Welcome To Alderwick
Alderwick County, oh how happy I am that I can visit any time I so desire. It is a land of contrasts, from the windswept heights of Red Barrow Moor to the tranquillity of Sandy Vale, so every direction brings a different experience. And every trail has its own stories, although not all are to be believed. Named for its historic abundance of alder trees, the county has something for everyone, no matter where your tastes lie.
Alderwick isn’t new. It has existed throughout time, from the turn of the 12th century to the present day. It has seen people come and go, settlements grow then turn to ruin, and the rise of technology. It has welcomed visitors and turned them into residents. Alderwick has seen so much, but today I offer you a glimpse of Victorian times, circa 1890. But don’t worry. Alderwick is whispering its secrets to me: the funny, the tragic, the downright depraved. You will travel to different places and times through those stories.
In Alderwick, the passage of time is measured as much by the changing seasons as by the steady march of progress, and the traditions of past generations remain. The woodworkers of Fox Hollow, the weavers of Thornbury, the rope-makers of Blackwater…all skills passed down through generations. In Brackenmere, fishing boats ply the waters of the great lake for prized Brackenmere trout, still sought after today. Quieter settlements, such as Sandy Vale, offer refuge from the bustle of modern life. The people of Alderwick are as varied as its landscapes, with a fierce pride in their communities and a most stubborn respect for the customs and traditions of their ancestors.
Don’t be concerned, they’re very welcoming of outsiders…mostly. For you, dear reader, Alderwick offers many delights, from bustling markets, rugged coastal vistas, and maybe even a sheep festival or two.
And yes, you may bump into a ghost, or a ghost of the past, but isn’t that why you’re here? Don’t you want to leave the stress of the real world behind, even for a few minutes? Then let’s explore, or rather I’ll let you explore. It’s my world after all; I already know what’s there. Where to first?
Blackwater may not be the prettiest town in Alderwick, but its residents will assure you that beauty is highly overrated.
Come for market day, stay for the trout, and please try not to believe everything the fishermen tell you.
A peaceful coastal retreat where old sailors enjoy their retirement, can't say the same about their stories.
The beating heart of Alderwick, where you're just as likely to meet scholars as vagabonds.
The foxes are long gone, leaving behind fine timber, skilled woodsmen, and maybe a secret or two.
Honest trade and questionable bargains share the same harbor, and you're never quite sure which you'll find.
A quaint little town where everyone knows everyone, and everything about everyone.
Outsiders are welcome in this coastal village, provided they have a habit of minding their own business.
Life between two rivers is pleasantly uneventful, except when the rains come and the rivers decide otherwise.
What possessed people to settle these windswept heights remains something of a mystery. Maybe that's the point.
Rest, relaxation, and good company. Tread carefully with that last one, unless you're into life stories.
Centuries of prayer have blessed these ancient walls, but some insist the silence is not always undisturbed.
Dig deep enough and you're bound to uncover something ancient, preferably away from any local rose gardens.
Fine wool, and finer blankets, prove that even sheep can contribute meaningfully to polite society.