The village of Oakhaven is carved directly into the face of a massive, frozen cliffside.
The Structure of the Cliff
The cliff face is a maze of jagged overhangs and deep, shadowed hollows. This staggered design allows the heavy snow to fall across every ledge, blanketing the entire civilization in snow, from the highest peak to the lowest one.
The Upper Reach (Upper-Tier):
Positioned at the very top where the wind is sharpest, these dwellings are carved from pale, polished stone. The homes here catch the first rays of morning and sit above the thickest layers of fog.
The Terraces (Mid-Tier):
Along the middle of the cliff are massive glass-domed gardens and wooden walkways. This is the heart of the village, where the air is thick with the scent of damp earth.
The Low Quarter (Lower-Tier):
At the base, the rock turns dark and slick with frost. Massive iron gears and wooden wheels sit in the churning, icy waters of the river below. It is a place of heavy mist and rusted metal, where the cold is a constant weight.
The Vitality of Light
In this world, a person does not just carry a light; they carry themselves. Every inhabitant bears a lantern that is tethered to their very being. The flame within is a physical manifestation of a person's heart.
The Colour:
The hue of the flame reveals the nature and health of the soul. A steady, bright glow signifies a healthy, happy heart, while a flickering or "stained" light suggests a heart that is weary, fading, or burdened.
The Connection:
If the flame goes out, the heart ceases to beat. To care for one's lantern is to care for one's life, and in a place where the shadows are deep and the frost is ever-present, the colour of one's heart is the only truth that matters.
The Wardens:
They wear heavy, felted wool coats the colour of slate to blend into the rock. They carry Long-Staff Lanterns, which are massive, swinging beacons on poles used to check the "purity" of the citizens. Their job is to ensure no one is "Hollow" (lanternless) and to manage the heavy machinery of the cliff. They are the ones who "Extinguish" lights that have become too dim or "spoiled," to protect the village's warmth.
Currency of the Tiers
The Copper (The "Penny")
Value: Roughly $1 CAD.
What it buys: One single plain doughnut or a cheap loaf of bread. This is the everyday pocket change for people in the Lower-Tiers.
The Silver (The "Bill")
Value: Roughly $20 CAD.
What it buys: A nice dinner, a high-quality wool scarf, or a specialized medicinal tonic. One Silver is worth 20 Coppers.
The Glow (The "Luxury")
Value: Roughly $500 CAD.
What it buys: These are small, gold-edged coins that actually shimmer slightly. They are used for major trade, like buying a horse or paying for a semester at a prestigious school. One Glow is worth 25 Silvers.
The Great River
At the absolute bottom of the chasm is a violent, ice-choked river. It is the engine of the cliff, turning the great wheels that pump heat and power upward, yet it remains a place of mystery and danger that most would prefer to forget.