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Message: <blockquote data-quote="WayneLigon" data-source="post: 3840681" data-attributes="member: 3649">Darkwall, pop 15,000The dwarves of the Shadowed Mountains built Darkwall in their early days in the region; it was not so grand or as extensive as their later delvings further to the south as they followed the Star River, a massive deposit of silver that winds it's way through the mountain range like a branching stream.After the dwarves moved out, humans and others moved in. Darkwall's buildings and streets are cut into a large cliff face of black stone, each stepped back from the other so that the streets of one are the rooftops of the one below. Steps, ramps and one short clockwork <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funicular" target="_blank">funicular railway</a> that runs from the docks to the Crown are the means by which the people move from level to level. The 'High City' is set back somewhat more from the rest of Darkwall, the much larger street (High Avenue) at it's lowest level also containing a greater defensive wall and extensive mosaic decoration.Homes are cut into the stone and go back into the mountainside up to 60', making homes in Darkwall much larger compared to most places human dwell. Of course many of these are subdivided into smaller homes and stalls. Wooden human structures can be seen throughout the town as well. Two streams are channeled through the town, providing clean fresh water to the public fountains and bathhouses. It's a surprisingly clean town; the sluices take care of most human waste, and other garbage just gets thrown down one of the varous holes or chutes. This is a primary source of food for some of the underground dwellers, especially since the chutes are used as a means of body disposal as well by criminals.Darkwall overlooks the Silver River, and there are a series of stone piers and wharves built out into it. The Docks area is very well protected and also the site of the smallest and seediest dwellings. Rockfalls are not uncommon here, and much of the original area has been abandoned by humans. Goblins, half-orcs and the occassional scummy halfling family live in the quasi-ruins. Half-feral former gnome slaves can be seen here as well, wandering the streets in their gangs as they seek to dry-gulch a lone human and haul him off to the cookpots after they strip him of his valuables. Kobolds lair here as well, and make a nuisance of themselves in the higher reaches of the city. They are commonly used as cheap light labor for jobs that humans won't do, such as unsticking the waste removal channels.There are two major markets in the town, one a couple levels up from the Docks, and one on the High Avenue.Flowers and decorations are seen in many places; humans reacted to the stark sheer surfaces of the city by carving bas-reliefs, making small gardens, and other ways to beutify the city (at least to human eyes).The dwarves of course also built back into and down into the mountain. Most people avoid those areas with a few exceptions. The Pool is a small underground lake that serves as Darkwall's emergency water and food supply; the tiny but very, very deep lake swarms with small cave fish and other edible life. Darkwall is possibly the most defensible human settlement known.Also, there is an ampitheater cut into the the cliff face off to one side; it's used for announcements and entertainments, though part of it collapsed in a minor earthquake years ago and has only been crudely rebuilt. A large series of manufactured hot springs brings in people who seek it's suppossed medicinal properties. There are four entrances to the old mine works. The lowest entrance is claimed by kobolds, goblins and other scum. A sort of 'theives market' exists here, as they barter for items stolen from the humans above. If you've lost something, likely it's wound up here. Buying your own stuff back will be expensive.The main entrance is in the former mining district and still produces a trickle of silver and tin, enough for a couple of companies to be based there. The other two entrances lead back to the oldest portions of the mines, and the cavern systems beyond those. They're dangerous areas, as Things have moved (back) in after the dwarves departed. Sometimes one of them finds it's way up into the city through some of the numerous tunnels, trapdoors or chutes.The primary 'adventurer's tavern' in the city is the Silver Axe, a multi-level establishment a couple of levels above the docksides. Rowdy river pilots, criminals, and various shifty sorts come to drink and deal every night. Singers, dancing girls and the occassional fight provide entertainment.</blockquote>

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