Crossroads Proper
Crossroads Proper is the center of all civilization within the barren landscape of Crossroads, and symbolizes the progress made by the religious organizations who flocked to this area in an attempt to heal the land from the wounds of the Cataclysm.
The Daoists established settlements along the Retribution River, but it was the Orthodoxy that first settled the region that is now Crossroads Proper, by building their grand Cathedral of Penitent Salvation. Not to be outdone, many Daoist settlers flocked to the settlement from the various hamlets and began work on the Yulü and Shenshu Temples, making the town a testament to the power of both religions, and one of the few areas where Daoists and Orthodox Christians can be seen living and working together. This has been a source of great conflict for the settlement however, as tensions are continually high due to religious and racial differences.
Racial and religious disputes have been a constant problem within the town since its founding. Oftentimes these lead to violence, and with little in the way of law enforcement these usually end in a death or two. Segregation is also commonplace within Orthodox institutions, though the line between racial and religious issues is often blurred. The constant religious presence within the area causes it to be the primary reason for disagreements and conflict, but there is underlying racism behind most of it.
The recent boom in trade has also caused a shift in class dynamics within the city. Crossroads Proper was created by poor, filled with poor and run by poor, but as the industrialists continue to accrue wealth the evidence of different socio-economic classes has begun to emerge. However, the low number of wealthy inhabitants of the town has kept their influence on its poorer individuals small, as well as the constant threat of the governing religious institutions.
The Daoists established settlements along the Retribution River, but it was the Orthodoxy that first settled the region that is now Crossroads Proper, by building their grand Cathedral of Penitent Salvation. Not to be outdone, many Daoist settlers flocked to the settlement from the various hamlets and began work on the Yulü and Shenshu Temples, making the town a testament to the power of both religions, and one of the few areas where Daoists and Orthodox Christians can be seen living and working together. This has been a source of great conflict for the settlement however, as tensions are continually high due to religious and racial differences.
Racial and religious disputes have been a constant problem within the town since its founding. Oftentimes these lead to violence, and with little in the way of law enforcement these usually end in a death or two. Segregation is also commonplace within Orthodox institutions, though the line between racial and religious issues is often blurred. The constant religious presence within the area causes it to be the primary reason for disagreements and conflict, but there is underlying racism behind most of it.
The recent boom in trade has also caused a shift in class dynamics within the city. Crossroads Proper was created by poor, filled with poor and run by poor, but as the industrialists continue to accrue wealth the evidence of different socio-economic classes has begun to emerge. However, the low number of wealthy inhabitants of the town has kept their influence on its poorer individuals small, as well as the constant threat of the governing religious institutions.
Demographics
Ethnicity
British 5%
Chinese 35%
Continental European 10%
Indian 5%
Japanese 15%
Russian 30%
Religion
Buddhist 5%
Caodist 1%
Catholic 10%
Daoist 30%
Eastern Othodox 26%
Hindu 3%
Jewish 1%
Protestant 7%
Muslim 2%
Shinto 15%
Jobs
Clergymen 12%
Entrepenour 1%
Farmer/Fisher 50%
Factory Worker 10%
Mercenaries 10%
Trader 5%
(Religious) Warrior 12%
Wealth
Wealthy 0.50%
Middle Class 7%
Working Class 15%
Poor 77.50%
Government
There is no formal government within Crossroads Proper. The two major religious bodies within the town, the Orthodox and the Daoist, are each governed by their own ruling groups within the organization. The Orthodox are led by a council of head priests who reside within the Cathedral of Penitent Salvation, while the Daoists are less organized and have no formal ruling body. Most of their followers answer to the local community elders and priests who manage their temples, like the main Daoist temples within Crossroads Proper, Yulü and Shenshu Temples.
Both the Orthodox and the Daoist maintain their own standing force, made up of devout followers and paid mercenary warriors. These groups provide protection within the town for followers of the religion, as well as protect the temples and other holdings. They enforce the laws put in place by the organization they work for, though their authority is only respected by followers of said religion. They are also used to recover beasts from the Wastes, and bring them back to be harvested.
Both the Orthodox and the Daoist maintain their own standing force, made up of devout followers and paid mercenary warriors. These groups provide protection within the town for followers of the religion, as well as protect the temples and other holdings. They enforce the laws put in place by the organization they work for, though their authority is only respected by followers of said religion. They are also used to recover beasts from the Wastes, and bring them back to be harvested.
Industry & Trade
The discovery of New Silk, and the Greater Silkworm that it is harvested from, by the Daoists was the catalyst that brought a rush of trade and opportunity to the area. It led to the establishment of the New Silk Road running through the town, and a rush of hopeful industrialists flocked to the area in hopes of cashing in on the exotics beast byproducts coming from the Retribution Wastes and the Retribution Beast's that live within.
As factories began to spring up, owned by John Kensley and his company From Pennies to Penance Foundation, more flora/fauna were found that could be harvested, grown or used as cattle. The need for easy transportation was required to keep up with the boom in trade, so a railroad was constructed that ran through the town. This connected Crossroads and its strange but valuable goods to places all across Asia and Europe.
As factories began to spring up, owned by John Kensley and his company From Pennies to Penance Foundation, more flora/fauna were found that could be harvested, grown or used as cattle. The need for easy transportation was required to keep up with the boom in trade, so a railroad was constructed that ran through the town. This connected Crossroads and its strange but valuable goods to places all across Asia and Europe.
Infrastructure
The town is built between 3 branches of the Retribution River, with the central branch running down the middle of it. On this river is where most of the industrialists have setup their factories, due to the easy access to running water. They also utilize the clay on the riverbed to fashion bricks, which is what the majority of the factories are made out of.
One such factory is the Kensley Proper Factory, which focuses on the growth and slaughter of Budding Cattle as the primary food source of the area. It also contains warehouses that focus on the harvesting of other common beasts, like the Greater Silkworm and the Omırtqa.
One such factory is the Kensley Proper Factory, which focuses on the growth and slaughter of Budding Cattle as the primary food source of the area. It also contains warehouses that focus on the harvesting of other common beasts, like the Greater Silkworm and the Omırtqa.
1. Desert village courtesy of Jeanne Menjoulet, cropped to fit better. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmenj/9258497503
Type
Town
Population
~3,500
Inhabitant Demonym
Crossroadians
Included Locations
Characters in Location
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