The Sun timidly ascended, spreading its golden rays over the snow-capped peaks of the mountains surrounding the valley of Green Hill. Its warm light flooded the landscape, awakening life in the ancient community nestled at the foot of the hills.
Green Hill, a settlement of halflings with a history dating back more than eight hundred years, bore the name of its founder, Darby of Valverde Hill. Son of Vardy Valverde and Sonia of the Hill, Darby was the visionary who transformed that valley into a thriving town.
At first, Darby named the valley after himself, a gesture of pride and ambition to leave his mark on the land he had claimed. However, as the community grew and expanded, he decided to shorten the name for practical reasons and to avoid any hint of arrogance.
Thus, the renamed valley became Green Hill, a name that reflected the lush vegetation covering the surrounding hills and the fertile land that sustained its inhabitants. Over the centuries, Green Hill prospered and flourished, becoming a symbol of resilience and determination for all who called its green meadows home.
Darby embodied the peaceful and hardworking spirit that characterized most of Green Hill's halflings. From a young age, he dedicated himself diligently to working the land, following in the footsteps of his father on the family farm, which was located in the now-lost town of Dobitown. In those days, Dobitown was a haven of prosperity and happiness, the only halfling community with a significantly larger population than any other scattered throughout the reaches of Eridian.
However, Dobitown's fate changed drastically with the arrival of the climate shifts caused by Aldirk. The deserts extended beyond their natural limits, swallowing vast expanses of fertile land and transforming the green meadows into desolate wastelands, merging them into the Gori Desert—an inhospitable expanse, inhabited by vermin and unknown creatures that terrorized the few brave souls who ventured into its depths.
Despite the devastation, Darby did not lose hope or determination. Alongside his family and his people, he fought to adapt to the new conditions imposed by the changing nature of their world.
The drought, like a relentless devourer, slowly drained the lush land that Dobitown once was. Its once-bustling streets fell silent; its fields withered, and its rivers dried up, leaving its inhabitants in despair and ruin. However, most of the halflings clung stubbornly to their land, unwilling to abandon the only home they had ever known.
Darby, on the other hand, felt the weight of duty pressing down on his shoulders with each passing day. With his wife Dorita, their two young children, his parents, and his in-laws, he watched as the meager wealth accumulated over the years vanished before his eyes. At thirty-four years old, he realized he had to take drastic measures to save his loved ones from the inevitable fate that awaited them.
He gathered his family for a decisive meeting and announced his determination to leave in search of new lands, promising to return for them once he had found a place where they could rebuild their lives. There were protests and tears, especially from his father, Vardy, who feared for his only son's safety. But Darby was resolute; he knew that staying meant facing a certain death from hunger, thirst, or disease in the barren lands of Dobitown.
With determination burning in his heart and hope as his only compass, Darby departed at dawn, riding two mules loaded with the little they had left. Heading into the unknown, he let his instincts guide him, ready to face the dangers and challenges that awaited beyond the horizon in search of a better future.
Two and a half years passed since his departure. Many in Dobitown had already assumed he was dead, some believing he had perished barely a month after leaving. However, Darby returned, defying all expectations. He was met with astonishment and shock by the battered inhabitants who still remained, each carrying the physical and emotional scars of the devastation.
There, he received the bitter news of his father's passing, but there was no time for mourning or grief—he had to act quickly to ensure the survival of those who remained. He gathered the survivors and offered them a chance for hope: to follow him toward a new beginning. Although some chose to stay, the vast majority decided to join him, recognizing him as a leader forged through adversity and determination.
The journey they undertook was arduous and full of hardships. Many halflings perished along the way, including elderly and sick individuals who could not withstand the rigors of the journey. However, those who endured eventually reached the place Darby had initially named after himself—a site that represented not just a new home but also a second chance.
Green Hill stood majestically in the northern reaches of the vast continent of Eridian, nestled between towering mountains that marked the perimeter of the Tranquil Forest. Its unique microclimate granted it a perpetually mild temperature, where gentle breezes caressed the skin, and the sun poured its golden light generously upon the land.
At the heart of this paradise lay the great White Lake, a shimmering jewel fed by the melting snows descending from the surrounding mountains. Its crystalline waters reflected the blue sky like a liquid mirror, creating an oasis of serenity amidst the lush vegetation adorning the lake's shores and the mountainsides.
The halflings of Green Hill built their homes using the sturdy wood from the nearby forest, a tribute to the nature that surrounded them and a testament to their ability to blend architecture with the environment. However, this choice was not without conflict, particularly with the scrillch, forest creatures who resented the use of timber from their habitat.
As Green Hill flourished, so did Darby's family. With Dorita by his side, he became the father of five children. Without opposition, he rose to the position of governor—a beloved and respected leader until his final days at the age of one hundred and four. Dorita followed him closely, living to one hundred and six.
In his honor, the people of Green Hill erected a statue in the town square. Additionally, as a tribute to the halfling who saved his people from extinction and guided them to prosperity, many children born in Green Hill were given names that included the word "green." While this tradition was honorable, it also brought certain complications, as the limited variety of names led to more than half the population sharing similar names, causing headaches for town records and administration.
Despite the passing centuries, some direct descendants of Darby's lineage still remained in Green Hill. Among them were Bringo and Bongo Valverde, who proudly carried the legacy of their illustrious ancestor and continued to be fundamental pillars of the halfling community.