The town of Cliffton is one of the oldest of the human settlements in the Kingdom of Endon, and was the capital of one of the vying factions during the early wars after the fall of the Ssthessic-Vrasa. The inhabitants have never forgotten their heritage nor their missed opportunity to be the rulers of the Kingdom of Endon, and the banners of that defeated kingdom, Tarendium, can be seen around the city to this day: on inn-signs, displayed in houses, and flown from the flagpole of Fort Tarbannig.
The city consists of three levels: the overlook, which hosts the fort and the plateau known as Mason’s Island; the upper quarter, the older part of the city, wherein a traveller will find the more wealthy houses; and the Cliffton Circle, the newer, ever-changing bustling market for the city.
The cliffs for which the city gets its name are of tall dark stone, shading much of the city from the sun for most of the year. Mason’s Island, an easily-visible landmark even from afar, is a tower of stone flattened at the top, containing the old halls and the catacombs for the Lords Tarbannig of old.
On Arrival to Cliffton
"This far north, where the hills meet the steel-grey of the sea, the sky weeps constantly. The rain pours down hard and fast, and beats patiently against the walls of Cliffton. Tall and impassive as their namesake, the Cliffton walls are vast - built to repel invasions since the dawning of the Kingdom, and repaired, rebuilt, and expanded in the centuries since.
High above the city, on a tall precipice of rock is the Fort Tarbannig. No high, vaulted towers here, no marble glimmering in the sunlight: the Lord Tarbannig in ages hence built the Fort for one reason and one alone. It is said to be impregnable."
There is much resentment concerning the input of the rest of the Kingdom, as Cliffton - from the influence of Fort Tarbannig - considers itself nigh unconquerable. Their defeat in the past, it is believed, was due only to intrigue and subterfuge, and there are claims that should Cliffton declare independence from Endon, the Kingdom's armies would not be able to retake them.
Whether this view is shared by the Lords Tarbannig is unconfirmed, but they are certainly aware that there is more to their relationship with the Kingdom than simple military might. After all, Cliffton does not produce all of the goods and foods that it consumes, and military might is no match for the simple and patient power of economics.
Passage Quarter
Between the heights of Mason’s Island and the bulky cliffs of the fort is a thin, snakey chasm in which one will find the Passage Quarter, the most disreputable part of Cliffton. Wedged underneath the cliffs, with special waterproofing to resist the constant downpour that runs off the stone, a traveller will find the smuggler’s dens, the thieves’ guilds, the bawdy taverns and the brothels, and other such places of low repute. If one comes to Cliffton in search of a person of bad reputation, there can be only one portion of this city to search.
Blackfist's Gaming Emporium. Despite what the name may claim, this establishment does not serve as a casino - in fact, this is merely a front, the games a way for its clients to express interest or availability. The proprietor, a figure known only as the Blackfist, is a fence and gang leader of great power. It is said that anything - anything at all - can be bought on the cards, for a price.
Chapel of the Mask. Many of the thieves' guilds within the Kingdom are independent, but there has been a rise in recent decades of a conglomeration of their influence into a 'Church'. These Churches share information, trade fenced goods, and are said to worship the God of Thieves and Disguises, the Mask.
The Shapely Belle. The city's most famous brothel, it is known both for its voracious entertainers and for its distinguishing feature: a large brass bell in the shape of a naked human woman. It caters to clients of any purse, and any appetite.
Mason's Island
In the original days of the city, Mason’s Island was the watchtower for the fort. The founder of the city, Mason Tarbannig, spent all of his time and resources on the goal of smuggling fellow slaves out of the Ssthessic-Vrasa, and feared a militant reproach from the Imperial forces.
However, such reproach was never forthcoming, given as the yuan-ti were occupied with the campaign of the Sunderking. Eventually, the watchtower was removed and the public buildings were built on Mason’s Island for the ever-growing populace. As the city expanded, the Island became a part of the fort, with the archives, private museum and the catacombs laid in stone beneath the iron-grey sky.
Basalt Curium. Once open to the public, the expansion of the Fort onto Mason's Island has meant that the Curium - a museum and gallery - has been privatised for the benefit of the Lords Tarbannig.
Cliffton Circle
Named for the shape of the city when seen from above, this contains most of the city itself, with a central square and the town hall. Merchants, travellers, and strangers all will be welcomed to the shade of the Circle.
Blackfort Inn. This low, squat building can be found by the east gate of the city, and has an unsavoury reputation as a place where the rough and the ready meet for contracts and excitement. Above its door, its swinging sign proudly shows the black rook sigil of old Tarendium.
Silver Hart Inn. On the south gate of the city, the wide and expansive Silver Hart Inn is known as the largest of the inns. Its food and entertainment are famed, and it is said that is sends specifically to the Light-on-the-River Inn in Riverbend for its minstrels, which draw its large crowd of travellers and locals.
Market Square. A wide, cobbled town square with an intricate pattern of shallow guttering through which the near-perpetual rain flows, it is always bustling with traders from the edges of Kingdom, here to peddle goods to the rich citizens of Cliffton, and leave with their signiture stone- and metal-worked goods.
Town Hall. Run by the local guards, rather than a mayor, the rule of law in Cliffton extends from the Lords, and not by a beaurocratic middle-man. However, there is a reeve that works from the Town Hall, overseeing any official contracts in the area.
Cliffshade Quarter
Beneath the towering heights of the granite face is the Cliffshade Quarter, accurately named: the sun never shines directly upon the cliffshade quarter, due to the northerly position of the town and the angle of the cliffs. It is forever murky, dark, and filled with fungal growths, leading to all sorts of unsavoury rumours about its denizens. It does, however, boast some of the best fungal cuisine in the northern kingdoms.
Mycian Bazaar. The climate in the Cliffshade Quarter is perfect for the growing of fungi, and though is not a great demand for the ordinary folk of Cliffton, the traders in rare goods and exotic ingredients travel directly to the Mycian Bazaar to find profit.
Tombstone Menagerie. Once a quarry that carved out the tombs and mausoleums for the rich folk in the Upper Quarter, it was abandoned for some time before being converted into a menagerie for strange and dangerous animals. However, the beastkeepers for this attraction are not well-funded, and occasionally one of the beasts in question will escape into the city, requiring a group to track it down.
Upper Quarter
The richer and more well-to-do of the citizens of Cliffton live above the rest, on the overlook near to Fort Tarbannig. Their homes are larger, their streets are wider, and guards often patrol to maintain the peace and deter crime, a service not available for the lower quarters.
Granitebreak Square. Along the centre of this wide square is a strip where the rocks beneath change from dark basalt to bright granite. Granitebreak Square is known to be a gathering place for aspiring artists and musicians, seeking employment or patronage from the wealthy and generous. It is a common practice for buskers to line themselves along the granite mark.
Snakeshead Inn. The sign over the doors of this inn is quite explicit: the shrunken severed head of an ancient yuan-ti warrior, tarred and hardened to preserve it.