Westcliffe
The city of Westcliffe is the de facto capital of the Firwool Islands, and home to a majority of its people. Westcliffe is located on one of the larger islands. Due to it's strategic location it has become one of the major trading cities in the known world.
The island itself is surrounded by steep cliffs with only two natural entry-points into the inner parts, these entry-points have been named South-Harbour and East-Harbour. In the natural cave system underneath Westcliffe lies Low-Market, a common saying is that anything that may be bought is for sale in Low-Market.
Demographics
Most of Westcliffe's inhabitants are of Brawian heritage, but the city is incredibly multi-cultural due to the influx of people and goods from all corners of the known world.
Government
Westcliffe is ruled by the merchant guilds, large gatherings of influential merchants and investors.
Defences
Westcliffe itself is sealed off by gated walls separating it from East-Harbour and South-Harbour, as the city is surrounded by vertical cliffs on all other sides it's incredibly unlikely anyone unwelcome could enter when the gates are closed. The harbours are protected by towers filled with archers, ready to rain down arrows on any would be attackers.
The sea however is the city's greatest defence, as all potential invaders would need to arrive by boat, making it essentially impossible to move troops onto the island unnoticed.
Industry & Trade
A majority of the citizens in Westcliffe engage in trading, fishing or refining of imported raw materials. The diet consists of imported foods and fish from the local fish-markets, holidays and other events are often celebrated with grilled lamb bought from neighbouring islands.
Industry is almost completely controlled by the guilds, with each guild trying to find its own market by specialising in different goods. The guilds import raw materials, refine them into complete products, then export them or sell them on the local markets. This process is heavily influenced by the Firwool Company, due to them controlling all external trade.
Westcliffe has considerable influence over nearby islands in the archipelago, trading with local sheep herders, and setting up large fishing colonies. Even though not being officially governed by the city, many islanders choose to pay taxes to receive law enforcement and better trade deals.
Infrastructure
East-Harbour is used as the city's main trading port, often swarming with trade-ships from all over the world. This serves as the most natural entry-way into the city for most foreigners, and the main hub for the city's trade.
South-Harbour is the travel port, used by the citizens of Westcliffe while traveling to nearby islands in the archipelago.
Guilds and Factions
Thee large families govern much of the trade in Westcliffe. The Clayshapers, specialising in real estate and building materials; The Goldsmiths, trading in jewellery, precious stones, and other valuables; And the Oaklands, overseeing the trade of food and livestock.
Two other large guilds also exist. The Cavers, the illusive patrons of Low-Market; and the most influential of the guilds the Firwool Company, responsible for the city's exports and imports in East-Harbour.
History
Since the Firwool Islands have no native population, the first settlers were fishermen arriving from the mainland. The emerging fishing colonies soon attracted traders who were passing by while travelling to larger cities. Westcliffe quickly became an obvious stop for trading ships to stock up on supplies, and the city gradually attracted a larger population until it became what it is today.
Architecture
Buildings in Westcliffe are usually made out of the local limestone with wooden supports. Some very wealthy merchants have chosen to import more exclusive materials for their homes, making the more wealthy districts looking quite unique. The architectural style of the buildings have been heavily influenced by the various cultures traveling through the city, almost every building representing one particular style. This makes the streets in Westcliffe a truly unique sight to behold.
Geography
Waves smashing in against the vertical limestone walls, sunlight shining down on the plateau above, multitudes of ships filling the harbours, all these and more is what visitors to this Island city can expect.
The soil is quite poor, making agriculture close to impossible. A few hardy plants and animals survive here, most famous among them the mighty oak located on the westernmost part of the island. Many prayers have been told to this supposedly divine oak, and it is a popular meeting place for the city's inhabitants. Animal life consists mostly of small rodents and large amounts of birds nesting in the cliff crevices. Fresh water is in short supply, and must either be collected from rain or traded for.
Natural Resources
Westcliffe is quite poor in natural recourses. The fish living in the water, and the limestone underneath the ground is all the island has to offer, thus leaving it's inhabitants incredibly reliant on trade.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments