Prosperity
At a time of economic downturn, a company of gnomish businessfolk formed to settle the untamed Broonderp Valley and harness its natural resources and abundance. They planned to take their skills and their families and travel down the large river that ran from the Orziver Ridge into the heart of the valley. They ignored the outlandish stories of previous settlers being attacked by strange creatures, myths going back hundreds of years. They meant to make the unclaimed valley their own. This endeavour was named The Prosperity Expedition.
Unfortunately, the tales turned out to be true, and the expedition was attacked by wave after wave of monstrous beings, especially at night. The gnomes were able to fortify their base camp with a palisade to keep the attacking creatures out, but it left them trapped inside. There were only five couples left of the original party of settlers when they noticed the creatures retreating into the tunnels of the Catacombs on Corhim Hill. The settlers had no idea why the monsters retreated; they were simply grateful. In thanks, they set up a granite obelisk where their base camp had been, as a reminder of the sacrifices that lead to the Founding. They signed a pact with each other, setting down the rules of their new home, and called the place Prosperity.
Government
Prosperity is governed by the descendants of the original founders. A council of representatives chosen by each of the founding families makes the day to day decisions. A matter of grave import might trigger a full gathering of the families.
Industry & Trade
The city garners most of its goods from factories that rely on hydromechanical power to drive their machinery. There is an agricultural sector, although food has had to be imported as the city begins encroaching on the arable land. There is also a large pit mine that provides copper ore.
Originally, goods had to be traded overland by wagon and cart, as the lakeside cliff prevented a water route. This changed when a group of enterprising youths designed a massive winch mechanism that could be pulled up or down rapidly while carrying large amounts of people and goods.
Prosperity generally trades in two categories: raw goods in the form of copper ore, and finished goods from their many factories, primarily silk cloth and various artificers' tools and components.
Their main trading partners are the elves from across the lake, who provide the much coveted raw silk.
Infrastructure
Prosperity spends a sizeable portion of its budget on public infrastructure, ever since the large bridge on its main road collapsed due to neglect, killing several citizens. The main streets are paved with cut flagstone and most other streets are either cobblestone or packed gravel.
Districts
Some of the more notable districts include:
Old Town District - original home of the founders.
River Market District - Contains the largest open-air market in the city
Slatepoint District - Residential district stretching along the river above the Main St. and Old Town. Known for its many slate roofs.
Coppertown District - Home to some of the most innovative breakthroughs in microhydro, the factories here produce copper parts and devices.
Port District - This area is located not at the port, itself, but above it, on top of the cliff face. It is home to many taverns and alehouses, as well as the mighty Winch that makes the district possible.
Elallian - Located near the Port District, this area is set aside for the elves that have chosen to make Prosperity their home, usually for business reasons. Pickaxe District - Located near Pelbiren Mine , this area is home to the majority of miners.
New Wenzbaken - Home to the agricultural workers, most of whom originally came from the Wenzbaken region.
Lake District - upper class residential area stretching along the cliff from the Port District west.
The Havens - upper and upper-middle class residential area on Grey Face Hill overlooking the city.
Old Town District - original home of the founders.
River Market District - Contains the largest open-air market in the city
Slatepoint District - Residential district stretching along the river above the Main St. and Old Town. Known for its many slate roofs.
Coppertown District - Home to some of the most innovative breakthroughs in microhydro, the factories here produce copper parts and devices.
Port District - This area is located not at the port, itself, but above it, on top of the cliff face. It is home to many taverns and alehouses, as well as the mighty Winch that makes the district possible.
Elallian - Located near the Port District, this area is set aside for the elves that have chosen to make Prosperity their home, usually for business reasons. Pickaxe District - Located near Pelbiren Mine , this area is home to the majority of miners.
New Wenzbaken - Home to the agricultural workers, most of whom originally came from the Wenzbaken region.
Lake District - upper class residential area stretching along the cliff from the Port District west.
The Havens - upper and upper-middle class residential area on Grey Face Hill overlooking the city.
Guilds and Factions
Political power is concentrated in the hands of the founding families, or Pactkeepers, as they call themselves. The name is generally believed to refer to the first compact created among the original settlers. The Pactkeepers are very jealous of their control of the city, refusing to share power in any way.
This refusal to share power does not sit well with the owners of the other factories in town, especially from the newly formed Coppertown District . They have formed a coalition to wrest power from the Pactkeepers and share it amongst themselves. This is the unfortunately named and largely ineffectual Society for the Creation of Equality and Justice.
Since the creation of the Winch and the opening of trade with the elves on the far side of the lake, many gnomes, not having an organized religion of their own, have been fascinated by the Elven religion. This has lead to many conversions and the establishment of several elven temples just outside the Port District. The Elven Priesthood has gained much sway within Prosperity as a result.
There are, of course, the normal trade guilds which regulate the goods and trainings of their respective crafts. There have been attempts by the Miners' Coalition to organize a Miners' Guild, as well. This has been strongly opposed by mine ownership as being merely an attempt to form a bargaining platform to secure higher wages for the miners.
History
History of Prosperity
A summary of the important moments in Prosperity's history can be found in this timeline. Links to greater details of certain moments can also be found below.
- The Founding
- The Great Settlement
- "Monument Law" Passed
- Tidulma Bridge Collapse
- Pelbiren Mine Opens
- The Winch and Interlake Trade
- First "Monument Law" Protest
- City Beautification Movement
- Continued "Monument Law" Protests
- Thieves' Guild Established
- River Market Riot
- Death of Helza Lolnobos
- Coppertown District Opens
- "Anti-sanctuary Laws" Passed
- Black Market Uncovered
Points of interest
The Old Lookout Tower
Located on a hilltop to the north next to the Lookout road, this aged sentry post, older than the city, itself, is a reminder of days gone by, when the land was not as safe as it has become.Grey Face Hill
A hill to the west of Prosperity with an unusually shaped rock outcropping that resembles a face.The Catacombs
A yawning cave set in one of the surrounding hills contains a network of tunnels and chambers. No one has yet been able to determine if they are natural or constructed, and if the latter, who created them, and why. Currently, the shallower cave systems house the headquarters of the Thieves' Guild.The Founders' Stone
This granite obelisk in the center of town marks the founding of Prosperity and the site where the pact that organized it was agreed upon. It is also, inexplicably, a magic artifact that identifies magically talented individuals.Geography
Prosperity is located on a cliff on the edge of a wide lake. The city is bounded on two other sides by hills. The massive copper pit mine provides a boundary on the remaining side.
Prosperity's most important feature is the mighty Mill River that cuts through the heart of it before cascading over the cliff edge in a stunning cataract. The first settlers chose to build next to the river, just downstream from where a major tributary, the White Spring River, joins it. Here the strong current cuts a deep channel in the rock, creating ideal conditions for hydromechanical power. The founders hoped to harvest this.
Natural Resources
Abundant industrial opportunity from hydromechanical power
High quality copper ore
The Meadow, an area of rich arable land now used for farming
High quality copper ore
The Meadow, an area of rich arable land now used for farming
Maps
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Prosperity and Surrounding Valley
The city of Prosperity, its landmarks and districts, and the greater Broonderp Valley.
Founding Date
926 TG
Founders
Type
City
Population
2100
Inhabitant Demonym
Prosperiton
Location under
Included Locations
Owning Organization
Related Traditions
85% Gnomish
10% Elven
5% Other
Comments