Hillside
  1. Locations

Hillside

Description - A rural and green district, dedicated to farming, animal husbandry and gardening. It supplies Blackrock with fresh produce. Closer to the river lie more urban areas, where people from the City Center have spilled over and settled, along the waterfront. As one moves north, the landscape slowly transitions into gentle hills of farmlands an orchards, and their farmhouses, until one reaches the woodlands further out, and approaches the steeper foothills of Kraglorn Mountains, where tunnels have been dug by the dwarves, deep into the mountains.

The Hillside is a district with many conflicting viewpoints, where people seek to equally benefit of nature's gifts, while also safekeeping them. A delicate balance exists here, where one must take what is given, and not harm the land, in pursuit of more. As well as that, many of the residents have been driven further and further to the fringes of the more urban core. With land that once served as a buffer between the populated parts, and the farms beyond, coming more and more under siege, as the city looks for new places to expand into.

About the Hillside

  • Main Inhabitants - Halflings, Hill-Dwarves, Wood-Dwarves, Wood-Elves, Half-Elves, Satyr, Humans
  • Reputation - All Blackrock considers the district vital for the food it provides, but many of the residents view the Hillside as a simple and naïve people, with a an inflated view of themselves. The City Center, The Bubble and the Dreamlands have long paid tribute to the Hillside, while Goblintown oft abuses their friendly nature, but are keen to avoid unnecessary conflict. The Necropolis respect their dedication to life, though inversely the Hillsiders have a tough time trusting them, amidst worries of necromancy.
  • Economy - Fruits, Vegetables, Gardening, Landscaping, Animal Husbandry and Produce
  • Geography - The Hillside starts just beyond the Muir River, and on the few islands that lie within it, just north of the City Center. It spreads into most of the land north of the Center, into a landscape of rolling hills and roots of the mountains beyond. To its south-west, it borders the waters of the bay and The Bubble, where canals bring desalinated water from the bay up into the hills. To its west lies the Necropolis, from where undead sometimes spill over into the farmlands of the Hillside, if not kept in checked by the locals.

Riverside

The Riverside is the part of the district closest to the City Center and most heavily influenced by it. The first bridge crossing the Muir was built to link the Riverside to a dwarven settlement that had formed here, with many more bridges having followed since.

The Riverside has since become a spillover point for the Center, with many former residents settling here. Especially those wealthy enough to demand more space, than the crowded district can supply. Due to this, the Riverside has become something of a special part of the Hillside, out of line with the philosophy of much of the rest of the district. People here often act more as an extension of the City Center, rather than part of the Hillside, to the chagrin of many of the older locals, and the rest of the district.

Faiths and Organisations

  • The Stonemasons' Guild - built the first bridges and much of the Center and Riverside, heavy dwarf influence

Locations

  • Stonebrook - a walled dwarf quarter within the Riverside, where the first bridge across the river was constructed
July 3rd, 2026 August 30th, 2026

Greenmarket & the Farmlands

A populated market that forms the border between the Riverside, and the farmlands beyond. Here, the freshest fruit, vegetables, herbs and the best cheeses are sold. Halfling farmers peddle their goods, often enhanced by magic and raised from enchanted seeds that have been further modified by the farmers. Local crafts are offered here as well, such as woven baskets and wood carvings.

The Farmlands spread north and north-west from the Greenmarket, out into the foothills of the mountains.

Faiths and Organisations

July 3rd, 2026 August 30th, 2026

Woodsong

A quiet woodland reserve, bedded into the rolling hills of the district. Wood-dwarves and -elves reside here along satyr and all those who seek to protect nature from the city's encroachment. The forests are filled with the music of wood-carved instruments. Many ceremonies and festivals are held on the outskirts of the woods, to pay tribute to the spirits of nature, that are said to have made the land fertile. It is a land of calm, rejuvenation, and mysticism.

Woodsong lies further out in the north-east of the district, near the borders to the Necropolis, and in reaches out into the foothills of the Kraglorn Mountains.

Faiths and Organisations

  • The Druids - a circle within the forests, that tends to them and seeks to protect its flora and fauna, and expand it where possible.
  • The Northern Rangers - a group of woodsmen and women, who protect the nearby farms from wild animals, and other more mystical creatures. At times, they also fight the undead near the Necropolis.
  • Poachers - hunt in the woods for rare animals and magical beasts, to supply alchemists and spellcasters with rare ingredients

Locations

  • The Great Circle - stone structure, located at the center of the woods, home of the Druids
  • The Lodge - large wooden building complex, with stables and other facilities, vacation destination, headquarters of the Northern Rangers
  • The Wooded Caverns - home of the dwarves, within the forest
July 3rd, 2026 August 30th, 2026

Ranchside

A part of the Hillside used for animal husbandry. The Ranchside raises simple livestock animals, such as cattle, goats and sheep, as well as more exotic animals, such as riding horses for races or dressage, or magical creatures like giant squirrels. As such, magic is often used in the process.

The Ranchside consists of farmsteads with expansive pastures, stables and riding halls; and other buildings that cater to different types of animals.

It is located near the eastern edge of the district, squeezed in between the Riverside and Woodsong, and with the Necropolis to its east.

Faiths and Organisations

  • The Northern Rangers - protect the ranchers' animals from creatures of the forest, also protect the sub-district from the undead, should they make their way across from the Necropolis
  • Ranchers' Union - a collection of ranchers who have banded together, to cooperate and represent the sub-district together

Locations

  • The Tourney Grounds - a large flat area near the Riverside, used for everything from horse races to ceremonial jousting, and festivals
  • The Livestock Market - a dirt square at the center of several important farmsteads. People bring cattle and other animals here, to trade and sell
  • Ranches - various ranges, big and small, dot the Ranchside and are surrounded by stables and pastures
July 3rd, 2026 August 30th, 2026