Latchmere
A city of steam, salt, and sawdust, floating on a sea of glass.
"The priests say The Looming holds us aloft. I say it is the grease in the Dripcrown gears and the sweat of the bilge crews. Either way, if the humming stops, we all learn how to fly."
Overview
Latchmere is the thrumming heart of the Seven Woods Afloat. It is not merely a town that floats; it is a machine that refuses to sink. As the capital of the region, it sits upon a massive, artificial island platform kept buoyant by roaring, complex machinery that churns beneath the waterline. The air here vibrates with the low hum of engines and smells of ozone mixed with salt spray. It is a marvel of survival and engineering, a defiant metal and wood plate held up against the High Sea by the grace of the Dripcrown and the will of The Looming.History & Origins
Latchmere did not grow by accident. It was constructed as the central hub for the dominion of the god known as "The Looming." It is the anchor of the Seven Woods Afloat, a region defined by these massive, artificial islands. Its continued existence is dependent on ancient, complex machinery known as the Dripcrown, which requires constant maintenance by a dedicated caste of engineers and the spiritual fervor of The Looming's faithful. A top-down view of the sprawling raft-city of Latchmere.
Layout & Districts
The city is divided into two primary sections by a central channel. The Northern Reach is the larger of the two, housing the main plazas, administrative buildings, and the denser housing districts that stretch out toward the northeast “tail.” The Southern Bank is smaller, somewhat more industrial, and connects to the north via the "Span"—a wide, bustling bridge that serves as a major chokepoint and market area. Navigation is a constant game of crossing swaying bridges and traversing multi-level wooden decks.Landmarks & Notable Places
The Iceberg dominates the skyline, likely the cooling housing for the massive engines below, standing stark white against the metal city. The Boiling Point is an aptly named district hub where the heat from the under-city vents is used for industrial cooking and crafting. For leisure, locals head to Sip-A-Hoy! for drinks, or The Leaky Pipe, a tavern famous among the engineers who keep the city afloat. Food is plentiful at Brine & Dine and Tentacle Treats, while Kelp Help serves as the primary infirmary for industrial accidents.Factions & Tensions
Tension exists between the Engineers' Guild (who understand how the city floats) and the Priesthood of The Looming (who believe it floats because of faith). There are also rivalries among the service industry; The Salty Spoon and The Gilded Gill are constantly trying to outdo each other to capture the coin of the hungry shift-workers. Whispers also circulate about "Rust-Rot," a faction of saboteurs who believe the city is an affront to the natural chaos of the sea.
Latchmere by Lou
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