Brontydd
Diagram coming soon
Description
Named for its famous bridge, the village of Brontydd is split in two halves on either side of the Downs Canyon. The northern village predates the southern by several years, as the former is composed of industrial buildings and facilities used by workers prior to the establishment of the latter. With such accessibility to the Canyon as is provided by the mining operations, homebuilders can acquire building materials at a much lower cost, and with less delay, than at any other settlement. As such, the majority of houses in Brontydd are well maintained, save those which are no longer used.
Operations
Originally a mere mining outpost, the village was built by a team of miners and tradesmen wearied by the two week journey to and from the City of Advarsel. The high-quality stone of the Canyon has been popular for construction since its discovery circa YA 2, and following the construction of the West Road in YA 5, expeditions were regularly dispatched to retrieve it. Some people with interests in the preservation of nature on Bwrdd have expressed concerns about the recession of the cliffside causing damage to the nearby ecosystem.
Mining
The Downs Canyon is abundant in Slate, which Bwrddro use to tile their roofs, as well as Silver. These materials are extracted from the Canyon walls, and in the case of the latter, transported to other facilities for further refining. While tools for mining have become increasingly sophisticated over the years, the classics are still trusted and viable options for miners.
Llosgydd's Basalt formations supply durable bricks, but due to the complications involved in collecting them, these bricks are typically reserved for the houses of the wealthy, or those equipped to collect the material for themselves. The transportation of hewn stone utilizes a pulley system to lift the blocks out of the Canyon, after which the blocks are placed on a platform of rolling logs, where they are carried to one of several storehouses.
Artisanry
A variety of skilled laborers are key to production in Brontydd. From manning the machines, to moving the product, to the actual mining, more men are recruited regularly. Given all business in Brontydd centers around the mine, the village's most prominent exports are in carved stone. The discovery of silver deposits has also attracted metalworkers.
Trade
Ubiquitous demand for the products of the Canyon provides job security to many inhabitants of the village, whether it be in the mine, or with the caravans that carry stone to the markets of other towns. The long journey means a high price, but recent innovations in transportation have rendered making it significantly easier. Vendors of these products constantly introduce and experiment with new systems of production and transportation in the hopes of making them available to more people.
History
The outpost of Brontydd began as a small, unnamed encampment composed of a couple of outbuildings and a lodging area. In the 41st Year of Advarsel, a team of young bachelors departed for the outpost, endeavoring to build it into a fully functioning town. They were joined by families seeking work and/or a fresh start, and over the years the population grew to 100 people. The founding team was encouraged by the construction of an inn during YA 52, which provided room and board for workers that were waiting on housing, or lived outside of town.
They knew they'd been successful when Brontydd was officially recognized as a distinct Commote, with Vespasian Quintus named its Tywysog, in YA 55. It was the second settlement to do so, after Saunders. The arrival of a well-known silversmith in YA 58 introduced a new era of prosperity for the inhabitants of the former encampment, and in the modern day the population has reached over 500 residents, not counting seasonal workers.
Comments