Dryvale
Population: ~250 (Human only)
Province: Grimwold Marches
Distance: 6–7 miles northeast of Torven’s Ford
Terrain: Hill-ridge overlooking grasslands and eastern ore streams
Primary Industries: Farming, grazing, copper & iron mining; limited platinum prospecting
Overview
Dryvale sits along a low ridge of weathered hills, rising gently above open grasslands to the west and sloping down toward mineral-rich ground to the east and southeast. From a distance, it appears austere—tight clusters of timber-and-stone longhouses, low barns, and smoke drifting steadily from ore fires and bread ovens. This is not a market town, nor a crossroads, but a working settlement built by and for those who live from the land and the earth beneath it.
The town’s wealth is modest but steady. Copper and iron are the backbone of Dryvale’s economy, with shallow strip mines and worked hills east-southeast of town feeding local smelters and forges. To the northeast, a handful of older pits yield trace amounts of platinum—never enough to spark a rush, but enough to keep prospectors cautious and hopeful.
Dryvale is entirely human. No demi-humans dwell here, and none have for generations. Whether by tradition, mistrust, or quiet agreement, outsiders are tolerated but not embraced. The people of Dryvale are practical, reserved, and deeply tied to the land they work.
The Land Around Dryvale
- Western Grasslands:
Rolling pastureland and tilled fields spread westward from the ridge. Goats and swine graze the slopes, while barley, hardy wheat, onions, and root crops dominate the fields. Windbreak hedges and low stone walls mark family holdings rather than formal roads. - Eastern Ore Hills:
Low, broken hills hide veins of copper and iron worked by open cuts, shallow shafts, and slag-scarred clearings. Smoke from small smelters often hangs over this side of town, especially in late autumn. - Northeast Platinum Pits:
Sparse and older, these mines are tightly controlled by a few families. The yields are inconsistent, and most operations are seasonal, worked only when labor can be spared. - Streams and Ore Washes:
Several small streams feed the eastern slopes, diverted into simple sluices and ore-washing basins. These waters also power a few small hammer mills and grinding wheels downstream.
Places to Go
- The Hillstead Commons
A rough central green on the ridge crest, used for gatherings, livestock trading, and announcements. No permanent market stalls—merchants must bring their own tables and tents. - The East Smelters
A cluster of low stone buildings with clay chimneys, run cooperatively by several mining families. Most ore is refined here before being carted south toward Torven’s Ford or High Haldleigh. - The Old Platinum Pits
Guarded more by tradition than arms, these northeast workings are considered “family ground.” Trespass is taken seriously. - Dryvale Storehouse
A communal granary and supply hall overseen by the town reeve. Used to manage surplus grain, ore allotments, and emergency reserves. - The Ridge Shrine
A simple stone plinth and standing stones dedicated to Beory and older Flan land-spirits. No formal priest resides here; rites are seasonal and communal.
People to See
- Harlan Vosst, Town Reeve
A stern but fair organizer who balances farming needs against mining labor. Keeps careful tallies and dislikes risk. - Mael Torgen, Smelter-Master
Knows every ore vein and slag pile by heart. Speaks little, but what he says carries weight. - Edda Flintmere, Fieldwarden
Oversees grazing rights and water usage. Quick to settle disputes before they become feuds. - Old Rurik Vale, Prospector
One of the last to remember when the platinum pits yielded more than dust. Often drunk, often right.