Settlement

Legend

“In the scattered debris of the void, some individuals of various races, at some point settled down in pairs or groups.”

Skjald El Mary

 

Description

A settlement is a gathering of souls, a heartbeat in the vast wilderness. From the lone hermit’s hut nestled deep within an ancient forest to the sprawling metropolis that pierces the clouds, settlements are the bones of a civilisation, the places where dreams are born, stories are woven, and legacies are forged. Thus, settlements are communities of people living in a particular place, regardless their race.

The settlements complexity range from a campfire rest-stop, over a minuscule number of dwellings, grouped together, to the largest cities with surrounding urbanized areas. Settlements include hamlets, villages, towns and cities, but also rural farmsteads, and country capitals or cultural melting pots.

A settlement may have known historical properties such as the date or era in which it was first settled, or first settled by particular people. The process of settlement involves migration, geospatial modeling, and buildings where people live and work. A settlement conventionally includes its constructed facilities such as roads, enclosures, field systems, boundary banks and ditches, ponds, parks and woodlands, wind and water mills, manor houses, moats and holy sites.

Skjald Sejrik

 

History

Dark Ages

Before the birth of our world, the lands was a chaotic wilderness filled with void gardens. Nomadic tribes roamed the land, seeking shelter in caves and temporary encampments.The legend is, that some of those the Boriac encountered were not wandering nomadic but already living in settlements.

The first settlements emerged along or at the ends of mana links, where abundant resources allowed for the development of agriculture and permanent communities. These early settlements were often fortified against the threats of wild beasts and rival tribes. Their size and complexity grew along with increased populations, but most of the settlements of the Dark Ages were destroyed in the World Reforming.

First Age

Powerful empires rose and fell, leaving behind a legacy of magnificent cities, intricate road systems, and enduring cultural traditions. But dark times descended upon the land, bringing with them war, famine, and the collapse of civilization. Many settlements were abandoned or destroyed, and the world plunged into a period of darkness and despair.

Second Age

More of the ancient settlements vanished in the 1st Cataclysm, and few remained the same as construction techniques improved and life styles and trade patterns changed. But, from the ashes of the past, a new era dawned. New settlements arose, reflecting the hopes and dreams of a people striving to rebuild their lives.

Fourth Age

When Ljostari sank and the Deep Blue Tsunami swept, some ancient settlements reappeared with reborn inhabitants. Some of these gave unique insights in the ancient ways. Currently, theres a few existing settlements that can trace its roots back to the Dark Ages.

Skjald Ulrich

 

Organisation

A settlement is a location where an individual or group lives, generally as a community with knowledge of its history, rules of coexistence, shared roads, ownership of space, and buildings. Settlements may be governed by a mayor, a council of elders, a powerful guild, or even a ruthless crime lord. Their social structures vary greatly from settlement to settlement. Some are egalitarian, while others are rigidly hierarchical. And the economy of a settlement is often based on agriculture, trade, craftsmanship, or a combination of these factors.

House: A single building with one or more inhabitants.

Farmstead: one or more buildings with one or more families and servants.

Hamlet: A cluster of a few houses, with local administration, often centered around a well or a small shrine. Life here is simple, focused on subsistence farming and close-knit community.

Village: A larger gathering, perhaps with a blacksmith, a small market, and a community hall. Villages are often nestled in fertile valleys or along trade routes.

Town: A bustling hub of activity, with bustling markets, taverns, and workshops. Towns are often centers of trade and craftsmanship.

City: A sprawling metropolis, a testament to human ambition. Cities are home to towering spires, bustling harbors, and intricate networks of canals and roads. They are centers of art, learning, and commerce, but also of intrigue and danger.

Capital: The seat of power, the heart of a kingdom. Capitals are often grand and opulent, showcasing the wealth and might of the ruling dynasty.

Skjald El Mary

 

Special

Each settlement may have its own unique cultural traditions, such as festivals, rituals, and local legends.

Skjald Sigurd