A Visitor's Guide to Cliffside

Industrial Heart of the Mountains

Welcome, traveler, to Cliffside - the Kingdom of Brightmoor's premier mining town where iron, coal, and innovation flow from the mountains. Whether you're here on business, seeking fortune in the mines, or passing through to the capital, this guide will help you navigate our terraced industrial city.

Getting Your Bearings

Population: 6,500 souls
Location: Southwestern Brightmoor, where moorlands meet mountains at Frogmirth Lake
Best Known For: Iron and coal mining, Cliffhaven refinery, terraced architecture
Language: Common (kingdom standard)
Weather: Cool and damp year-round with frequent fog from the lake. Dress warm and bring waterproof gear.

Districts Worth Knowing

Old Town (Lakeside)

The oldest part of Cliffside at natural elevation along Frogmirth Lake. Dense residential area housing many of the town's miners and laborers. Frequently shrouded in fog rolling off the lake - carry a lantern after dark. The sound of shift changes marks the rhythm of daily life here. Mountain Stables located here if you need pack animals for mountain travel.

Foothills (Middle Terrace)

Built on the middle terrace elevation, offering better views of the mountains. Mixed residential and commercial area with various amenities. Generally clearer weather than Old Town. You'll find The Iron Mug tavern and Steelpoint Armory here.

Downtown (City Center)

The commercial and administrative heart positioned between districts. The Fish Market (historical name from earlier days) operates daily and sells everything from food to tools. All four temples are located here, along with the Lakeguard headquarters, Healer's Hall, and most essential services.

Industrial District

The older industrial area near Old Town. Some active workshops and Ironwright Forge for tool repairs, mixed with repurposed warehouses. Troy Rustle's fishing operation works the lakeshore here.

Hillcrest (Upper Terrace)

Built on the highest terrace with commanding views. Home to mine owner estates and wealthier residents. Hillcrest Park offers public access with well-maintained grounds and impressive vistas. The Silver Chalice provides upscale lodging for those with coin to spend.

Rosewood (Eastern District)

Newer development featuring active farmland and residential construction. The Greenbough Inn offers modern accommodations for travelers from eastern roads. The district includes Cratak breeding operations and training grounds.

Accommodations

Taverns & Inns

The Forge & Anvil - Downtown
Central inn catering to merchants and travelers. Clean rooms, solid meals, convenient to all services. Good starting point for visitors.

The Rusty Pick - Old Town
Working miners' tavern with basic lodging. Inexpensive, straightforward accommodation. Lively atmosphere during shift changes.

The Iron Mug - Foothills
Mid-range tavern popular with skilled workers and foremen. Comfortable rooms, quality food, quieter than Old Town establishments.

The Silver Chalice - Hillcrest
Premium lodging with refined service. Elegant dining, private rooms, spectacular terrace views. Reserve ahead during busy seasons.

The Greenbough Inn - Rosewood
Newer construction with modern amenities. Fair prices, good food, convenient for those traveling the eastern roads.

Essential Services

General Provisions

Cliffside General Store - Downtown
Merchant Willem Stockton stocks everyday supplies and provisions. One-stop shop for basic needs.

Hammerstone Mining Supply - Downtown
Master Merchant Aldric Hammerstone provides mining equipment and specialized tools. Essential stop if you're working the mines.

The Fish Market - Downtown
Daily market for food, local goods, and trade. Busiest on seventh-day when farmers bring produce.

Craftsmen & Specialists

Steelpoint Armory - Foothills
Master Vera Steelpoint crafts practical weapons and work armor. Quality goods built to last in harsh mountain conditions.

Ironwright Forge - Industrial District
Master Smith Gareth Ironwright handles tool repairs and basic metalwork. Reliable service for damaged equipment.

Threadwell Tailors - Downtown
Merchant Clara Threadwell provides work clothes and weather-appropriate garments. Mountain weather demands proper dress.

Arcane Emporium - Downtown
Master Eldric Gemwright maintains a modest magic shop. Limited but quality selection of components and basic enchantments.

Professional Services

The Ironbound Vault - Downtown
Banker Lucinda Goldscale offers secure storage, currency exchange, and letters of credit for larger transactions.

The Healer's Hall - Downtown
Goodwife Martha Gentlehand provides medical care. Experienced with treating injuries and mountain ailments.

Stonecroft Apothecary - Foothills
Alchemist Cornelius Stonecroft stocks remedies and potions. Particularly knowledgeable about preventive care for those working in the mines.

Mountain Stables - Old Town
Stablemaster Robert Hoofton provides horses, mules, and Cratak boarding. Knows mountain trails and can advise on route conditions.

Getting Around

On Foot: The town is walkable, though moving between terraces involves climbing. Good footwear recommended, especially in wet weather.

Pack Animals: Essential for mountain travel beyond town. Hire from Mountain Stables with advance notice for longer journeys.

South Road: Steep, narrow road climbing to Cliffhaven refinery and active mines. Commercial traffic has right of way.

North Road: Well-maintained route toward Westgarde Keep, continuing east toward the capital.

Local Customs & Etiquette

Business Hours: Most establishments open at dawn, close at dusk. Market operates throughout daylight hours.
Shift Changes: Mining shifts change three times daily. Streets busiest during these hours - allow extra travel time.
Temple Courtesy: Four temples serve different faiths (Solarius, Verdania, Aethon, Sorenvald). All welcome respectful visitors.
Mountain Protocol: Trails and mine roads prioritize commercial traffic. Stay clear of loaded pack trains and ore carts.
Weather Awareness: Fog warnings should be taken seriously, particularly near the lake.

Useful Phrases

"Clear dig" - Common greeting among miners; appropriate response to well-wishes
"Iron price" - Fair market value (versus inflated pricing)
"Clear horizons" - Wishing someone a fog-free day with good visibility

Safety & Warnings

Lake Fog: Frogmirth Lake generates dense, disorienting fog that obscures hazards and deadens sound. Stay away from lakeshore during heavy fog conditions. Local fishing is limited to specific shoreline areas during clear weather only.
Mountain Weather: Can change rapidly with little warning. Carry warm, waterproof clothing year-round. Check conditions before traveling mountain roads.
Steep Terrain: Watch footing on terrace transitions and mountain paths, especially during rain or early morning frost.
Road Safety: Commercial ore transport has priority on mountain roads. Stay to the side when pack trains approach.

Emergency Information

Lakeguard Headquarters: Downtown - Commander Abel Forrester oversees local law enforcement and emergency response
Mistwardens Garrison: Foothills (north side) - For serious security matters
The Healer's Hall: Downtown - Available day and night for injuries and illness
Temple of Verdania: Downtown - Healing services available during daylight hours

Local Festivals

Miner's Moon: Monthly celebration on the full moon. Traditionally, miners working the high mountain operations could safely descend in the bright moonlight to visit their families - a rare opportunity. The tradition continues with market stalls, entertainment, and family gatherings throughout the night.

Ascension Day: Annual summer celebration marking the refinery's founding. Tours of the facility are offered (see Tours & Excursions), followed by evening festivities in Downtown with food, music, and demonstrations by local craftsmen working with refined iron. The highlight is The Descent - the Mistwardens' elite wyvern riders perform a dramatic aerial display, diving from Cliffhaven down the mountain face to Cliffside in formation. The town's terraced layout provides excellent viewing from all districts, drawing spectators from across the region.

Tours & Excursions

Cliffhaven Refinery Tour

Duration: Half-day journey (4-6 hours including travel)
Cost: 5 silver pieces per person
Booking: Arrange through Cliffside General Store at least two days in advance
Includes: Guided mountain ascent, refinery tour, light meal

Experience the engineering marvel that transformed Cliffside's economy. The steep South Road climbs to the mountain refinery complex where gnome-engineered smelting operations process ore from the surrounding mines. Visitors observe the advanced furnace designs, efficient processing workflows, and the coordinated operation that makes Cliffside's iron industry possible.

Sky Reeve Kasserly Oxblood or his appointed guides explain the refinery's operations, from raw ore intake to refined iron bar output. The tour includes the worker facilities, administrative center, and spectacular mountain views of Cliffside below and Frogmirth Lake in the distance.

What to Bring: Warm clothing (mountain elevation is significantly colder), sturdy walking shoes, water. Pack animals provided for those who need them.

Special Note: Tours available year-round except during severe weather. On Ascension Day, special extended tours include demonstrations of the smelting process and meetings with the gnome engineers.

Notable Landmarks

Fennix Spindlewick's Ironfall: The world's tallest cable hoist system, descending 1,795 feet from Cliffhaven to Cliffside. This engineering marvel, designed by master gnome engineer Fennix Spindlewick and blessed by Countess Rosalind at its inauguration, uses an ingenious counterweight system where empty ore containers ascend as refined iron bars descend. The massive cables are visible from throughout town, and the deep hum of the mechanism in operation has become part of Cliffside's daily soundtrack. The lower terminus and receiving facility is located past Rosewood district at the mountain base, featuring an observation terrace open to the public during daylight hours - a popular spot to witness the engineering marvel in action.

Hillcrest Park: Public gardens on the upper terrace with well-maintained paths and scenic overlooks. Open dawn to dusk.

Rathe Family Mausoleum: Memorial structure in Hillcrest Park honoring the Rathe family, Cliffside's founding family and rulers for nearly a century. The mausoleum contains the tomb of Count Walter Rathe and other family members. Historical landmark showcasing traditional stonework and family heraldry.

Cliffhaven: Mountain refinery complex visible from most of town, perched on the cliff edge 1,795 feet above. Not open for casual visits - working industrial facility. Tours available through official channels (see Tours & Excursions).

Frogmirth Lake: Large moorland lake forming the kingdom's western border. Beautiful but dangerous. Fog, cold water, and poor visibility make it unsuitable for most water activities. The lake earned its name from the remarkable chorus of frogs at dusk - a cacophonous symphony that echoes across the water on clear evenings.

Parting Advice

Cliffside is an honest working town that values competence and fair dealing. The mining industry drives prosperity, the Cliffhaven refinery represents modern efficiency, and Countess Rosalind Redmane's administration maintains stability.

Respect the rhythm of industrial work, heed weather and safety warnings, and you'll find Cliffside welcoming to visitors who contribute to rather than disrupt daily life. The mountains provide generously to those who approach them with proper preparation and respect.

May your path be clear and your ventures profitable.

Published by the Lakeguard for Visitor Information
Sanctioned by Order of the Countess of Cliffside