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After buying a few drinks, you easily loosen tongues that were already eager to talk. You learn that this village of Val-Hero belongs to the barony of Valiant, whose fort defends the main road leading to the kingdom of Seaside.
Long ago, the Hero was born in this small village. You must have heard of him, for his fame spread throughout the human lands through the epic poems spread by the legendary Anonymous Troubadour. Even the barbarians, beyond the Belliquard, heard of his exploits. Armed with a magic sword and only his courage, the solitary hero slew many monsters. His original name was forgotten, for he became known by the nickname Hammerfist, given to him by the Dwarves after he defeated their chief with his bare hands. This dwarf then accompanied the Hero on many adventures, all the while ensuring his clan's alliance with the kingdom of Men.
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The sword of this great Man is still kept in his birthplace, in the center of the village. It is protected by an enchanted glass reliquary, so that all visitors to the lands of Men can come and admire it without risk.
Regarding the village's peculiar policy, you learn that the prohibition against foreigners entering their lands dates back to shortly after the Great Invasion of the Sea Elves. These elves had subjugated the kingdom of Seaside and breached the defenses of Fort Valiant before pillaging the plains of Faraway. Following these events, the inhabitants became more distrustful of other races and eventually felt they were better off without mingling with them. The current policy was established by a vote of the villagers, who felt that too many Dwarves and Elves were frequenting this village, a place of pilgrimage for Men to pay homage to Humanity's greatest Hero.
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