Old Vitgrud

Vitgrud's first permanent settlement was built in 1980 Vol and occupied in 1981 Vol. It housed Vitgrud's entire population until 2000 Vol, and its last residents moved out thirty years later.

History

Construction on the first permanent settlement on Ralcondray didn't begin until months after the survivors of the Grand Adventure fleet arrived, and wasn't completed until after the following year began. Its initial population was 92; twenty years later, it had grown to 146. The original colonists had built the settlement to resemble their own homes, but the oldest of the 54 new residents felt that its layout was dangerously flawed. The greatest failing, in their eyes, was the way the individual buildings were scattered apart from each other. In the cold part of the year, residents had to wear multiple layers of robes indoors and out to stay warm, and walking between buildings was difficult when there was snow on the ground. The same was true when the rainy season converted the ground to mud, and in the cooling season anyone who lived or had business in the periphery of the village was vulnerable to graybacks hunting for prey.

When their suggestions for improvement were met with indifference, Hulwif and Stannu gathered other like-minded youth and set out to build their version: a cluster of structures under a single roof, with interior walkways protected from weather and predators. By the half-year day the project was complete. Hulwif had intended to use the model to persuade Vitat to approve remodeling the original settlement, but his disappearance changed her plans. Using her newfound authority as Dancinglight, Hulwif moved as many as she could into the new village center. That cold season was a hard one. Eleven of the fifteen who died were among the residents who refused to leave the original settlement, reinforcing Hulwif's confidence in the benefits of the new design.

Over the next few decades the population continued to shift from Old Vitgrud to Central Vitgrud, and to the new village offshoots created by successive generations of youth in an emerging coming-of-age ritual. The new offshoot built in 2030 Vol had enough room for the last residents of Old Vitgrud. Despite a few modifications that had made living there more tolerable, they happily made the move, and Old Vitgrud was officially abandoned.

Architecture

The colonists were a mixture of Tideriders and island dwellers, and Old Vitgrud's eclectic design demonstrated that. First to be built was the central common hall, with outbuildings surrounding it much like the support fleet around a mother ship. The buildings were constructed in the islands' open-wall style, with weather shutters to close out wind and rain.

Geography

The colonists' first shelters had been built in the open plain. Spending the first few cold nights there convinced them to build Vitgrud in the forest, where the trees would help protect the buildings from weather.

RUINED SETTLEMENT
2030 Vol

Founding Date

1981 Vol

Type

Neighbourhood

Location under

Vitgrud