First Ring
Nearest to the Great Tree without being right on top of it the First Ring is one of the most affluent areas in all of Arbor home to some of the richest and most powerful companies and individuals in the city. The influence of those that live here can be felt across the city and in some cases outside. The only area with a higher concentration of wealth is The Canopy where the Old Families reside.
"While not Ivory towers those that live in the First Ring certainly grow up with a silver spoon in their mouths" -unknown worker
Appearance
In general it should be assumed that those people things and buildings in the first ring are of the best quality, anyone who does not belong is quickly singled out and asked to leave or move along. As the First Ring is one of the oldest areas in all of Arbor it also has seen the most reconstruction as newer and better building techniques have taken hold though some historic buildings have held out and stayed as they were 100s of years ago. The Streets in the First Ring are some of the best maintained in all the city and with the removal of most of the horses in the city to be replaced with Steam Engine Cars the cobblestone ways have never looked better, lit on either side by Levin Stone powered lights that make the night safe for an evening stroll if one wished.Architecture
The buildings in Arbor's second oldest Ring are some of the most beautiful displays of architecture and artistry. Though many have been remodeled or added to over the centuries some still maintain their original construction in one form or another. Broadly speaking then you have two basic types of building construction, the original waddle and dab thatch style housing made of mud. leaves, horse dung and a small amount of Great Tree Wood and the more modern Victorian style brick constructions. It should also be noted that a few notable building have their own architectural style to them these are noted below. The area of the first ring then is one of architectural beauty and wonder and you never quite know what you are going to see around the next corner.Notable Buildings
- Silver Leaf Academy Building and Ground - Backing on to Silver Leaf Lake the academy building is a truly glorious structure comprised of several parts built, re-built and remodeled over the century or so of the schools operation. It's chief architectural style is Gothic and Baroque and some visitors may be fooled into thinking they have wandered into a church and you'd be half right as Silver Leaf Academy until recently was run by the Church.
- The Living Pillar - A truly terrifying structure of epic proportions, the living pillar is a testament to the strength of Great Tree Wood and the ingenuity of the Tree-Wrights who craft with it. A dizzingly tall tower that on a clear day can be seen almost anywhere in the city composed entirely of Great Tree wood and reaching well into the sky. Each floor of the tower has been created by a different apprentice in multiple architectural styles and serves as their final test before become Master Tree Wrights.
- The Old Stills - One of the few waddle and dob buildings left in the First Ring is the home location for The Arborian Revelers and where all of their alcohol is crafted.
- Ironbark Station - an imposing black brick building down chapel road, a huge structure that houses the cities law enforcement and a small jail used for processing criminals before passing them off to more permanent accommodations if needed.
People
Those who live and work in the First Ring are of the highest social caste, and economic value. It's here that the elites of society rub elbows and conduct business and where 2 of the oldest and most powerful guilds in the city have their headquarters. It should come as no surprise then that those who live here have a very good understanding of fashion and keep up to date with the latest trends making it feel like one is walking into clothing exhibitions simply walking down the street. There is still cause to be wary though as with this much wealth around pickpockets sometimes make attempts at infultration hoping for a large score before walking away from the life, though many find that this is the last thing they do as Green Cloak precence is supremly high in this area.History
The First Ring was created when the Second Wall was finished in 839 P.R. though this was the formal creation it had already begun to be home to the cities wealthy elite far before that date. In fact the location of the Second Great Wall's construction was largely decided based on who was already living on which side of it and forcing the poor to effectively live outside of the city proper. Since the Walls construction efforts have been made to ensure that the area maintains it's high society appeal with the removal of elements deemed ill suited for the residents within. This is not to say there were only removals done though property prices are high some enterprising individuals, particularly those from the Factory Bosses, have managed to secure enough funding to buy out old family homes and other domiciles when they became available. These people are not as well liked by their neighbors the classic new money vs old money problem springs to mind here, it does not help that when new money comes in remodeling and renovation comes with it and often the tastes of an individual are not in keeping with the general aesthetic of the area. There was a sudden influx of this occurring when The Black Hands came into being bringing trains and the constructions required of it. Many Factory Bosses around this time became stupendously wealthy enabling them to move out of the Second Ring and into the First.Notable Organizations
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