mo doKALLINGARD — The Clay of the Windward Cliffs
Location:
Kallingard is built along the wind-beaten coast of a remote island chain, where sheer cliffs fall into dark water and narrow valleys collect clay-rich soil. Low clouds race across the sky, rain arrives without warning, and mist lingers for days at a time. The settlement clings to the land between sea and stone, shaped by constant wind and sudden storms.
Founded: Tide 1, Day 20 A.R.
Current Population: 104
(Kallingard’s population swells and thins with the rhythm of storms and supply runs. Some seasons the harbor is crowded with workers and traders; in harsher periods, the streets grow quieter. The city holds as many as the islands allow.)
Map Reference:
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Overview
Kallingard is carved into narrow coastal shelves and sheltered within clay-rich ravines. Flat ground is rare, and heavy rain constantly reshapes the valleys that feed the city’s kilns. Homes and workshops cluster close to cliff faces for protection from ocean winds, while lower paths and dock structures are regularly rebuilt after severe weather.
The first settlers chose the islands for their isolation and access to sea routes. The discovery of workable clay in the valleys transformed Kallingard from a temporary harbor into a permanent settlement. Over time, the skyline filled with kiln chimneys and drying racks, their smoke often the first sign of the city through the fog.
Economy & Resources
Clay is Kallingard’s foundation. The valley soils provide dense, workable clay used for bricks, tiles, kiln linings, pipes, and sealed containers. These products are vital to other settlements that lack materials suited for damp or storm-heavy climates.
Construction-grade stone is scarce on the islands, and usable timber is limited to driftwood and small managed groves. Most structural stone and lumber must be imported by sea. This dependence makes Kallingard vulnerable to long storm periods that close the harbor and delay essential supplies. Nothing solid is wasted—broken brick is crushed into aggregate, and damaged timber is stripped and reused.
Fuel for the kilns is carefully managed. Driftwood, imported timber, and processed waste feed the fires, and firing schedules are planned around weather windows when smoke can be vented safely.
Civic Traditions
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The Storm Ledger: Each major storm is recorded publicly, noting which structures failed and which held. New construction must adapt to the last recorded storm.
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The Harbor Chain: Before storm season, citizens gather to reinforce the harbor chains and moorings together, marking the shared responsibility of keeping the city connected to the sea.
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The Kiln Watch: During prolonged bad weather, kiln crews rotate night watches to keep critical fires alive against wind and rain.
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The Soft Wall Custom: Outer walls are built with intentionally weaker upper layers designed to fail safely under extreme winds, protecting inner structures.
Governance & Structure
Kallingard is governed around supply flow. Harbor wardens, kiln overseers, and storage keepers coordinate to prioritize incoming stone and timber for essential repairs and public works. Expansion inland is constrained by narrow valleys; vertical growth is limited by wind exposure. As a result, the city grows cautiously, balancing what the islands provide against what must be carried across open water.
Notes for Travelers
Visitors should expect sudden weather shifts, strong crosswinds along cliff paths, and frequent construction near the docks. Secure loads and low profiles are advised near exposed edges. Stone and timber are valued trade goods here, often more useful than coin. Those who stay long enough learn to read the sky before the streets—on these islands, the weather decides what can stand.