Infobox
Willowshore
Nation Shenmen Region Tian Xia Level 4 Size Small town Population 225 Demographics 73% humans, 6% aiuvarins, 4% halflings, 4% kitsune, 3% elves, 3% tengu, 2% nagaji, 5% others Government Appointed governor Alignment Neutral Ruler Heh Shan-Bao Leader Ban-Niang Hu, Shou Matsuki
Willowshore is an isolated, self-sufficient logging village nestled deep in the Spectrewood forest, located in the haunted nation of Shenmen, Tian Xia.
History
Monks of Sangpotshi led by Zhi Hui founded the Tan Sugi Monastery in 7020 IC and founded Willowshore nearby, first to support its construction and then to facilitate trade between the monks and the outside world, with the two connected by a long, winding trail known as the Pilgrim’s Path. Zhi Hui died in 7054 IC, and amid the town’s transition to logging and discord among the Sangpotshi monks, the monastery was effectively abandoned by 7060 IC.
Chou Mingxia, the leader of the city of Sze, sent her son to Willowshore, where he attempted to harvest the glorious sugi tree at the monastery. His attempt failed, resulting in a mysterious tragedy that would come to be known as the Night of Broken Blades. The monastery was subsequently believed to be cursed and avoided, although many of the townsfolk remained faithful to Sangpotshi.
In 7102 IC, Imperial Lung Wa eventually installed a new governor by the name of Heh Shan-Bao in Willowshore to support the empire’s need for lumber. During his time, he had bridges and a dam built to improve the town’s infrastructure.
The Lung Wa empire fell by 7106 IC. Government officials in Shenmen were cut off, and they succumbed to greed, becoming cruel and abusive to the common folk. The collapse had little effect on Willowshore as the empire had largely ignored the town and regarded it as a backwoods where undesirable politicians and soldiers are sent.
The Eight Practices
The people of Willowshore follow these eight bits of advice (primarily local superstitions) during the first several weeks of summer, known locally as the season of ghosts and a peak of supernatural activity in the Spectrewood:
- Do not call a ghost a ghost.
- Do not pat people on the head or shoulders.
- Avoid entering bodies of water when a ghost is nearby.
- Do not eat food that has two stick-like objects protruding from it.
- Do not lean against walls during the day.
- Do not whistle at night.
- Do not leave laundry out at night.
- If you hear someone call your name from behind you at night, do not turn around.