B E A R H O L L O W
Bear Hollow is a hidden gem nestled in the forest. It is as alive as the woodland around it, the town itself built from its resources; even the wilderness itself encroaches on the Hollow in the form of mosses and ferns as they climb the triangular rooves of its buildings and houses, and pelts and antler decor that are just as common as the bright paint and banners that dot the town. The people of this town are warm and inviting, the sunlight that dapples the village through the canopies just as bright and welcoming as the animals that dwell beneath it. Bear Hollow is filled with lumberjacks and hunters, the town's main exports being meat and lumber; therefore, these folk are of a rough and strong sort, but this has never once dulled their friendliness.
This village was the third youngest to come to fruition. With humble beginnings as an inn and small lumber outpost, it grew in size when Nevriande's inhabitants realized how prey-rich the area of Greenwood is, and gained numbers when the rather frequent travelers through the area noticed how pleasant and bountiful a land and village it was. Bear Hollow's current Chieftain is Lantern, who leads his village with a peaceful and contemplative paw.
size: medium
symbol: bear
colors: green & tan
population: ~600
crime rate: low
♫ playlist: link
WHAT BEAR HOLLOW IS KNOWN FOR
Travel Route
One of the most popular travel routes in Nevriande cuts right through the heart of Bear Hollow, making this town a wonderful place for weary paws to rest their tired heads and fill their bellies with mead or food. It isn't uncommon for Bear Hollow to be renowned for its hospitality, and most residents are eager to greet new faces and sell their wares or services.
Lumber
Due to the lucrative nature of living in a forest, one of the two of Bear Hollow's greatest focuses when it comes to work is lumber. From cutting down trees to processing them and chopping them for various uses, Bear Hollow consists of expert lumber workers and foresters who have learned the art of productivity when it comes to woodworking.
Hunting
Along with the tree industry, the Greenwood Forest is flourishing with life year round. From the largest moose to the smallest lemming, the hunters of Bear Hollow have learned to hunt, stalk, trap and process various kinds of prey and their meats and body parts. The residents of Bear Hollow believe in using every part of the animal, and thus have learned to excel in their trade.
TRADITIONS & HOLIDAYS
holidays with * beside them are roleplay events and their scheduled time can be found here!Printing Ceremony
The most personal and heart-warming of Bear Hollow traditions is that of the printing ceremony. As soon as a Bear Hollow resident reaches adulthood and dedicates their life to their village, they get to press their paw print upon a large marking stone with a permanent paint mixture to leave there for years to come.
It is mostly reserved for those born in Bear Hollow -- however, when a stranger or newcomer to the town proves their extraordinary dedication to Bear Hollow or does it a great deed, they are welcome to plaster their paw onto the stone as well.
Bear Hollow Hospitality
It is tradition in the village that any outsider be whisked away by the lively and inviting residents of Bear Hollow for a meal and a drink at the Naked Grizzly tavern. Guests are always welcomed and greeted with open arms in Bear Hollow, and the town reaps the fortune of being so hospitable.
Tourism is a great market in this village, and their warm welcome to any new visitors serves two purposes: to build a foundation of trust with newcomers and to try and sniff out any ill intent.
The Burning Bear*
The Burning Bear festival is celebrated in the wake of an ending Summer. Villagers gather around a giant wood and straw bear which is set ablaze at dusk. Food is plentiful as everyone is encouraged to cook something to bring and share before retiring wherever they like for a sleep that often goes long into the next day.
This tradition celebrates bears’ feasting throughout the summer and fall before sleeping away the long winter. Summer is a time of bounty for the large mammals of the forest.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Architecture & Housing
The houses of Bear Hollow are short and stout and seem as if they were borne from the earth themselves due to the grass that is used to line the rooves of each building. Most buildings are lined with moss or grass along their roofing and some residents even choose to grow little herbs or garden things along their homes, making for a lovely and lively aesthetic.
Due to being a lumbering and animal-processing village, homes and buildings are often decorated with wooden carved statues, carved bone or antlers / skeletons.
Residents here typically can afford to build or buy their own homes, and the size is usually dependent on the size of the family or if it is a solo member.
Bonus Info
The hardwood forests around Bear Hollow provide the perfect environment for many varieties of edible mushrooms. Hunting for rare edible fungi is a common hobby among the residents.
During the peak of summer biting flies can become a real nuisance, so it’s common for residents to roll themselves in a special clay and bear fat mud salve. Residents will often create a wallowing pit near their home for frequent top-ups while outside at work.
Young cubs and pups will often spend their childhood collecting tadpoles in jars or bowls and bringing them home to raise into frogs, then racing their frogs by the time they grow to see who has the speediest hopper.
BEAR HOLLOW HIERARCHY
ranks with ☆ beside them are high ranks and must be approved by staff before creation!VILLAGE CHIEFTAIN
Chieftain Lantern
The village Chieftain is entrusted by the Kingdom to oversee and maintain their village, keeping an eye on those who live there and ensuring that all of their needs are met. They are unable to create laws or punish large crimes against the Kingdom, but they do have a sense of independence and are given the authority to make smaller local decisions that are in the best interest of their home. The Chieftain works closely with the heads of each rank to form a sort of council that has the village's best interests in mind.
RESIDENTS
Residents in Bear Hollow make up the body of the village, from the youngest child to the strongest of the guard. When it comes to the villages, most of the hierarchy is identical except for small editions or tweaks depending on what the village specializes in when it comes to their trade. Ranks are often chosen based on personal preference or their mental / physical prowess. Ranks are broad and characters can choose to specialize in one particular niche of their rank or have broad knowledge of it's entirety. When it comes to villages, the heads of the ranks all form a council to aid the chief in decision making and discussions. Any ranks that are exclusive to certain locations will be paired with an asterisk (*).
Residents in Bear Hollow make up the body of the village, from the youngest child to the strongest of the guard. When it comes to the villages, most of the hierarchy is identical except for small editions or tweaks depending on what the village specializes in when it comes to their trade. Ranks are often chosen based on personal preference or their mental / physical prowess. Ranks are broad and characters can choose to specialize in one particular niche of their rank or have broad knowledge of it's entirety. When it comes to villages, the heads of the ranks all form a council to aid the chief in decision making and discussions. Any ranks that are exclusive to certain locations will be paired with an asterisk (*).
PROWESS TIER
☆ head: none
GUARD
Guards are those dedicated to defending their home, often keeping watch of a certain area they are posted in and making sure things remain safe and peaceful.
SCOUT
Scouts are those who patrol the streets or areas around their region to ensure that there is no questionable or sketchy behavior afoot.
HUNTER
Hunters are those tasked with feeding and providing provisions for their home. They can choose to either hunt, set traps or gather wild foods and foliage. They can hunt as groups or independently.
TRAPPER*
Creating snares or traps to catch animals in good quality, Trappers are refined leatherworkers and furriers who make quality products of leather or fur. They are experts in processing animals skillfully.
PRODUCTION TIER
☆ head: none
FORESTER*
With being a lumbering town, Bear Hollow requires a large workforce of those with the brawn and skill to cut down, chop, process or even carve wood to deliver wood products across the Kingdom for various purposes.
BLACKSMITH
Blacksmiths are skilled craftsmen who focus their trade on working with ore and metals to pound them into workable sheets and substances. They make tools, nails, and other practical supplies.
WRANGLER*
Wranglers are those who tend and ensure that the livestock and cattle of the village are taken care of and protected. They often herd them, feed, water, protect and train them to assist workers when needed.
ARTISAN
Artisans are crafters who are tasked with creating various crafts, apparel, furniture, jewelry, etc. Usually artisans can focus on a specific niche or be a jack-of-all-trades and make whatever is needed of them.
PROFICIENCY TIER
☆ head: none
COURIER
Couriers are tasked with sending and receiving parcels, letters and packages to and from their destination. Either tasked with official or casual messages, they usually travel quite often to complete their duties.
MEDIC
Medics follow the more medicinal and healing path of work. Often making salves, treating patients or healing the common cold, they care for the people and ensure everyone is healthy and cared for.
CLERIC
Clerics are those who chose to follow a more religious line of work, acting as those who dedicate themselves to their chosen religion and guide others who are interested or give spiritual advice as needed.
MENTOR
Mentors dedicate their work to helping apprentices train and pick their own line of work in the future. They are usually knowledgeable in most lines of work and either teach or set up learning opportunities for their apprentices.
APPRENTICE
Apprentices are those training to find their career via a mentor, usually teens who are seeking their future job and calling. The length of their training depends on their path. Their graduation is decided upon once their mentor believes they're ready.
RESIDENT
Residents are those who live in their village and either work at their own small business in the village or simply just reside there. This includes retired workers and also just those who are unable to work physically or mentally. This includes the elderly & children, as well.