[World Map] Blessenwood, the Earthly Village
Blessenwood is a sleepy farming village adjacent to the World Tree. Located on the edge of the Eastern Continent, it's mainly known for its proximity to the world's most important tree - Atlas's source of mana - and ability to house many off-worlders without being too annoyed at them.
As the headquarters for Ad Libitum, the town manages to stay slightly exciting most of the time - even when nothing's happening - and occasionally receives outside visitors from other guilds. Typically, most people want to leave ASAP: there's a whole world to explore! Blessenwood, really, is just everyone's starting point.
THE TOWN
AD LIBITUM IN BLESSENWOOD (As of November 12, 2010)
As noted above, the people of Blessenwood generally have a grudging respect for Ad Libitum. Originally shunned and ignored, the guild has built up a honest and morally upright reputation amongst the townspeople... so Blessenwood has come as close as it can to embrace the guild with open arms.
Genis may be the youngest leader the guild's ever had, but he's maintaining the reputation Yuan established, so the townspeople don't mind a child leader. In many respects, Genis's leadership is diametrically opposite to Mao's; if anything, the kid's just *better* at running a guild.
Ad Libbers are well utilized in Blessenwood, however. Townspeople will not hesitate to ask them for quests, so business has been booming... and not a moment too soon, it seems.
EXPLORING THE EXTERIOR
Earth Temple: Jogah's resting place, the Temple is the to-go place for would-be summoners. Located near the old ruins, this temple has a history of its own - marred by time - and is highly respected by the townspeople. Also the old site of Green Corn day, when it was a healthy and prosperous place to worship.
Hidden Caverns: Old mining caverns that have long since been abandoned. For good reason, townspeople avoid them, but there's always the occasional quest around the entrance for those brave adventurers.
Sioux Trail: An old game trail that's still in use today! People follow it often to catch wild game and bring it back for dinner... or as a trophy on their living room wall.
World Tree: Nestled deep in a forest, the World Tree is the source of Atlas's mana. It's currently dying - and only with Martel's mana, remains alive enough to keep Atlas natives from panicking... too much.
Whistling Forest: The forest that borders Blessenwood on all sides, this forest also houses the World Tree. However, it's also known for housing the Blessenwood Lake, a "strange mansion," and all other hosts of weird events. If people think something strange's happening, they most likely visit this place first.
Ports: Located about an hour's walk from the town - and honestly, they're closer to Roseden - the ports often ship food from Blessenwood to Port Merrium (and other goods from Port Merrium to Blessenwood).
As the headquarters for Ad Libitum, the town manages to stay slightly exciting most of the time - even when nothing's happening - and occasionally receives outside visitors from other guilds. Typically, most people want to leave ASAP: there's a whole world to explore! Blessenwood, really, is just everyone's starting point.
THE TOWN
- Technologically backward compared to Ouin, but Col. Jade Curtiss has graciously installed hologram devices in the Inn and Guild Headquarters for easy communication. (Other advancements, like air conditioning, alas, don't exist.)
- Low unemployment rate: the off-worlders typically work for Ad Libitum while the natives handle farming or mining work. Everyone's needed to give a helping hand.
- The most tolerant of all Atlas towns when it comes to off-worlders. By this point, they're too used to strange people appearing from different worlds to bat an eye - though some still dislike them - to find it "bizarre" or "extraordinary." While this doesn't mean they're on great terms, the tolerance is outstanding.
- Known for their crops and the bi-annual Harvest Festival shared with neighboring town Roseden. Lasting a month, this festival - ending on Green Corn Day (GCD for short) - is an honor and month of merriment for the often overworked townspeople.
- The inn owner is obsessed with cheagles and rumored to be highly inefficient. Manitou only knows how she's still getting customers to this day.
- The Town Square is often the most lively part of town! The Marketplace is adjacent to the Square, so vendors and other Tyche Alliance members often set up shop nearby.
- A governor rules over Blessenwood, but he so far hasn't meddled in Ad Libitum affairs; for the most part, he didn't need to. The townspeople and off-worlders have currently built their own awkward truce.
AD LIBITUM IN BLESSENWOOD (As of November 12, 2010)
As noted above, the people of Blessenwood generally have a grudging respect for Ad Libitum. Originally shunned and ignored, the guild has built up a honest and morally upright reputation amongst the townspeople... so Blessenwood has come as close as it can to embrace the guild with open arms.
Genis may be the youngest leader the guild's ever had, but he's maintaining the reputation Yuan established, so the townspeople don't mind a child leader. In many respects, Genis's leadership is diametrically opposite to Mao's; if anything, the kid's just *better* at running a guild.
Ad Libbers are well utilized in Blessenwood, however. Townspeople will not hesitate to ask them for quests, so business has been booming... and not a moment too soon, it seems.
EXPLORING THE EXTERIOR
Earth Temple: Jogah's resting place, the Temple is the to-go place for would-be summoners. Located near the old ruins, this temple has a history of its own - marred by time - and is highly respected by the townspeople. Also the old site of Green Corn day, when it was a healthy and prosperous place to worship.
Hidden Caverns: Old mining caverns that have long since been abandoned. For good reason, townspeople avoid them, but there's always the occasional quest around the entrance for those brave adventurers.
Sioux Trail: An old game trail that's still in use today! People follow it often to catch wild game and bring it back for dinner... or as a trophy on their living room wall.
World Tree: Nestled deep in a forest, the World Tree is the source of Atlas's mana. It's currently dying - and only with Martel's mana, remains alive enough to keep Atlas natives from panicking... too much.
Whistling Forest: The forest that borders Blessenwood on all sides, this forest also houses the World Tree. However, it's also known for housing the Blessenwood Lake, a "strange mansion," and all other hosts of weird events. If people think something strange's happening, they most likely visit this place first.
Ports: Located about an hour's walk from the town - and honestly, they're closer to Roseden - the ports often ship food from Blessenwood to Port Merrium (and other goods from Port Merrium to Blessenwood).