With the trouble caused by dragons, Suthicans, and all manner of hateful things, it’s a wonder that the Southlake Shire has troubles of its own. First, there is the matter of Stillwood, a disputed territory of three wild elven tribes. Originally it was the lone territory of a patriarch named HawksTalon, but as his son and daughter (Boar-back and Shakestail) have come of age, each carved off a piece of the southern forest and now claim it as their own. The internal family conflict has continued for over a hundred years, but they’ve settled on a sort of peace at the Threefeathers Trading Camp. There, all members of the tribes commit to peace to foster trade with the nearby human settlements.
Of the human settlements, there is little to say. Holystone is an old, walled village that trades with local small communities and acts as a waypoint for traders between the kingdoms. It’s Reeve, a Lord Falon Wellstrung, is the fifth Reeve in the line, answering to the Protector of Holystone Keep, a few miles to the North. Holystone Keep itself is said to have housed Dava for a night as he touched the earth. There may be something to the rumor since the keep is nearly 2000 years old and still is in pristine condition.
Further south is the tiny hamlet of Hare’s Crossing; basically a series of cottages that sit near a natural (and rare) river crossing along the Southcut River. The inhabitants live with little fear of Suthican aggression as there are always a number of Aelfrineri rangers close at hand.
To the North and just inside the Shire is Ryeturn, a sleepy village noted for having two large inns (a rarity in a community of this size), as it’s a natural waypoint between Clatterton and Cooper’s Rest. Additionally, there are a few talented guides who know the paths across the WheatSea.
Other locations of note are the Ashbow Lodge, where hunters and rangers wishing to roam the Hallowed Heath can find rest. Further north (in Plainfield Shire), along the Northern shores of Widow’s Lake, is The Green Trout, a large and rambunctious inn where a retired sorcerer (Amut Thrang) takes on an apprentice once every two years. His wife, Faeluel (an elf) tends to the business of the inn.
