North Bend
The ballroom could hardly be called a room... The thing was made up of a series of 5 or so long dinner tables (taken from the rubble of people's homes) and dressed with nice cream cloths and the remaining crystal that wasn't shattered in the gate's blasts. The town was more or less in ruins still, but those who survived seemed to have a hopeful air about continuing life. Lots had changed -- that was certain -- but in a way they assumed it might be better off this way. They all lost loved ones, but they were free of suffering now. The highlands and moors burst with life each verilia (spring), and even the ruined buildings in North Bend had been reclaimed partly by nature. Which is exactly what this ballroom was. Open to the air, in a small enclosed courtyard of crabgrass and rye sprouts. The sunlight cast all the people and tables in brilliant color, and the ruined wooden homes around the place were nothing more than vessels for huge, natural boquets of ferns and wildflowers.
Most of all, the people seemed quite happy. Lots of quite tall folk were littered around the place, some with wings, or horns, even feathers. They wore simple clothing that survived the fires, some of it formal, some of it the last scrap that they owned. What the doomsingers could not take from them was their food. Denizens will always be better hunters. The tables were topped with delicious roast birds, baked hare, duck, whole hog, some of the most vibrantly cooked vegetables Esmé may have ever seen. Red bell peppers, some very scrumptious looking fruits and pies, tables full of craft breads and sauces, and more liquor than any small country town should ever have.
One of the people who attended was a particular Clayborn baker called Malia. She was smallish, with soft brown hair, equally dark eyes, and a pale ribbon collar. She wore a plain cream colored blouse and a brilliant red skirt. The thing was busy shuffling back and forth between tables, organizing pies and chocolate melts, large glass jugs of cold pressed coffee and caramel apples with sweet breads and pie crusts. The little thing was oddly capable, and equipped the tables with a magnificent arsenal of delicious pastries and drinks. She was certainly the most active in the area, just trying to present everything the best she could.. She wanted so badly to return to normal.
Demographics
North Bend has a strong clayborn population, and a human minority.
Government
North Bend is self governed, and has a single mayor that simply does municipal work.
Defences
North Bend boasts only natural defenses.It is well hidden by its overgrowth, though its agricultural assets are fairly visible from the moors. Despite this, it's quite a secluded place.
Industry & Trade
North Bend exports a small bit of garden produce and agricultural goods to keep itself afloat. Most of the businesses are small and family owned, and are supported by town members. Items there are very inexpensive yet very high quality. The town simply doesn't require a huge income.
Infrastructure
North Bend has two whole roads. The main settlement road travels from the northmost point (the lighthouse and attached estate, to the farthest south, and ends only when the moors begin. The town has a minuscule vanguard outpost at the south end, that houses only two soldiers who are considered formal residents.
Assets
North Bend is mostly self sufficient, and grows most of its own food. Besides having ample tree-cover, and being relatively hidden from even short distances, the village is best recognized by sweeping fields of grain, and its ample home gardens.
The village is also home to one of the worlds few fully mechanical printing presses. They are known further south in Vidalia as a large exporter of literature.
Guilds and Factions
North Bend is home to a few artisanal guilds.
Architecture
North Bend from afar looks like a small country villa. It has plenty of simple wooded homes with dark thatched roofs. They are able to produce roofing tiles out of slate, and as a result homes have a very earthy color.
Closer towards the main road, buildings and shops are built to have two floors, occasionally (but rarely) a third. They import glass to use for windows instead of cheap slates and gessoed canvas blinds, which is common for towns of that size.
The town strings lamps along the main roads to keep them lit. Despite being so small, the town has a very active, celebratory population.
Post Cataclysm, North Bend becomes a sort of ruin. It is still populated, but they do not have the resources or energy to rebuild much of the town. They decide to incorporate the overgrowth into their architecture, and turn the town into a stunning garden village. They increase their exports of garden produce, and work to rebuild much of the farmland they lost to the fires.
Natural Resources
North Bend exports lumber and agricultural goods.
RUINED SETTLEMENT
4120
Type
Hamlet
Population
78
Location under
Included Locations
Characters in Location
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