Ainu Village - Kitay Kotan

[EnbyKaiju]

Trying something a little different in this long-term world. For each age I'm working on a new village, spending at least one full year (360 days) in it before moving on and leaving something behind that I can revisit and feel pride in.

And because I'm taking a lot of inspiration from Japanese history and the cultures that live/lived there throughout history I knew where to start in the stone age. The Ainu are, while sadly diminished in numbers due to imperialist subjugation, a living culture in the northern end of Japan. They were historically primarily a hunting/fishing society that did a lot of trade, so that felt like the perfect place to build and learn about the culture as I go and see how well I can pay homage to their living memory as I play. (highly recommend learning more about the Ainu here ) I've named this little village Kitay Kotan (Mountain Village), as it's based in a gorgeous little cove at the base of a small but stunning mountain.

Because the Ainu historically didn't do metalworking, and VS doesn't have non-metal carving tools in vanilla I did work up just enough copper for a few chisels & a saw, but that has to last me the entire year. When I get through the long winter I can start work on the next town & bronze age.

I have big long-term plans for this world, but forcing myself to start slow, to focus on a gentle approach, is helping keep me grounded and not push myself to burning out.

[Zahariax]

Interesting build, i like that is based on a real culture. I Also really like the little fire spot with croks and the rug.

[Farmore]

Very unique build! Love the internal decor.

[Whimsical Fool]

Its so quaint! love your use of the natural landscape

[EnbyKaiju]

A little update from Kitay Kotan:

Forcing myself to slow down this much may have been one of my biggest struggles in years playing VS, even harder than snowball or desert worlds. There's a real drive to move up through technology and expand, so spending 100 hours already (30 day months and it's only just November) in what is essentially the neolithic period in a small fishing/hunting village has made me confront that urge to progress through the ages.

On the up side I've gotten much better at bow hunting and living off the land with minimal agriculture, which feels very Ainu.

It's going to be a long, cold winter, but I can use that preparing to move a little ways south to my next village project when spring comes around. As much as I have enjoyed going all-in on obsidian tools (which, to be fair, is more Jomon culture than Ainu, but I'm making concessions for playability) I cannot wait to go all in on metalwork after all this time.