Arnos Vale 

This is the original, estate of Arsh one of the founders of the city. He chose a series of 3 small hills by the river as his base, and called it Arshes Vale. However over time the name evolved to Arnos Vale, and Lord Petros' house still stands on the tallest of the hills. Houses for about 250 people cluster on low flat hill, while the third hill (the original settlement) houses a few more houses and the village center. The is an inn called "The Cayman's Tooth", a small communal garden that contains shrines to both Arth and Shan. There is also a single general store on this hill top, which sells the basics of most things (see foot note 1) The villagers have also cut a channel from the river to a small oxbow lake that formed some time ago, and use that as a place to keep their boats.

Every house in this village belongs to Lord Petros and rent is paid as labour in his fields or orchards or providing game meat and skins to the noble estate. Each house is allotted an area of growing land to grow food for themselves and they can supplement their income practising other skills (see Footnote 2)

 The local fields grow Rice, Marsh Bean, Mint, Marsh Marigold, Flag Iris, Gypsy Wort and Swamp Apple well. Gonjo does not grow well in this area as the conditions don't suit it at all. 

Lord Petros has a couple of cider presses on his estate, as well as a still for making Apple Jack.  He also maintains a small herd of the Dexter's Cattle as well as flock of ducks.

Its proximity to the river makes Arnos Vale a good place for Hunter/trappers and a good 40% of the population work the local marshes. They use skiffs (and canoes where appropriate) to collect reeds for thatching and basketwork, to go after the larger fish with spears. use nets to catch the shoaling fish, of to bring back game. Most of the swamp wildlife is seen as 'fair game' and they can return with everything from small birds (such as ducks or moor hens) to caymans, seals etc. Cheap homemade bows (self bow or crude weapon smithing) are the favoured weapons of the bird hunters, while fishermen use spears to take large fish and caymen. Javelin is a favourite thrown weapon for medium sized mammals, as the extra shaft length makes it difficult for them to flee easily (spears are harder to throw and arrows don't hinder flight) the 'coupe de grace' is often delivered with the almost universally carried hand axe.

Very occasionally hunters will return with the wings and carapace of either a Garbug or a giant dragonfly. These are always considered to be the properly of the hunters, even if they were taken on a day where the take would normally be sent to the manor house.

The high proportion of people who are used to wielding weapons and who are also used to the risk associated with being out in the swamp, makes this the village best prepared to defend itself should the need arise. To emphasise this Lord Petros calls a muster of the militia every three months or so. They don't do too much training and drilling - but they do get to know which company they are in, and who their officers are.

The primary cash goods generated by the village are Apple Jack, Jerky, animal skins and leather o they also sell food into Porter's bar. Lord Petros is the least wealthy of the three landed lords, as he does not have a huge Gonjo generated income - however - he makes a reasonable income from his apple jack, selling Black gypsy wort die and supplying leather, skins and furs.

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Footnote 1 The Store sells -- Dried food stuffs (Nuts, Dried fruit, imported dried peas etc) and Teff flour. it sells basic tools o hoes, hammers, spades, forks, axes, sickles. Cooking pots, plates cups cutler, material.. Paddles for canoes, rope fishing nets etc., Weapons and military resources: short bow arrows, spears, javelins, hand axes, daggers and knives. The store also sells arrow heads, spear heads, javelin heads, shafts for all three weapons and stripped feathers ready for fletching.

Footnote 2 Many people in this village make reed baskets and mats for sale in the town and they are also experienced at making a coarse material from the fibers of the marsh bean plant, there are also a couple of 'proper' bowyer fletchers as well as number of people who have the crude weapon smithing ability. Leather workers and tanners work with the skins collected, and butchers who prepare the meat for transport to other villages. These villagers have a special way of smoke and air curing meat that gives a tough dried meat, called Jerky Meat that will last for ages (a bit like Procuito Crudo or biltong). When the jerky is soaked and boiled it makes a reasonable (not good) meal. The Jerky can also be eaten as it is but it is very tough and difficult to swallow. Fish can be treated in the same way. Because wood is an expensive commodity, this is only done communally and occasionally :)