Geography and Layout:
Cliffshear is built into the side of a steep cliff face, with the
Cloudhill River carving a dramatic gorge through its center. The city is structured in a series of cascading tiers, each level connected by a network of bridges, lifts, and winding staircases. The upper tiers house the wealthy and powerful, while the lower tiers are home to the working class and industry.
Key Features:
The Cloudfall:
A massive waterfall where the Cloudhill River plunges over the cliff edge, powering numerous water wheels and providing energy to the city.
The Ascension Lifts:
A series of ingenious water-powered elevators that transport people and goods between tiers.
The Mist Markets:
Bustling bazaars on the lower tiers, often shrouded in mist from the nearby waterfall.
The Overhang:
The topmost tier of the city, home to the ruling council and the wealthiest citizens, which juts out over the cliff edge.
Political Structure:
Cliffshear is governed by the Council of Tiers, with representatives from each level of the city. This system was designed to ensure fair representation, but in practice, it often leads to political maneuvering and inter-tier rivalries.
Factions:
A powerful clan of blacksmiths and artists that has deep ties to the founding of Cliffshear.
The Cloudfall Wardens:
Guardians of the city's water supply and the complex system of wheels and lifts, they hold significant political sway.
The Overhang Oligarchs:
The wealthy elite of the upper tiers, who often clash with the lower tier representatives over resource allocation and city policies.
Cultural Aspects:
Cliffshear's unique vertical structure has led to a society deeply stratified by elevation. The higher one lives in the city, the more status they are perceived to have. This has created a culture of aspiration, with citizens constantly striving to "climb" to higher tiers, both literally and figuratively.
The city's cuisine is notable for its use of cliff-dwelling herbs and fungi, as well as freshwater fish from the
Cloudhill River. The Mist Markets are famous for their "cloud tea," a delicate brew made from herbs that grow in the misty lower tiers.
Industries in Cliffshear:
Hydro-Engineering:
Cliffshear is renowned for its water wheels, pumps, and irrigation systems. The Cloudfall Wardens oversee a guild of skilled engineers who design and maintain these systems, exporting their expertise to other cities.
Terraced Agriculture:
The city has developed advanced techniques for cliff-side farming, creating hanging gardens and terraced fields that produce unique herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
Cliff-Face Mining:
Miners extract valuable minerals and gemstones from the cliff face itself, though this industry is controversial due to its potential to destabilize the city's foundations.
Eco-Tourism:
The city's unique vertical structure and the breathtaking views of the Cloudfall have made it a popular destination for wealthy tourists from across
Rorestvia and beyond.
Alchemical Research:
The diverse ecosystems created by the city's vertical structure, from misty lower tiers to sun-baked upper levels, provide a unique environment for alchemical ingredients. Several research institutions have established themselves here.
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