Waystone District (Wh-ay-st-one Dist-ri-ct)
Wholstad's Unofficial "Old Town" District.
This district is primarily occupied by Private Security and the few Homeless allowed inside.
Abandoned by the upper crust in 1901 when the final few Wealthy residents moved away. Families initially started moving away in 1899 when The Run-Off District became clogged and Flooded, they moved for fear of rising tides or anger from the lower classes.
Walking through the district is a strange experience. The misty streets are abandoned and rough as they are rarely tended to. Weeds grow through the cobbles but are never allowed to reach too high.
One side of the street will have a venerable manor, aged by time but still tended to like an elderly relative. The other side will have a rotted structure held together more by spite and lingering determination than wood and nails. Abandoned by all but the more wretched of whelps
Occasionally, the more kind or kind-in-appearance of rich families will use these abandoned homes as shelter for those without. Those selected are rarely seen to those patroling or wandering the streets, for fear of removal from the district.
Not all of the Family's who used to occupy this district have abandoned thier ancestral estates to the elements and squaters. Certain Family's have elected to the monthly tending of thier estates inside of the Wayestone District, hiring groups of Staff to tend the estates so that they do not fall unto ruin.
The nigh constant mists tend to make it difficult to tell how much time has passed. If you didn't know any better you might think this a place outside of time.
Demographics
The Vagrants
The lucky few who manage to slip into the district, avoiding security live lives of fear. By necessity, they must avoid security and outsiders at all costs. Eviction is not the only thing that Security will do. Those provided admittance by Property owners also avoid being seen as they are frequently "mistaken" for squatters.
The Staff
Hired by certain honourable Family's, these employee's are dispensed monthly to tend the elder lands, properties and streets of the district. They are one of the few signs of life in this district.
The Security
Seen watching the known entrances/exits of The Wayestone District and occasionally patrolling in groups of 4, these hired hands work to protect this district and evict those who don't belong. When hired they are simply told, "The Entry of those not belonging under the banner of a Noble Home is to be forbidden.
Several Groups have been hired by several different Noble Families, each group holds an uneasy peace; watching and patrolling a separate area. Security is typically notified of Staff ahead of time.
The Steyr Family
The Only remaining Noble Family that resides inside of this district.
They are considered Recluses and Antiquarian's by most of Wholstad's Noble Families. They have titled themselves "The Family of Mists".
Officially, they keep a meagre fortune by way of Artificers and Magic Item Trade. Privately, they are rather well off due to their Adopted Daughter Zoey Kintawitz' many inventions.
Rarely seen, even on thier estate. Refuses all interview or inquires. Only realy make an appearance at Knott Family Events, as they seek to wed one of thier Children to either of the Knott Family Children to maintain a good relationship with thier primary exporter.
After hearing the News that the youngest Son of the Knott Family was returning to the City after his several years absence, they have been preparing a Gala for the past few Weeks, for all of the Noble Blooded and Wealthy Elites of the City to Attend. They may or may not have been Informed of the Son's return, before he was.
The Steyr Family Estate is Equiped with several modern (and redundant) amenities, they are somewhat proud of thier sometimes Exotic and always Historic Collection. They have an Elektricity Generator (courtesy of The Zeonepharia "Zoey" Kintawitz, as they make well known). The Estate posseses an Enchanted Whale Oil Light Grid (an exotic and several years out of date light system). Gas and Wood Fireplaces are installed in many rooms. A Gas Decompresser Machine sits in the Cellar, connected to the airtight distrabution tubes of the Estate. A Light Mirror Hub can be found in the highest room of the tallest tower. A non-functioning Sound Cannal network can be accessed in almost every room of the manor. Many more amenities than a sensible person would list can be found within their walls. Though they boast a large collection of Exotic and Historic peices, it seems that in recent years that the Steyr Family have stuck to using thier Elektric Generator and Gas Tubes.
The Steyr Family consists of 5 Members, It's Matriarch & Patriarch; Mabeline & Lycidas, It's 2 Daughters; Zoenepharia & Nikoletta, before finally the only Son; Lammont. All Members of the Family are Stitches (Steel, Leather & Plate), with the exception of Zoenepharia who is a Half-Elf. Almost all Stitches are Unaware of Zoenepharia's identity as Kintawitz (the name she uses on all her inventions & machines) which she uses to stay anonymous in high society. This has lead to "Kintawitz" being treated as a mysterious figure surrounded by much Gossip, Rumors & Speculation about them.
Defences
As mentioned prior, several security contracts have been made for the routine gaurding of this District.
Infrastructure
The District lacks most amnemities that the rest of the city has been present to, due in part to the abandonment for nearly 70 years.
A majority of the District's streets and estates stand in ruins, with overgrown gardens and crumbling walls. Eerily, several streets stand prestine with matching homes lining thier sides, sometimes complete with lit windows.
History
Originally the historic home of most of Wholstad's noble families, after the Run-Off Districts flooding in the April of 1899; a migration out of this district began. The reasons for relocation numbered, such as Fear of the water rising, Fear of the poor citizenry's anger, A dislike of the briney smell from the new waters and, A dislike for the newly apparent mists and fogs that appeared constant.
By 1901, all but one of the districts original residents had relocated to the High District which had previously held several plateau-like structures.
In 1909, several noble families discovered that thier homes and estates were being occupied by squatters and decieded to take legal action hiring security to protect thier land.
In 1939, noble families were notified by Goverment Officials that not only were thier estates in dis-repair but they also posed a safety risk to everyone in the city due to a mold infectation. Families already invested in the District and several who weren't collectively paid to have the district cleaned of the mould, several also began paying staff to care for thier old estates and the surrounding land.
In 1963, it became briefly fashionable among the noble gentry to explore and take walks in the district.
Points of interest
The Steyr Family Estate
Wayestone 24 Bulevard Manor
Architecture
Filled with Cobbled Roads in various states of disrepair, Short & tall walls of stone, brick and steel waiting at thier sides. Homes, Manors, Estates and Mansions reduced to rubble, hearth's in rotted heaps, shells yet to see a Reaper or Mortitian and lastly; the blessed few venerable structures who preside over this kingdom of Mist and Decay.
Climate
Damp and Humid. Mists and Fogs are ever present, days where they do not float around the streets are miles less rare than the days they do. The Mist makes it hard to tell how much time has passed.
RUINED SETTLEMENT
Declaired Abandoned in "Faceless Items" on the 13th of June, 1901
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