Kipburn
Demographics
Primarily bearfolk, but sometimes traders from Olfrary or Atrary make long-term stays. It is not uncommon for Halfies to live here, but they are the minority. Those who live here are descendants of the earliest bearfolk, all the way from the earliest years after the Boiling Void was open. Those who live here are proud of their rich history in Vaeruin and their traditions. They open their Sleuth, shops, and sometimes homes to newcomers and visitors from all over the continent.
Government
The land and buildings are "governed" elders and the respected members of Ursine society called The Midcomb Guard. As these members change, so do different areas of Kipburn. As a whole, however, these elders tend to stay with tradition and with "what is best" for their own Sleuths.
Industry & Trade
The bearfolk of Kipburn are proud of their identity as tradesmen. Many Kippers will live their whole lives working in one of the small shops or for one of the larger businesses, such as Claw Sawmill or Lucky Pen.
Infrastructure
There is one small lumbermill named Claw Sawmill that uses a selected area of forest (about 100 acres) to continually grow and cut the traditional wood for new buildings. There are other large acreages for crops and, of course, hives and hives of specifically bred honeybees. A watermill powers the town from a large river that runs through the village.
Being a tourist-driven settlement, there are many shop-lined streets that are constantly kept clean and appetizing to travellers.
Assets
Lucky Pen, known for good meats, dairy, and trained mounts.
The Honey Pot, known for specialty teas and baked goods.
Mionn's Magic Shop, known for tourist-friendly magical items and local magic-needs.
Guilds and Factions
Out of the Sleuth Sigils, Kipburn's is the mug overflowing. This signifies trade, community, and personal wealth flowing over.
History
The original bearfolk to settle in Vaeruin chose Kipburn's location as a prime Sleuth due to the ideal centeredness between the two already bustling capitals. The thousands of acres of forests provided the newcomers protection and seclusion as they gained their freedoms and their purposes. These early settlers and elders began to shape and form the culture of progression and hospitality that Kipburn is known for today.
Though, this was not without hardship. Those who did not agree with such open communications, or felt unsafe by the travellers being enthusiastically serviced by trade, eventually did split into the other Sleuths.
Architecture
Kipburn is largely made of wood, stone, and earth.
The traditional and well-known "Black Forest House" (Ursus: 'Schvaldhaus') is a byre-dwelling, a farmhouse in which the living quarters are combined with the livestock and/or grain barn under the same roof. It is characterised externally by a long hipped or half-hipped roof that descends to the height of the ground floor. This type of dwelling is suited to the conditions of the Black Forest: hillside locations, broad tracks, high levels of snowfall and heavy wind loading. Individual farms, such as Luck Pen, are still worked today, are over 600 years old.
Geography
Kipburn was settled within deep woods called The Black Forest. This forest is named after the Black Oak trees that make up the denseness of the woods. It spans thousands of acres, though the settlement of Kipburn is only a fraction of that size.
The Black Woods are considered to be owned or territorially controlled by Kipburn and The Midcomb Guard.
Natural Resources
- Wood
- Iron/Coal from small mines
- Honey
- Special hearty or rare mounts such as dire bear, elk, or dire wolf.