Help me build a town - Corvid Cove

[Steve]

Corvid Cove is a small port town that apparently got its name from the almost ubiquitous quantity of ravens that live there, and who seem to have driven away the more normal seabirds one would find in such places. The ravens are everywhere, as if they are watching people.

 

According to tales, it originated as a pirate hideout, the surprisingly deep bay concealed by high cliffs and a twisting passage entrance that required excellent sailing skills and nerves of steel to enter or depart back then. However, the pirates eventually made too much of a nuisance of themselves and were massacred by the navies of several nations in the region. Their bones lie strewn about the bottom of the cove along with several sunken wrecks said to contain untold wealth for those willing to risk it, but they are rumored to be haunted. It is said that the ships rise from the briny deep and head out into the ocean like in days of old to plunder unwary vessels on nights when the moon is dark and the fog is heavy.

 

After killing off the pirates, the narrow channel leading to the cove was blasted open and expanded, making it easier to traverse. Over the next several decades trade began flowing through the town, taking advantage of its qualities as a seaport. Alas, years later, other locales began rising up that were more convenient to use, and the town slowly died.

 

Corvid Cove is a barely living shadow of itself now, its buildings huddled and archaic. It is like a medieval version of Lovecraft Country, with whispered secrets enticing the curious and unwary to their doom.

[Scott Ruggels]

During it's trading heyday, several large, and secure warehouses were constructed opposite the docks. They have ornate brick and stucco facades, slate roofed, many with the names of trading companies that have long since gone defunct sculpted over the large entrances. The windows are narrow, and a normal human will not fit through them, even so, they are barred. The doors in front are huge, made of thick, oiled and studded oak logs, with one small sally port. So far, only one has been lost to fire, with the rest still owned, and in decent repair.   The landlord knows exactly what he has here, and has a very dim view of thieves, and will hire bullyboys to snuff out any thievery, or suspicious activities around the buildings. Is it out of a consideration of his renters, or removing the competition? Most people are quite happy with his services, and storing cargoes here costs a reasonably inexpensive  rate per month. However anything flammable is stored at double rate, otherwise he is quite content to mind his own business.

Again there are other ornate buildings along the waterfront, that have been subdivided down into small shops, and chandleries, and brothels. Only the Harbor Master's and Customs office is as it was in the glory days, and edifice of cut stone of a peculiar color, and a tall green copper roof., though it is woefully understaffed.  Otherwise only a few of the docks are fit for tying up to, with a stone quay in front of the green roofed building. 

[archer]

On 2/2/2022 at 4:07 PM, Steve said:

Corvid Cove is a small port town that apparently got its name from the almost ubiquitous quantity of ravens that live there, and who seem to have driven away the more normal seabirds one would find in such places.

 

Are you sure it's not a large quantity of bats that are around COVID Cove?

[Steve]

2 hours ago, archer said:

 

Are you sure it's not a large quantity of bats that are around COVID Cove?

The funny thing is that the spellchecker on my phone kept trying to change the spelling to COVID from corvid.

 

Having bats would be interesting, but I was trying for something with a feel suggestive of Hitchcock’s “The Birds” movie.

[archer]

1 minute ago, Steve said:

The funny thing is that the spellchecker on my phone kept trying to change the spelling to COVID from corvid.

 

Having bats would be interesting, but I was trying for something with a feel suggestive of Hitchcock’s “The Birds” movie.

 

Not a huge shock. Not many people outside of ornithologists and bird watchers use "corvid".

 

But at least the automatic spell checker my browser uses for the site recognizes the word, and I guess that's the important thing.  

[theinfn8]

The cove itself was originally cut into the rock by a mid-sized river. Over time and with the assistance of human (or other races if your world has them) the cove has been cut into a deep multi-tiered affair with the river still running through the middle. After the cove was expanded copper, iron, and other metals (prized by magic-users but dangerous to most people if not handled correctly) were found in the hills and mountains further inland. These, now abandoned and dried up, mines were the primary catalyst that drove the expansion of Corvid Cove.

 

The miners and stoneworkers using the port expanded and grew the city, bridging the river, levelling out areas, creating buildings, ramps and stairs. There's even a small network of, long unused, freight escalators. Many of the structures still standing are from this hey-day of the mining boom, solidly built from stone into or up against the rock itself. Most residents live at the very top or very bottom, either working land or surviving on what trade still comes through.

 

Walking the empty streets is a little disconcerting to the newcomer, as the stone takes sound and bounces it around. Is that one crow, or a chorus? Your footfalls, or is someone... someTHING following, just out of sight...

[Mr. R]

Though it has fallen on hard times the port facilities and local infrastructure are still good.  So Corvid Cove still sees some ships come in and people disembarking or embarking.  Some say that most of these people are those who don't want to be seen entering or leaving the Nation.   Also there is a mercenary / adventuring group who operate out of an old estate in the what was the nicer part of town.  Are the two related?

[Mr. R]

Follow up to above

 

Some wonder at why the city has not declined/ fallen to seed as fast as other similar cities in similar situations.  Infrastructure still good, port facilities operable.   As well the old mining operations still have equipment and elevators that are in good repair.  WHY?

 

Most don't know about a plan that in case of evacuation of the government and the royal family, Corvid Cove is one of three possible leave sights.  So the facilities are kept up at Royal expense so in case of emergency, It all still works!