Difohr Village

Difohr Village, named after the ancient land in which it inhabits, is home to a tribe of Rava Viera along the jungle border between Dalmasca Inferior, Valnain, and Nagxia.

Affiliated Links

• Sun Crest Unit
• Barheim Brewery

CULTURE

An in-depth look into the Difohr Village culture. While Difohr residents are fierce and strict by outside standards, other Rava tribes consider them dangerously lax and far too welcoming of outsiders.

☘ The Difohr Rava are expert markswomen and lancers, but no few among their number are also master apothecaries. Salve-makers are revered within the village, for none among them could so bravely defend their home if it weren't for the guarantee of medical intervention. The Council is made entirely of Green Mages -- a group of mighty women who carry staves and maces and commune with nature to weave protective magics around their settlement.

✿ Their medical expertise and way of life means that Viera from this settlement tend to live longer than others might. Most of the village Elders are well into their fourth centuries, with one notable member of the Council having attained the great age of 500.

⚘ Although the Viera who live in the Difohr settlement might welcome outsiders to mingle with them in the markets, citing 'Enlightenment Through Exchange' as their modus vivendi, the villagers hold themselves to a strict tradition hailing a time immemorial: to leave the Wood is to dull one's ears to the Green Word and invite dangers upon the sacred ground. Thus, while travel between Viera villages is permitted, should one of their own seek to leave the Wood entirely, she is considered Viera no longer. She may mingle in the markets, but she is not acknowledged as one of their race or their tribe.

♣ As with most Viera settlements, the men of the village are dismissed upon their discovery. Their fate is to learn the ways of the Wood from a fellow Warder, protecting the settlement from outside threats. But some, in exceptional cases, are permitted to live amongst the women. These men are considered something of a 'failure,' and often go unseen inside the village itself. Despite their status as perceived failures, however, the men who are permitted to stay in the village are treated with the same affection one would show a leveret. They are generally not permitted to mate with the women of Difohr.

✽ When a member of the Tribe has been excommunicated, they are 'gifted' with a shimmering white shroud woven from threads made from glowing webs. The raiment is worn upon departure to signal to the other Viera that this Sister (or Brother) is 'dead' to them. None are permitted to speak to the Dead, and all honour this agreement, but some few contumacious Difohran residents find ways around this -- often by speaking to a different person nearby, and wishing aloud that the Dead could hear their words.

TRADE

Thanks to the Difohran mindset of 'Enlightenment Through Exchange,' non-Viera trade is welcomed in this village. It acts as a port of call for most walks of life, and even some curious Rava from other villages will come to browse their bustling markets. But ware ye who would wield weaponry inside the village, for Difohr archers stand ready to shoot down all those who would seek to cause harm.

☘ The Difohr village hosts a market that nearly anyone can attend; Dalmascans, Nagxians, Viera from other villages are all welcome. Theirs is a neutral ground, though heavily guarded and strictly regulated, and is the port of call where other villages might trade with the outside world, should they so choose.

✿ The village's main exports are Glow Web Cloth, dyes, and potent tribe-specific traditional salves and potions. Some say that the Difohrans rest on the very Elixer of Life, given their Chief Elder's exalted age.

⚘ They often trade for 'exotic' foodstuffs (coffee, sugar, chocolate), metals with which to make their weaponry, and glass -- the more colourfully stained, the better.

♣ Certain goods are met with violent disdain, and are not permitted at the market. These include: firearms, magitek and warmachina, ceruleum or goods requiring ceruleum for power. Other mechanical goods are enjoyed, however, and include: mammets, music boxes, and time pieces.

✽ Active Garlean soldiers/sympathisers are the only ones truly unwelcome, because their steel shows no regard for the wellbeing of the Wood or Her Children, and cannot be suffered inside the Jungle.

HISTORY

Did the Green Word lead the Difohr Elders astray? Other Rava certainly seem to think so. Discover the history behind Difohr's founding, the Council's comparably lax policies, and the residents' peculiar ways.

☘ In ancient times long past, a nameless Rava of the One Village was granted a vision. She was to go south to where the Wood grew sparse, and there find a wayfaring outsider in desperate condition. In nursing them back to health, that act of kindness was then repaid manyfold when the traveller then gave her an artifact that later proved invaluable. During a time of great suffering, seemingly nought could ease the ailment of the Greatwood -- but the power held within that artifact cleansed the jungle of its ailments, and peace was restored.

✿ The Nameless One's secret rendezvous thus exposed, the Rava was then exiled from the One Village for treating with outsiders. Once more she journeyed south, this time to establish her own village with those sisters who thought her wise to heed the Greenword's most unusual advice. And so the village of Difohr was born, adopting its motto of Enlightenment Through Exchange, with even outsiders and beastmen among those welcomed to partake in trade.

⚘ Over the passing millennia, the Difohr markets became modestly well known. None could pass through the village and into the Jungle behind them, but any were welcome to browse wares, barter, and trade to their hearts' content - so long as one did nought to incur the wrath of the Greatwood or Her watchful guardians. With the exceptions of magitek weaponry, ceruleum, and slave trades, nearly all goods are welcome for appraisal. Textiles, precious gems and metals, and exotic foodstuffs are among the highest prized by the local villagers.

♣ As ancient as Difohr village is, one may be unsurprised to learn that the wayward adventurer saved by the First Elder was none other than a person of Allag. However, none have seen a man of Allag in nigh 5000 Turns. Still, the history is well preserved within Difohr, and any with a passing interest in the ancient civilisation (and those which came after) may yet find the answers they seek.

✽ As for the recent disputes with Garlemald, Difohr Village has called a truce with citizens of the North: so long as they are not active soldiers or sympathetic to the Empire, those of Garlean descent are welcome within the village markets. Many think the inhabitants of Difohr foolish for even this lukewarm mark of trust - but it is through just such exchange that the Viera might become enlightened to the weaknesses in this new threat.

Difohr Village is an original concept by Faynish. Do not create characters from this tribe without express permission.