Winterborne Map Layout

MAP LAYOUT  

I. Bird’s-Eye View (High-Level Layout)

  [pre] SILVER LILY PEAKS (Snowcaps) | | [THE GOLDEN EMBER] (multi-tiered, carved into the mountain) | Cliffside Waterfall Veins | ======= SPRING BASINS ======= | Winterborne Upper Terraces (residential) | Arched Bridges — Riverwalk — Boutique District | Winterborne Central (guild, shops, inns, teahouses) | Hot Spring Quarter (steam lanes) | Winterborne Lower Docks + Crystal Lake | Snowy Forest Trail → Outskirts Gate | Iron Gate of Winterborne (entry road) [/pre]  

II. The Silver Lily Mountains (North)

 

Tall, snowcapped, veined with waterfalls.

 

• Silver Lily Crest – highest accessible point
• Dragon’s Path – steep trail dragon-born favor for flying off
• White Veil Falls – massive waterfall feeding the river through Winterborne
• Hidden Caverns – rumored dragon-born dens

 

The Golden Ember sits on a plateau carved into these mountains.

 

III. The Golden Ember (Mountaintop Compound)

 

Built on three terraced levels, connected by stone steps, steam vents, and carved corridors.

 

LEVEL 1 — The Arrival Terrace

• Main entrance arch
• Lantern-lined steps
• Courtyard with koi pond and winter blossoms
• Tea garden overlook
• Entry hall to the Hotel Wing
• Cliffside balcony walkway overlooking Winterborne

 

LEVEL 2 — The Pleasure Terrace

• The Entertainment Wing
• Masked gala hall
• Music chamber and storytelling lounge
• Steam corridors connecting performance rooms
• Private premium suites
• Viewing platforms with glass floors looking down the cliffs

 

LEVEL 3 — The Hidden Terrace (Third Wing)

(Unknown to public)  

• Heavily guarded
• Workers rotated
• Stone corridors with fireglass lighting
• Rumored arcane sanctum or indulgence wing
• Underground water channels
• Private access elevator (run by Guild Spire or shifter-related authority)

 

Surrounding Features

• Moon-Gazing Garden – cliffside observation grove
• Sky Pavilion – roofed open-air performance hall
• Private mineral pools carved into the mountainside
• Cable-lift path (planned) for guest transport up the mountain

 

IV. Winterborne Village (Below the Mountain)

 

Arranged in gentle terraces descending toward the lake.

 

1. Upper Residential Terraces

• Family homes
• Dragon-born residences
• Warm stone chimneys
• Snowbound cottages overlooking the river

 

2. Boutique & Riverside District

The heart of Winterborne, reflecting Ginzan-inspired aesthetics.

 

• Multi-story timber inns along the river
• Arched bridges every block
• Crystal lanterns at night
• Hot spring steam drifting into streets
• Teahouses with balcony seating
• Flowered awnings in spring-summer
• Winter lantern walks in deep snow

 

3. Winterborne Central

• Guild Spire (administration tower)
• Traders’ Square
• Small markets and craft shops
• Apothecaries and gifted healers
• Food stalls, bakeries, warm drink vendors
• Town bell platform

 

4. Bathhouse Quarter (Steam Lane District)

• Large communal pools
• Couples’ baths
• Dragon-born steam chamber
• Teahouse-bath hybrids
• Riverside hot footpaths
• Mist-heavy alleyways

 

5. Lower Docks + Crystal Lake

• Where the river empties into a glassy lake fed by multiple waterfalls
• Frozen edges in winter
• Boat rentals in spring-summer
• Lakeside lantern festivals
• Fishing wharves
• Crystal harvest points (magic-light crystals)

 

6. Outer Path + Iron Gate

• Old stone gate with protective carvings
• Snowforest trail leading to bus/cab drop-off
• Dragon-pulled carriage station
• Signposts pointing to shrines and hiking paths

 

V. Trails, Hidden Paths, and Travel Routes

 

Main Mountain Road to The Golden Ember

• Steep switchbacks
• Stone lanterns lining the path
• Waterfall mist drifting across the road
• Dragon-born occasionally flying overhead
• Narrow bridges carved into the cliffside

 

The Shrine Trail

• Begins near Winterborne Central
• Winding wooded climb
• Ancient lantern posts
• Overlooks the valley
• Leads to a ridge shrine

 

Dragon’s Landing Path

• Restricted area
• Used for dragon-born launching and landing
• Located near the upper residential terraces