Generations of Early Expansion ~ Part 4
In the minds of the settlers, similar thoughts prevail... (questions explained more throughout the CJ post, and summarized at the bottom)
11 members have voted
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1. What should the bridgemaker's finally name the river which flows down from Slyside Lake?
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2. After discovering surprising ancient ruins, how should the inland Tidehook sailors from the Sea's Pride ship proceed, considering their goal was to found a new port?
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3. How is Godhaven taking the news of Tidehook's latest accomplishments (discovering ancient ruins, becoming the largest town in the realm, and founding Tidehaven Island)?
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4. What should the next course of action for the Truthseekers be?
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5. What should the next course of action for the Knowers be?
Previously on Uncovering the Junon Vale:
- Prospect Path was formed, a merchant path aiming to connect Tidehook to Slyside Lake and the farming towns Graincove and Sundown Fields.
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Shoresteppe founded! ~ "Watch your step while dancing on the tables!"
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Pinnacle founded! ~ "Can we roll a boulder down the hill to break up the Shoresteppe parties?"
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Bridge workers from Graincove were building the bridge to connect to Prospect Path, trying not to let the nearby Mysterious Growing Mountains spook them too much! "Maybe those rocks would be good for the bridge though..."
- North Ravenloch was founded!
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Talonway Bay was founded! "We have the coolest shaped town in all of... well whatever this realm is called"
- Settlers of Port Ravenloch, North Ravenloch, and Talonway Bay dubbed their great island Godhaven, and the western peninsula was known was Westlance. The bay of which Talonway Bay village was named after - of course - was also known as Talonway Bay.
- Northpath Trail is dug in following the path the brave scouts took to the Lands Beyond the North, along the trail Northmoor and Northend villages were founded. Northwatch Tower became a small outpost, where settlers manned the tower and watched North in shifts, awaiting the possible return of the scouts. None of the watchers dared travel far past Northwatch Tower.
- Unnamed Inland Shortcut became known as the Quickland Path over time, as it was a quick inland shortcut from North Ravenloch to Talonway Bay.
- Unnamed Shoreline Path became known as the Longcut Path over time, as it was a longer coastline path connecting Port Ravenloch to Talonway Bay.
Amongst the most renowned families of fishermen and farmers, it was recently decided*:
*(forgive me voters from last CJ entry, several more votes came in after I started making changes, so I ended up compromising and combining outcomes to make all voters happy!)
- To make their town vital and important, Oakfall would focus on founding and monopolizing the realm's timber industry. They would venture Southeast to find an ideal spot for a new timber camp. "Shiver me timbers, we have a logging industry? Where is Oakfall again?"
- Out of spite of Godhaven's accomplishments, Tidehook would carry out a trifecta of accomplishments to remind those of Godhaven where they originally came from. Tidehook would send explorers further inland to scout for new ports to settle, they would claim and settle the little unnamed island at the mouth of the river, and they would expand the port of Tidehook as much as possible. "Godhaven? More like Blahblahblahhaven. Look how cool Tidehook is!"
- Most of the realm's settlers adhere to one of two philosophies: 1.) There are those who believe the story of their existence belongs in the hands of a Simgod, a Creator, and through understanding the Creator's mysteries truths will be revealed, and 2.) There are those who don't care about such things, and believe only through science and expansion will the settlers prosper.
Also, as can be seen I use various text colors in my CJ entries. It's a pretty loose & informal system, but here is the general key:
- Purple - This will tend to denote an action of some kind by the settlers or other sim groups, or by various mysterious forces that may or may not exist in Junon Vale.
- Blue - This will tend to denote when a new village or town is formed, or when the news pertains to one of these towns.
- Green - This will tend to denote when a new path/road has been formed, or perhaps a new trade route. Or perhaps when something vital has occurred or changed on an existing route.
- Orange - This will tend to denote when a new area was founded, such as a location that the settlers find important (maybe a coast, a mountain, an island, a neighborhood, etc). Or perhaps when something vital takes place in one of these areas.
- Underlined Italicize - This will tend to denote a very specific physical building, which usually holds special meaning. Such buildings may develop meaning over time, therefore they won't have the underlined italicize until later.
- Neon Pink - This will denote when a new group or faction has been formed, or perhaps a new nation. In the future, this may also apply to specific larger corporations if applicable.
- Let me know if you have other color or formatting ideas for other things you'd like referenced during this CJ!
The previous map:
Pride is a strange thing; it can lead sims to great triumphs, but also to great downfalls. Perhaps in the case of the people of Oakfall, their wounded pride would lead to both... A great triumph in pioneering the realm's first major timber industries, and a great downfall because... well... trees would soon be falling down all over the place 
! At first, the people of Oakfall started cutting down the trees in the immediate vicinity of their little village...
...however, the hills to the north of Oakfall proved to be a bit steep and dangerous. Still, lumber camps formed up in the hills, north of Oakfall. It was becoming a bustling place, and endless convoys of wagons from Oxtrain Village would haul the lumber out, whilst bringing in new workers from Port Novel. The lumber was in quick demand as the shipmakers along the coast were eager to build new, more advanced vessels for exploration and fishing. New villages were also sprouting up all over the realm, with lumber being the primary structural resource. While demand was high, a major logistical issue arose: Oxtrain Pass was proving to be a dangerous route to export lumber, and there was a noticeable increase in injuries to sim and oxen (don't worry all the oxen survived 
)!
As such, some workers looked to solve this issue by exploring to the Southeast. Their goal was to locate ideal locations for new lumber camps, as well as the means to create a new path to the south, giving the timber co.'s another means to export their lumber. Hopefully, a route that proved safer than Oxtrain Pass...
...and this is when things got a little weird. To the southeast, the workers found a small lake and south-flowing river that had apparently manifest out of thin air. This was certainly not here a generation ago, hell it wasn't even here a few weeks ago. What was going on here 
? These Oakfall workers had heard word of the mysterious growing mountains near Graincove, and - though they've never traveled through the forest to the south, they knew Graincove wasn't that far to the south. Maybe this new river was somehow related. It's likely the river flowed down to Graincove in fact...
At any rate, this would be literally a perfect spot for a lumber camp, and a perfect new way to export the lumber to the south. Time to get to work...
Hiddenbeck founded:
^Because of their strange manifesting nature, the lake and river were quickly known by the locals as the Unseen Lake and the Unseen River.
^Hiddenbeck was built up as a lumber town from the moment it was conceived, with major lumber camps sprouting up to the west and south.
^Most felled timber from the Oakfall lumber camps and the Hiddenbeck lumber camps found itself funneled down to the Hiddenbeck Timber Co. where it was cut and processed. Afterwards, the timber would find itself loaded onto boats for shipping south. Sometimes workers would toss the raw timber directly into the Unseen River so it could float naturally down towards Graincove... "they'll find something to do with it I'm sure 
," most workers thought.
^The quaint Hiddenbeck Port was a busy place overnight, and always smelled of freshly cut trees.
^Western lumber camps, where workers worked quick as can be, but their camp was always a mess.
^Southern lumber camps, where workers were slower but claimed their cuts were better than the Western lumber camps.
Meanwhile, with all the timber floating south from Hiddenbeck, the people of Graincove had to do something...
Timbercove founded:
^Directly to the east of Graincove, the Unseen River formed into a small delta-like feature, as it emptied into the larger unnamed bay north of Godhaven Island. This served as an ideal location for Timbercove, a southern village where most of the timber from Hiddenbeck flowed through, either via ship or by raw logs drifting in the river.
^Before any of the farming families from Graincove could get any ideas, some of the timbermen from Hiddenbeck built up the Hiddenbeck Timber Co. South, becoming the south branch of the same company from the north.
^Hiddenbeck Timber Co. South from a northern view. A bridge was not constructed across the Unseen River yet (Most settlers wanted to ensure the river would - you know - actually stay there and continue to exist), though an ideal location for a future bridge was scouted.
^Timbercove's port became just as busy as Hiddenbeck's, in fact more busy since this would serve as a greater hub to export lumber to all of the realm via ship.
With all of the commotion to the east of Graincove, let's not forget to check in to the west of the farming village. If you recall, the sim settlers there were previously tasked with building a bridge, to span the river, allowing a prosperous pathway from Graincove to the Prospect Path, running all the way to Tidehook.
^ Unfortunately, the bridge has been slow going. For starters, this will be the biggest structural span the sims have tried building since their mysterious awakening in this realm. Secondly, most the sims can't decide what to even name this river... Slyside River (after the lake to the north), Prospect River (after the merchant path to the west), Shoresteppe River (after the small village on the west side), or the Lazy River (due to how slow-going progress has been, and a slight nod to the carefree residents of Slyside Lake town to the north). Thirdly, to span something this large, bridge-builders quickly realized they needed more than just timber from Hiddenbeck, they needed rock. If only there were some nearby rocks that mysteriously grew out of the ground...
Pitstop founded:
^ Overcoming their nervousness, nearby bridge-makers ventured towards the mountains that mysteriously grew from the ground, and they realized the entire area was abundant with granite slabs that would make for ideal bridge foundations. The sims didn't quite know how this rock was known as granite, but almost as if a voice spoke inside their heads, they suddenly knew it was known as such. And they knew granite would be ideal for bridge construction. And so they founded a quarry at this very location.
^ Pitstop was the name this dainty little quarry town was given, for a few reasons: 1.) Quarry workers needed a place to grab a drink and relax after processing granite slabs, and it was thought once the bridge connected to the Prospect Path, many many merchants would stop here for a quick respite, and reason 2.) this place was quite literally a pit in the ground . Regardless, the sims knew this would have their bridge complete in no time, and maybe even help employ them for future bridge constructions all across the realm...
^A closer look at what became known as the Bridgemaker Quarry
^ Bridgemaker Quarry from another angle
As we already discovered earlier, pride can manifest itself in several different ways, leading to different outcomes as well. In the case of the sealords from Tidehook, pride (and let's be honest, a good deal of jealousy over the accomplishments of their Godhaven descendants) lead them to demonstrating their superiority not once or twice, but thrice.
First, it was decided they would send a state-of-the-art exploratory vessel inland, to discover a new port to settle -- one that would rival that of Port Ravenloch or Talonway Bay. Thus, a ship - coincidentally known as the Sea's Pride - ventured inland to make a discovery that would rock the world... or well, whatever this realm was called within the world. If this was a world. While sailing inland, the sailors spotted what appeared to be ancient ruins along the shoreline, on both sides of a wide river:
^ Sailors had surprisingly sailed this path many years before, but perhaps they passed here under a pitch black night, for they had never seen these ruins prior.
^ The ruins clearly appears to be a sort of ancient bridge.
^ Closeup, of the ancient ruins, where sailors also noted the abundance of wildlife, wild horses and deer seemed to roam the woods undisturbed.
Secondly, it was decided that Tidehook would expand its own port to rival the Godhaven ports as much as possible, just in case no ports inland proved themselves exceptional (this decision was made prior to the ruins being discovered of course). With Tidehook being the largest port on the mainland, and serving as a central shipping center for the entire realm, this second goal seemingly happened naturally. Over short time, the Tidehook port became by far the most impressive and unchallenged port in all the realm:
^ With its expansion, Tidehook became the largest town on the mainland, with a populous of approximately 1100 families. This surpassed that of all of Godhaven, which had approximately 975 families. In addition to the port expansion, the city itself developed into a tiered arrangement of homes and businesses. Needless to say, Tidehook was pleased with their accomplishments, and they would tout victory over the denizens of Godhaven for years to come...
^The Tidehook Port took on a life of its own, goods coming and going in a clockwork rhythm, as if Tidehook was now the heart of the realm, pumping life into all the other ports. If Tidehook had their way, perhaps they would name this entire region Tidehook Vale, or something similar...
^ With the port bustlin', so too did the commerce of Tidehook. Inns, Grocers, Saloons, Banks, Mercantile Stores, Clothing, Butchers, etcetera... you name the business, Tidehook either had it, or was on the brink of having it.
^ A lighthouse - The Wavecrest Point - was erected as a beacon for all would-be ships at sea. The lighthouse attendant was granted the honor of living in a nearby house of unrivaled beauty.
Thirdly, as if the other accomplishments weren't enough, Tidehook wanted to put a cherry on top of their cake. That cherry was the decision to finally claim and develop the small island at the mouth of the bay, leading inland towards the Godhaven Island. Here, whatever they build on this island would hopefully be a reminder to all passing sims that the sea and the land belonged to Tidehook, not Godhaven. And thus...
Tidehaven Island founded:
^ Tidehaven Island, named as a subtle and yet not-so-subtle mockery to Godhaven Island, as seen from Tidehook to the North.
^ Tidehaven also took on a nickname of sorts, the Sleepless Sands. This was due to the rather monumental lighthouse placed towards the summit of the island. When light emanated from this lighthouse, it constantly would cast light on the homes all across the island, making sleep rather restless on Tidehaven. Officially the lighthouse was named the Tidehaven Beacon, but more commonly it was called Sleepless Point. While commerce was not as buzzing as Tidehook, it was still amicable, with local taverns known to throw all-night parties. I wonder why they were all-night parties... 
^ Sleepless Sands from the South.
^ Tidehaven Island viewed from the East, during the sleepless hours of the night.
Many generations have passed but still the sims aren't much closer to any answers of their origins, or their future, since the first days they awakened in this realm. They still do not know what this realm is called, though occasionally some claim to glimpse the region's name in their mind's eye. The sims know not what they are; people, or sims, or both? For now, they know they are settlers. They know not if this is a dream, or a world, nor the shape, though something tells them it's flat 
. They know not if they are alone, or if there are others like them. They always wonder if their scouts sent to the north will return, but it's been many generations since they've left at this point, so if any were to return, it would be the scouts descendants, unless some other magic of this world may preserve them. Still, they watch - religiously - from Northwatch Tower. The settlers know not what their purpose is, but they know whatever they set their minds to, the world seems to provide. Their... Simgod... their Creator... seems to provide. Or at least some of the settlers believe. Others, are not so sure. Two general mindsets started becoming commonplace and distinct groups were formed; while all settlers had their own thoughts, they mostly adhered to one of these two groups.
Truthseekers Founded:
The Truthseekers believe there is a Creator of some kind, whom some call the Simgod. Many Truthseekers disagree as to whether this Simgod is a loving god, malevolent, or indifferent, but they believe the Creator is out there, watching. Perhaps even controlling, manipulating the way of the world. Truthseekers goals are to pursue the spiritual nature of things, to discover the mysteries of this realm, and uncover the truths of their own origins, the nature of the Creator and the world, and the purpose and fate of things to come. Truthseekers deeply long for the return of the scouts from the North, hoping for answers to the beyond. They care less of the technological advancement of the settlers, unless this advancement would help lead to truth.
Knowers Founded:
The Knowers focus on the facts that they know, with most believing that there is no Simgod. Others may believe there could be a Simgod, or there is an indifferent Simgod, but either way... they believe the focus should be on what is known. The Knowers goals are to simply live, and to prosper. They wish to learn and expand their own knowledge of the world they live in, via technological advancements. They are happiest when uncovering new resources, and putting those resources to good use building up the communities around them. Knowers also long for the return of the scouts from the North, but they hope the scouts will bring knowledge that will advance and improve the way of life of all settlers. Knowers care less of spiritual matters, and while they acknowledge there are mysterious occurrences in this world (such as mountains and rivers that spontaneously manifest), they believe there is a logical reason for these occurrences.
And so the suns and moons passed and more of the truth of the realm was now known:
A closer look to the North (sorry for lower quality, I may upload a better version in time):
A closer look to the South (sorry for lower quality, I may upload a better version in time):
The realm has clearly been a very interesting place lately, with some major developments! The settlers are putting their minds towards some of their next actions, but as usual they seem a bit indecisive. Let's help them decide on a course of action for some items, some trivial, some perhaps important...
- What should the bridgemaker's near Graincove finally decide to name the river flowing down from Slyside Lake?
- Considering the mindblowing discovery of ancient ruins from the inland Tidehook sailors, what should their next course of action be?
- How do the denizens of Godhaven Island feel about the recent accomplishments of Tidehook?
- What should be the next course of action for the Truthseekers?
- What should be the next course of action for the Knowers?
*(I'll always do my best to honor the votes, but please note if voting is slow I may get impatient and move forward with my own choices)
Updates of Uncovering Junon Vale
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Hiddenbeck is founded! ~ "How much wood would a sim chuck good if a sim could chuck wood good?"
- Unseen Lake and Unseen River named, from the mysteriously manifesting bodies of water to the south of Oakfall.
- Timbercove is founded! ~ Like a cove of grain, but of timber instead...
- Hiddenbeck Timber Co. and Hiddenbeck Timber Co. South branches founded!
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Pitstop is founded! ~ "Stop in and have a nice refreshing drink of... granite dust beer?
Don't worry you'll be too drunk to taste it!"
- Bridgemaker Quarry founded!
- Ancient Bridge Ruins discovered by the Tidehook sailors, venturing inland on the Sea's Pride vessel!
- Tidehook vastly expanded, becoming the largest town in all the realm.
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Tidehaven Island, aka Sleepless Sands is founded! ~ "That'll teach those Godhaven snoots.
![:]](https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/default_16.gif ":]")
"
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Truthseekers founded! ~ "We knowww there is a Simgod, and we talk to her every day! Wait, our Simgod is a her right... "
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Knowers founded! ~ "We knowww there is no such thing as a Simgod. What we don't know is why the Truthseekers are so silly enough to believe... "
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