Grog village
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Structure:
Due to the threat of Merten, the village is made of only 10 large and very well built houses. Each holding on average two extended families. They mostly farm sheep and there’s a number of pens and sheds for them and their fodder.
Population:
At any given time, the village has about 20 families, with about 35 children (below 16) 15 elders (over 55s, who do only light work) and about 50 working aged people between those ages. Of which 20 sets of them are paired off and married. The remaining 10 either haven’t found a partner yet or have no inheritance and so aren’t searching for one. Those unfortunates will generally either find another family to marry into or go off to find employment in the larger towns or cities or become one of the covenant servants.
There’s no church or meeting hall, but the largest couple of houses can temporarily house the whole population for a meeting or a party if they clear out the animals and break down the partitions, if there’s a need for it, which is generally what happens when there’s a celebration. They also have some thick sheep-hide tents which are bought out for the annual celebrations if it’s raining. There are some long planks of wood that are used as temporary feasting tables propped up by logs and hay bales are used as seating.
Most villagers head to Ormskirk every Saturday, they bring a couple of wagons pulled by oxen to transport those who are too young or infirm to make the journey themselves.
During the day (particularly during winter) young children are gathered together and taught their letters, told of the bible and told stories, generally by one of the mothers that is currently unable to work. Whilst the older children help out with farm work. The education is spotty and occasionally somebody like Aldreda comes down to give a proper lesson, but it means they are all basically literate.
notable personalities:
- Udele Stroude - The Stroud family live in the building closest to the Bridge and so it was decided that they are the ones responsible for approaching the Magi on behalf of the village if needed. Udele is just a standard sheep farmer with his wife Elfrida.
- Kennard Foxe - A low-skill Blacksmith who does basic repairs to the village metalwork. He also repairs fences, fixes roofs and other low-skilled maintenance work. Single but has taken a lad as his apprentice.
- Ashley Holmese, A married woman in her 30’s, she has visited the library a few times to read books on medicine and chirurgy since she was young and has taken a girl as her apprentice. Handles most medical issues before bothering the magi.
- Edric Hulle - One of the elder members of the village, a position that generally changes hands every 5 or so years. Acts as the village head-man and helps ensure adequate supplies.
Other Established individuals:
- Joe Jetty - The Net-weaver (who attacked Decius with a branch and led you to Padiham)
- Mary Jetty - Hunter-forager (Joe’s wife, who was healed after her leg was caught in a trap)
- Rebecca Cox - An Oiler
The current family lines are:
Hulle
Holmese
Foxe
Stroude
Shepherd
Walter
Mereson
Rolfe
Cooper
Bigge
Bennett
Browne
Godfrey
Wood
Spinner
Hooke
Jetty
Green
Cox
Hayer
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