Nestled among the rolling Vindhya hills of the lower central provinces is the small village of Rudaali. This is where you have spent most of your childhood, though Lopamudra's rigorous training has always ensured you were always a tad isolated from much of what was happening in the village. However, everyone here knows you, and most even admire you for being someone who can wield a blade. None of them can, and none of them really want to except maybe for the ever anxious Vijay, the sole and underappreciated member of the village militia. A veteran of the Eastern Rebellions, he is always worried that an attack is imminent on the village. Most villagers see him as a bit of a joke.
Rudaali was founded fifty years ago when two nomadic tribes merged. Their respective heads decided to share leadership and that has worked out well for them. The headman Shankar is the man villagers run to with their problems when they expect a sympathetic ear, or a shoulder to cry on. The village woman Malati is someone they rely on to solve their problems. Between Shankar's kind heart and bumbling ineptitude, and Malati's caustic tongue but ruthless efficiency, Rudaali has hummed along smoothly and prosperously for half a century.
Rudaali does not really get attention from most of the empire. Its soil is too rocky to grow any crops, and the rapidly flowing rivers yield a bony and slender fish that not even the most desperate would eat. Rudaali knows no threat from beast or men that merits military attention, nor do their people have any artistic skills that would attract the beady eyes of traders. Thus, it is the closest to tranquility as can be expected in an empire often plagued by minor and major problems. People can roam freely in the woods, for the wolves are stuffed with prey aplenty, and bandits don't even bother to venture there. The only ones paying attention to Rudaali are the ever persistent Lawgivers who have been trying for years to convert its folk to the Righteous worship of Rudra. The people have stayed firm to their worship of Chandi Maa, the Mother Goddess who is also called the Goddess of the Plague. The village Priest Ved is a passive, gentle man who has yet to say a harsh word about anything. In fact, you have never even seen him express a strong opinion. That is unusual for Rudaalis are known to be highly outspoken, and almost offensively articulate people as is typical of most of the people of the Central Provinces, who lack the tact of the northern provinces, the intellect of the southern provinces, the taciturn reserve of the western provinces, or the simpler natures of the easterners who they are likely to dismiss as the fakers, effetes, barbarians and retards, respectively.
Just north of Rudaali are the crumbling ruins of an ancient temple. No one knows who the temple was dedicated to, and people are scared of venturing inside. Though people have peeked inside, and even explored the empty interior hall, there are whispers that some terrible evil rests within. However the exterior area with its tinkling waterfall and gurgling river is considered one of the prettiest places around the village and romantically inclined couples often go there in spring to ...um...admire the birds. However, it is nearing winter now, and you needn't fear rustling any busy folk from the Bandini bushes.
If you venture further north up the ruins, you will see the Rudaali woods. The Rudaali woods were once an important Trade route to Hasthi, a bustling trade town halfway to Ratnagiri (the trade capital of Samsara), but as more and more traders prefer to take the river, it has fallen to neglect. An old inn still stands there with faint hints of its once vibrant past. The few animals that lurk here are absolutely uninterested in you as prey, though if you happen to see a bear with a cub, you may want to stay away. Remember always, it is considered a sin to kill an animal for sport in Samsara.
Apart from the ramshackle inn, you may find stray travelers and timber harvesters. However, the woods are not known for any activity. Some villagers have spoken about a woodland cabin with an important looking stranger living within, but that is something you are going to have to investigate yourself.
The rolling Vindhya hills give way to the Ekadanta pass, once the only way to travel across the Central provinces. However, as I mentioned before, the Parag river meanders around the hills and makes for a far more pleasant journey than trudging through the rather formidable mountain pass. The few people who dare to make this journey travel in large groups for there are rumors of bandits desperate enough to prey on those so poor they cannot afford even the astoundingly cheap River Ferry.
The Ekadanta pass takes you to the outskirts of the bustling trade town of Hasthi, which is half way to Ratnagiri. Most traders tend to stop and pick up supplies there and enjoy a bit of old fashioned hospitality and old fashioned prices before they head to the extravangantly priced Trade Capital.
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