Manor Hill

This residential neighborhood feels so far-removed from the rest of New Z'hrat that it may as well be a whole different world. The cobblestone roads curve and wind into the hills, where sprawling wood-and-stone mansions perch on perfect, evergreen lawns. The ornamental trees, blooming green and white, cast shade on warped glass windows and cast-iron fences. Very few people walk these streets, and so the place is quiet save for a strain of cheery music floating out of a nearby pub. 

Manor Hill is a quiet, tranquil neighborhood in the heart of 1st District's historical area, or, more accurately, it is the heart of the area. Its eastern side sits about a mile from Treaty Hall, and it's western side marks the western edge of First District. Manor Hill predates the city and civilization itself, having once been home to the first leaders of the old Sheriffs and the Builders guilds, and, until fairly recently, was the primary residences of quite a few of the gods.

Demographics

Manor Hill is an extremely-high demand place to live, and most people who live there now are some of the wealthiest people in New Z'hrat. A few others have had their homes passed down through the generations. Rumor has it that some inhabitants are actually the original owners of the home, older than time itself.

Government

Manor Hill is technically considered a guildless neighborhood, but unlike other guildless neighborhoods, the status of the individuals there mean that each house is considered guild territory. They often have guilded guards and staff handling things like law and property disputes on behalf of the homeowners. The area also has a very strict homeowner's association that deals with most day-to-day legal matters.

Defences

Sentinels don't patrol here like they would in any other guildless neighborhood. Most residents have their own personal security details.

Industry & Trade

Most inhabitants are high-ranking guild members or owners of important companies.

Infrastructure

Manor Hill has all the charm of a historic district, along with all the modern amenities available everywhere else. The streets are still dirt, brick, or cobblestone, and the streetlamps still look like old-timey wood-fire lamps, but they're actually crystal-powered. Public transit doesn't run here, but visitors can reserve rides in horse-drawn or crystal-motorized carriages if necessary.

Assets

This neighborhood is almost entirely residential, but a few shops, restaurants, and parks can be found.

History

• Pre-0- Manor Hill was built prior to the founding of Z'hrat to house gods and the local leaders of the time.
• 100- Manor Hill was used as one of the landmarks for drawing the boundary for First District, along with the ocean to the east, and the lake to the south. Manor Hill is the north-west edge of the district.
• 2493- After the Serpentine War mandated rebuilding much of First District, Manor Hill officially became the oldest still-standing neighborhood in the city.

Tourism

Most people visit here have an interest in architecture and history, and may tour the few homes that've been turned into museums. There are also a few excellent antique stores in the area.

Architecture

One of the major features of Manor Hill homes is the use of lumber- most of the city is built of metal, stone, glass. Due to the expense of shipping lumber in from the Frontier, wood is rarely used in construction nowadays, and when it is, it's usually synthetic. The houses here are primarily wood from the trees that originally stood in the area. The clay and thatch roofs have largely been updated, most of them are now modern metal or shingle covered in authentic material.
Also, buildings here tend to be wide, rather than tall- engineering capabilities of the time struggled with buildings higher than two stories.

Geography

As the name suggests, the neighborhood is built in a hilly portion of the district, with the nicest houses located in the center, at the highest point. Roads spiral around the hills, rather than run in grids like in the newer areas.

Climate

Like most of First District, the temperature is fairly moderate with high levels of precipitation year-round.

Founding Date

Pre-0

Type

Neighbourhood

Population

3,000