Marlowe Faun Community
Marlowe is a neighborhood in the "slums" of Old Lake District, Albion. It is home to faun immigrants from Deeproots Elidian and their descendants. It is named after the dogfolk architect, Marlowe Esterhope, who designed many of the buildings which the neighborhood was known for in its prime (back when it was the Lake District).
Demographics
The Marlowe community is almost entirely populated by Elidian fauns and most of those are from the Gmelini (mouflon-horn) subculture. The outskirts of the community have slowly been gentrified by mostly human landowners, buying property from low-income migrants and then selling or renting it to other humans at higher rates. This has caused the community to compress, becoming even more densely populated.
Infrastructure
Homes in Marlowe are old and dilapidated. Many are old-style cobblestone mansions with outside stairs leading to upper floors and interior walls torn down to accommodate more residents. The buildings are packed closely together, sometimes wall-to-wall, leaving only narrow alleyways with closing lines and banner-poles connecting neighboring homes. Most buildings house several families who separate living spaces with elaborately woven curtains. It is rare to see a Marlowe house with interior doors.
Many of the roofs in Marlowe have been modified with green roofs of blue sedge and flowers (popular are asters, saxifrage, oregano, and thyme, leading to houses smelling pleasantly of herbs). Others have built flat wooden overhangs where verdant gardens supply families with homegrown vegetables. Led gutters and pipes funnel rainwater into rain barrels for gardens and bathwater.
Assets
In the Marlowe neighborhood sharing is a matter of course. Most "valuable" (see: useful) items (pestles, a steam digester, etc.) belong to the community. Such items are lent to those who will make it use of it and then passed on. Marlowe fauns have a strong culture of reciprocity. As a result, "stealing" is more tolerated by Marlowe fauns by members of the community as those in need must be provided for as a matter of mutual responsibility. However, they are only to take what they "need" and would be ostracized for hoarding—a strong taboo in the community. Being called a "hoarder" or less often "dragon" is a grave insult.
Art is highly valued by Marlowe fauns. Street art decorates the sides of businesses and public areas. Grafitti is common and valued there as an asset to the community. Often on days off fauns will walk the streets, visiting the local stalls, and admiring the new art which sometimes changes by the week. There is always something new to appreciate. Because of this tradition, artists are valued as much as "practical" occupations like bakers and smiths.
By most Albion standards, the Marlowe neighborhood is considered a slum and poor of wealth.
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