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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 SIX;
It's cold. It's cold and the wind is biting but the skies are clear and the snowy ice caps in the ocean appear quite a distance off.
Lucky for you, the island you've found yourself standing on appears to be well-inhabited and green, rocky cliff sides flanking the area and rickety wooden bridges leading up the slope of a small village. Houses with slanted rooftops and skylights sit together in little groups, one bedroom areas that are fairly sparse and seem to have been repaired repeatedly. Small windmills are scattered through the village as a primary source of energy, and water troughs, wooden perches and taller totem poles can be found amongst the houses.
Exploring the island leads visitors toward a large barn at the base of the cliffs and pens built around the edges, home to several yaks, chickens and sheep. While the yaks and chickens don't mind the company, the sheep are easily startled...and some seem to have paint on their wool. An armory can be found, home to wooden shields, broad axes and a few swords. Gunpowder is available for the taking, though good luck figuring out what you can use it for. Nearby, there's a blacksmithing shop as well in which you may create and maintain weapons that you find, along with several works in progress that appear abandoned.
Near the center of the island, a steep stone staircase is carved into the mountainside made up of 125 steps, bringing visitors to a doorway carved into the face of the mountain. Flanked by two statues (at least 60 feet tall) of winged beasts and holding torches, should one look up they'll find the face of a bearded man carved right above the doorway. Inside, the walls are made of stone and wooden pillars act as barriers for the interior. Dozens of benches and long wooden tables fill the room and in the center is a circular table and a fire pit that continues to burn. Along the walls are shields with imagery of burly men and women in armor, and at the head of the room sits a platform. Perhaps you have an important announcement to make? This would be the best place to do it, so long as you don't mind the delicious scent of meat.
Elsewhere on the island, you'll find yourself facing a stone coliseum. This arena houses several empty cages, weapons, and mazes for training purposes, along with some wicked scorch and claw marks in the area. Not far from the area as well down toward the base of the mountain lies a series of tunnels and caverns, home to a set of stables. Custom-made stalls have been created to house large creatures, and a hangar door can be opened or closed at any time to lead straight into the open air.
Perhaps you'd like to venture off of the island itself though and away from the main village. Further out lays a mountain peak filled with forests and steep cliffs, separated between the village and another steep cliff and forming a canyon between. Down below in the forest, a hidden, sunken area of rocks, trees, and a lake full of fish makes for a peaceful giveaway. The sandy beach area is spacious and hidden in the cove, rocks settled nearby in neat clusters.
But even so, those who wish for a taste of freedom will find several giant, wooden boats down at the docks at the base of the largest cliff. A wooden walkway lingers above the docks to peer below, given viewers a clear look of all of the ships that can set sail. Stocked with provisions for a several days' journey, these boats require the sails to be raised and the oars to be lowered as they set sail through the smooth waters. Uninhabited islands and caves can be found, but try not to get lost.
And no matter where you go on land or sea, it's hard to shake the feeling that you're being watched as the wind picks up overhead. Skittering claws click on the stone surfaces of the cliffs, and echoing roars can be heard in the distance.
Are they friends? Or are they foes? Only time will tell.