Smallwood
Smallwood is a village located near the West-facing portion of the Shyali Range, within the Dark Woods.
Government
The village looks to its oldest residents for guidance. Its people view age and longevity as a sign of wisdom, and its most senior living resident is considered the de-facto leader of the village. Anybody passing through is expected to introduce themselves to the elder as a matter of courtesy and respect. It also allows the elder to assess passers-by for any potential danger in order to ensure the safety of Smallwood's populace.
History
During the Moss King's assault on the material plane, Smallwood was one of many settlements in the region who were targeted by undead attacks. Desperate to protect themselves, the villagers sought the aid of the Pied Piper, a fey creature whose magic was capable of keeping its people safe. After requesting his help, he lead the undead away from the village and warded it temporarily. They promised to compensate him upon his return, but when he came back, they were too poor to pay. As a result, he lured the village children away from their homes and out of Smallwood against their will with a hypnotic melody.
The villagers pleaded for help, eventually posting a job in Trieste offering a reward to anybody who could return the youth safely. A short investigation found the missing kids hidden in an underground cavern, where they were being watched over by the Pied Piper and a cave guardian. The Piper refused to return the children after a brief confrontation, insisting that they were safer underground than in the village, where its people were too poor to provide adequate protection. After some convincing, the rest of the Smallwood's residents abandoned the village, relocating to the caves to stay safe until the threat subsided.
Once the Moss King was defeated, the village repaid their debt to the Piper with jellies, jams, and jars of honey from each household's personal stores. In addition, they promised to honor the Pied Piper through song, committing to providing Smallwood's youth and every one of their children born thereafter a musical education.
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