament to all of what they had survived. Even it's heavy brick walls had been covered with ivy however- this was Acumin's new life, and everything had to conform.
When the dawn rose on the first day after the Treant had saved them, in the center of the town appeared a stream that bubbled up from the ground, it's clear liquids spilling down the sides of the small mound it was situated on and pouring throughout town in rivulets that eventually became small streams themselves. It was here that the temple to Carmelya had been built. It was a small temple, consisting of a stone statue overgrown with flowering vines, but it was the central temple for the people of Acumin. There were no priests, as the organized leaders in Acumin were limited to the thane and other traditional governmental leaders, but everyone worshiped at the temple nonetheless and when they desired to hear tales and stories of Carmelya they would ask the elders and the druids.
Not all things were as peaceful as the small town of Acumin for below them was a deep evil. The ancient vysstichi had once lived in Acumin itself, although it had then been known as Sylannen. Now they lived only in Herozzal, their stronghold in the caverns beneath the Centripaxian Highlands. Though the city's spell now kept them from invading the village as they had done before, the city still made frequent raids on those who ventured outside the city at night, stealing them below and turning them into slaves.
And even the Dolwoods themselves were not truly safe. Their mysterious depths protected the city as well as took those foolhardy enough to venture it's midst without protection. Such a thick wood was very much unexplored and, as such, home to many dangers, some unknown and some spoken of in whispered rumors. It was said that the Dolwoods were magic, and home to some of the most wonderful creatures in all the Empire. It was also said that within their depths were secrets that should never be discovered, so deadly and powerful were they. What was known was that the Dolwoods were a dangerous place... many of those who ventured into them unprepared never came back again.
Written by Lichen and Edited by Tisiphone
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To post within Acumin please start a new thread with [Acumin] in its title. Location to be edited with information concerning Dar Harvark in the future.
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