Selisis Orwell

There are stories for every harbor and crossroads. A god did this, a man did that, the great grass grew here first. Selisis is no exception. The old people still call it by the old name and tell old stories. They tell of the mountain passes long since lost and the caves better for not being remembered. They tell strange and wonderful things that are almost too impossible to be true. But this is a harbor town and the sailers tell tales and the children disappear into the mountains to be returned home not remembering what happened. Selisis is not large but it is home to three very different peoples who believe very different things and all those things tell tales of the things land and sea who cometh and do not leave.

Demographics

Selisis, they said, once belonged to the Seers of the Pond, the Oraclies and only they are allowed its secrets. But those of the Oraclies no longer are the majority, still under the rule of the Semes Kingdom Selisis Orwell is left to the majorities that run the harbor town so long as it pays and gives access to the ocean to the rest of the kingdom. The Vonti and the Folkain duke it out for control over the strategic and richly religious harbor each claiming fame to the religion sites and mysterious knowledges. Living under the religious turmoil is a large class of fishers, travel guides, tavern runners, sailors, and beggars. Most of the populations of Selisis is in someway transient either following the animals or transporting people or things from place to place. As the physical space in Selisis is sparse. The minors of the settlement often live underground deeper in the mountains only returning after pay day for a day or tow before returning to the makeshift underground camps.

Government

There are three choses in Selisis and the answer is religion. To be protected by law, to be part of a group one is either part of the three main religions or one does not get justice in Selisis. The beggars often have their own little turf wars run by who ever claimed territory within the geographically heavy lands. Travelers are either brought before their respective religion for crimes or the offended parties religious group. Justice is swift and blind in Selisis given over to the will of priests and priestesses. Taxation is handled by the "Town Master" who really is just the crowns representative, only coming into disputes that effect trade or large earnings. Each district is divided by the religious segregation and must function within themselves and so there is no unified law enforcers besides at the port where sailers take over the role and its considered neutral ground.

Defences

The harbor is guarded day and night by a small force stationed by the King against sea attack. The mountain passes however remain unguarded besides the gates guarded by the respective religious groups as without a guide through the mountain they are their own protection.

Industry & Trade

Fishing is the main food source of the people and to gain farmed goods they give service in navigation and trade routes, inhabitants mostly pander to the needs of travelers and traders to meet the settlements needs. The only manufactured goods are those used for ship and land travel though moors are not popular, a worm called the Seslet lives in the area that is used to grind down stone and polish and make pathways.

Infrastructure

Selisis is a natural harbor shaped like a present moon. At the edge of the present moon there are two long stone sheets that an be moved to block the harbor from invasion more recently a large rope net hangs low in the water but the stones remain. Along with guard tows said to be just as old. In the present there many docks hocked to shallow spots or rocks are floating stalls of goods, that open mostly for ship goods, and holidays. The town itself possesses home carved into the rock face self and build highly upon each other, mthe three market places within the city each can be converted from the day markets to night markets. Alley ways are cramped and there are no big rooms within the town all forges and mining facilities are within the mountain itself and path ways lay at the very back, there are nine main gates at the back of the settlement. Taverns mostly take up the lower flatterer ground near the harbor with everything rising from there. There are special carved spots outside the harbor called Fish Lanes that the Fishermen use to dock their boats then carry the fish back along the cliff to the harbor. Other shops and crafters either exist along the mountain passes or within the settlement of homes themselves, directions are needed.

Assets

Selisis is known for its fish, its ore, and its mountain passes. If other things can be found in the hidden passes be it people, animal, or thing its known for that too, but nothing refined really comes away from the wild place.

History

Selisis was founded not by people but by Fae, it was said a small family lived in the cove and when the first people came the Oraclies, it is most often agreed on this point, the settlement was made and the Fae showed the people the secrets of the cove. There was no name and no need but one day the family left and the humans settled further into the mountains leaving it to ruin. The next part is the contention, the Folkain said they took up residence and the Vonti says they came first. Since the return of people so to did the Oraclies and the three factions lived in the area in some amount of discord ever since. Many think the Folkain are right since the old name is often claimed to be Selisis not Orwell.

Architecture

Mostly made of stone there is very little wood in Selisis that doesn't go into ships. All other materials are imported.

Geography

Selisis is a dip in the maintain where it meats the sea and the only acmes point by sea to the mountains. All fresh water comes via the mountains or in a process where the locals boil sea water to gain salt and drinking water or via the rain. The sea that it faces is land semi locked by thousands of islands that lead from Mandor into the ocean. There are many stories of the jagged harsh beauty of the surrounding cliffs and bluffs that shade the port and make most things impossible to grow. Above the cliffs are pools and lush greenery but the beautiful oasis's are almost impossible to find twice and most don't take kindly to taking from them. They are also considered neutral ground by the laws of the town and damage to them is considered the highest offense.

The Shrine of She is one of the few sites in the Selisis mountains that remain uncontested with no one claiming the goddess as theirs but many pilgrims still come for the sacred place usually on the claim of the healing waters. Some Folkain believe if any goddess reside there it would be Sib but still say that the shrine is not hers.

One of the Oasis' on the top of the cliffs.

Alternative Name(s)

Old Name Selisiscare (Isis-water, care-safty, Sel-god of wild, named by the Folkain) New Name Orwell Hav (Or-Goddess, well- waters of named diety, Hav-harbor or haven, named by the Vonti) Called Selisis Orwell by traveller/Oraclies

Type

Large town

Population

26,829

Inhabitant Demonym

Selow