Eistreicheln
As our journey in the dark wormholes continued, which we passed probably days according to our rations now scarce, it was not the sound of our possible pursuers or any other monstrosities that took our attention. A grave whistle sound, as a titan was breathing nearby us. But instead of being fetid and humid, the air manifestation was rather... pure.. devoid of smell. But accompanied of a stinging cold. As our eyes and bodies tried to adjust to what we discovered further on, around us was a stony corridors, but above us was a infinitely far ceiling we couldn't perceive. Could it be the sky we heard of ? Our tears of joy to have finally reached a new place were replaced with a careful continuation, as despite the welcoming caress of this frosty breeze, a place to rest on this land was our utmost priority. Despite the temperature on this strange lands, we knew a new day was coming upon us.-Gilferdhim, Ancient of the Firsts.
Demographics
Humans: 82%
Dwarves: 8%
Amoebian: 5%
Other: 5%
Government
This settlement is under military governance. The majority of the population works on the defence of the city since it is a critical spot. Every polical and settlement decisions are dealth with the current Garrison leader, Köhl Glashmitt, and his Warden Circle.
Defences
One of the most effective defenses for the settlement is their location itself. Most of the settlement being constructed in the middle of a gulch, sending large armies through the bottom or the top is rather risky and complicated, especially for armies having large siege beasts and constructs.
Eistreicheln's army is also, thanks to their adaptation and strict military education, is very efficient in trench warfare, and also uses trained Rockslidder Geckos to travel on the Gulch's rocky formation to attack from any angle.
The bulk of their defenses revolves around the opening to the Underworld, where they stand a continuous vigil against possibles attacks from down below.
Industry & Trade
The settlements makes most trade with the main cities of the kingdom of Tränenfeld through selling of raw materials and artefacts taken from Sillerhoffen's toxic ruins which they salvage and ensure security. Where it's possible to acquire common metal and underground materials, the bread and butter of Eistreicheln is the netherium market, since the Lithoteks uses the ruins nearby for production. It is also possible to commission special weaponry to the guilds to craft, but most of them give exclusivity or priority to royal families or natives. They can however be persuade if the commissioner offers a good deal.
Infrastructure
Most of the infrastructure are carved/worked stone works including bridges, housing, towers and roads. Some woodworks are present mostly as the giant windmill wheels used to make energy. The windmill are attached to stoneworks and covers part of the canyon's vista where they get a good supply of air current.
Assets
The biggest housing in the walled city is the barracks which are masterwork foundations made to inhabit the whole garnisons protecting Eistreicheln.
As the town is mostly occupied by seasonal warriors which gets rotations in the kingdom, few houses are present, aside from permanent residents like the guild owners, some merchants and a couple of hardworking carpenters.
The most curious spot is a inn named the Calming Wind, where a deaf innkeeper offers food and respite in a Inn were sound is heavily dampened but magical means, which is popular among some warriors who desire a moment of silence.
The settlement also have a small shrine dedicated to [Goddess], where a magnificent stone statue ornates wall behind it.
Most foreigner can make affair in the guilds's quarter to trade goods for valuable metal and stones.
Guilds and Factions
The Vigil's Guild: The most ancient and connected with the government and military affairs.
The Old Onyx's Mason Guild: Owned by a family of dwarves, they specialise in masterwork craftmansips of netherium and give formation to the Lithoteks.
Eastwall's Guild: This guild is actually of lair of contraband workers, smugglers and unofficial brokers. They offer access to foreigners to the Underworld and deal in other less lawful ways. Most know their true nature, but they remain loyal to the kingdom. Some say one of the Warden cycle's lieutenant have a favor to honor which forbids the military to go at odds with the guild.
History
Most people recknonise Eistreicheln as the landmark where the kingdom of Tränenfeld started despite being the third official settlement in age of foundation. Reason being the first colons came through the Underworld by one of Eistreicheln's well guarded Cave entrance, built with Netherium gigantic doors carved in the natural stone. During the kingdom's first's step, it became a gamble but a necessity to try and salvage the Dark furnace's material after the cataclysm. Knowing their ancient ennemies may come back to haunt them again, they decided to fortify a settlement in the canyon.
Over time, Some dwarves colonists came to offer their expertise in exchange to work around on the grandest forge's in Arcamunda. Then also came a noticeable amount of Amoebians, which were offered shelter in exchange for their help past the Netherium Door. Over time, the conditions were hard in that place, but the expertise of the three main races made the place more hospitable despite the dangerous geography.
Architecture
Since the arrival of the dwarves, The warriors helped the building effort into making the place a memorable landmark of the kingdom, being one of the most critical guarding points. The town living in the canyon's sides went to a "arts&craft" decoration of stonework and metallurgy: Most of the constructions were engraved with runes, fine details encarved and textures to make every housing and work a unique art that their builder could be proud of for centuries to remain. This make an interesting contrast of natural stone and polished stoneworks, a rare dance of nature and transformative work.
Geography
The vast majority of the city is built around the canyon's base and walls. Always being windy due to the wind corridor the canyon makes. A small portion of it extend at the mountain's tip where alarm tower and a landing zone where built. Nearby the canyon's entrance also lays a clean tundra where some beast tamers offer services for travelers. A stream of water goes around a part of the mountain passing nearby the temple, and the west is home of a small lake frozen 3 quarters of the time, but usable for ice fishing.
Natural Resources
The lake offers water which can be use for industrial means and consumption. It is also having a fair amount of fish which gets regulated to avoid extinction of the lake's life. Some caverns nearby inhabits Rockslidder geckos which can be trained or sold for meat and skin.Some caverns may also contains White Tear Bells which are handy for the mountain guard.
But the most important ressources is the scavenging and mining of Sillerhofen, which is secured at maximal security by the town to avoid citizens of the Underworld to attack. Transformation of many minerals and metals goes there, and is the main source of income for Eistreicheln.
A part of their survival in means of extra food and commodities are provided by the capital sending shipments in trade of Netherium, but some guilds make extra trade to get safe in case of war of environmental issues slowing the official shipments. It is not uncommon to see Eistreinite merchant shopping for extra livestock in neighbouring settlements.
Alternative Name(s)
Ice's Caress
Type
Military, Base
Population
around 5000. The vast majority of the population being battle-hardened and veterans warrior.
Inhabitant Demonym
Eistreinites
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
I like how you start in the beginning where they aren't aware of what the sky looks like and kind of play on that. :) As for some feedback: you have some pretty long sentences in the article that would probably read better if you split them up. Example: "A part of their survival in means of extra food and commodities are provided by the capital sending shipments in trade of Netherium, but some guilds make extra trade to get safe in case of war of environmental issues slowing the official shipments." In the same vein, a lot of the paragraphs get pretty dense and could probably be good if you split them up into smaller paragraphs. Punctuating them with images or quotes (without or without columns) could probably help make the article more visually appealing to read. :) The guilds and factions feel like they should be split up more. It's easy to miss that there's a bunch of them described inside that block of text. It would probably be an excellent place for columns. :) You mention netherium, but we have no idea what that is if we've only read this article - maybe add a short bit about what that is to the sidepanel? Help fill that out, with more links to more articles to draw people into reading more? :)
Creator of Araea, Megacorpolis, and many others.
Hey Qu ! Indeed, easing the blocks of text could make it pop better and make it more readable. As for Netherium, it is a core element of the world, but I ain,t done it yet. It should probably be a good idea to make that extra article soon since it wil connect to some more. Good insight about it! See you later for other comments and such !