Sprucecliff

Sprucecliff (/sprucecliff/ [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Town located in Bellgate Dutchy, Yutate County, within the Kingdom of Helsteria.

The name Sprucecliff is derived from the Sylvin language, as Sprucecliff was founded by Brëkarë Baines, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Sprucecliff has a yearly average temperature of 29°C (84°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a hot 33°C (91°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a pleasant 25°C (77°F). Sprucecliff receives an average of 143 cm/y (56 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the spring. Sprucecliff covers an area of nearly 5 km² (2 mi²), and an average elevation of 3832 m (12572 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Sprucecliff was founded durring the late 11th century, by Brëkarë Baines. The establishment of Sprucecliff suffered from several major issues, resulting in the need to develop many solutions to basic problems. Problems such as a lack of fresh water, logistical support, poor quality tools, and the odd monster or two. Howeaver, these were overcome in time.

Sprucecliff was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 11th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Sprucecliff is no diffrent. The town's buildings feature timber framed wooden shiethed or brick construction, which gives form to a very formalized, rational, expence effishent arcatectural style based on strictly symmetrical designs which universaly feature pitched roofs, shutters, and the occasional column or pilaster for a decorative touch.

Sprucecliff is buildings are grouped arround an odd layout of spacious canals streets, which seems to be based on an overlapping squair patern such that there are small squares at the cornor of every bigger square. Sometimes buildings exist in the smaller squaires, other times they are open spaces, or occupied by temporary structures. The town lacks any defencive features, though certainly constructing even a simple fence or digging a ditch is at the forefront of the 's mind. At least, one would hope so.

Sprucecliff seems to be abandoned at first. There are people present, working their trades and going about their business like any community, it’s just they are absurdly quiet. Just as you start to think there might be trouble, you see most of them are smiling, quietly exchanging words with a friend, or simply enjoying the day as they work. It reminds you of an evening at home as everyone dined, having run out of things to talk about and embraced the savory meal before them.

Civic Infrastructure

Sprucecliff has an Office of Civil Groundskeeping, which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the construction and upkeep up of all plant life, water features, and other natural decorations within Sprucecliff. They are also responsible for the maintenance of these features. Notably, the OCG is not responsible for Sprucecliff's parks.

Sprucecliff has an Office of Civil Vicary, which is responsible for providing a livelyhood for all officialy recognised religious figures within Sprucecliff.

Sprucecliff has a Gravedigger's Guild, which is responsible for collecting the dead and laying them to rest according to all applicable laws and religious customs.

Sprucecliff has a Guild of Nurses, which is tasked with caring for the elderly and infirm in accordance with local ordinances, religious values, and customs.

Sprucecliff has a Highwayman's Guild, which is tasked with maintaining the roads and highways leading into town as well as keeping them safe for travelers.

Sprucecliff has a monistary of an order of Civil Monks, who provide divine-related services to the general public and maintain Sprucecliff's public wards, blessings, and other arcane systems.

Sprucecliff possesses a Galvanic Power Grid, which brings galvanic current to most if not all buildings in town, and permits a great many consumer goods to function within the Town. Sprucecliff's grid is powered by hydrogalvanic generators.

Sprucecliff's old civil lighting system was converted to Galvanic Lamps recently, and expanded to provide nighttime illumination to all city streets.

Sprucecliff has a Parks and Recreation Department, which is responsible for the construction, management, and usage rights for all of its parks and parklands. They are not to be confused with the Office of Civil Groundskeeping as they do not hold authority over nor responsibility for Sprucecliff's natural decorations nor waterways.

Sprucecliff has a public schooling program overseen by the Hall of Sages who has the responsibility of ensuring access to affordable high-quality education in all basic classes (Reading, Writing, Mathmatics, General Sciences, General Arcana, and Social Education) is made available to all citizens.

Sprucecliff has a public septic system, which allows its citizens to have indoor bathrooms. The septic system is overseen by the League of Sewerkeepers, who posses the legal authority to enforce all laws relating to the septic system, and are also tasked with its maintenance and upkeep.

Cultural Notes

There’s more than one leader in Sprucecliff, but at least some of them are at each other’s throats. It might be a conflict between formal leadership and informal authorities, or it could be a struggle among civil officials. Their interests might diverge sharply, or it could be a personal grudge that’s boiled over. Outside threats and internal problems are likely being ignored until the power struggle is resolved.

Sprucecliff's bank was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used has a sleek, linear appearance with stylized, often geometric ornamentation. The primary facade of its buildings often featured a series of set backs that create a stepped outline. Low-relief decorative panels can be found at entrances, around windows, along roof edges or as string courses. It was best known for its use of smooth finish building materials such as stucco, concrete block, glazed brick or mosaic tile. Decorative details can incorporate various artistic or exotic motifs to suit the building's function or the architect's whim. Chevrons, zigzags, and other geometrical motifs are common forms of ornament.

In Sprucecliff the milk never sours.

The Snake, Constrictor near Sprucecliff are known to be almost tame, such that they can be put to domestic use.

Sprucecliff's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in autumn and involves embarking on a group pilgrimage to channel Illusion energies of tier 2 via moments of science.

Economy

The following information was obtained via the Imperial Census Bureau as part of the Eyom Economic Outreach Program. It differs from Standard Imperial censuses in that many of Tom's citizens, regardless of culture, work in more than one occupation or hold more than a single job. The Imperial Census Bureau has ruled that a job is a job, hence, the intigers within the data presented here can count an individual more than once.

Sprucecliff Census Data: Year 2000

410 of Sprucecliff's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 26 work in Agriculture
• 88 work as Craftsmen
• 32 work as Merchants
• 70 work as Service Workers
• 41 work as General Laborers
• 12 work as Skilled Laborers
• 61 work as Civil Servants
• 37 work in Cottage Industries
• 20 work as Artists
• 23 work in Produce Industries

842 of Sprucecliff's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 79 (6%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

The center of Sprucecliff's town square was built around an ancient standing stone.

POI

History

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century an otherwise minor earthquake shifted Backwater Molten. The resulting flood was isolated to the area around Sprucecliff, which was swallowed by the waters for several days. Sprucecliff lost 160 people, 193 livestock, and 74 buildings in the disaster. The disaster is remembered as the Dread Drownings.

History