Ridley's Prospect
Ridley's Prospect, or The Prospect as most call it, is many things to many different people. For the Gnomes, it's either a community of grave robbers or the last and best hope to retrieve fragments of their past. For entrepreneurs, this is a fresh new market to ply their. And for adventurers, the Prospect represents an untapped opportunity for profit.
The Prospect represents the ambitions of one man, Lupin Alagash Ridley, a former adventurer who made his fortune in the wilderness and ruins like so many others. The only difference between him and the rest is that he returned alive with his earnings, time and time again. That fortune amassed into stockpiles of wealth (most of which is stored safely in Ghal Pelor's Counting House) that sponsored numerous business ventures. Ridley's Regalia, Lupin's Fine Blades, Ridley Sauce, Lupin's Luxury Condominiums, and many many more. Many of these failed, some were sold, and a few still operate today but Lupin used whatever profits were generated (some partners would say stolen) to fund his most lavish idea yet, Ridley's Prospect.
The dream was to have a blossoming city all his own, far from the grip of the other great nations, where he and other independent-minded sorts could live their lives free of regulation or rule. This capitalist utopia he hoped for has begun its life as something a bit different. It's a haven for those on the run and looking to never be found. It's attracted criminals, exiles, mercenaries, and cheats. Yet, there is a silver lining; it's also brought to its growing borders adventurous sorts. Settlers determined to build their homesteads, business owners looking to stake their claim on a new territory, and explorers hopeful to map a region that hasn't been host to civilization in almost three hundred years.
Lupin's first steps on this journey began when he purchased old highway maps of the region, helping him locate exactly where the old roads were. He then paid local villagers throughout the region to come and clear these paths of debris and help him replace hundreds of miles' worth of bricks. Enough to connect Talbot to the Prospect. Ridley's investment in the road helped bring an unexpected injection of aurins into these small unmapped villages and also advertised to many that a new settlement was underway. In fact, many abandoned their villages entirely and followed the new road with Lupin.
Once the road was built Lupin needed a castle to protect his investment (and himself). His money bought dozens of spell scrolls from the mages in Melanthris , specifically spells to shape the earth itself. His fortification would have taken years to construct but instead it was done over the course of a single day. Even with magic he still needed the help of expert engineers to know how to conjure up walls in the right size and placement, what to support, and what defenses a true fortress needs. These experts were well paid for their advice and they left Lupin with a flawlessly built structure, regardless of how quickly it was made.
Even with his castle, it was still just a parcel of land surrounded by the redwood trees of the region. Chopping them down was a slow and ardous process that simple axes failed to live up to. He would once again let his money solve the problem, by leasing an entire logging team from Damien De Torreblanca's Vista Corporation. Vista is Rylan's largest logging company and a member of the ruling trust of the city. With Lupin's wealth he secured a team of Rylanders along with their logging equipment and mill to help clear the land. The Prospect's constant need for timber ensures that the leasing fees Lupin must pay are a constant nessessity.
Now, five months after breaking ground on his castle, Lupin Ridley has a functional settlement. He has his small army, a few constables, a growing population, a business community and massive massive debt. Ridley needs his settlement to churn out profits in the form of taxes and relics from Carda's woods in order to stave off his creditors. The first big attempt to chip away at this debit comes in the form of the Tollin Expedition. An organized exploration force consisting of guards, academics, gnomish historians, laborers, and just about anyone else hoping to profit off of Carda's lost culture. Should this expedition to the nearest of Carda's great cities pan out, Lupin will have cause to finance one for Reshlin and eventually Carda itself.
Ridley's Prospect Maps
Ridley's Highway, Tycorin Outpost, and Greenseed Stables
Ridley's Castle
Moonstar Market and Farm
Moonstar Farm and Hamundarson Ranch
Prospect Row (area with constructed homes and businesses)
Tent Town
Ridley's Harbor (Vista Mill, Harbormaster's Office, and Wretched Nutmeg)
Demographics
The species makeup of Ridley's Prospect is exceptionally diverse. Humans make up appriximately half of the population while the other half is a smattering of just about everything. Tengu naturally make up the smallest demographic with only three of their number here. The rest of the species are varied between elves, dwarves, and halflings. There are a few individual gnomes here but the majority of the gnomish people back in Homestead and Ghal Pelor are deeply distrustful of Lupin Ridley's operation here. In fact, many protested the entire effort though Ridley's fortune made success an impossibility.
While the population is varied from a species standpoint the overall cultural makeup is largely Ghal Pelorians. A small contingent of Prospecters were picked up along the way from small unmapped villages. Another small contingent hail from Talbot, the largest nearby major point of civiliztion and Ridley's last stop before arriving here. The rest are from... wherever they're from.
Government
The only formal government that exists currently is Lupin Ridley, his army, and his constables. The tent town community has its own leaders too who try their best to keep things organized and represent the interests of those without proper homes but they have no actual authority.
Defences
Ridley's Prospect is rather well defended. It has Tycorin Outpost, a small tower almost two miles south of the settlement that keeps an eye on the road and those coming or going. It then has Ridley's Castle as well, an extremely fortified redoubt for such a small settlement. Within the castle Ridley maintains his "army", a group of 60 well paid mercenaries and brutes. Lastly there's the Prospect's constables, a group of ten hired lawbringers Ridley brought on to handle the civilian population and their disputes.
Ridley's soldiers are given a basic level of equipment, provided by the Becker Blacksmithery, which includes a spear, a long sword, a dagger, and a suit of studded leather armor. Anything more that a soldier has was either brought with them or purchased with their pay from Becker.
Additionally, all the settlers here are experienced wilderness travelers who know their way around handling a blade when the need arises.
Industry & Trade
The greatest value the Prospect has to offer at the moment is opportunity. Within the woods of Carda could lay countless artifacts of impossible power, the secrets of gnomish clockwork sciences, the lost history of Homestead's people, and perhaps even the means to make Clankers. Opportunity is the Prospect's chief export now and the only reason for people dare travel to this distant and empty corner of the continent.
Infrastructure
The castle has its own working well, farm, aqueduct, and other ammentities thanks to Lupin Ridley's wealth. Outside the castle, Infrastructure is in the hands of the settlers. Whatever they brought with them is all that exists and there is nocertainty of sharing. The only natural ammenities for all to partake in are the forest and the lake.
Districts
Tent Town is the only organized district, as much as it can be. This is where all those without the means to build home find themselves when they're unable to pay for rooms in the Wretched Nutmeg Inn.
Points of interest
Ridley's Prospect has several operational businesses thus far, and all of them are vital to the residents. A number of non-business points of interest also play an equally important role.
The Wretched Nutmeg - This is the harbor-side tavern and inn, owned by Ghal Peloran human named Donner Peel. While Peel is tight-lipped about the origin for the inn's strange name, his doors and hospitality are otherwise wide open. The inn has 8 rentable rooms in its lofty upstairs area and a very spacious ground floor for dining and drinks. This is where most of the harbor workers can be found after sundown, celebrating their catch. It is also a popular spot for the nearby Rylander lumber team to come after their shift as well.
Greenseed Family Stables - A half-mile down the way from Fort Tycorin is the halfling-run stables. The Greenseeds are reputable trainers and breeders of fine horses back in Theawood near Ghal Pelor but have since packed up their operation to get in on the ground level with Lupin Ridley's settlement. They prefer to operate outside of the settlement itself, though all of the Prospecters are happy enough to make the trip when they are in need of a new horse or care for their existing steeds. Herc Greenseed runs the operation with his wife, Mikana (a city dwarf from Ghal Pelor). Their children (seven in total) all lend a hand as well.
The Pickle Priest - Ridley's Prospect is home to so many eccentric and bizarre characters, and one of the strangest happens to be a tall elven man by the name of Ferand, but most know him more commonly as the Pickle Priest. He's an expert pickler and preserver who takes great joy in creating... pickles. Pickled everything really but his favorite seems to be simple pickled cucumbers. He carries out his operations from a small storefront near Ridley's castle, and his methods seem utterly pious. He is often found deep in prayer while making his delights and is known to recite benedictions to those he hands off a pickle to. To who or what he's praying seems unknown, but nonetheless, each pickle is an act of worship to something.
Tycorin Outpost - This tower stands almost two miles from the Prospect proper and guards the highway. Ridley's Highway is the only reliable way into and out of the settlement, so this fortified tower and its cadre of guards (usually ten at a time) serve as the first line of defense. A large bell inside the tower can be used as an early warning system for Ridley's Castle. Travelers should expect to be halted as they pass the tower to enter the Prospect and searched. Lupin Ridley wants a meticulous accounting of who comes into his settlement. Names and business are always taken at Tycorin and sent along to Lupin daily.
Castle Ridley - At the entrance of Ridley's Prospect is a newly built fortress with 400 foot walls, tall towers, and sturdy gates. All of this was created by siege specialists and spell scrolls. The fort owes its existence to Ridley's wealth and all the earth shaping magical scrolls he could get his hands on. The size of the fortress itself is almost comical compared to the tiny settlement it protects but that typifies Lupin's style. Within its walls is a well, small farm, and cattle pen, that allow the castle to be self-sustaining. The barracks inside support 60 soldiers, and roughly another 40 or so support staff. During daylight hours the support staff deal with leasing land to citizens, legal disputes, negotiations with expedition leaders, and other mundane tasks. By night, Lupin can be found indulging in drinks, feasts, and celebrations.
Doc Tassle's Tent - Within the tent city region of the settlement is a dirty old pavilion owned by a grumpy, aging, Locklander named Heric Tassle. Tassle is an accomplished surgeon and apothecary but also an alcoholic and known malcontent. There is no shortage of rumors as to why Tassle brought his talent all the way here to the end of the continent but the doctor himself has little to say on the matter. He's spends his days recovering from his hangover while tending to the ailments of the settlers and usually for a modest fee.
Harbormaster's Office - This building stands very near the three docks that make up the Prospect's modest harbor. Built into the structure is a tall and narrow tower topped with a large lens and flame that act as a lighthouse to guide small ships by night. Not that there are many ship to guide. Individuals may have their own small row boats but there are three ships in the entire settlement that can hold more than four people. The largest of them belongs to Lupin and is dedicated to gathering fish for the castle or ferrying soliders around the lake. The other two belong to local merchants for fishing. The office is located right next door to the Wretched Nutmeg, and anyone with business at the Harbormaster's Office is almost certain to be stopping at the inn for for a drink as well. It doesn't go unnoticed that the Wretched Nutmeg seems to get the freshest catch while Harbormaster Angelica Grisher and her employees drink very cheaply.
Moonstar Farm- Nearest of two farms in the settlement, Moonstar is a vegetable and berry farm run by a family of Lakeside Elves, the Estestras. Enequaenal Estestra, the paragon of the family, takes great pride in his bright and flavorful crops and knowing that he is the primary source of food for the people of Ridley's Prospect. Many of the elves in the Prospect work for the Estestras and their farm has become something of a cultural epicenter for elves here, even those not from the Lakeside. When they left to join up with Lupin Ridley they brought with them several of their finest apple trees as well, carefully uprooting and preserving them during the trip. The apples grown by these trees are highly sought after by citizens here as is the cider Moonstar Farms produces.
Moonstar Market- Directly beside Moonstar farms is the Estestras' market. Most of their grown goods can be found here for purchase. Additionally, there are about a dozen tents here all purchased by locals. These locals operate stalls that serve different types of food during the day and into the evening. There are sandwich stalls, soup stalls, fried foods, hearty rice dishes, sweets, sauced noodles, and many meats on sticks. The Estestras also run a stall that serves their famous ciders too. Between these stalls are long benches and tables for settlers to gather to enjoy their food and drinks.
Hamundarson Cattle Ranch - The further of the settlement's two farms is the Hamundarson cattle ranch. Run by Egil Hamundarson and his Frostmerite kin. Most assume they choose the distant section of land because of how loud and offensively smelly the cattle ranch is, the truth is that Egil and his people enjoy the isolation it affords them. Many of the Frostmerites have traveled this region before and found it to be deeply dangerous even for them, and now a handful of soft southerners are rushing head first into its jaws. Egil is happy to take their aurins, trade for relics from the forest, and then wash his hands of the place after they've gotten themselves killed. While the Hamundarsons may not be known as the friendliest of people their meat is precious to the settlers who pay very high prices per pound of beef, pork, or poultry.
Calaga's General Goods - Florien Calaga runs the largest and most well-stocked general store in the settlement. His shop is located near the center of the settlement and sells just about everything you can't buy from the Moonstar Market. Calaga is part of the Rylan contingent of the settlement and many of his shelves feature Rylander Steamtech goods alongside traditional options. Florien is used to dealing with non-rylanders so has kept many of augments out of sight and beneath his skin. Though, after a few drinks, he's been known to show off the exposed brass spinal cord that runs the length of his back. It was an expensive augment but one that allowed him to operate on the road with little sleep and under harsh conditions.
Vista Mill and Lumber Yard - Owned by the Vista Corporation, one of Lupin's financial partners, the business looks to supply the settlers with all the lumber they could possibly need for the expansion of Ridley's Prospect. They offer raw lumber at a very affordable price and also sell a few furniture pieces of distinct and impeccable quality (as Rylan is often known for). The area around the mill is often very loud and at times their work teams will carry on into the dead of night, disturbing many of the nearby settlers. Vista is responsible for having cleared out the area that would house the entirety of the Prospect. Prior to their arrival all of this dense forest and overgrowth.
Becker Blacksmithery - Sebastian Becker of Frial is the only man in Ridley's Prospect that's making weapons and armor. His operation is rather large and can be found within the walls of Ridley's Castle. This is by Lupin's design. While selling armor and arms isn't restricted in any way, he's only granted one permit to do so, to Sebastian Becker. Lupin gave Becker the plot for free so as to keep the sales of all weapons within view. It also allows him and his soldiers easy access to a source of new equipment. Any non-combat related items are sold wholesale to Calaga for sale in his general store, such as cast iron pans, horse shoes, ect ect. Shoppers should always expect to see a member of Lupin's administration snooping about and taking notes on who is buying what here.
The Silver Tail - Located along the road near the harbor, the Silver Tail is the Prospect's brothel and the first destination many flock to when payday hits. Run by Rowen Ioz of Ghal Pelor, this was one of the first businesses to establish itself in the settlement. Ioz and Ridley were known to travel in all the same circles back in Ghal Pelor so many were not surprised to see the Silver Tail open a second location up in the Prospect. What did surprise people was that Ioz packed up himself and relocated here. While many come for a night of pleasure (or even just a few minutes), the Silver Tail offers much more. There are gambling tables that feature dice games and spinning wheels, the sort of theatrical games that Ioz is known for. Yet, many tables are dedicated to card games too. There's also a small stage that can be used for musical performance, theater, or dance. One can also indulge in some of the very fine imported drinks and even a meal that the Silver Tail offers. While many of the backrooms are devoted to sating one pleasure or another, some out-of-the-way spots are entirey for trading secrets, brokering deals, and rumors say even sinister happenings. The Silver Tail is often the last place many missing persons were seen.
Memling's Kreastos- Ansolom Memling's tent can be found in tent town. From this humble little tent Memling preaches about the pantheon the New Gods and how they watch over Tairos still. He is generally ignored though a few do stop by to share the occasional prayer with the tall, elderly, Frialite. He has no magic to offer but in its place he tries to give hope of a higher power. When not here at this small tent he can be found wandering around town praying or preaching. His words are not dedicated to any god in particular, just the pantheon as a whole. Thus far he is the only source of a religion the settlement has few seem to appreciate it. Yet still, if religious guidance is what one seeks, it can be found with Memling in tent town.
Alternative Name(s)
The Prospect, Prospect Town
Type
Outpost / Base
Population
606
Inhabitant Demonym
Prospecters, Ridley's Folk
Owner/Ruler
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
Related Plots
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