Description
The Burrow Homes of the Elderwood Grove are dwellings carved directly into hillsides, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Shaped by earth magic, these homes use the land’s contours for structure and stability, creating comfortable, energy-efficient living spaces that feel both natural and timeless. From a distance, they are nearly invisible, with round doors and windows set into grassy slopes, chimneys hidden among wildflowers, and smoke curling gently from the hillside. Each burrow is unique, shaped to the land and the personality of its residents.
The round wooden doors, painted in bright colors and adorned with carvings or hanging plants, form the signature entryway of each home. A small stone terrace outside the door serves as a welcoming space for tea, conversation, or gardening, bordered by low walls or flowerbeds. The entrances lead into curved hallways that slope gently downward, connecting the outdoor light with the cool, quiet interior. Hooks, benches, and stone floors provide practical places for removing boots and storing daily items before entering the main living space.
Inside, the burrows open into warm, round chambers with high domed ceilings and smooth plastered walls. Fireplaces built into the earth provide both heat and comfort, while deep-set circular windows fill the rooms with soft light. The design keeps temperatures stable year-round, cool in summer and cozy in winter. Floors of stone or wood support thick rugs, and built-in shelves, alcoves, and furniture make the most of every curve. Each home feels both spacious and intimate, shaped for gathering, resting, and reflection.
Additional rooms extend deeper into the hill, including bedrooms with rounded ceilings and alcove beds, kitchens with stone counters and cold pantries, and bathing chambers carved below the main level for natural drainage and privacy. Air shafts hidden within the hill keep air circulating, while roof gardens grow herbs, flowers, and vegetables, providing insulation and beauty. Small chimneys rise through the grass above, their designs marking each family’s identity. The harmony between earth, air, and structure makes these homes self-sustaining and deeply peaceful.
Living in a Burrow Home fosters a rare sense of connection to nature and community. Neighbors chat from their terraces, share produce from rooftop gardens, and watch the seasons roll across the hills. The earth itself protects and nurtures them, offering quiet, security, and stability. For scholars, artisans, and families alike, these homes represent a life lived in balance with the land, simple, enduring, and profoundly rooted in the rhythm of the Elderwood Grove.
Benefits
Each Burrow Home provides comfortable housing for one family (up to 5 individuals). The exceptional insulation provided by the earth reduces heating and cooling costs to near zero. The natural cold storage integrated into each burrow allows residents to preserve food year-round without special preservation magic. Residents gain a +1 bonus to Fortitude saves due to the stable, healthy living conditions and constant comfortable temperature. The natural soundproofing provides a +2 bonus to Concentration checks made within the home. Each Burrow Homes generates 2 Prestige, reflecting the settlement's innovative and sustainable approach to housing. The security provided by the earth-sheltered construction makes these homes nearly impervious to external threats, granting residents peace of mind and excellent protection during most emergencies.