Local Map Key
[A] Manor House.The proud stone manor house stands atop the end of a ridge and looks down over the village. See detailed description.
[B] Old Village Mound.The site of the original village is now heavily overgrown with trees. Some have grown quite large and are almost 100 years old. This is a popular site for children to play and lovers to seek privacy. At the top of the hill is a tall pine tree. It is considered a right of passage to climb to the top. Some claim to be able to see as far as Geshtei Castle across the river in Tharda. The mound is also part of the manor wood lot.
[C] Manor Wood Lot.This copse of wood extends from Emete Manor, over the hill, to the back of the manor house. The hill forms a natural boundary and although it is low and the forest not particularly dense, it does create a natural barrier to traffic. This leads people around it to the north and through Ravin. The woodlot is alive with small game such as rabbits and pheasants, which are reserved exclusively for the Bailiff’s table.
[D] Ravin Spring.Just behind the manor house a natural artesian well bubbles to the surface. The water has a clean and sweet taste. The spring is variable and often dries up to almost nothing in the middle of summer.
[E] Village Common.This large open field is used for grazing and village meetings. Important Peonian festivals are held here, including the Restoration Festival in the spring and Harvest Home in the autumn. The gently sloping hill makes a natural seating area when the Bailiff has an important announcement. In summer, travellers sometimes use it as a campground.
[F] The Rest Stop.The village is far too small to have an inn, but the Miller’s wife makes a fine beer. Many weary travellers (and not so weary layabouts) make a stop at the miller’s door, buy a pint and retire to this pleasantly shaded patch of grass for a bit of a rest.
[G] Meadowland.The land to the south of the village consists of the finest alluvial topsoil. The spring provides natural irrigation and ensures that it is always green and growing. It is reserved for growing hay to carry the livestock over the winter.
[H] The Washing Rock.A large granite rock, possibly deposited at the end of the last ice age, lies beside a natural pool in the small stream. The women of the village come here to wash clothes and gossip. There are always a few women (including domestics from the manor) working during the day. Children can be seen playing in the trees.
[I] Demesne Farm.This substantial collection of buildings and pens belong to the Lord of the manor. Work here is supervised by the Reeve and it is always busy. The small apple orchard is for the use of the Fiefholder, but the one or two apples taken by the children who slip through the holes in the hedge are not missed.
[J] Metalcrafter.Master Jelane is the manor house’s bonded metalcrafter. He has a small house where he lives with his wife and three children. Jelane earns a good income and buys all of his food from the other villagers since neither he nor his wife are interested in gardening. They have a small pen for their four goats.
The Village Residents
1. Cottar (Eltril of Clan Baldis) Eltril and his wife are a young couple with two young children just starting out. Only in their early twenties, the Lord has granted them their own cottage and a couple of acres. They spend most of their time working for Eltril’s uncle, Luryren. Eltril has a bad habit of mocking people’s failings and is unpopular for it.
2. Cottar (Vurin of Clan Jekes) Vurin, his wife and two teenage boys share the cottage. In addition to working their own land, they help his cousin Querl with his land in return for a share of the crop. A sadistic man, Vurin torments and even beats his boys who are too afraid to leave.
3. Villein-Beadle (Darane of Clan Barien) Darane was chosen by the Bailiff as Beadle, because he is a solid, dependable, honest man. His job can be unpopular, but the villagers respect him. He supports his elderly parents, wife, three children and younger sister. Two adult cousins and their wives live with him and work the woodcrafter’s acres for him.
4. Villein (Tarnt of Clan Merdon) Tarnt is a successful farmer. He is married with two children. His wife’s older sister, a shrewish old spinster, lives with them and her shrill voice irritates him constantly. The two have had many fights in public and Tarnt has been fined twice for disturbing the peace. He spends much of his time at his brother’s cottage.
5. Farmer-Yeoman (Slanas of Clan Jekes) As head of Clan Jekes, Slanas supports his wife and four children, plus an old blind uncle, three cousins and his wife’s mother. They are forced to sell their labour to Geran to feed the family. Slanas inherited the position of yeoman from his father, who was once a soldier for the Sheriff of Norea. A good farmer, he is secretly a craven man and would probably turn and run at the first sight of real danger. He is equipped as medium foot.
Size: 2 Quality: 4 Prices: Average
A slovenly old fool, Makan is an excellent miller and his wife brews the finest ale in the village. Despite his appearance, the villagers trust him. The couple have two sons who are doing their apprenticeship in Sepire. Makan’s journeyman, Brosta, is neat and polite and deals with most of the customers. The miller sublets his three acres to Kaent who pays him 60% of the crop.
7. Cottar (Andan of Clan Pendar) Andan is a tall man, with broad shoulders and bulging muscles from years of hard work. Fortunately, he has a pleasant personality and benign nature. He has only a few acres of his own and so works full time on the demesne farm, easily supporting his wife, infant daughter and elderly parents.
8. Farmer (Luryren of Clan Baldis) Luryren is an intense man, focused on his farm and advancing the interests of his clan. He has a large farm and hires his nephew and cousin’s boys to help him. He and his wife were never able to have children so they adopted two young orphans with the help of Sister Beria. This greatly angered his brother Marlorald who expected to inherit the free acres.
9. Villein (Fyrth of Clan Baldis) Fyrth is by nature a nervous man. He startles easily and insists on sitting with his back to the wall. Despite that, he is an excellent farmer and supports his two adult sons, teenage daughter, elderly cousin, father and aunt in some comfort. He has been a widower for twelve years and has no interest in remarrying. His sons work for his cousin.
10. Cottar (Braen of Clan Chastil) Clan Chastil is one of the smaller clans. Braen has no land of his own and is forced to spend his days working another man’s land, villein Lorvian. Without anything but his cottage and tiny vegetable patch, he is extremely insecure and a real miser who hoards food and coin. He lost his wife three years ago and worries constantly about who will take care of his three girls should anything happen to him.
Size: 2 Quality: 2 Prices: Low Convention, tried and true methods, tradition, Borl detests these "bonds". He is a maverick who barely made it through his apprenticeship. He loves to experiment with new techniques and unusual forms. The results are unpredictable which makes him unpopular. He has been forced to reduce his prices to sell his "creations". Fortunately, the Barien Clan works his acres well; ensuring his wife, son, daughter and apprentice have enough to eat.
12. Half-Villein (Rosta of Clan Emyn) Rosta is small man with small views of the world. He is exceptionally proud of the fact he has never left Ravin Hundred. He despises and distrusts people who were not born in the village, and is especially prejudiced against Geran Eslorin, who he calls an upstart mercenary. With only twelve acres, he is forced to work for his cousin and Clanhead, Haroras, to earn enough to feed himself, his wife and their four children.
13. Glebe (Sister Beria) The poor, destitute, old, very young, weak and helpless, these are the people Sister Beria has devoted her life to. An intense, thirty-four year old daughter of a potter, she entered the Peonian church at sixteen and was sent to replace the dying village priest in Ravin twelve years ago. She supports her "family" of thirteen people, including five elders without families and seven orphans, some as old as teenagers. She depends heavily on the charity of the villagers and few can say no to her requests. Even the lady of the manor has been known to make a donation on occasion.
14. Villein (Fynyg of Clan Barien) In his late fifties, Fynyg no longer works the farm on a regular basis. His daughter and son-in-law manage it for him with the help of labour hired from a fellow clansman, Velane. His daughter, Kamena, manages the family finances as Fynyg is careless with money and spends whatever he has.
15. Farmer (Geran Eslorin) See detailed article below. Geran is a newcomer to Ravin and is much wealthier than the other villagers. He purchased a large farm from the bailiff and hires locals to work for him. Although he has no problems finding workers, they resent his success. Geran lives a quiet life, now fifty-six, he is semi-retired and does little labour himself, preferring to let Slanas act as his foreman. Slanas in turn hires other men of his clan, including his cousins, brother Gaen and nephew Saelan to work Geran’s hundred acres.
16. Half-Villein (Gaen of Clan Jekes) Gaen is immoral; money and influence are everything to this corrupt man. His grasping manner repels most people, except his brother Slanas who seems oblivious to this brother’s actions. Gaen’s wife and four children are neglected and ignored.
17. Cottar (Urrin of Clan Huslaka) Urrin hails from Salkim southeast of Heroth. He is a skilled orchardist from a large but poor family. Sir Relbert, the Steward, needed such a specialist to tend his father’s orchard and discovered Urrin while visiting friends in Salkim. The Steward offered to pay his manumission and give him his own household if he came to Ravin. Urrin agreed. He, his wife and two sons tend the demesne orchard and beehives for the lord. Sir Relbert has promised to make him a half-villein after seven years if Urrin does well. Three years have already passed and the Steward is much pleased.
18. Half-Villein (Zulaen of Clan Emyn) If there is one person in the village people look on with suspicion it is Zulaen. He is a dubious character, always slinking around, spying and prying into other people’s business. Why, no one is sure. He supports his mother, his wife’s mother, his wife and daughter. He is forced to work many long hours for Vindane to feed his family. It is rumoured that his beautiful wife sells her favours on the side, especially to strong young men.
19. Cottar (Barane of Clan Baldis) A loyal supporter of the Peonian church, popular with children and the old, Barane has a bright, innocent childlike view of the world. He trusts people until proven otherwise and is a hard worker. Lacking more than a few acres, he works on the Reeve’s lands and for Jalo. He is happily married with three children. While he and his wife work, the children are cared for by their Great Nana, Rilea. An amazing woman, she is Barane’s grandmother and his children’s great-grandmother. She is still has an excellent memory and is spry and healthy at seventy-eight.
20. Half-Villein (Thanin of Clan Merdon) Clan Merdon is a close knit group and despite the fact that he does not have enough acres to feed his large family, Thanin has no problem getting work. His Clanhead, Ebir, has numerous clan members employed working his acres. Thanin’s wife is pregnant with her fourth child (she has two girls and a boy). Her mother and a male cousin live with them and help in the fields and around the cottage. Thanin dotes on his wife and loves playing with the children. He is a tender man.
21. Half-Villein (Vaniran of Clan Chastil) Vaniran stays aloof from most village politics. He is an excellent farmer and spends his time in his own fields or those of Stenden, where he earns extra income. He is a widower with two grown daughters who take care of the household and a nephew who helps him in the fields. Secretly, his nephew is carrying on an incestuous affair with his daughter.
22. Farmer (Horin of Clan Pendar) A substantial and successful farmer, Horin has recently been chosen to head Clan Pendar after the death of his Uncle. He is still quite jubilant and is planning to hold a major celebration in the next few weeks. Much of his success is due to his brilliant wife, Daleana, who is certainly the most intelligent woman in the village. They have two sons and a niece who lives with them. Horin owns his own yoke of oxen.
23. Villein-Herder (Eril of Clan Merdon) A dark pall lies over this house. Eril has just buried his wife of thirty years who died of a wasting disease. Their only son, Arai, his wife and their four children have tried to consol him, but his sadness is too deep. He has taken to wandering the village at night and can often be found weeping at her graveside. His son has assumed the majority of his father’s duties in addition to working their acres.
24. Farmer-Yeoman (Kaent of Clan Pendar) It is well that Kaent is a fine short bowman, because he is only a passable farmer. He is often called upon to join the Bailiff of the Hundred’s hunting parties and to bring in small game and birds for his table. Besides his own acres, he also manages the miller’s acres. He is very grateful that despite his limited talents, his acres are successful. His mother, wife and two children share his cottage.
25. Cottar (Tagil of Clan Chastil) Tagil wants more. A simple cottar, he has only a couple of acres and depends on getting work on the demesne farm to feed his family. He thinks this is wrong. He longs for war or some calamity to bring down the Lords and Ladies to his level where it would be survival of the fittest. Tagil likes to talk and dream out loud, but he is too afraid to take action for himself.
26. Villein-Reeve (Joa of Clan Baldis) A brilliant farmer, skilled village politician, orator and father, Joa has been village reeve for sixteen years. Everyone, including the Bailiff and his son the Steward, like him and trust his judgement. He instinctively knows the seasons and crops, and has made shrewd judgements that have made the village successful and prosperous. He has only one son, 24, who still lives at home. As head of Clan Baldis, he looks after the members of his clan, including hiring Barane to help work his many acres. Successful, with a full larder and a heavy pouch of coins at his waist, he lives a happy, carefree life.
27. Cottar (Saelan of Clan Jekes) The nephew of Slanas, Saelan has steady work on Geran’s farm to make up for the fact he only has one acre of his own. He lives with Darae, a handsome red-headed young man who grew up on the streets of Coranan where they met three years ago. Saelan is very possessive and protective of his lover and makes no secret of their relationship. His skill with his fists and a staff ensure they are left to live in peace.
28. Half-Villein (Jalo of Clan Merdon) Jalo and his brother, Durvo, inherited fifteen acres from their father and mother who died within weeks of each other in 718TR. Just twenty and eighteen, they are a little overwhelmed at being on their own. They depend on their Clanhead, Ebir for guidance and their cousin Arai for moral support. Barane helps them with their farming and his grandmother, Rilea, keeps an eye on them and makes sure they eat well and their clothes are in good repair.
29. Cottar (Ugin of Clan Merdon) The brother of Tarnt, Ugin spends much of his free time listening to his sibling complain about his sister-in-law. He nods his head a lot, but actually hears very little. He is still in shock that the Bailiff allowed his identical twin teenage sons, Anfric and Almod, to pay chevage and leave the manor. He fought with the boys over work and they stormed off to the Hallmoot where, in an act of unexplained generosity, the Lord let them leave. Ugin’s wife worries constantly and the three younger children must now take up their tasks working on the demesne farm. The twins have gone to Heroth, or beyond, to seek their fortunes.
30. Half-Villein (Shaik of Clan Jekes) Between his own fifteen acres and the twenty acres he works for the Salter, Shaik is always busy. He can feed his family and has enough work, but is always a bit pessimistic about what is to come.
31. Farmer (Querl of Clan Jekes) After an ox stepped on his foot, it turned black and had to be amputated. Since then, Querl has been largely helpless. He is starting to learn how to get around on crutches, but he can’t farm. He has hired Terba’s son to work his acres and his wife makes clothes for sale, but they are in dire straits. They have two sons, both common soldiers (Meken) in the Checkered Shield who they have not heard from in two years. They are desperate for them to come home and would pay someone to take a message to Utarath Chapterhouse where they are serving.
Size: 2 Quality: 4 Prices: High
The large number of livestock on this and the surrounding manors creates a great deal of work for Lorial the Salter. He has little time or interest for farming and so has Shaik work the land for him. The villagers are very cautious around Lorial, as he is known to be a liar and a cheat. People check their coins twice and generally don’t trust him much. He lives alone, apart from his one apprentice, a rather downtrodden lad from Imiden.
33. Villein (Haroras of Clan Emyn) As head of Clan Emyn, the importance of his position has gone to his head. Haroras seems to think that he is an imperial overlord, not the representative of a small family group. He tries to act imperious, ordering the other members of the clan around, even having them fetch his ale from the miller. Except for poor Rosta who depends on him for work, most of the other clan members ignore him. Members of other clans have taken to mocking him, something he does comprehend.
34. Cottar (Raena of Clan Pendar) A small, poor cottar now, Raena doesn’t intend to stay that way all his life. Every week he has a new scheme of how he is going to get more land or money. Unfortunately, his schemes, no matter how elaborate, never work. He is a source of constant amusement to the other villagers and of embarrassment to his wife, son and elderly father.
35. Cottar (Merryn of Clan Salgen) Merryn, his wife and teenage son are strangers in the village. Sir Relbert brought him here last year, on the Sheriff of Norea’s recommendation, to work on the demesne farm. Although not an ostler, he has a real way with horses and can be depended on to look after the stables, muck them out, change the straw and bring the feed without supervision. Master Sallace, the senior ostler, likes him. This allows him regular and free access to the manor. Sir Sabir does not know that he is an agent of the Sheriff of Norea sent here to monitor and check up on the Bailiff. Merryn has little to report as Sir Sabir is doing a good job.
36. Villein (Vindane of Clan Barien) A wealthy villein, Vindane is indignant that, at the last Hallmoot, the Bailiff rejected his request to convert his thirty-six serf acres to free. When added to his existing thirty free acres, this would have made him the second largest farmer in the village. He is determined that if he can’t be a free farmer, his sons will be. He supports two elderly relatives, his wife, two sons and a daughter is some luxury. He has so many acres; he is forced to hire additional labour, usually from Zulaen. He is also Clanhead, something he feels is a waste of time, but it brings him extra prestige and so he couldn’t turn it down.
37. Farmer (Ebir of Clan Merdon) The second largest holder of free acres, Ebir is a successful, but humble man. He is head of Clan Merdon, a responsibility he takes very seriously. He hires many labourers from within the Clan to help him work his land, employing his cousin Thanin almost full-time. His father, the previous Clanhead, has gone mad and lame and is confined to a shed along the road, where he often yells obscenities at passers-by. He is well carried for by Ebir’s wife and two children, but is kept locked in for his own safety and the safety of others.
Size: 4 Quality: 3 Prices: Average
For three generations, the Mildar’s have been hideworkers in Ravin. The most recent, Geary, has been master here for twelve years. Their house is at the edge of the village to try and keep the smell away from the village. The small stream beside the cottage provides some water, but in the high summer, water often has to be brought by wagon from other sources. Geary employs a journeyman and two apprentices to assist him, while his wife, two children and aunt keep house. Their cottage is crowded with people and goods and Geary is planning to ask the Bailiff for permission to build a new work shop and two sheds next year. Besides hideworking, Geary also farms his own acres, using his journeymen and apprentices to help, something they despise.
39. Villein-Woodward (Marlorald of Clan Baldis) Marlorald is a busy man. As Woodward, he has to patrol 683 acres of woodlot besides farming his thirtyeight serf acres. But this is not enough for him. When his father died, he left his free acres and the position of Clanhead to his eldest son, Luryren, and his serf acres to his second son, Marlorald. Marlorald felt that they should have each got an equal share of serf and free, especially because he is the better farmer. When Luryen and his wife were unable to have children, Marlorald assumed he would inherit all, securing a future for his sons. But then Luryren adopted some of Sister Beria’s brats and announced that they would inherit, giving 45 free acres to strangers who aren’t even blood relatives. This made Marlorald furious and his hostility extends to all of his brothers friends and supporters. Now, he looks to his three strapping young sons to make things right.
40. Farmer (Stenden of Clan Barien) An average farmer, Stenden is a thoughtless and unthinking man. He and his wife have four children, two girls and two boys. All of them have left home to get away from their father. To help on the farm, they have taken in an orphaned lad, but Stenden treats him as little more than a servant and has succeeded in overworking and alienating him as well. He has to hire labour, the talented Vaniran, but even there he doesn’t recognise the value he is getting and treats him poorly.
41. Half-Villein (Bron of Clan Merdon) Bron’s wife is pregnant. He views this as just another mouth to feed from his few acres. He works for the Woodward to earn enough to feed his wife, two children and his wife’s useless parents. An adulterous bastard, the dastardly cad is carrying on an affair with Raena’s wife.
42. Farmer-Yeoman (Terba of Clan Barien) A simple, unsophisticated man, Terba is a fine farmer and a stout yeoman. Equipped as medium foot, he does his yearly service without complaint. With only twenty-six acres, he is pressed to feed his large family of eight people. His wife, mother and mother-in-law are all skilled weavers, so they earn a good deal of money making and selling clothes in the village. The couple’s four children are near grown and besides working the family acres also work on the demesne farm. Together, they earn enough to keep the family well-fed.
43. Cottar (Velane of Clan Barien) Velane keeps a small cottage and supports his wife and two children. He works very hard and saves every penny. Three hallmoots ago, he asked the Lord to grant him additional acres to support his family. A mediocre farmer, the request was rejected on the advice of the Reeve, leaving Velane crushed. He continues to work on his cousin Fynyg’s farm, but his heart isn’t in it. He is a broken man.
44. Villein (Lorvian of Clan Baldis) There are two passions in Lorvian’s life, music and his children. His third passion, his wife, died two years ago. A talented singer and lute player, he is frustrated that his children don’t share his interest in singing. His son prefers to work the land. Lorvian has instead taken to spending his days drinking ale in the Rest Area and playing for passers by.
45. Half-Villein (Aibris of Clan Emyn) Living next to the Glebe should be a blessing, Aibris considers it a curse. His wife is a devote Peonian and so Sister Beria is a frequent guest in their home. Of course she always has a little job that needs doing and Aibris wife is quick to volunteer him to help. With only fourteen acres, Aibris must also work on the demesne to earn enough to feed his family, so he is already tired when he gets home. But his wife’s constant nagging him drives him over to the Glebe to work even more hours for the church.