Whisperwind sits approximately 18 miles northeast of The City State of Ja'Pa, in a natural bowl formed by gently rolling savannah hills. A grove of ancient acacia trees rings the settlement, their thorny branches serving as both spiritual boundary and practical defense. A clear spring-fed stream runs through the eastern edge, considered sacred as Leannan's tears. The village takes its name from the constant gentle breeze that flows through the acacias, which the faithful interpret as Leànnan whispering approval of their Path.
Layout & Architecture:
The settlement follows a precise concentric design that the village's founder, Mirra Whitepaw, claimed came to her in a vision. At the center stands the Heart Grove - a circular clearing containing a simple stone shrine to Leànnan, depicting her in modest robes (a controversial interpretation) with hands clasped over her womb. Around this are three rings:
- The Inner Circle (The Mothers' Ring): Twenty dwellings housing the priestesses, the Chief, and mothers with young kittens. These homes are wattle-and-daub structures with thatched roofs, marked by white painted doorframes symbolizing purity.
- The Middle Circle (The Makers' Ring): Forty-three dwellings for craftspeople, hunters, and established families. Here also stand the communal workshop, the modest granary, and the Teaching Lodge where kittens learn the Pure Path.
- The Outer Circle (The Watchers' Ring): Twenty-eight dwellings for younger families, apprentices, and the unmarried. The village's scouts and hunters predominantly reside here, positioned to defend the inner rings.
Of note, twelve families have quietly departed in the last decade, most returning to mainstream tribes. The exodus accelerated after Mirra's death, with younger generations questioning whether their isolation truly serves Leànnan's will.
Economy & Trade:
Whisperwind practices near-total self-sufficiency as spiritual principle. They maintain small herds of goats, cultivate hardy savannah crops (millet, sorghum, root vegetables), and hunt the surrounding grasslands. Their exceptional carnelian jewellery - featuring intricate geometric patterns and modest religious iconography - is their only significant export. Trade with Ja'Pa occurs monthly, conducted by a rotating delegation of three (always including one priestess to maintain spiritual oversight). They trade carnelian jewellery and exceptional hide armor (their tanners are renowned for quality) for metal tools, certain medicines, and rare dyes for ceremonial garments. The trading delegation stays overnight in Ja'Pa's "outer district" and returns immediately, minimizing contact with "corrupting influences." Many in Ja'Pa view them with bemused tolerance, though some merchants appreciate their craftsmanship. The mainstream Heartland tribes consider them misguided but harmless - a persistent theological embarrassment.