I noticed the villagers were gone yesterday when I went by there. They're always jabbering like nuts, and it was quiet. I didn't pay much attention, but I did make a mental note that it was quiet.
No idea what happened to them.
And, yes, Drew, I built the tower. In case you can't tell, I'm old and have a small pee-pee.
P.S., when I stand in the tower looking toward the needle, up to the right way up in the sky, there is a tiny structure waaaaaaaaay up in the sky and to the right. Anyone know what it is?