Overview

Built in 1812 by the Finch family with guidance from Cherokee elders, Hollow Acres Barn is more than wood and nails — it’s a living symbol of family, land, and spirit. Each beam was blessed, every stump honored, and every carving marked with purpose. It’s more than a barn. It’s a sanctuary and a stronghold. 

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At the heart of it all is Jacob Finch, a man as unyielding as the animals he tends. Known as “The Barnheart,” Jacob runs the barn like it’s a second heart, beating strong through storms, droughts, and bloodshed. He’s a quiet man, but his silence speaks louder than most words. His eyes are sharp, his steps deliberate, and his patience is thinner than most people realize. Every beam is checked, every rope coiled, every tool in its place — and if it isn’t, Jacob will find it… and you.

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His connection to the barn goes beyond duty. It’s legacy. His father built it, and every Finch since has kept it standing. Jacob believes if you take care of the land, it’ll take care of you. But it’s not just the land he watches. Some say he’s watching something older. 

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Hollow Acres has more crows than anywhere else in Shadewood. They perch on the fence posts and roof like they’re waiting for something. When strangers approach, the crows turn their heads — not toward the stranger, but toward Jacob.

Monaghan learned his lesson after sending a rider to "convince" the Finch family to sell Hollow Acres. The man returned with a broken nose and a warning for Monaghan. The offer never came up again.

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But there’s something about Hollow Acres that’s older than Jacob. People claim the barn watches back. Miners passing by at night see shapes moving through the slats and shadows pacing the hayloft. One boy claimed to see two Jacobs — one in front of him and another moving along the rafters. He never went near the barn again. 

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People believe that if Jacob ever leaves Hollow Acres, the barn will fall before the end of the season. Not because of storms or fire, but because something inside it only stays put as long as Jacob’s there. If you walk toward Hollow Acres uninvited, you’ll feel it before you see him — the shift of crows, the sharp tang of old wood, and the weight of unseen eyes. When you finally spot him, he’ll already be watching, calm but unblinking. 

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​​​​Secrets & Lore

• The Main Door: Coated with "Finch Red," a pigment blend of iron oxide and animal blood, the barn’s entrance is said to be spiritually "sealed." Locals swear you can feel the weight of the land in your chest when you press your palm against them.

• The Hayloft: Locals say the hay acts as a "veil" between seen and unseen worlds. 

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Barn Roles

• Stablehand – Responsible for feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after livestock, often assigned the messiest tasks. 

  • Weekly pay: $5.00

• Farmhand – A skilled laborer who tends to animals, repairs barn equipment, and assists with crop storage. 

  • Weekly pay: $6.00

• Barn Master – The head of operations at the barn, overseeing livestock care, equipment upkeep, and training junior workers. 

  • Weekly pay: $8.00

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Wares

• Seeds & Bulbs: Corn, beans, squash, carrots, beets, potatoes, rye, oats, tobacco, and medicinal herb seeds - Seasonal variations. 

• Hand Tools: Axes, hammers, saws, hatchets, chisels, files, pry bars, and shovels.

• Farming Tools: Hoes, plows (parts), scythes, sickles, and pitchforks.

• Fishing Gear: Fishing lines, hooks, lures, and simple nets.

• Woodworking Supplies: Sandpaper, wood glue, and carving knives.

• Rope & Cordage: Twine, jute rope, and climbing rope.

• Repair Kits: Assorted nails, screws, tacks, rope, leather straps, and patches for clothes or tents.

• Live Animals: Chickens (for eggs), rabbits (for breeding), and goats (for milk).

• Animal Feed & Storage

• Leathers & Hides: Tanned hides for crafting boots, belts, and sheaths.

• Animal Fat & Tallow: Used for soap-making and lantern fuel.

• Beeswax & Honeycomb: Used for candle-making, medicine, and barter.

• Fur & Pelts: Bear, wolf, rabbit, fox, and raccoon pelts for clothing, blankets, or trade.

• Animal Parts: Horns, antlers, bones, and hides (often used for crafting).

• Sprouting Stone (Rare): A smooth stone left in seed baskets, said to ensure good germination (rumored to have magical properties).

• Blessed Trowel (Rare): A planting tool gifted by Aiyana Whitecloud, believed to “call forth growth” when used. 

• Sunseeker Hoe (Rare): A long-handled hoe rumored to "find the softest soil," used by Maggie Finch.

• Beast Bell (Rare): A brass bell hung above the barn door, said to ward off "what comes from the woods at night."

• Finch Family Seed Satchel (Rare): A canvas satchel embroidered with Finch family sigils, passed down through generations.

• Hunter’s Mark Gate (Rare): A wooden gate with symbols carved into it, rumored to keep predators out of livestock pens.

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