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LOCATIONS
LOCATIONS
The village itself is quiet. Surrounded by greenery and only a handful of buildings, one might think that this place lacks quite a bit. The mountains can be seen in the distance, and a peaceful river runs through the entire valley flowing past every location. Dirt paths lead in all directions, but luckily it's easy enough to find the wooden arrow signs that point you in the right direction.
VILLAGE
Main Meeting Hall - At the eastern edge of the village next to the largest sakura tree, there sits a longhouse with a wrap-around porch, glowing by the light of several lanterns. Should anyone venture inside, they'll find a number of long benches set up against the walls. At the head of the building are two chairs, a sun and a moon carved into the back of each. The area in the center is wide open, allowing plenty of space to move around and while decor is lacking, hanging from the walls are several scrolls of interest. There's also a large scroll above the two chairs in the back depicting some useful information. Finally, on a small table in between the two chairs, there sits a handful of pencils, scraps of paper, and a black metal voting box that cannot be removed.
Flower Garden & Koi Pond - Not far from the meeting hall there's a brightly colored flower garden. Flowers of all kinds can be found here growing on bushes and in patches around the area, always in bloom and ready to be admired. At the center of the garden is a koi pond, home to several fish and water lilies. There are even stone benches throughout the area to let visitors sit and admire the beauty around them.
Farmlands - In the western portion of the village away from the buildings, farmlands spread for several acres. A bright red barn sits at the edge of the property and holds all of the tools one could need including shovels, rakes, and even a tractor. Horses and cows can be found roaming the area, and a chicken coop can be found just to the left of the barn. Orchards of various fruit trees can also be found here along with rows of vegetables. You may have to do some digging to find what you really want though.
Hot Springs - To the south of the village just past the buildings is a long winding path, the dirt leveling out into smooth stone and leading you right to a natural hot spring. Clusters of stone separate the water into small pools and create natural ledges and alcoves. With waters that are crystal clear and always the perfect temperature, this is the perfect place to relax after a long day.
Amphitheater - It's hard to miss the amphitheater to the north of the village, a circular outdoor stage surrounded by several rows of seating. Though the stage is covered it's entirely visible no matter where you happen to sit. This stone stage is the perfect place to put on a show, practice a routine or even give a speech. And strangely, it seems as though this has been designed to perfectly accommodate at no more than forty people. If you need some props or set pieces for your performance, perhaps a word with your hosts would be in order.
Armory & Training Hall - This enclosed arena is home to swords, shields, and other weaponry, serving as a place for visitors to practice their combat skills. There are also tools to care for each weapon, along with a small space purposefully designed for those who wish to practice hand-to-hand instead. In addition, there is a small book meant for visitors to sign out weapons they wish to take with them. Until a weapon is signed out, it cannot be taken from the armory.
Shrine - Walking under the tall archways will lead straight to a shrine gently encased by trees and alongside the river running through the village. Lanterns hang from the walls to light your way along the path to the front. At the head of the shrine rests an offering box along with a basin of water to purify yourself before paying your respects. When you look up, however, you'll also find a bell hanging above your head to ring and announce your arrival. Whether looking to give thanks or to ask for guidance (or just wandering in on accident), there's a feeling of serenity in this place the moment you enter.
Boutique - One of the smaller buildings in this village, this place is much bigger on the inside than it seems. Rows and rows of clothing hang from racks inside ranging in all colors, textures and sizes. Tools for creating and altering clothing such as needles, spools of thread, scissors, paper and colored pencils can be found in a cabinet toward the rear of the shop, just to the left of the shoe rack. Clothing for all occasions can be found here should one be determined enough to look, and it seems that whatever you pick is a perfect fit every time.
Library - Two stories tall, this building stands out simply due to its height. Books are perfectly shelved inside from floor to ceiling, some in better condition than others. On the lower floor visitors will find tomes of the fictional kind, generic tales or even fictional books they're familiar with. On the upper floor, however, resides a collection of nonfiction books including encyclopedias, self-help books, atlases and history books. Visitors are free to take as many books as they'd like at a time.
Kitchen - While you're more than welcome to farm for your own food, for those of you with less-than-stellar cooking skills the kitchen provides all that you could possibly want. Stocked with fresh food and the proper equipment to cook it, the kitchen is open at all hours of the day. While modern amenities may not be as abundant as fresh ingredients, they might suddenly appear in the corner of your eye once you think of them. Beverages of all kind can also be found in the cabinets. Please drink responsibly.
Houses - Placed in clusters around the village are 16 identical slant-roofed houses. Each house is meant to accommodate two people. Please see the rooming page for more detailed information.
FIRE
Following the paths to the north of the main village, wanderers will find themselves stumbling upon a desert terrain. Stretching for a few miles, the dusty, rocky area is home to geysers, small volcanos, and heat-dwellers such as reptiles, bugs and coyotes. The volcanos are testy, streams of lava running over boulders intermittently and steam vents appear beneath your feet as you explore the area. Tucked away in this region, however, is the largest volcano with a wide arched doorway carved into the front. Entering the room, one will find layers and platforms of stone, streams of lava and firepits available for your disposal to train with your new abilities. Try not to make the volcano explode though.
WATER
Heading to the south, wanderers will feel the salty breeze before they come upon a sandy beach. With the ocean gently lapping at the shore, this little slice of paradise is home to large waves and little tide pools. The water's just a little on the chilly side but clear enough to swim in and see the fish, sea turtles, and sharks below. On occasion the tide comes in, great waves drowning everything in their path but it never quite touches the path to the village. Standing on the beach is a towering stone and sand castle, the wooden drawbridge down and inviting visitors in. Inside, one will find rivers and tide pools flowing past floating platforms. An arena perfect for training your craft, the temperature inside the castle will increase or decrease with the tide.
EARTH
To the west, wanderers will notice that the pathway grows darker as the rocks overhead begin to close in. Forming pathways and overhangs, the dirt in this terrain is only second to the vines and moss hanging from the cliffs around you. Forest animals can be found in this region ranging from chipmunks to bears, and while they tend to stick to themselves some of them aren't as friendly with newcomers. At the heart of this region a monstrous cave can be found. Lit by torches that never seem to go out, rocks of all shapes and sizes are found here with crystals sprouting from floor and ceiling. Perfect for you those looking for a challenge, the cave opens up to multiple tunnels and the structure itself cannot be moved no matter how hard you fight.
AIR
The incline to the east rises higher and higher as you venture toward the mountains, walking upward and disappearing into the trees. The branches are steady beneath you and provide footholds to hoist yourself up with each step. These trees make for decent stepping stones to enter into the clouds where the air is fresh and a sharp wind blows continually. Looking back, it's easy to see the whole village from this angle but the flurry of leaves and mist may distract you. The rumble of thunder can be heard from this high, and as the trees cluster together and you approach the mountains you'll come across a flat ravine between two peaks. A perfect funnel for gusts of air, this arena is often shrouded in clouds and provides its fighters with the element of surprise.
WEEK FOUR;
The first thing one will notice upon stumbling through the gateway is the tiny, cramped platform directly on the other side, train tracks running alongside it. As you leave the platform, the path ahead of you remains dark and hidden by thick trees, a narrow path closed off that opens to a wide space ahead and a sprawling, inky black lake ahead. Several rowboats sit at the shore to accommodate your journey across, perfectly seating four people each. The distance isn't too far, but linger on the water too long and you'll find yourself gently pushed along by a singular tentacle.
As the boats approach the opposite shore, a tall castle comes into view, surrounded by luscious lawns, sprawling hills, and several turrets and towers flanking the main building. It's the interior that's most impressive, however. Entering this castle one will find staircases that sprawl up and away to all parts of the castle, some of which move on their own accord and take visitors to varying hallways and passages. A spacious dining hall can be found just off of the foyer and meals will appear three times a day for those less than inclined to cook for themselves. For those who want to immediately climb the stairs, one will find classrooms upon classrooms on the different floors of the castle. Some of these rooms seem to be lecture halls, while others appear to be home to subjects such as Potions, Transfiguration and Charms, if the books lingering about are to be believed. The soft hooting of owls linger overhead as birds of all sizes and colors swoop by, returning to their home in another nearby tower. With some exploring, you may come across large doors in the dungeons, near the kitchens, and in the towers, but only the door on the seventh floor of the tallest tower can be accessed. The portrait of the fat lady in pink will swing open if you speak to her, granting access to a comfortable common room with a cozy fireplace, squashy chairs, and two staircases leading to two sets of dormitories.
Though classes aren't in session, this school expects you to learn all that you can while you're here, it seems. All elemental magic is amplified in this place as visitors learn to control their abilities.
The castle grounds are spacious and well-kept and not far beyond the castle itself are several greenhouses filled with an array of strange flora. Please be careful. Past that, a hill leads down to a little hut at the edge of the property line and is flanked by large pumpkin patches. Off down a different path looming metal rings can be seen standing tall, three on each end of an open sports field. A locker room awaits there filled with broomsticks of all shapes and sizes, and a locked wooden box that lurches on its own every now and then. Down another path still is a sunny grassy patch in front of the lake itself. With any luck, mermaids can be spotted from the shore. But should you try to wander too far into the forest and away from the castle, you'll find yourselves turned around and lost, trapped among the trees until you find your own way back. The howl of wolves and the stomping of hooves echo loudly behind you in every direction. Better hurry back.
Leaving from the front of the castle provides access to another path, long and winding as it enters a small nearby village. The sound of happy visitors and laughter can be heard, though the village itself seems empty. Shops appear on either side of the path, fancy storefronts catching your eye and delicious scents wafting through the air. At a glance, visitors can see a sweets shop filled with strange treats such as chocolate frogs and sugar quills, a music shop brimming with enchanted instruments, a bookshop, a quill shop, a two-story tall joke shop, a pub serving food all day long and an overly pink coffee shop...a happy haunt for couples.
Finally, this village is also home to another train station just as small as the one you entered before. The train comes every hour, and passengers can board for a nice leisurely ride through the countryside right back through the gateway to the village you currently call home.