Mirror Falls
Deep in the Outlands, two rivers plunge from a tall arcing cliff; each separately cascading down the rock into a vast pool below. The falls, near mirrors of each other, join into a single powerful flow that rushes from the eastern edge of the pool, across the plains, and toward the Elven Forest. Situated at the top of this cliff, between the comparatively placid rivers and taking its name from unique spectacle of the waterfalls, is the largest town in the Outlands — Mirror Falls. Originally, Mirror Falls existed only as a small camp at the base of the cliff, situated on the north shore of the pool. Here merchants and explorers would end their river journey and transfer goods and equipment to pack horses for the remainder of their trek inland. Soon, however, an enterprising individual built a lift, utilizing a system of gears and pulleys to allow for ships, men and goods to be elevated directly to the rivers above. From this lift developed a settlement, built almost entirely atop the cliff rather than below it. A few docks, an inn, and a handful of homes for pulley-workers are maintained at the base of the cliff.
The people of Mirror Falls are a hardy and independent lot, isolated from most of civilization by the vast expanse of the Outlands. They trade goods and news sporadically with the dwarves of Reizak and regularly with the people of Faereach, but little else reaches Mirror Falls. Strangers are looked upon with suspicion as they travel through, and those who choose to stay are often not truly welcomed for many months. The reason for this attitude is not an inherent unfriendliness, but a recognition that many in the Outlands are dangerous. Those who are not, but are unable to pull their weight, could become an unnecessary burden.
At the top of the cliff, on the land-side of the great platform which serves as the foundation for the great cranes used to lift merchant ships, lies the center of activity in Mirror Falls — The Flying Shipman Inn and Tavern. The inn is a sprawling, three story structure surrounded by a large covered boardwalk. A great deal of the activity in and around the building centers around trade. It is, in fact, not unusual to see merchants displaying wares to each other and bargaining over prices or trades. Some merchants even permanently rent out storage cages in the basement of the Flying Shipman, using it as a storehouse.
The mayor of Mirror Falls is a large, gruff man with a scraggly dark beard and an unfriendly attitude toward outsiders. Prove yourself, and prove you are not there to disrupt his town, and he might accept you … otherwise, you are just a danger to watch after.
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