Nickwick
Nickwick is a town located on Nickwick Neck in southwestern Caivh Hwell, known for its beachy atmosphere and the beachside manors which dot the surrounding coastlines.
The downtown main street, known as Nickwick Street, is home to many businesses and buildings that support the nearby manors, along with a fair number of merchants to support the imported goods. It is famous for its colorful, three-storied gnome houses which make a quilted effect.
Nickwick glass is highly valued, and is curated by the glass gnomes that have long inhabited the region. The town of Nickwick is relatively young and growing, attracting some human and halfling workers as well in recent years. Recently, halfling-made saltwater taffy has become popular in and by the town, with another taffy store being opened in Hevedberg's Cw Mydru, Caivh Hwell's representational district in the capital.
Some halflings have recently moved to the Neck and harvested, dried, and sold seaweed for culinary uses, which have become gourmet in cuisines of the elite of Nickwick and in the capital.
Demographics
"Nickwick Street," the downtown district and where the town's main street lies, is home to a gnome majority, who live in small but colorful houses and apartments which line the street. The beachside manors that dot the region and are governed by Nickwick are owned primarily by humans and a few elves. In recent years, some halflings have moved to the town and opened restaurants.
Government
Gnome-run business owners have a good say in things, but they have to have the support of influential humans who own manors and estates. However, because many of these are residences of Ghadjoan or other foreign officials, these figures often are not able to run for office (or willing to devote themselves to such a job). However, some choose to voluntarily attend meetings and be involved, while others cloister away in their mansions.
Defences
The private manors often employ their own security guards, although they are all protected from naval threats due to the shallow seas which surround Nickwick Neck
Industry & Trade
Many gnomes, and some humans and halflings, are involved in the transportation of goods demanded by the rich humans residing in the beachside manors. Others support Nickwick proper and the businesses on Nickwick Street (the inns, pubs, restaurants, shops, markets). The only exportable industry is glass-making, which is used in window-making, flasks, and art. Tourism also plays an important role in the local economy, but most visit because they own a residency on the Neck.
Infrastructure
Cobblestone main road with offshoot roads that commonly become dirt until reaching the grounds of a beach manor which may then become paved with stones again, depending on the taste and budget of the manor. Colorful gnome houses and apartments line the street in three levels, with two-level apartments and single-storied houses sprawling outward.
Districts
Nickwick Street - the main street of the town proper, lined with gnome houses and businesses run by humans, gnomes, and halflings
Nickwick Sprawl - non-streetside buildings and neighborhoods sprawling off Nickwick Street on either side
The Manors - split into south, east, and west, this term refers to the private estates along the shoreline, sometimes a good distance away from Nickwick proper.
Guilds and Factions
Faerie Runners - involved in the transportation of goods, little orcish oversight due to the region's inaccessibility to a port and difficulty in traveling to the region. It still is a dangerous business, however, since many of the wealthy residences are pro-orc, being involved in the military or government.
History
The region was home to a small tribe of glass gnomes but became populated by wealthy humans after the orcish invasion opened up transportation among the hwells, notably military officers from nearby Ghadjo Hwell. As more humans moved to the area, the gnomes grew and many moved from Mossellia and Trepsilton down to Nickwick to provide goods and services to the wealthy humans and their manors. As a result, Nickwick Street has grown, and the gnomes of the town have grown in prominence and wealth, attracting other humans and halflings to contribute in specialized ways to the town.
Points of interest
- Various beachside manors of nobility, government figures, and military officers
- Nickwick Street
- Glassbottle Blowers Glass Manufacturer
- Turtlenest Tavern
- Paintwood Pub
- Kitemar Market
- The Seahorse Restaurant
- Nickwick Town Townhall Hall (known as "Nickwick Townhall" by non-gnomes)
- Taffy Saltwater's Saltwater Taffy
- Caivh Cafe
Tourism
The town sometimes attracts visitors due to its colorful architecture and niche gnome-run businesses, including the glass-making, shell art, and other artisan businesses. The beaches are a popular draw, but are monopolized by the various privately-owned manors and estates.
Architecture
Colorful, wooden, three-storied buildings of street-level shops and upper-level gnome-sized apartments, each painted a different, pastel color, resulting in a quilted effect
Geography
The region is higher elevation than the Danse Dunes to the north, allowing the landscape to support trees and gardens, and some small fields.
Natural Resources
Glass
Alternative Name(s)
Nickwick Town
Type
Large town
Population
6,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Nickwickian, Nickwicker
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Characters in Location
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