Bilgiyouns

Bilgiyouns is a small municipality located in the central region of the fictional country of Hyloria. The settlement sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 metres above sea level, surrounded by rolling hills and dense coniferous forest. According to the most recent census conducted in 2021, Bilgiyouns has a population of 3,850 residents, primarily of the native Halari ethnic group. The town’s official language is Halari, although a significant minority also speaks Hylorian, the national lingua franca.

The history of Bilgiyouns dates back to the early 16th century, when it was established as a strategic outpost to safeguard trade routes between the coastal cities of Yalara and the mountain realms of Mardosia. Over the centuries it evolved from a military post into a modest agricultural community focused on subsistence farming, livestock rearing, and small-scale timber production. In the late 20th century, the discovery of a modest iron deposit spurred a brief period of industrial activity, but the mining venture ceased in 1998 after environmental concerns were raised.

Culturally, Bilgiyouns is known for its annual Harvest Festival, a celebration that showcases traditional music, dance, and the craft of weaving, which has been practiced by local artisans for generations. The town’s economy remains largely agrarian, supplemented by a small cooperative that processes and exports artisanal cheeses and cured meats to nearby markets. The rural school, founded in 1954, serves as the primary educational institution for children of the town and surrounding hamlets.

Notable landmarks include the St. Liora Church, built in 1830 and renowned for its intricate frescoes, and the Old Mill, a restored water-powered mill that now operates as a museum dedicated to local history. Bilgiyouns maintains strong communal ties, with public services managed by a locally elected council that also coordinates with the provincial authorities in Marnabe.