Brumeval

### races

Aasimar (9%), Dhampir (6%), Elf (14%), Half-Elf (11%), Half-Orc (8%), Human (48%), Other (6%)

### religion

Multiple good-aligned deities, particularly Iomadae

## Commerce

### imports

Rare herbs, alchemical ingredients, and enchanted minerals

## Description

Brumeval is a town on the outskirts of the Lightbane Woods, locked in an enduring conflict with the Lightbane Coven. The looming presence of the Lightbane Woods serves as a constant reminder of the threat posed by the coven. Deep within the forest, the coven conducts dark rituals and harnesses unholy magic to enhance their power. Its resilient residents have become skilled fighters, defending their homes against the coven's dark magic.  Despite their valiant efforts, the town of Brumeval bears the scars of war.

## Geography

Nestled amidst a rugged landscape, Brumeval is a town with an eerie ambiance. Surrounded by dense trees and mist-laden roads, the town is barely on the outskirts of the Lightbane Woods. This dense woodland exudes an aura of dread, its towering trees cloaked in perpetual twilight, casting long shadows that seem to dance in the moonlight.

Cobblestone streets wind their way through the heart of the town, flanked by buildings with steeply pitched roofs adorned with worn slate shingles. The structures themselves bear the weight of history, their timeworn facades displaying ornate stone carvings, weathered by the passage of time.

The town center features a central square, where a worn stone fountain stands as a relic of forgotten lore. Surrounding the square are modest buildings that house various establishments. The tavern, known as "The Waning Moon," with its timeworn oak beams and low-ceilinged interior, serves as a gathering place for weary travelers and locals alike. Adjacent to it, the blacksmith's workshop clangs with the sound of hammer on anvil, the skilled craftsman fashioning weapons and armor to aid in the town's defense.

Brumeval's residences, nestled closely together, exude a sense of communal fortitude. Tall, narrow townhouses with sturdy wooden doors and shuttered windows line the streets. Each dwelling possesses a small, tended garden, filled with hardy flowers and herbs that endure the challenging climate. As evening descends, warm light spills from the windows, casting a golden glow upon the surrounding cobblestones.

At the town's outskirts, where the Lightbane Forest looms, the buildings transition to a more defensive posture. Tall wooden palisades encircle this portion of Brumeval, creating a protective barrier against potential threats. Guard towers rise at strategic intervals, manned by vigilant sentinels who keep a watchful eye on the forest's edge.

In the heart of Brumeval, a stone church stands, its weathered spires reaching toward the heavens. The sound of ringing bells reverberates through the town, calling the faithful to gather in times of both solace and adversity. Within the church's hallowed halls, intricately painted stained glass windows filter rays of sunlight, casting vibrant hues upon the pews below.

## Government

The government of Brumeval is ran by a mayor who was elected, as mayorship tends to be what is favored. Under the rule of the The Nation of Aetveris, the current mayor has a ruling council of townsfolk who help with decision-making, legislation, and ensuring the upkeep of the town. Additionally, they've an elected speaker who is sent semi-frequently to communicate with the local embassy on important affairs or desperate

## Trade

Brumeval's economy thrives on its natural resources and craftsmanship. Situated in a region with dense forests, the town has established itself as a prominent supplier of lumber. Woodworkers harvest timber from the surrounding woodlands, operating the lumber mill to produce sturdy planks and beams that are in demand domestic and foreign alike for their resistance to corruption, erosion, and decay.

Another trade in Brumeval revolves around the production of scrolls. The town is home to skilled scribes and arcane scholars who carefully craft scrolls with enchantments and magical knowledge. These scrolls, ranging from protective wards to basic spells, attract wizards, sorcerers, and those interested in the mystical arts.

Additionally, Brumeval's trade includes a variety of magical goods. The town artisans and craftsmen are skilled in creating enchanted talismans, amulets, and potions. The marketplace in Brumeval's town square showcases a diverse range of magical wares.

Brumeval's trade routes connect it with neighboring towns and cities, facilitating the distribution of its exports. Wagons carrying timber, scrolls, and magical goods travel these routes, supplying goods to buyers. Sometimes, visitors from distant lands are also enticed by Brumeval's offerings and make visits to procure its unique products.

Brumeval's local economy benefits from its relationships with nearby communities. The town relies on specialized materials like rare herbs, alchemical ingredients, and enchanted minerals, creating trade contracts with herbalists, miners, and gatherers from neighboring settlements. These resources are essential for creating magical goods and producing potions and elixirs.

## Military

Brumeval's military is a dedicated force that protects the town and its inhabitants from threats. Comprised of skilled fighters, they undergo training in various weapons and defensive tactics. The military emphasizes agility and coordination, with lookout towers and vigilant sentries positioned along the town's perimeter. Led by experienced officers, Brumeval's military operates in coordination with the residents, fostering a collective spirit of defense. They conduct patrols on the outskirts of the Lightbane Forest, deterring potential threats and gathering intelligence. Their favored tactics tend to be guerilla warfare, as a head-on conflict with much of the threats within would spell doom for the settlement, and would make it far too easy for the Lightbane Coven to land their curses, hexes, and profane spellwork.

## Rumors & Legends

*In the Lightbane Woods, where darkness roams,*

*A witch-hunter seeks their prey, through shadows they comb.*

*With silvered blade and heart unswayed,*

*They tread the path, where evil's laid.*

*Through moonlit glades and secrets veiled,*

*They hunt the witches, their craft unveiled.*

*In tangled thorns, their footsteps tread,*

*Banishing enchantments, where darkness spread.*

*In the Lightbane Woods, where witchcraft thrives,*

*The hunter roams, with justice in their eyes.*

*Their purpose firm, their resolve held high,*

*To dispel the gloom, where evil lies.*

*Through whispered sighs and night's embrace,*

*The hunter walks, with steady pace.*

*In fire's glow, the witches fall,*

*Banished by the hunter's righteous call.*

*So raise your voice, for the witch-hunter's plight,*

*In the Lightbane Woods, where darkness takes flight.*

*Their relentless pursuit, their mission just,*

*To cleanse the woods, of witchcraft's rust.*

*- The Witch-Hunter's Prayer*

## Notable Locations

The Waning Moon - A dimly lit tavern nestled within the heart of Brumeval, with a gloomy ambiance that mirrors the town's haunted atmosphere. Its weathered oak beams, worn and aged with time, groan under the weight of countless stories shared in hushed whispers. The air hangs heavy with the scent of stale ale and the crackling of a dying hearth, casting flickering shadows upon weathered tables and worn, threadbare tapestries. Patrons, weary and burdened, huddle in dim corners, their faces etched with lines of melancholy, seeking solace in the melancholic melodies of a lonesome bard strumming mournful tunes on a battered lute.

Ember's Forge - The blacksmith's shop in Brumeval, a place of fine craftsmanship, is one of the few lights in the shadowy town. Its weathered stone walls bear the scars of countless sparks that have flown within its domain. Inside Ember's Forge, rhythmic clangs reverberate, contrasting with the intense heat that lingers in the air. The radiant glow of the forge illuminates the array of worn tools adorning the walls, eroded by years of use in skilled hands. Amidst the smoky haze, the master blacksmith, muscles taut and hands calloused, shape weapons and armor for the town's stalwart defenders against the encroaching darkness.

## Inhabitants

The residents of Brumeval are a diverse community of working-class peasants and skilled mages, united by their shared resilience amidst the haunting atmosphere of the town. Within its streets, you will find woodworkers and artisans who shape timber with expertise, as well as scribes and scholars devoted to creating scrolls of power, and merchants offering unique wares, including magical items crafted by proficient mages. Healers and herbalists tend to the community's needs, while the blacksmith forges weapons and armor for the town's defense. Though predominately made up of humans, elves and half-elves are drawn to the magical aptitude of the space, as well as iconic races of valor, such as the aasimar, to banish and defeat such darkness. The occasional dhampir, half-orc, and tiefling find their way into the town as well, though all are champions of righteousness, and even those touched by shadow in their blood overcome such plights with greatness in their behavior.

## History

Brumeval's history is intertwined with a dark legacy of conflict against the witches, an ancient and formidable coven that emerged from the shadows. The origins of these witches trace back to the aftermath of a genocidal war when a group of desperate souls delved into forbidden magics and sought power from malevolent entities. They found solace in the embrace of Lamashtu, a goddess associated with monstrosities, madness, and dark magic.

The coven of witches, empowered by their worship of Lamashtu, embraced the goddess's gifts, turning horrific creatures and nightmarish aberrations upon their would-be killers. They reveled in the darkness, embracing their survival and the wanton slaughter of their foes, and delved into profane magic, often pushing the boundaries of sanity. With time, their power grew, and they sought to extend their dominion over the land, spreading fear and chaos throughout Brumeval as revenge for what the Empire had done to them.

However, not all who called the area their home kowtowed to the witches' malevolence. They resisted and defended their homes and loved ones from the witches' dark influence while rebuilding in the wake of the Empire's destructive rampage.

The ongoing conflict between Brumeval and the witches has endured for years, both sides at a relative stalemate, for venturing too far into the woods gave the witches strength, and they in turn knew to not stray too far from the darkness of the trees. Witch-hunters actively seek to uncover the secrets of the witches and their rituals, hoping to find a way to sever their ties with Lamashtu and free their land from her influence.

As the struggles continue, the people of Brumeval remain vigilant, guided by their own set of edicts rooted in far more celestial and morally good views than those of the wayward individuals within. Yet they stand strong, despite these constant conflicts, and hope to one day be free of the Dark Mother's corruption for good.

#### (PRESENT DAY) The Lightbane Assault

After a series of preliminary investigations, the Lightbane Coven led an assault on Brumeval that led to a rather scorched earth tactic, with swathes of land and people killed or razed to the ground. While a number was evacuated, over sixty percent of the town burned, people included.

Since then, efforts from both Aetveris and individuals led to a concentrated effort of study, research, and resolutions to the curse that had first put the individuals to sleep. While Aetveris was successful in awakening these townspeople, none of them had memories of what had occurred, or who had brought it about.

Stranger still, further, was that at some point in recent time, the Lightbane Coven and their armies had retracted completely from the town of Brumeval. Those who have scouted in the Lightbane Woods have reported no signs of the coven, not even armies, patrols, corpses. It was as if they had been raptured from the area, erased completely from existence. At this time, it is unknown why this has occurred, but the people of Brumeval are grateful to be able to return and rebuild their homes.