New Hope CIS

RISINGMIST HOUSEHOLD

Founders: Adaarah, Ahrien, Havrin, Wyn, Khepri (elves) Lathis, Bedila, (others? Must have been!) (Human)
History: Risingmist was founded when a number of newly de-Functionalized Tower elves, plus a few others, decided to join the group of elves and humans that founded New Hope. [Their goal seems to have been mainly to work through the problems of returning to normal life after the trauma of Functionalization. With the possible exception of Adaarah they didn’t share Mikail’s utopian dreams, though many of them had personal philosophies about the proper treatment of humans which let them fit in well with those who did.] Most of the original elven founders left after Wyn’s death in NH 41, except Adaarah, who died in a hurricane some years earlier.
Risingmist is located near the river on the south end of the settlement, at the tail end of the cliffs. The household makes use of a large natural cave system within the cliffs (part of the same cave system utilized in building Trolldelving and the eyries). These structures were originally used by the settlers as shelter until they divided themselves up into groups and got the first of the household buildings erected. The main portion of Risingmist which was constructed was built out from the overhang of the cave, with building and mountain melded together by the rockshapers, Havrin and Khepri.
Because of the nearby river, Risingmist has access to much clay, and is the main producer of pottery, dishes and related products for New Hope. The pottery works were established by Havrin, Lathis and Bedila. Risingmist is also the proprietors of the tribe’s only large public bath.
Elders/Council Members: The first Risingmist Council members were Wyn, Havrin, Lathis, and Bedila. After Wyn’s death and the subsequent return of most of the other elven members of the Household to the Tower, their places were taken by two more humans, and from that day to the present Risingmist has had no elven Council members. This is partly because none of the elves who later moved in have any desire for an Elder’s position, but by this time it has acquired an aura of tradition as well, and is a source of some household pride.
Some later Risingmist Council members, c. NH 40-60: Merissa; Kaidyn & Sherron
Chatelaine (aka headwoman): Originally Wyn. Then Merissa and Wyn. Upon Wyn's death, Merissa with Kaidyn assisting. Upon Merissa's retirement, Kaidyn. Later Chatelaines TBD. The Chatelaine is responsible for the accumulation, tallying and distribution of household stores. Also serves as general hostess and handles most of the bartering between other households.
Primary Products:
Pottery: The pottery works were originally overseen by Lathis and Bedila. Lathis is a master potter. His wife, Bedila, is a master at patterns and glazing. Their descendants anbd students continue in the trade. Havrin, who was patron spirit of the potters at Tower, does not run the pottery during his years at new Hope, but he does work there. Ahrien was involved in ceramics and glazing. Adaarah was involved in the color and design aspects, and also makes beads. Kaidyn did some painting and glazing when she was younger, but lacked the time for it as Chatelaine duties fell upon her.
Potables/Fermented Drinks: The brewery is established sometime after NH +52, after Vanjir's arrival. He starts out producing small batches of experimental brews, namely a New Hope beer, several fruit brandies, and a broad range of tea liqueurs. In later years they will be producing a much larger variety of beers, cordials, etc., though always in small quantities. On rare occasions will produce an experimental wine, but generally uninvolved with viniculture. Currently only Vanjir and two human residents work the stills.
Woven Products:   A number of Risingmist residents weave with plant fibers, producing hammocks, nets, chairs, small tables, baskets and other containers, etc.
Risingmist Household is responsible (in common with Trolldelving Household) for maintaining the system of locks and tunnels which controls the flow of the Bluesnake River through the settlement, and for supervising the controlled flooding of the fields every spring.
Secondary Products:
       -Wool carding and thread spinning
       -Herbs and plants for barter to Tower
       -Clothing for their own use
       -Flowers for garlands, wreaths, hair ornaments and the like for weddings, festivals, etc.
Barters For: Some clothing, metal goods, fabrics, horses, fur and leatherwork, utensils, weaponry, furnishings.
Household Skills Available:
       Midwife - Wyn; The Midwife, a title she retains even at New Hope. Trains others.
       Fisherfolk - Adaarah, Kaidyn; Risingmist has a boat, The Dolphin, originally owned by Kaidyn. The fisherfolk do some diving in the bay for shellfish and etc., as well as deep water fishing. Additionally harvests ambergris, pearls and blue coral for barter with Tower and other households.
       Warriors - Sherron, Sukana, Vanjir; all members of New Hope's protective force. Risingmist has a tradition of producing very fine trackers.
       Spiritual Herbalist/Shamaness - Kaidyn and her eventual students, trained in group and individual psychology. (Very little has been done with what exactly a Mraal shaman does; this is something that needs working on.)
       Medicinal Herbalist - Adaarah; household medic and first aid
       Beekeeper/Candlemaker - Ahrien
       Cook - Ahrien; household head cook up until she leaves permanently for Tower.
Household and Grounds Description:
       The Front Gardens - A park area, with trees and flowers interspersed with seating. A peaceful place, set aside for contemplation and privacy. Anyone within is not to be disturbed unless invited. Open to the public.
       The Back Gardens - Rocks and flowers interspersed around the series of miniature waterfalls behind and up the mountain slope behind the household. Pools are used for bathing. A favorite place for romantic interludes. Also public, though household members have first choice since they do the maintenance. A small kitchen garden is also maintained closer to sea level, for the most commonly used cooking herbs and medicines.
The river below the falls are used for clothes washing.
      The Pottery Works - A separate, two-story building partially straddling the river. Has a covered walkway connecting it to the household proper.
       The Brewery - Situated on the far side of the river. A single building with a basement for storage.
      Stable - A small cave where the mountains curve away from the front gardens. Holds the two to six horses used for general household transportation needs as well as pack animals. The canines and felines used for vermin control also use the stable for shelter.
       The Household Proper - A four level household (one level is below ground).
      Below ground level - Natural caves adapted for food stores and beer cellars. The rock walls have been shaped so that cold water from the river runs through the walls and keeps the caves cooler than normal.
       Ground/1st level - Constructed areas include a sitting/work room and four of the guest rooms. The cavern, located down a sloping hallway, is the gathering/dining area. It has several shaped, long and narrow windows on one side, overlooking the river and back gardens. The kitchen is on this level as are other guest rooms, the clothing/fabric stores, and some of the private quarters.
      2nd level - Consists mostly of the private quarters of household members. All of these are natural or shaped caves, most of which are positioned to have at least one window or skylight.
       3rd level - The smallest level, located near the mountain peak. Contains a few private quarters and the indoor bath. Bath has a circulating fountain, filled with water pushed up by below ground pressure. There is a fireplace for heating the water, and a tub.
Note: The Bluesnake has been diverted from its original bed into a reservoir back of the cliffs. A large tunnel provides an exit for most of the water, which bursts out into the falls and runs back into the bay. The reservoir and the exit tunnel are equipped with watergates, and once a year, during the spring floods, the exit tunnel is closed and the reservoir gates open, allowing a controlled flood over the old course of the river, revitalizing the fields. Smaller pipelines supply water to Risingmist, Trolldelving, and possibly even the eyries, via gravity feed. The rockshapers have diverted part of this to provide running water for the Risingmist baths and kitchens.

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