River Valley Town

Biodata

Background

River Valley Town was originally an obscure inland settlement with little commercial value. Nearby rivers were blocked by mountain ranges, preventing water trade; the town also lacked notable local products, had difficult terrain, and was avoided by ordinary merchant routes. 15

Its fortunes changed because of nearby Thin Mist Forest. The forest's permanent gray-white mist is caused by abundant Magic Power, creating both dangerous Monsters and valuable magical herbs and secret realms. Adventurers seeking these opportunities made River Valley Town an important settlement in southern Climbing Cloud Province. 15

The town is surrounded by mountains on three sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Its location beside the forest turned it into the preferred place for adventurers to rest, resupply, trade spoils, and accept work. 15

After the Adventurers Association established its branch, the Servia Kingdom gradually withdrew its local troops and instead cooperated with the Association. During Hunting Day, when Goblin numbers surge, the kingdom subsidizes adventurers and raises the Goblin bounty from three silvers and seven coppers to five silver coins per head. 112

Geography

• Terrain — Inland and mountainous, with three sides protected by mountain ranges. 15
• Nearby wilderness — Thin Mist Forest lies nearby and serves as the source of the town's Monster threats, magical resources, and adventurer traffic. 15
• Regional position — A remote settlement near the edge of Climbing Cloud Province, not far from Yuansha Province. 237
• Travel connections — Well-used routes link the town with Newm City; merchants and adventurers travel between them throughout the year. 154
• Nearby settlements — Kalanfu'er functions partly as a satellite town, relying heavily on travelers and adventurers passing through the River Valley Town region. 53

Economy

River Valley Town's economy is built around the Thin Mist Forest and the adventurers drawn to it. Monster materials, equipment, lodging, food, commissions, and information all support industries far more developed than the town's size would normally allow. 160

Adventurers Association

The River Valley Town branch of the Adventurers Association is a central landmark and a major reason adventurers gather in the town. It has operated for many years and draws adventurers from the kingdom's southeastern border. 15

The building is made from dark wood, with repeating natural grain patterns and eaves decorated with green branches and leaves. Built from oak taken deep within Thin Mist Forest, it resembles a giant treehouse and has an interior designed around a forest-like atmosphere. 15 393

• Its ground-floor hall is spacious and regularly crowded with adventurers accepting missions, turning in spoils, and collecting rewards. 15 120
• During Hunting Day, bloodstained adventurers rapidly exchange trophy pouches for gold before taking further assignments. 120
• Its second floor includes an intelligence room where local Professionals can spend Points to use the Association's information channels. 392
• The branch stands beside the White Tit Tavern. 182

Notable Locations

Population and Culture

River Valley Town hosts large numbers of low-level adventurers year-round, including people from across the continent. Foreign adventurers, including desert folk, are unusual but not unexpected in the town. 85 86

The settlement is notably freer and less restrained than other places in Climbing Cloud Province. Its culture is shaped by transient adventurers, merchants seeking fortune, and people willing to take risks for wealth or survival. 285 347

• Adventurers and ordinary residents coexist, but their relationship is often unequal; adventurers can bring spending and trade while also causing intimidation, property damage, and exploitation in nearby villages. 131
• Many prospective adventurers come from Newm's poorer districts, where low-paying labor offers little hope of social advancement. 160 167
• The town's high-risk profession creates a visible cycle of loss and replacement: after Hunting Day, many young and middle-aged adventurers disappear, while inexperienced newcomers arrive to buy equipment and manuals. 146
• The town's status as an information hub makes it a useful place to obtain route details, regional customs, local taboos, and travel maps. 347

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Xia Nan first visits the town's Adventurers Association to turn in an early Goblin quest, establishing River Valley Town as his initial base of operations. 15
• The town serves as the departure point for his caravan journey to Kalanfu'er and later his travel to Newm. 54 154
• During Hunting Day, the Association becomes exceptionally crowded as adventurers hunt Goblins for subsidized bounties. 112 120
• The Green Blood Squad returns toward River Valley Town after its Thin Mist Forest mission and encounters adventurers pressuring Emerald Creek Village for money. 130 131
• Xia Nan returns after the Moon Goddess Church incident and learns that the forbidden Ram Deer Figurines are being urgently recalled. 187
• He repeatedly uses the town as a base for quests, equipment work, mission rewards, and preparations for travel. 223 288 321 347
• Before leaving for the Southern Islands, Xia Nan uses the town's adventurer network to prepare routes and gathers work opportunities for Winter Tree and Lillie. 343 347