Locations · Neighborhoods · Any
Quagmire Quarters
Somewhere towards the mountains, something subterranean occured. A while later and many miles away, the two large eastern quarters in the city change. The soil became damp for reasons beyond divination.
Somewhere towards the mountains, something subterranean tunneled after some prey. In the process of the hunt, it collapses an underground waterway. Water then found a new way.
Later.....
In the city, the two large eastern quarters changed. The soil became damp for reasons beyond divination. Larger buildings began to slide slowly into the earth. It is a relentless, decades long process. People simply adapted.
In the beginning, the wetness was only a slight dampness. However that dampness went to the bones of the Earth. Most buildings sank a handspan or so. A few buildings toppled, most slid into the soft ground fairly evenly. New wooden boardwalk sidewalks butted up to newly raised doorways.
With the moisture came other problems. Regular scrapings kept the mold at bay. Walls were thickly plastered to keep out the moisture. The bigger the building the farther it sank. Handspands became cubits. Soon doors were added to the second stories, with stairways leading to the boardwalks. First story windows and doors were bricked over, to keep the mud from sloshing inside. Every building in the district now has a basement that was once the first/ ground floor. Third and fourth stories were added. Bridges were built connecting family buildings.
In some places there are second tier walkways, some two stories above the muck level. After two generations of sliding, some enterprising people build tile lined tunnels to cross the streets at the original ground level.
The sinking has created a new profession... Muckmen. The Muckmen wear small barrels on their feet, allowing them to move across the muck without sinking. Muckmen are messengers, builders, tunnelers, and any other job involving moving things across the muck.
Scrolls
Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.
No scrolls yet — leave one if you have a twist worth keeping.
Sign in to plant an idea scroll.
Award XP
Enjoyed this? Sign in to thank MoonHunter with blade clashes — 5 XP each, up to 25.
5 10 15 20 25Sign in to award XP.
Discussion
Reader talk, questions, and feedback — not scrolls.
No comments yet — be the first voice in the hall.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Continue the path
Three more steps through the hall.
- Neighborhoods by MoonHunter Bound
Other takes
No other takes yet — the best compliment on the Citadel is a Retelling.
Bonds
Curated bonds across the Citadel. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.
I like this one. It is Venice without being Venice. If gives you a feel for the place and how people cope with it. I especially like the neighborhoods own 'class'.
I wonder why so few have voted on this?
People tend to ignore city images and neighborhoods and establishments as being too pedestrian I guess. Yet these are things that are handy to have to plop into a city/ place.
Or it could be I wrote too many of them and people can't handle the volume.
You have very many of these Moon, it is true. And too many are unvoted.
This location is evocative and would be a good place to stage a wierd, slow 'chase' scene slogging through the muck...
'Watch out - He's close - He'll be in melee range in 5 minutes!'
I could see the local hoodlums setting traps for people.
They could chase people (or have people chase them). The strategy would be to have them turn a corner quickly and land in much or run through some weakened boards and fall in.
The hoodlums could then use poles and/or slings to force the issue. A bucket on a pole could be the way to "hand over your purse".
They could even run a small protection racket. After the chase and fall they could say, "oh look.. we will let you grab this pole and get out, for a small price"