Tufthollow

**Tufthollow** is a town located in the Shivering Forest located near the border of the Duchies of Urgovel and Bailen in the Commonwealth of Higard. Like other settlements such as Travenza, Tufthollow is constructed into the mighty branches of the forest trees, safeguarding the town from the forest below. Since the completion of the Swiftfoot Road in 2S 1859, Tufthollow has become somewhere travelers stop to rest and merchants go to purchase alchemical potions and elixirs.

## Geography

### Region

* Shivering Forest
* Urgovel, Commonwealth of Higard

## Society

### Cultures

* Higardi
* Tufthollow

### Religions

* Astral Star
* Fey worship
* Local folk religion

### Langauges

* Common
* Higardi
* Sylvan

## Commerce

### Imports

* Food
* Refined goods

### Exports

* Alchemical Goods
* Distilled drinks
* Magic item reagents

## History

### Notable figures

* Geri Whistlewind
* Fuzzfas Goodpepper

## Description

Constructed long ago, Tufthollow followed an old architectural practice originally utilized by halflings and wood elves where they constructed their settlement amongst the mighty boughs and branches of an arch-tree and the surrounding wilderness. Many of the structures are made of wood and often integrate the mighty trees of the forest into their construction. Wooden walkways provide Tufthollow with thoroughfares allowing residents and visitors to traverse the town. An intricate system of wooden or wicker lifts utilizing ropes make traversing up and down the mighty tree of Tufthollow less of a task for those not blessed with natural climbing abilities. The magic of the arch-tree's branches emanates warmth in the winter, making Tufthollow a pleasant place to live, even during cold winters.

## Geography

Tufthollow is located in the Shivering Forest, east of Goldfyre and the Cloudrule Mountains and south of Shiverdelve. The Swiftfoot Road is the major road to pass by Tufthollow with other, less significant trade roads also webbing out from Tufthollow's location. It almost splits the distance between the Spire of the First King and Wren's Run.

## Government

Tufthollow is overseen by an alderman-like chief who is tasked with overseeing the town. A small town council makes many of the laws for Tufthollow with the Chief being primarily turned to to enforce those laws as well as the laws of the Commonwealth. As an alderman, the Chief of Tufthollow reports to the Duchess of Urgovel though the town leadership may also turn to the Duke of Bailen. Although a religious figure to the community, the mysterious Shaman of Tufthollow commands great respect from the town's citizenship and can have a great influence on the politics of the town.

## Culture

Tufthollow is primarily inhabited by halflings, many who can trace their lineage back to the kindred folk founders of the town. Other folk call the town home with many of its residence likely being of the Higardi culture. Tufthollow places a great emphasis on living in conjunction with the Shivering Forest around them and seek not to exploit the primeval wilderness. Tufthollow proudly admits that their people gave Marten the Pilferer asylum and somewhere to hide after he stole the Astropath Arcanum, gladly accepting their place in one of Higard's greatest legends.

### Fashion

People in Tufthollow tend to follow the Higardi style of dress with more of a focus on hand woven fabrics and incorporating natural patterns and colors into their clothing.

### Religion

Many folk in the area show reverence to the fey forces of nature that inhabit the Shivering Forest, with some folk going as far as to pray fealty to arch-fey, primarily the Seelie Court of the Seasons and the season's nobility. Most other folk practice some variation of following the Astral Star, as is common amongst Kindred Folk and the Higardi. Their unique take on the faith involves a shaman who is seen as a decipherer of prophecies and the messages from spirits. The shaman is believed to also have a connection to Marten.

## Defenses

### Armed Forces

Tufthollow is primarily patrolled by a groups of hunters and wardens, but this militia is minimal at best. The local rangers called the Sky Guard primarily oversee defending the settlement. The people of Tufthollow primarily rely on support from other areas such as Duke Swiftfoot's armed forces or Lady Steele's Ravenguard. With the addition of Shiverdelve to Urgovel's holdings, the Resolute Valkyries may now lend their support once their order is rebuilt after Gorgoth's rampage.

### Structures

The town being constructed in the forest canopy is perhaps its greatest defense. Access to lifts can easily be cut off, providing easily defendable choke points for the local militia.

## History

Tufthollow was founded long ago primarily by halflings who lived within the Shivering Forest. It is possible its origins date all the way back to the Fey Era, but that could merely be local legend. The name Tufthollow is taken from one of the names the halfling people, Tufts. Despite the territories of Bailen and Urgovel changing hands throughout their histories, due to the surrounding woodland, Tufthollow, largely remained independent from the entities claiming ownership over it. After the ascent of Nettle Swiftfoot to Duke of Bailen in 2S 1841, relations with Tufthollow and the Commonwealth of Higard grew to the point they supported Lady Steele's claim to Urgovel's throne.

## Notable Locations

### The 7 Boughs

Like many Tuft-tree settlements, Tufthollow is divided into seven 'boughs' which function similarly to 'districts' or 'boroughs' in a traditional town or city with one exception. The 7th Bough of every settlement is not a physical location, but rather is an illusion. An old practice amongst the tufts is to have the shaman give someone their destiny during a coming of age ritual that involves imbibing zuzu pedals and a 'mystery potion' that the Tufthollow alchemist has been passing the recipe down for generations. Others may partake in having their destiny given to them by the Shaman.

### Buildings and Landmarks

* Fuzzfas Fizzer
* Garden of the Branch
* Marten's Pagoda
* Temple of Destiny
* Tipsy Tower Inn
* Tufthollow Zoo
* Whistlewind Academy

## Inhabitants

Tufthollow is largely inhabited by halflings who have been calling the village home for generations. As the treetop town and the Higardi Commonwealth continue to build a relationship, additional peoples have begun calling Tufthollow's boughs home.

### Guilds

Before their elimination, the nearby Moon Fury Enclave often lent a hand to Tufthollow's residents and would often trade with the settlement. Otherwise, Tufthollow's independence has kept many of the large guilds present in other places out of the town.

### Merchants

There are quite a few merchants who call Tufthollow home with Fuzzfas' Fizzer being renowned for their alchemy and distillery. Other merchants will sell all manner of goods gathered from the tree or from the nearby forest usually. The unique zuzu flowers and gooda vines found in the arch-tree of Tufthollow make for good trade, especially as zuzu's use as a medicine and recreational substance grows.

### Adventurers

Before the completion of the Swiftfoot Road in 2S 1859, Tufthollow rarely saw adventurers pass through with the most famous one who ever stayed without a doubt being Marten the Pilferer. Tufthollow was also a pitstop for the Star-touched in the events of *SteamSpell.* Tufthollow makes for a good stop for some adventurers, but most prefer to comforts of Basil Crest or will travel to Shiverdevle to utilize water or air transport.

### Notable Inhabitants

* Chief Geri Whistlewind
* Fuzzfas Goodpepper
* Pothos Bristlebug

## Trivia

* In the *SteamSpell* campaign, the Star-touched 'visited' the 7th Bough while stopping in Tufthollow. Grey purchased the infamous Giant Growth potion from Fuzzfas in town as well.
* Tufthollow, along with many of the other halfling treetop villages in Evarencia are inspired by the area of Trynton from the *Wizardry 8* video game.