R I V E R S T E A D

Riverstead is nestled amongst plentiful green valleys and smoothly-running streams and rivers. Clean and neat, the village's ivory streets and structures are nestled within Western Passage's sea of blue and green; the village's rooves are the color of bright stream water, and so Riverstead matches pleasantly with the sky above it and the river that bubbles through it. Similarly to the water that courses its way around this village in ever-branching streams and rivulets, Riverstead is fast-lowing, always rippling with activity; it is one of Nevriande's largest hubs for trade, and so fresh faces and fresh pawprints are common here.

As such, those that call Riverstead home are accustomed to strangers, and are happy to welcome them with open paws. This is a facet of its existence which turns the town into something harmonious, peaceful despite the hubbub, just as the sound of a noisy stream is still soothing to the ear. Riverstead was the second town to have been built beyond Skyheimr.

Nevriande's residents found it to be a perfect place for trade to flourish, as it lay along the long and winding Midway River, and thus made for convenient transportation of goods. From there, Riverstead flourished, becoming a hotspot for trade outside of the capital. It is currently led by Iurare, who has made for a fiery Chieftain who leads her town with vigilance.

size: large
symbol: eagle
colors: silver & navy
population: ~800
crime rate: average

♫ playlist: link

WHAT RIVERSTEAD IS KNOWN FOR

Exports & Imports

Riverstead has provided a great service to the Kingdom since its conception, settled along the Midway river that connects Nevriande like a vein. All imports and exports from the villages arrive at Riverstead at some point, being loaded onto ships or carts to be delivered around Nevriande for the kingdom. It's the best place to make a deal to get your products shipped out to other places for delivery.

Employment

Many visitors come from across Nevriande, either looking to sell, buy or export their goods for their businesses or villages. Due to this, they are also looking for labor to help with these shipments or to help with products. Riverstead is one of the best places in Nevriande to try and find work, be it a long-term position or a quick gig to just earn some money.

Shopping

It's no secret that a benefit of being the trading hub is also having access to a wide variety of unique goods, especially when eager buyers flock around to make exotic or rare purchases. Riverstead is a great place to go shopping, having anything the dreamer can dream of usually available in its marketplace from foods, drinks, supplies, weapons, trinkets and valuables.

TRADITIONS & HOLIDAYS

holidays with * beside them are roleplay events and their scheduled time can be found here!

The Reed Rush*

As the ice breaks away into flowing water once more, Riverstead hosts an event for the kingdom of Skyheimr, during which the rebellious youth seek to prove themselves to be a worthy next generation. In dedication to the youth of Skyheimr, and the whimsy that lies ahead for them, the older generation builds a massive depiction of Venturi from dry reeds, plays music and provides a customary glut of seafood for the tradition's younger competitors.

Fueled up for the marathon ahead, the youth are then tucked into rather comfortable bed rolls under the stars while the depiction of Venturi is pulled down, dragged to the Midway River, and thrown in. This vandalization of the god's likeness is intentional; it allows for the participating youth to be shaken awake to proclamations of someone vandalizing the structure, which was "supposedly" meant to be burned. All are then challenged to chase the Midway's currents for pieces of the statue, racing against the power of their home's lifeblood all the way to the Pale Sea. There, as the visage of Venturi is broken across the basalt rocks, furry forms dive into the waves, each attempting to catch a piece of their god amongst the foam. They then drag it all the way back to Riverstead, spitting it at their mentor's or parent's paws. Returning without a reed is considered to be a bad omen for the current career or training that said trainee is pursuing.

Numbing Knock*

The coldest, harshest days of winter draws forth the sturdiest or stupidest of Riverstead's residents and curious strangers to boldly decide to participate in or observe one of Nevriande's most dangerous festivals that begins with the river freezing over completely. Lining up from shortest to tallest, the felines and canines participating stand at the top of the Midway River's steepest bank, dubbed Cooper's Landing by locals after the barrel makers of Riverstead that would commonly use this hill to test the durability and waterseal of their product.

However, on this day, the participants will be testing themselves on the ice below. Charging together and crashing into the ice below, the first to go through is obviously the most impressive but also conisdered to be blessed by the god Theron himself. Any to dunk themselves in the ice hole that was made by the winner shares in the blessing, taking this freezing blessing into the coming spring.

Fish Feast

Being in such close proximity of the flourishing Midway river, Riverstead residents often seek to celebrate the bounty they have been gifted with in their village. A fishing competition is hosted along the river for Riverstead residents to compete in, from the eldest retiree to the youngest child just learning the basics. Fishing either naturally or with traps or poles, the one with the largest fish by sunset is celebrated. Of course, this is all in good spirits despite the competition and everyone thus turns in their fish and the fish are fried.

After about an hour or so of cooking, the fishfry is complete and the whole village gathers to enjoy the fresh catches of the day and the work put in by each contestant to fill the bellies of their neighbors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Architecture & Housing

The houses of Riverstead are built with a certain aesthetic in mind, adding to the nature of this town being a pristine getaway spot that encourages visitors to spend coin and stay a few nights. With white buildings and bright navy blue or gray rooftops, it certainly stands out alongside the riverbanks. Flower beds and fish-themed decor are often used.
Lower parts of the town can be prone to flooding during the rainy seasons, so the town will often preemptively add sandbags to the bank to hopefully block and absorb some of the excess water.
The whole village is alongside the river, so the sound of rushing water is always audible from even its farthest edges. Riverstead truly is a riverside town and offers beautiful views.

Bonus Info

Riverstead tends to be a common place for older canines and felines; those looking for retirement are especially likely to buy homes there, and then are quickly helped to find a suitable and more comfortable rank in Riverstead. Due to the increased elderly population, the town also tends to have a healthy population of medics.
The white eagle was chosen as a symbol because strangely, it landed upon the ground as the village was being developed in front of a well renowned cleric, and the cleric interpreted this eagle's actions as a show of permission for them to use this piece of its land and thus honored it as their symbol.

RIVERSTEAD HIERARCHY

ranks with ☆ beside them are high ranks and must be approved by staff before creation!

VILLAGE CHIEFTAIN

Chieftain Iurare

The village Chieftain is entrusted by the Kingdom to oversee and maintain their village, keeping an eye on those who live there and ensuring that all of their needs are met. They are unable to create laws or punish large crimes against the Kingdom, but they do have a sense of independence and are given the authority to make smaller local decisions that are in the best interest of their home. The Chieftain works closely with the heads of each rank to form a sort of council that has the village's best interests in mind.

RESIDENTS
Residents in Riverstead make up the body of the village, from the youngest child to the strongest of the guard. When it comes to the villages, most of the hierarchy is identical except for small editions or tweaks depending on what the village specializes in when it comes to their trade. Ranks are often chosen based on personal preference or their mental / physical prowess. Ranks are broad and characters can choose to specialize in one particular niche of their rank or have broad knowledge of it's entirety. When it comes to villages, the heads of the ranks all form a council to aid the chief in decision making and discussions. Any ranks that are exclusive to certain locations will be paired with an asterisk (*).

PROWESS TIER
☆ head: none

GUARD

Guards are those dedicated to defending their home, often keeping watch of a certain area they are posted in and making sure things remain safe and peaceful.

SCOUT

Scouts are those who patrol the streets or areas around their region to ensure that there is no questionable or sketchy behavior afoot.

HUNTER

Hunters are those tasked with feeding and providing provisions for their home. They can choose to either hunt, set traps or gather wild foods and foliage. They can hunt as groups or independently.

FISHER*

Fishers are those who are tasked with spending their days at the water's shore, or on a boat to bring in water-based goods such as fish, crustaceans, and any other products that can be provided by the water.

PRODUCTION TIER
☆ head: none

BLACKSMITH

Blacksmiths are skilled craftsmen who focus their trade on working with ore and metals to pound them into workable sheets and substances. They make tools, nails, and other practical supplies.

ARTISAN

Artisans are crafters who are tasked with creating various crafts, apparel and other such things. Usually artisans can focus on a specific niche or be a jack-of-all-trades and make whatever is needed of them.

CHARTER*

Charters are those who are tasked with transporting quantities of goods, workers and materials either by land or boat to get them from place to place in Nevriande. They either work independently or as a team of workers.

VENDOR*

Vendors are those who are employed by their village and have little independently owned or village sponsored shops or stalls along the streets and marketplace. They do not travel from their location.

PROFICIENCY TIER
☆ head: none

COURIER

Couriers are tasked with sending and receiving parcels, letters and packages to and from their destination. Either tasked with official or casual messages, they usually travel quite often to complete their duties.

MEDIC

Medics follow the more medicinal and healing path of work. Often making salves, treating patients or healing the common cold, they care for the people and ensure everyone is healthy and cared for.

CLERIC

Clerics are those who chose to follow a more religious line of work, acting as those who dedicate themselves to their chosen religion and guide others who are interested or give spiritual advice as needed.

MENTOR

Mentors dedicate their work to helping apprentices train and pick their own line of work in the future. They are usually knowledgeable in most lines of work and either teach or set up learning opportunities for their apprentices.

APPRENTICE

Apprentices are those training to find their career via a mentor, starting at the age of one they begin seeking their future job and calling. The length of their training depends on their path. Their graduation is decided upon once their mentor believes they're ready.

RESIDENT

Residents are those who live in their village and either work at their own small business in the village or simply just reside there. This includes retired workers and also just those who are unable to work physically or mentally. This includes the elderly & children, as well.

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