"Village of the Furry Foots: An Exploration of Arthe Dale"
by Tsarenzi Muinoskyl

The name may seem misleading at first. The village's climate doesn't seem particularly warm, but warm is the direct translation of the gamgweth word "arthe." However, closer inspection finds it impossible to not reveal the generally warm and friendly nature of Arthe Dale's halfling inhabitants. Your first clue is the colorful sign proclaiming, "Welcome to Arthe Dale!" located at the village gate.

Directly inside the gate is a large house built with the human guard precisely in mind. However, Thain Rascalt Firetribe is currently seeking to replace said guard with a reliable halfling. He wishes to state that, "The human guard will remain posted, and probably asleep, until a suitable halfling replacement can be found."

Looking down Taffelberry Path from the Gate House, the entire picturesque village is laid out before your eyes, colorful buildings, colorful people, and everything in miniature. Bushes laden with berries and blossoms line the roads. Traders of all sorts travel towards the trading outpost, yaks in tow.

Trade is an important source of income for Arthe Dale. In fact, it was founded by a halfling trader named Daffleberry Tanglefoot. He had been unable to sell a great deal of goods, including a large portion of grain. So he saved it. This proved fortunate for the people of Crossing, because they were brought under siege by a hostile coastal town. They survived on Daffleberry's grain until the coastal town was forced to give up. Crossing's government was grateful for Daffleberry's assistance, but were reluctant to repay him in full. The people of Crossing became tired of listening to him protest their policy and kidnapped him. They rolled him down a hill and left him in a nearby valley. Outraged at the Crossing, he refused to return and founded Arthe Dale where he had rolled. With time it became a sanctuary for halflings and a trading center. Time also restored relations with Crossing.

The Tanglefoot House still stands in Arthe Dale and Daffleberry's descendants still live there. However, they welcome visitors at any time. Besides the historical interest of the Tanglefoot family, the house itself is a sight to see. Each generation added something to the house, usually in a different style and color, resulting in a comfortable thrown together style.

A bit to the South, Tanglefoot Row intersects with Glaysker Lane, Arthe Dale's largest concentration of shops. Phoebe's Fashions, run be energetic Phoebe Woodcock, sells an array of halfling clothing. Next door, Rufus Tanglefoot sells a more eccentric selection of objects at his shop, Odds 'n Ends. The next shop, Bardic Ballads, and owner, Barley Bulrush, seem ragged, but the merchandise, which includes instrumental supplies and popular song scrolls, is superb. Like most things in Arthe, the armor and weapons at Bobba's Arms and Armor is made to suit those of smaller stature. A dairy cow greets customers to Feta's Kitchen, which carries a wonderful supply of milk products. However, to warn the buyer, her cheese, although delicious, is quick to spoil when the protective wax coating is removed. At Woolly Tanglefoot's Map Shop, nothing ever seems to be for sale, although there are a few maps of his making at the Tanglefoot House.

Glaysker Lane leads to two residential neighborhoods. Berry Knolls has a halfling sized homes, some lovely grassy knolls. Many of the paths have their namesake fruit planted along them for guests and residents to enjoy. Residents gather at the oak tree in the center of the neighborhood. The roots of the tree make wonderful seats, but swimming isn't currently allowed in the small pond there.

However, swimming is allowed at Willow Pond, just a bit further north in the second residential neighborhood, on Appleblossom Lane. A chute leads into the pond form a nearby hillside. The Willow Pond Pier is also a favorite fishing spot of the locals. The nearby houses on Appleblossom, and connecting Gooseberry Road, were built in the traditional Crossing style and will accommodate the taller races.

Undoubtedly, Arthe Dale's most famous pond isn't Willow. More likely, it's the pond simply known as the Arthe Dale Pond. Shaded by a huge oak with a tree house in its branches, the banks of the pond are a favorite gathering spot for locals and foreigners alike.

Another of Arthe Dale's most popular stops is the Arthe Hollow Inn. The innkeeper, Wilibald Burdock, appears to have tested a bit too much of his wife Daisy's famous lamb stew, but he can't really be blamed. It's available at all of the eight meals served daily at the Inn's restaurant. Those who get hungry between meals are advised to visit the Farmer's Market next door or the complimentary snack table in the Inn's dance hall. Guests are encouraged to dance in the hall after they eat by halfling musicians who play around the clock. There's several rooms available for long term stays, as well as two rooms for overnight guests. One of these rooms, the Rose Room, is designed to accommodate taller people. The Sickle Room, however, although lovely, is much too small for such people. Both rooms have latchable doors, and both adhere to their theme. The Sickle Room even has a bowl of fresh sickle fruit from the Farmer's Market.

The Farmer's Market is where all of Arthe Dale's farmers sell their produce that isn't sent with traders. One stand sells homemade baked goods, another, fresh vegetables.

The Community Garden is accessible through the Farmer's Market. Ripe modwyn and taffelberries are ready for the picking. The boy dressed as a scarecrow seems to have eaten more than his fair share of the berries. A tiny kitten also wanders through the garden, occasionally taking time to play with the scarecrow.

Although incredibly cute, it is unlikely that the scarecrow considers the kitten an adequate alternative to the Target Range where his friends are probably playing. The Target Range is where Arthe Dale's residents practice their skill with the sling and other similar projectile weapons. Even though the range was created to prepare for a possible emergency, it is clearly widely enjoyed. Spectators are permitted, but visitor participation is not allowed.

Arthe Dale is favored by Glythtide, the God of merriment. A shrine has been erected to him on the Greensward, near the Target Range and Arthe Dale Pond. The simple shrine is covered with moonflowers, and a statue of Glythtide, rejoicing with ale in hand, is placed in the center. Ale and tart shortages are often blamed on the god's visits. Indeed, the town has captured his spirit, from its love of food, ale, and celebration to his warm friendly nature. Glythtide has reason to favor Arthe Dale, Village of the Furry Foots.