Bingtown Settlement in Drass | World Anvil
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Bingtown

The Cursed Shores of Blightfall have long been hostile to civilisation. Over the years, multiple attempts have been made to settle the land, but only the Seawatch colony of Bingtown has managed to survive and thrive.   Straddling the Tempestua River, Bingtown acts as the gateway between the old and the new. Ancient ruins are excavated here for profit, fuelling a renaissance of magical research and invention. This wealth is not shared however, and is instead hoarded by those who firmly believe that "finders keepers" is enshrined in law. The quality of life disparity between the haves and have-nots has long been a point of tension, but new arrivals to the city have seen fit to challenge this status quo, for better or worse.   The rise of the Empire of the Winter to the far east has put the city of Bingtown, technically the colony of a now subjugated nation, into a tricky position. With new demands placed upon their loyalties, the city must decide whether they are ready to pursue their independence, or is the risk just too great?

Factions of Note

Below are the most prominent of the Bingtown political and economic factions, along with a brief description.    
  • The Founding Families - Able to trace their lineage back to before the Second Wave, these families are the lucky descendants of those who had the foresight to lay claim to the Pits of Frengra and the riches within. The founding families are the ruling class of Bingtown, with the head of each family having a single vote within the Founders Conclave.
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  • The Newbloods - The most recent mass migration bore a large flotilla of merchant families seeking their fortunes upon the Cursed Shores. Unlike previous migrations, these families were not content to fit themselves into Bingtowns available niches and instead demand the rights to vote and join the plunder of the ancient ruins beyond the city walls.
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  • The Changelings - Less a unified faction and more a loose collections of oppressed peoples, the Changelings of Bingtown are the result of potent curse upon Blightfall. Feared by the commonfolk and detested by the nobility, Changelings gather in the secret places of the city. Lately, a few prominent Changelings have decided that enough is enough and seek justice, whatever the cost.
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  • The Prisma - A collection of powerful mages, the Prisma seek to understand the ruins of the Cursed Shores and so pay little heed to the political squabbles of the city. They have a working partnership with the Founding Families however, a simple agreement that they may come and go from the Pits as they wish, in return for offering their magical expertise exclusively to them.
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Districts of Bingtown

 

The Docks

One of the busiest parts of the city, the docks are often crowded by dockhands carrying crates of wares and supplies alike. The docks are well maintained and policed, due to how important commerce is to Bingtown, resulting in an uncharacteristically upmarket dock district when compared to other major cities. However, that does not mean there are no unsavoury spots. It simply means sailors and visitors have to expend a little more effort to find them, hidden in plain sight.  

Riverside

Originally envisioned as a trendy extension of the Upper City, the Riverside district of the Lower City has unfortunately gained a reputation as a focal point for dishonest merchants and various underground factions, such as the thieves guild. Geographically, the Riverside district sits well below the neighbouring district of Old Town, which was originally built upon the craggy cliffs that overlook the Tempestua River. As a result, the entire district feels somewhat overshadowed, likely one of the many factors that led to this district falling into ill repute. Another factor, the acidity of the Tempestua, has also influenced the district. After all, a river of acid makes for excellent body disposal.  

Northpoint

The imaginative name given to the northernmost district of the city. Northpoint mainly exists from the need to supply more housing to the swelling population of Bingtown after several large migrations. The district has adopted a vague counter-culture to the elites of Bingtown, emphasising community living and group effort. As a result, there are strange "neighbourhood owned" storefronts and smiths, where locals can come and go from the forge as they wish.  

Cursewood Plaza

The epitome of what Riverside was meant to be, this district gets its name from the large Cursewood tree at its centre, representing what was once the outer edge of the surrounding Jungle/Swamp. The district is a favourite of tourists and merchants alike, giving the district a lively air of commerce. Although the district has a strong economy, there is a high amount of political distrust between the Newbloods of Bingtown, based in Cursewood, and the traditional traders and nobility of the Upper City and Old Town in particular.  

Cliffside

The home of the nobility of Bingtown, it was originally settled alongside Old Town due to its defensive properties during the earliest days of the city. Now, the district represents all that is prim and proper within the city with its manicured lawns, extensive topiaries and ornate statuaries. Cliffside has also come to represent the oppression that many of the poorer folk of the city feel.  

Old Town

The original centre of commerce for Bingtown, Old Town is now primarily the centre of government for the city. Everything from the Founders Conclave to religious centres can be found here, along with the world famous Traders Walk, a street lined with the most prestigious and expensive shops in Bingtown.

Maps

  • Bingtown

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  • 704 ME

    3 Month of Fields

    Establishing Tempestua Outpost
    Discovery, Exploration

    During an expedition to the lands of Blightfall, the explorers of Seawatch establish an outpost at the Tempestua River, intending to research the acidic waters that periodically eroded their boats.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 704 ME

    7 Month of Fields

    Encounter with the Shadows
    Metaphysical / Paranormal event

    A few sleepless nights after the outpost was established, the explorers finally confirmed the existence of the Shadows, writing about them as nightmarish spectres in their personal journals and letters home.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 704 ME

    Month of Harvest

    Frengra Ruins Unearthed
    Expedition

    Many of the outposts on the Cursed Shores were setup to explore the various ruins and abandoned settlements of Blightfall, and with the discovery of Frengra deep within the swamplike jungle of the region, Tempestua was no different.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 705 ME

    Month of Decay

    Abandoning Tempestua
    Disbandment

    After 18 months, the explorers of Seawatch finally buckled under the pressure of Blightfall and abandoned the outpost. But not before they harvested enough magical artifacts to ensure a continued interest in the Cursed Shores.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 712 ME

    23 Month of Cattle

    Return to Tempestua
    Population Migration / Travel

    After a few years of deliberation, the Commonwealth of Seawatch came to the conclusion that the region surrounding the Tempestua river had the most economic potential, and so launched a considerable settler fleet to inhabit the land. This is commonly regarded as the first true migration wave to Bingtown.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 712 ME

    Month of Decay
    713 ME

    Month of Birth

    The Wasting Winter
    Plague / Epidemic

    A winter far harsher than expected led to the death of 40% of the initial migration wave from Seawatch and almost rendered the settlement uninhabitable. If not for the actions of Heironymus Bing, a talented Druid, many more would have suffered.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 713 ME

    Month of Fields

    The Second Wave
    Population Migration / Travel

    After the Wasting Winter, Seawatch wasted no time in arranging yet more colonists be sent to the struggling outpost. At the time, many viewed this as sending more families to their death, in the vain hope that some treasure would somehow make it home.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 713 ME

    12 Month of Dunes

    Founding of Bingtown
    Founding

    With the growing population of the outpost, it was decided by Seawatch and their appointed governors that the outpost should become a formal town. The colonists disobeyed the imperial command to name the town Tempestua and instead chose to honour the brave Druid who saved so many lives during the previous winter.

    Location
    Bingtown
    Additional timelines
  • 714 ME

    Month of Birth

    The Pits of Frengra Established
    Founding

    An important step towards securing the future of Bingtown was securing the Frengra Ruins so that they may be plundered with haste and efficiency. Establishing the Pits made a few of the original Founding Families very rich.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 718 ME

    Month of Skies

    Cliffside Segregation Act
    Civil action

    Using the considerable wealth that the Pits provided, a few notable families essentially purchased all the best and most defensible land in Bingtown to construct personal mansions. As a result, sporadic housing begins appearing along the dockside to provide homes to the hundreds of displaced folk.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 723 ME

    Month of Fields
    724 ME

    Month of Ice

    Riverside District Expansion
    Construction beginning/end

    With the population growing through natural births and mass migration, it became crucial to find somewhere to house the citizens. A large expansion project was initiated, culling jungles and repelling Shadows. The Riverside district was envisioned as a new and exciting suburb of the city, with elegant architecture and beautiful vistas. Unfortunately, soon after being completed it was swarmed with the poorest and most destitute members of Bingtown society.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 724 ME

    23 Month of Decay

    Birth of the First Changeling
    Life, Birth

    Born to a poor family residing in the Riverside district, the first Changeling lived an unfortunately short life. Due to the unusual colourings of the babe, the parents feared it and were the first to leave their newborn beyond the city walls and the safety they provided. They were not the last.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 752 ME

    755 ME


    The Third Wave
    Population Migration / Travel

    As Bingtown began to secure its reputation as the only viable colony on the Cursed Shores, many families and independent risk takers alike dreamed of a new life on a new land. Over the course of three years, the population of the city exploded, from just under one thousand, to well over five thousand. This is now known as the Third Wave, but at the time it was a period of great civil unrest and uncertainty.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 755 ME

    Month of Dunes
    756 ME

    Month of Birth

    Clearing of Cursewood Plaza
    Construction beginning/end

    With the massive influx of people, it became essential to expand the city even further. This meant more clearance of the jungles of the region, and further agitation of the Shadows. Upon the completion of the clearance project, the new district was dubbed Cursewood Plaza, to commemorate what was once beginning of the treeline.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 775 ME

    Month of Ice
    775 ME

    Month of Harvest

    Clearing of Northpoint
    Construction beginning/end

    With the continued growth of Bingtown, another district was carved out of the surrounding lands. Many of the Founding Families were hesitant to give this the go ahead however, as the rapid growth of the population would surely threaten their power eventually. In the end, it was decided that Northpoint would be established, but it would be the final expansion of the city, to "allow for more permanent city walls to be constructed".

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 835 ME

    Month of Cattle

    Arrival of the Newbloods
    Population Migration / Travel

    The most recent migration wave to arrive at Bingtown, but with a difference. Many of the newcomers were not content to find a niche within this stagnant city and instead insisted upon carving out new stakes for themselves beyond the city walls, much to the annoyance of the Founding Families.

    Location
    Bingtown
  • 854 ME

    8 Month of Winds 23:00

    Meteor Strike
    Celestial

    Seen across much of the world, this meteor soared through the atmosphere and for a short time illuminated the night skies of Ishar and Blightfall, before eventually striking deep somewhere in the jungles of Blightfall.