Waterstone
Demographics
The majority of the settlement are desert cat-folk with other desert heritages that are predisposed to working together living there as well. Most notably there are several desert elves among the villagers.
Government
The government is a simple council of elders who oversee matters of the city. Each elder is either a succesful merchant, crafts person, or otherwise has a stake in the town in some way. They meet every month to discuss town matters and settle disputes.
Defences
The city is defended by powerful wizards, agile catfolk monks and the roof mounted ballistas dotted along the cliff face. They are no stranger to attacks from the Ivory Eye or occasional Orc Warband and have become adept at defending their home.
Industry & Trade
Trade IS the main industry of Waterstone, with the market making up over 80% of all gold earned in the town and employing the majority of its citizenry.
Infrastructure
Waterstone is built around the waterfalls that end in the town bathhouse, the water is supernaturally pure and flows eternally. It comes from the nearby Path Mountains which provide the town with a never ending water supply. This has allowed the town to build up around the cliff face and create a thriving marketplace as one of the last stops into or out of the Desert, and the Green Wastes.
Districts
The three major areas of the settlement are the market place, the residential areas and the Bathhouses.
The Residential areas are spread along the cliff face with houses made of adobe and stacked on top of each other in a sort of favela. Each house holds a single family and is insulated from the worst heat of the desert by the mountain itself. Many of the residences also go into the mountain a ways to make use of the natural cooling and protection that the stone offers.
The Market Place is one of the most vibrant places for miles. Being so close to the militaristic Kranyans, The feral Ivory Eye Clutch and the Grimdark Vampire counts of Lakta means that the citizens of Waterstone often meet travellers who don't share their same warmth and candor. This has earned them their name "Sabra" which means "Cactus Flowers" because of their tough shell but warm sweetness once that is broken through.
Finally the Bathhouse is the major landmark and draw to the village for travellers from afar. Carved out of the stone by Catfolk Artisans and decorated in Lapis and other precious stones, the Bathhouse allows visitors to wash away the grit of the desert, or to enjoy one last cooling dip before walking into the unforgiving desert or the cruel wastes. The Catfolk that work the bathhouse are expert healers and know secrets to relaxation that will have even the hardest warrior purring.
The Residential areas are spread along the cliff face with houses made of adobe and stacked on top of each other in a sort of favela. Each house holds a single family and is insulated from the worst heat of the desert by the mountain itself. Many of the residences also go into the mountain a ways to make use of the natural cooling and protection that the stone offers.
The Market Place is one of the most vibrant places for miles. Being so close to the militaristic Kranyans, The feral Ivory Eye Clutch and the Grimdark Vampire counts of Lakta means that the citizens of Waterstone often meet travellers who don't share their same warmth and candor. This has earned them their name "Sabra" which means "Cactus Flowers" because of their tough shell but warm sweetness once that is broken through.
Finally the Bathhouse is the major landmark and draw to the village for travellers from afar. Carved out of the stone by Catfolk Artisans and decorated in Lapis and other precious stones, the Bathhouse allows visitors to wash away the grit of the desert, or to enjoy one last cooling dip before walking into the unforgiving desert or the cruel wastes. The Catfolk that work the bathhouse are expert healers and know secrets to relaxation that will have even the hardest warrior purring.
Assets
The majority of the assets on Waterstone come in the form of trade and water. They are on the edge of two great expanses and so being the last place to fill water, or the first place after a great deal of time means that they do a brisk trade in the liquid.
Guilds and Factions
The Merchants Guild has a heavy presence in Waterstone and halflings make up a notable portion of the non catfolk citizens. The major factions are the Merchants Guild, The Monastary of the splayed Claw, The town Elders and often at leasta few representatives of the F.R.E.A.K. (Free Resistance of Enlightened Anarchist Kobolds)
Points of interest
Tourism
Tourism is encouraged and tourists are afforded warm welcoms at both inns in the town, as well as finding several guides willing to give tours of the desert, the nearby mountains, and even the first mile or so of Green waste to those who can afford the more than steep cost to travel into that hell.
Architecture
The buildings in Waterstone are almost all made of adobe with wooden support beams. There are also a number of tents through the city to provide shade and shelter to travellers. There is always a place to sleep in town and often always someone taking a nap.
Along with the adobe construction are large domes of glass, tile mosaics, and lapidiary decorations everywhere one looks. The whole villiage is a beautiful sight to behold
Along with the adobe construction are large domes of glass, tile mosaics, and lapidiary decorations everywhere one looks. The whole villiage is a beautiful sight to behold
Geography
Waterstone is located at the terminus of a river on a cliff overlooking the Desert. Technically they are in the Kranyan territory but operate as their own indipendant city state within Kranya's protectorate.
Alternative Name(s)
Cactus Flower Village, Waterfall Town, Last-stop
Type
Village
Population
500
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Sabras (Cactus Flowers)
Location under
Characters in Location
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