Little Crook Farm

A view of the farm from it's main path

Little Crook Farm is a joint crop and livestock farm found in the relative-centre of Muighobar.

It is about two and a half hours of travel from the village of Week.

## **Characteristics**

### **History**

Little Crook Farm was established by Milread MacRaghnaill in the close aftermath of the Emergeance War. Back then, the land was singed and near-unusable. Nevertheless Milread made it work, eventually making a fairly profitable business for herself. Milread named the new farm Little Crook, after the shape of the small pond they founded their home next to.

Since then, the farm has expanded somewhat and had, more recently, been completely refurbished. However it's function has remained more or less the same. Little Crook has survived the Imperial Civil War, the Age of the Republic, the Restoration, and more - and through all of this has remained the property of the MacRaghnaill bloodline.

### **Commerce**

Little Crook Farm primarily focuses on the growing of barley. This is a combination of both summer and winter barley. The summer barley, which makes up most of the crop, is sold of various distilleries and bakeries for the production of their own goods. The winter barley, however, is kept by the farm to act as feed for the small herd of sheep they keep. Any excess of this is then sold to surrounding farms for the same purpose.

The small herd of sheep that Little Crook keeps is used as a supplementary income rather than a major reliance. They are sheared periodically and their wool sold to the wool industry. Marley MacRaghnaill, the youngest of the MacRaghnaill family, finds particular enjoyment in the looking after of the sheep.

## **Layout and Inhabitants**

### **Layout**

The farm is comprised of a few key areas, but only a couple of actual buildings.

#### ***Farmhouse***

The Little Crook farmhouse stands proudly amidst the fields and hills of the surrounding area, its stone walls weathered by the elements but well-maintained. The house is surrounded by trees and bushes, which almost makes it seem like a protected sanctuary amongst the unsettled plains. A cobblestone path leads to the front door, inviting visitors to enter, and a wall made of stacked stones guards the perimeter. It exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The farmhouse itself is comprised of two floors.

On the ground floor exists the common room, the kitchen, and a bathroom. The common room is very much the heart of the house and is a spacious room with a large hearth as its centrepiece. Comfortable, well-worn furniture surrounds the fireplace, creating a cozy atmosphere. A few well-chosen paintings adorn the walls - depicting a naval frigate at sea, a fictional city, and (perhaps most notably) a small portrait of Grat MacRaghnaill. The farmhouse kitchen is warm and inviting, filled with the savoury aroma of home-cooked meals. Wooden cabinets are stocked with preserves, and a large, sturdy table serves as the focal point for family meals. A simple but well-used stove is positioned against one wall. The bathroom is a relatively simplistic room, comprising of little more than a sitting toilet, a wash basin, and a metal tub. The floor is stone.

On the upper floor is the MacRaghnaills' bedrooms. Evie's room contains a large two-person bed, a wardrobe, and a cabinet. A desk is positioned near a window that overlooks the fields, providing a view of the land. Eric's room is characterised by the many books and maps. Apart from his bed, wardrobe, and cabinet, there are also several shelves filled with books as well as a small writing desk where he can indulge in his scholarly pursuits. Marley's room is a vibrant space filled with toys, art supplies, and a wooden chest that serves as her treasure trove. The walls are adorned with her imaginative drawings and creations.

There is also a storage cellar underneath the house. This can be accessed by either a trapdoor in the kitchen or a main access door around the back of the house. It acts as a pantry and a general storage space. Various items are stored in here including foodstuffs, flour, alcoholic drinks, tools, winter supplies, and spare straw for the sheep.

Also around the back of the house is the 'Little Crook' pond, from which the farm takes its name. It is a decently-sized pond, somewhat in the shape of a shepherd's crook. Much perimeter is filled with wild reeds, but there is an area cleared for people to sit by the pond. Inside there are freshwater fish like stickleback and brown trout.

#### ***Barley Fields***

The expansive barley fields stretch across the farm, bordered by low stone walls and interspersed with patches of vibrant wildflowers and old trees. The fields are divided into sections, each meticulously tended to ensure a bountiful harvest. The cultivation of barley serves as a cornerstone of the farm's prosperity, providing a versatile crop for various purposes. Scarecrows stand guard throughout the fields, their straw-stuffed forms swaying gently in the breeze.

The barley itself is mostly sold to various distilleries (where it is turned into whiskey) and bakeries (for bread and pastries). However, a chunk of each harvest is kept by the farm and is used as feed for the small herd of sheep they maintain.

#### ***Sheep Pen and Herb Garden***

Nestled on a picturesque part of the farm, close to the pond, the sheep pen is a tranquil space where a small flock of sheep grazes contentedly. The pen is surrounded by a low wooden fence, allowing for easy observation and interaction with the animals. These sheep are kept fed by the natural grasses and barley reserves and the nearby pond provides a readily available water source. The sheep themselves serve as a supplementary income for the farm, where their wool is periodically sheared and sold to the wool trade.

Also hidden near the sheep pen is Eric's personal herb garden. This is a secret and personal space for him, where he grows and studies various plants and herbs. Many of these are local, but there are also a few exotic species that he has been able to buy with his farm wages.

#### ***Family Shrine and Cemetery***

Situated on a peaceful hill overlooking the farm, the family cemetery is a serene and contemplative space. A stone path winds its way through the neatly arranged graves, leading to a central area where a shrine to the gods stands.

At the heart of the cemetery lies the grave of Elara's late husband, Grat MacRaghnaill. The headstone is adorned with both Orcish symbols and traditional human motifs. Fresh flowers are regularly placed here by Evie, Eric, and Marley in memory of his legacy. Surrounding Grat's grave are those of Evie's ancestors, each marked with weathered headstones. Not all her ancestors are present here, as many were buried in Week's cemetary.

In the centre of it all, lies a simple stone shrine to the gods. This shrine is particularly focused on two deities - Demeteus, god of fertility and the harvest, and Domovon, god of hearth and home. Carvings of religious symbols adorn the shrine.

### **Inhabitants**

Little Crook farm is permanently inhabited by the MacRaghnaill family. This family is comprised of a mother and her 2 children. The father passed away about a year ago. Other than the MacRaghnaills, there are also 3 farmhands who work on the farm. These individuals do not live on the farm and commute in from Week, about 2 and a half hours away on foot.

#### ***The MacRaghnaill Family***

The MacRaghnaill family are the only permanent inhabitants of Little Crook Farm. They have owned the farm since it's original building.

The owner of Little Crook and the head of the MacRaghnaills is Evie MacRaghnaill, a 45 year old imperial. She is a descendent of Milread and so extremely proud of her work and the farm, which has made her an extremely resilient and strong-willed woman. However she is also nurturing, kind, and committed to the local community. This has made her a respected figure in Week. Evie's primary motivation is simply to protect her farm and secure a future for her children. Evie is also a widower. She deeply loved her husband, Grat, and his death, about a year ago, was difficult for her. Nevertheless, she remains strong both for her family and out of respect for her late-husband's memory.

Eric MacRaghnaill is the eldest child, at 16 years of age. Like his sister, Marley, he is a half-orc. But Eric inherited more of his father's features than his mother's, possessing green skin, a strong build, and other distinctly orcish traits. In some ways, Eric completely contradicts the typical orcish (and indeed half-orcish) stereotype (which was never really that accurate to begin with). He is inquisitive, curious, and intellectual. Indeed, Eric has dreams of one day leaving the farm and pursuing an education and scholarly career elsewhere - most likely in botany or biology. However he is also very protective of his family and farm, creating a situation where he wants to leave but feels like he shouldn't.

Marley MacRaghnaill is the youngest child, at 8 years of age. Though a half-orc she does not possess any of the obvious traits one would naturally inherit from the orcish half. As a result, she appears as a fully-blooded human. Marley herself is a spirited and imaginative child who sees every new day as a new adventure. She is also very empathetic and hates seeing other living things in pain. Despite having quite the adventurous spirit, Marley is happy with the farming life and finds enjoyment in the simple things. In particular, she likes looking after the sheep.

Grat MacRaghnaill is Evie's late-husband. Like many orcs, he spent his youth as a warrior for his tribe. He never spoke much of this period of his life and it is likely that he held much regret for the things he did during this time. What eventually broke the camel's back is also not known, but one day Grat decided that he had had enough and left. He eventually found his way to Week, where he met Evie. The two dated for a year before they were wed. They had 2 children together and were married for about 20 years before Grat met his untimely end - the result of a heart attack. In life, Grat was known to be a hardworking man who took great pride in the farm - similar to Evie. He was gentle to his friends and family, but also very protective. Grat is buried next to the family shrine in Little Crook Farm and Evie places fresh flowers there every day.

#### ***Farmhands***

The 3 farmhands that Little Crook Farm employs do not live on the farm and commute in from Week. Nevertheless, they spend many days on the farm and are considered just as vital to the farm's success as the family living on it is.

Thurrack Bigplougher is a seasoned dwarf farmer aged somewhere within the 300 year range. He comes from a line of skilled agriculturalists that helped the Dwarven people maintain a consistent food supply during their many years of isolation. Thurrack himself is no different to his ancesters; he is passionate about farming and possesses extensive knowledge about crops, irrigation, and soil management. Thurrack has worked on various farms throughout Chrichheim in his many years of work and takes pride in his ability. Thurrack has worked at Little Crook Farm for a number of years and acts as a sort-of uncle figure for Evie's children, especially Marley. Despite orcs being a historical enemy of the dwarves, Thurrack also considered Grat a close personal friend.

Leucothea is a high elf druid, a young adult at 147 years old. She is not a farmer by trade nor tradition, but instead as a means of education. She has travelled to Chrichheim in what she sees as a cultural exchange. Leucothea is fascinated by imperial culture and values the opportunity to share elven traditions with the people she meets. She stumbled upon the farm by chance and offered her help as a way to learn about imperial agriculture. Though she has only been there for about 6 months, she has grown to enjoy the farming lifestyle and sees it as a metaphor for peaceful coexistence. As a druid, she has a deep connection with nature and wildlife, which has thus far served the farm well.

Brodie Davidson is a 42 year old imperial, originally from Isernheim. He is a jovial and talkative man with a boundless energy. Brodie comes from a line of artisans and wishes desperately to wish up to this family legacy, despite seemingly having no natural artistic talent himself. He sees the farm as a canvas of sorts, a way to capture the artistic value of both the natural and settled worlds, and so he can often be seen sketching during his breaks. That is not to say he does not take his work on the farm seriously though, for Brodie still sees work is a source of joy. He often infuses a sense of playfulness into the daily routines on the farm, which tends to be good for keeping spirits high on the farm's bad days.

## **Trivia**

* Little Crook Farm is inspired by the real-life village of Kemnay - which is located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.