Friends of the Vale: A Peek Behind the Scenes

If you’ve shopped with us before, you’ll know Allworths Bazaar is built around a simple idea: family life is busy, and finding thoughtful toys, gifts, and stationery shouldn’t be hard work.

Over the last few months, I’ve been working on something new behind the scenes — something that still fits that promise, but adds a bit more story and heart.

It’s called Friends of the Vale.

What is Friends of the Vale?

Friends of the Vale is a story-led world (and a growing product line) built around The Vale of Many Paths: a calm river valley shaped by memory, music, and the idea that listening matters.

At the centre is a small cast of characters who feel like the kind of friends you’d want to keep close — thoughtful, brave in quiet ways, and always learning.

A glimpse into the story

In the opening chapter, “The Day the River Paused,” the Afon-Lân — a river that usually runs like a gentle song — becomes unnaturally still.

Branwyn Badger notices first. So does Mira Fieldmouse, who carries a tiny reed whistle and a patchwork cloak lined with song-notes. One soft note from Mira’s whistle makes the river shiver — and something ancient stirs beneath the hills.

It’s the start of a bigger thread: promises made to the land, stories nearly forgotten, and a community learning how to reconnect.

Meet the Friends (and what we're making)

Alongside writing and world-building, we've been creating 3D printed figurines of the main characters — little physical versions you can actually hold. It’s been one of the most fun parts of the process, and it’s helping us shape the look and feel of the whole line.

Here are the core characters you’ll meet:

Branwyn Badger — the one who listens

Thoughtful, dutiful, quietly brave — and sometimes a little too hard on themselves.

Branwyn keeps a notebook for promises, questions, and the things worth remembering.

Mira Fieldmouse — the keeper of forgotten songs

Clever, musical, observant — brave in stillness.

Mira’s music doesn’t just fill the air — it wakes the Vale.

Garan Fox — the one who learns the hard way

Charismatic, impulsive, loyal when it matters — the friend who makes things happen (even when it’s messy).

Garan runs first, thinks second — but his heart usually catches up.

Old Taran the Tortoise — the one who remembers

Very old, very patient, quietly funny — a reminder that wisdom shared becomes living.

Old Taran doesn’t carry much. He carries time.

Idris the Young Dragon — the one who guards without ruling

Gentle, protective, lonely, curious — power restrained by compassion.

 Idris is strong enough to protect the Vale — and kind enough not to lead it by force.

The Piper at the Willow Gate — the watcher

Never speaks. Never intervenes directly. Never appears on demand.

At the Willow Gate, the music arrives before the answers do.

Why we're doing this

Online shopping can be a bit samey. Plenty of products are fine, but they don’t always feel memorable.

Friends of the Vale is my attempt to build something that feels personal — a world you can step into, and characters you can come back to.