Vogelang
[ Added 05/29/23 ]
An isolated desert town that is the center of Tool production
- ・Population: 2,500
- ・Located in the subtropic region
- ・Current Ruler: King Sui of Na
- ・Other Notes: Birthplace of Tools
[ Added 05/29/23 ]
Imagine, if you will, the mirage of a town that looks like an oasis among the desert sands— that would be Vogelang. Naturally, it falls under the rule of Na since it is located within its borders, but its long distance from Gruegel affects how the city is actually treated. Because of the difficulty in exerting authority over such a faraway city, it is effectively governed by its own citizens.
Despite its isolation, Vogelang is a household name worldwide as the land where Tools were invented. It is said that the production process involves secret techniques, so barring a few exceptions, they cannot be made in other cities. Tools from Vogelang make their way to the Country of Na, then are distributed to the rest of the world.
Another specialty product is bourbon made using water from Townsend Lake and corn that has traditionally been grown in the region.
Tequila is also available in limited quantities. It is made from a certain variety of cactus that grows in the wastelands and is difficult to obtain because of the monsters roaming nearby.
Unexpectedly for a desert town, plenty of fresh seafood is available from the nearby Townsend Lake.
Vogelang is in a typical desert climate with very little rainfall throughout the year Days are scorching hot, but the temperature plunges at night. Normally a town would not thrive under these harsh weather conditions, but the people are able to survive thanks to water from Townsend Lake.
According to legend on the Southern Continent, there exists a Megalith somewhere in the vast desert stretching across the southern region (the Kairouan Desert). No one has seen it with their own eyes, yet the legend has been passed down through the ages as fact. At present, many Diggers have travelled to investigate, but have either turned back empty-handed before long or been forever lost to the desert sands.
Even before Vogelang fell under the rule of the Na Empire, it had originally been a major production hub for mundane tools and other implements made from Steel (with the population at the time having been significantly larger). Knowledge gained from this process, as well as the alignment of other certain circumstances, eventually led to the invention of Tools in this town. The town is isolated and this in combination with the distance from the Capital meant that it was extremely difficult to obtain Quells, never mind that none had ever been unearthed on the Southern Continent. In fact, seeing any Quells in town was a rarity indeed, thought it was still common knowledge that they could be used to make everyday tasks easier. This desire for Quells was a major factor leading to the development of equivalent facsimiles. Luckily, resonant stone was mined near the town and readily available. Resonant stone had previously only been used as sword decorations, but once it was discovered that combining them with mundane tools could replicate the effects of Quells, all efforts were shifted towards producing these new Tools.
Wil first arrives in this town in search of the legendary Desert Megalith. The Megalith can be reached directly after leaving and there are no battles, so there is no need to make preparations in town. After clearing that scenario, Vogelang can be visited freely, though at some inconvenience. On the very first visit, for some reason, you cannot exit without returning to Gruegel first.
Vogelang thrives from Tool production, of course. As other towns are beginning to learn the process, they may soon be able to create Tools of matching quality, however, so other products are being considered for export. Their specialty bourbon seems a likely candidate, though the finer details are still being worked out. The signature taste is already famous, so only the appropriate production facilities need to be established.
The next best venture would be the export of corn to Gruegel. Because of the climate, Gruegel does not have the ability to support its large population through domestic agriculture and must import food from elsewhere. Though corn is only grown in small amounts near Vogelang, it would still be a valuable import for Gruegel.
