Edgecliff
| settlement name | duchy | district/province | type | population | founding year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgecliff | Barban | — | village | 3,000 | 4568 |
Edgecliff is a small fortified settlement on the cliffs overlooking the River Eel. It lies about two-and-a-half days travel by road to the nearest large settlement, the free city of Esterhedge.
Edgecliff was established in 4568 originally as a base camp for miners, following the discovery of gold some 20km to the north. The mine fields are located in a dangerous mountainous region infested by groks. The village is safe from attack because of the nearby Monastery of Saar, but the distant mines are not always similarly protected.
The current Council Elder of Edgecliff is Alyce Sterne, a somewhat absent-minded dyer but with a keen eye for administration.
The town has a population of 2,966 adults, most of whom are involved in mining operations or allied support functions. The settlement's 300 or so buildings are surrounded by a formidable wall and from a distance looks like a large castle. About half of the buildings are homes, 40% are business locations, and about 10% are related to mining, the settlement's primary activity.
A chapel to Razim is part of the central fortification. Smaller chantries and shrines devoted to the other Gods are dotted about the village. There are two All-Gods churches, one at each entrance to the settlement.
Several shafts have been excavated down through the bedrock into underground streams which feed the Baro. Fresh water for the settlement is taken from these wells.
During the excavation of one of these shafts, a vein of turquoise was discovered. This has traditionally been used to create small amulets of eels (see below), for which the village is famous.
Outside the town walls a vast region is given over to farming. Primary crops are wheat and beans. There are some olive groves and also a few stands of fig trees. The natural plant growth tends towards low shrubs, sufficient to support grazing for sheep and goats.
In the River Eel below the town are extensive eel farms, a delicacy for which Edgecliff is known across Kalderesh. Ewan Dycen is in charge of the eel farms, and for negotiating sales across the kingdom. During the spawning season, the village gathers for a festival on the sandy river banks next to the eel pools.