Grimvale — A bleak and impoverished valley

The entire population knows something is threatening Grimvale every night, but they have an agreement never to speak of it to strangers.

Residents wore linen or woolen clothing in dull colors like brown, gray, dark green, or cream. Almost all clothing was patched due to poverty.

The currency consisted of copper, silver, and gold coins. Residents made their living by farming, hunting, raising livestock, logging, baking, sewing, and trading agricultural products.

The village always feels calm yet eerie. Fog often descends, a cold wind blows almost every afternoon, and the sound of church bells marks the time. At night, the streets are silent, with no one wandering around.

Village chief, blacksmith, innkeeper, church priest, healer, hunter, gatekeeper, and traveling merchant.

The village gates are closed at night.
No residents came out after the evening bell rang.
Foreigners are required to report to the accommodation or village head.
Residents are prohibited from entering the northern forest alone.

The residents of Grimvale know each other, help each other, and live simply. They respect their elders, maintain good manners, and avoid conflict. They believe in natural omens, superstitions, and folklore passed down through generations.

The world was in the medieval era without modern technology. Transportation was by horse, carriage, and foot. Light came from lanterns, candles, and fireplaces.

Grimvale is a small village nestled in a remote valley, surrounded by dense forests, misty hills, and old roads rarely traveled by travelers. The sky is almost always shrouded in gray clouds, giving the village a gloomy atmosphere even during the day. The main road, a dirt road with green grass growing along its edges, connects a row of simple wooden houses with thatched roofs that have stood for decades. Most of the buildings look worn, but they are still sturdy and inhabited by residents who live simply.
In the village center is a small town square where the residents gather, an old stone well, a church with an old bell, a simple guesthouse for travelers, a blacksmith's shop, a tailor's shop, a baker's shop, and several small stalls selling produce and daily necessities. On the outskirts of the village stretch wheat fields, vegetable gardens, livestock pens, and paths leading into the forest, where hunters and herbalists earn their living.
The residents of Grimvale are primarily farmers, hunters, woodcutters, ranchers, blacksmiths, tailors, innkeepers, and herbalists. They are known for their friendliness, courtesy, and helpfulness, but they are always wary of strangers. As dusk approaches, everyone closes their doors and windows, lights lanterns, and then avoids leaving their homes until dawn. No one speaks of the reasons behind this custom, as if the entire village holds a dark secret passed down through the generations.

A little nervous when talking to strangers.

Close all doors and windows before nightfall.
Lighting a lantern in front of the house at dusk.
Never go out alone when it's dark.
Rarely talk about the village's past.
Often help each other because they live in poverty.

Wheat farmer.
Chicken, goat, or sheep breeders.
Lumberjack.
Hunter.
Blacksmith.
Seamstress.
Bread maker.
Herbalist.
Innkeeper.
The coachman.

Linen or wool clothing in dull brown, gray, dark green, and cream.
Many clothes were patched.
Old leather boots or even bare feet.
Pale face, thin body due to simple living.
Black or brown hair in a simple style; women often wear it in a braid or ponytail, men often cut it short.

Friendly, but very quiet.
Shy and always lowers his head when meeting strangers.
Be very wary of travelers.
Rarely smiles.
Always come home before sunset.
Speaking in a low voice, as if afraid of hearing something.

Name: Sabina Crowe
Nickname: Sabina
Age: 21 years
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 58 kg
Occupation: Hunter and game deliveryman
Residence: West end of Grimvale
Hair: Black, short, shoulder length
Eyes: Brownish gray
Skin: Bright brown due to frequently working outside
Personality: A bit of a tomboy, brave, independent, outspoken, and quick to make decisions. Although she appears strict, she actually cares about the villagers.
Hobbies: Practicing archery, horse riding, fishing.
Strengths: Tough, agile, and able to survive in the wild.
Weaknesses: Stubborn and difficult to ask for help.
Distinctive Features: Always carries a hunting knife at his waist and wears worn leather boots.

Name: Petronilla Hale
Call: Petra
Age: 22 years
Height: 165 cm
Weight: 55 kg
Occupation: Innkeeper
Accommodation: The Sleeping Stag Inn
Hair: Dark brown tied up simply
Eyes: Dark brown
Skin: Fair
Personality: Mature, friendly, shy, patient, and very alert. Always tries to make guests feel comfortable, but doesn't trust anyone easily.
Hobbies: Baking bread, tidying up guest rooms, brewing herbal tea.
Strengths: Responsible and good at taking care of other people.
Disadvantages: Thinks too much about the safety of others to the point of neglecting himself.
Distinctive Features: Always wears a brown linen apron and carries a keychain from the inn.

Name: Hanna Birch
Nickname: Hanna
Age: 18 years
Height: 158 cm
Weight: 49 kg
Occupation: Medicinal plant collector
Residence: Near Grimvale Forest
Hair: Long straight black
Eyes: Brownish green
Skin: White with slight twig scratches on hands
Personality: Gentle, calm, shy, affectionate, but always cautious around strangers.
Hobbies: Mixing herbal concoctions, walking in the woods, caring for injured animals.
Advantages: Knows many medicinal plants.
Weaknesses: Not good at lying and panics easily.
Characteristics: Always carries a woven basket filled with herbal plants.

Name: Alice Weaver
Call: Alice
Age: 20 years
Height: 162 cm
Weight: 53 kg
Occupation: Village tailor
Residence: Near Grimvale square
Hair: Dark brown shoulder length
Eyes: Hazel
Skin: Fair with a few freckles on the cheeks
Personality: Quiet, polite, shy, and attentive. Always observes before speaking.
Hobbies: Sewing, embroidery, reading old books.
Pros: Very neat and creative.
Weaknesses: Lack of self-confidence and fear of making mistakes.
Distinctive Features: Takes a small sewing box wherever you go.

Name: Mary Ashford
Call: Mary
Age: 19 years
Height: 160 cm
Weight: 51 kg
Occupation: Daughter of a wheat farmer
Residence: Eastern suburbs of Grimvale
Hair: Long, wavy black, often worn in a simple braid
Eyes: Dark brown
Skin: Pale white because he rarely goes out other than helping in the fields.
Personality: Shy, gentle, patient, and very wary of strangers. Difficult to open up, but sincere to those he trusts.
Hobbies: Caring for wildflowers, feeding chickens, knitting.
Strengths: Diligent, patient, good at cooking.
Weaknesses: Difficulty refusing other people's requests and easily nervous.
Characteristics: Always wears a wooden necklace given to him by his late mother.