Intro
This is the 38th story in the Smallville Series and tells of a small farming community, a port town protected by a fort, and later the development of the resort town of Hot Springs. The story begins approximately year 60 SVT. North Port's only connection to Smallville is the traveling river boatmen. In fact, there are rivers and streams going in all directions to and from North Port connecting it in some way to every town on the map. North Port's location is in a small plain in the mountains at the top of the World Map, in the center but much farther north than it appears on that map.
The Map is #496552180 Plains, Small, Fair, Disasters Off, Wildlife Start - M5 Elk, Geese, Bear
Mods enabled and load order:
Starting and Map Changing Mods: Call of Nature Soundtrack, Banished UI Maps, Banished UI Town Names, Labor Window, RK Minimized Status, CC light Rain, Landscape Nordic, New Flora Edit, Plain (Jose Rios), Wildlife Starts
Tweak Mods: Better Fields, Bigger Wheelbarrows, Fishing Dock 25%, Hunting, Increased CC, 1:1 Alternative, Rock Respawn
Major or Must Have Mods: An Empty Square, Fenceless Pasture, Nomad Sign Complete, Kid Forest Outpost, Kid GrowHuntFish, Kid Old Town, Kid Stone House Addon, Kid Wooden Fort v1.1 (testing), Storage Crates v1
Supporting Mods: Campfire, EB Village Resort Deco, Fly Fishing, Jinxie Bitty Housing, Kid Animal Shed Cheese, Kid Forest Ponds, Kid House Boat, Kid Market Food, Kid Mist, Kid Old Fence, Kid Pizza Hat, Kid Some Boats, Kid Washing Mod, Kid Yard Cover, Water & Other Decorations.
So, weary traveler, welcome to North Port Fort and Hot Springs Resort. I know you are curious about how these two towns came about so I will tell you all about them from the very beginning.
Chapter 1
As you may have noticed, weary traveler, this area is rather unique because it has a main river that runs from the mountains in the northeast to the west and then south. It branches off and flows into a smaller river that flows down from the northwest and North Pole area slowing the flow enough that the small river is easily navigable in both directions. A smaller faster river flows into the main river from the highlands in the south. The result is the main river from that junction point east has an under current that allows river boats to travel both east and west. South of that section of the main river are 2 tiny lakes heated by underground hot springs, it is that underground heat source and our warmer waters that keep the world's rivers from freezing over in winter. From this junction at the top of the world river boats can travel to and from any direction, north, south, east, and west at any time of year, winter, spring, summer, and fall.
For generations there was just a small settlement of families at this northern river junction. They survived in this cold northern climate by gathering wild foods, by fishing, and by doing a little farming. They raised their families and a few mountain goats and sheep. They hunted when the elk and geese migrated. They gathered branches for firewood. They built log cabins, a school, and a small workshop for making simple coats and tools. They raised their children here, but like the elk and geese, most of them moved on to warmer climates. Some of us stayed and carried on as our parents and their parents before them did. Their needs and ours were simple, river boatmen were few and far between. But things don't always stay the same, they change.
It was the weather that began to change first, becoming colder even in late autumn with early snowfalls. Crops did not get harvested and it was more difficult to collect wild foods and firewood. I remember often being cold and hungry as a child. There were not enough workers for the jobs that needed to be done. Older children and other families from surrounding areas began to migrate south. I remember that one family argued so much about whether to stay or to go that they would not even live together in the same house. There was a problem and a lot of talk when the teacher's daughter did not attend the new school. Why then did they need a teacher? Some said you did not need an education to catch fish and raise potatoes. I wanted to go to that school when I was old enough.
You are rewriting the geography of the world!
Ooops! Banished world - my fault! :-[
:) I could not have found a better map for this story if I tried. The river and small streams flow in the directs I describe. :)
Chapter 2
When early spring finally arrived so did a new problem, bears. The colder weather and heavier snowfalls had made food scarce for them too. They were spotted in the forest east of our settlement and along the riverbank to the south. The bear were now much closer to the settlement than they had ever been. Their presence kept the geese and elk away. Gathering wild foods and branches was now a dangerous undertaking. We had no grain because they ate whatever wild oats they could find. We did however gain a bit of bear meat and some furs.
I remember one spring the beans did not all get planted because the bears were in the farm fields. The old fences got broken and would have to be repaired again. The adults tried to continue working without provoking the bears, but they feared for the safety of us children and for the mountain sheep and goats they had in the animal sheds.
That year the presence of the bears at planting time followed by an early frost and snowfall resulted in the loss of both beans and potatoes. The potato harvest however was better than the year before and I remember how good those potatoes tasted sliced and fried in bear fat over the open fire.
Those bears are something, alright- large and scary! That's great that you found a broken fence to use in your picture of the bears crossing the crop field after going through the fence! :)
Quote from: galensgranny on March 02, 2019, 11:00:48 AM
....That's great that you found a broken fence to use in your picture of the bears crossing the crop field after going through the fence! :)
I like that picture, too! :)
:) I really like those bears :) The fence is Kid Old Fence, I use it quite often, I think it is my favorite fence in the game.
:D
Chapter 3
Another bad winter brought more bears down from the surrounding mountains. A pack of bears began crossing the river just as a riverboat came into view. The boatman spotted them and threw some merchandise overboard in an attempt to out run the bears but he did not succeed. He was mauled and knocked from the boat. Townsmen managed to rescue him while the bears were occupied with the boat and its contents. The water was warm enough not to freeze but it was still icy cold. The boatman and several others suffered from exposure. It was months before the boatman's wounds healed enough for him to be on his way. Before he left he did tell us that we were not the only ones suffering from the effects of the worsening weather conditions. Although many have migrated there were more settlements in the north now then there had been. Many were in need of resources and necessities. We would need a trading post to protect men and merchandise from the climate and the critters if we wanted to trade. More river boatmen would come our way.
Much to the grownups' dismay the bears lingered in our valley. The bears were becoming more of a nuisance and prevented work from getting done. They were attracted to the wild honey in the hives the bees built in tree stumps after the trees had been cut down for logs. My father was the forester, and he could no longer work safely in the area until the bears moved on. The hunter only harvested a small amount of venison because the elk herd was frightened off by the bears. The geese too were frightened off and there was a real panic when the bears followed the geese into town one day. The elders wondered for how much longer the goats and sheep would remain unharmed.
Despite the problems that year, there was an abundance of wild oats to be gathered pus onions and roots. The bean and potato harvests were good. There was some goose and venison, plus fish from the forest pond, trout from the river, and goat cheese too. No one went hungry that winter.
oops :) forgot pictures
Eeps! All those bears around the boat! :o
Chapter 4
The following year another river boatman barely escaped the pack of bears by the river bend. My mother, Verdelila, was fishing for trout at the time and saw the whole thing. I remember she said she was scared because the bears started to come her way but crossed to the other side of the river instead. The boatman made it safely to shore but was exhausted from similar bear encounters. He'd thrown most of his merchandise overboard in order to get away. He said it was as bad here with the bears as it was down south with the pirates near Riverboat Junction. (Wow, pirates!) He told us children some stories about pirates while he stayed for a few days to rest. I heard him telling the grownups that several river boatman had been reported missing, they never returned to Riverboat Junction. Some of them of course could have fallen victim to the giant mother frog attacks that occurred recently in Summerset Swamp. (Wow, giant frogs!)
Before the river boatman left, the adults decided they would build a trading post. They chose the location carefully. Riverboats coming from both the north and the south would have a convenient place to dock. Hopefully we could supply some of the merchandise they'd lost, and others in the surrounding area would not have to do without. Most of them relied on the traders for items they could not make themselves, and many of them now needed food.
Luckily as the river boatman was leaving another was approaching from the other direction. The two boats were enough of a distraction to keep the bears on shore and both boats made it safely past. The second boatman said he was not leaving until the bears moved farther away. The trading post was completed before he and the bears left the area.
These bears are a serious problem!
Is that riverboat from a mod in testing? It needs two people, one to row, and one to shoot the bears.
:) I really like those bears :) Just like in RKEC and TS The North I spend too much time watching the animals instead of taking care of bannie business. ;D
The riverboat is deco boat from Old Town mod, I am trying to think where it is located on toolbar - under Old Town submenu of Town Services I think. F-Key with or without boatman.
Chapter 5
The harvest that year was not bad even though some of the potatoes were lost again to an early snowfall. The farmers were eager to get an early start planting the following spring and were happy to see the bears walking right on by. Later that year, the adults were happy to see an elk herd nearby, they needed hides badly for coats. There was a nice supply of wool but the workshop was not equipped for using the wool and there was not a spare worker for a new tailor shop. In spring of year 6 the settlements population was 27, 11 adults, 4 students, and 12 children. I was happy because I would soon be starting school.
I was even happier that spring of year 6 when a big houseboat arrived with 20 people who wanted to stay. There were 16 adults and 4 children. Some of the adults were not much older than me but there were 2 girls my age, Billary and Diamona. There were already other children here that were my age but they were boys. The houseboat people came from Riverboat Junction, sent here to help in any way they could to protect the river boatmen and their cargo.
They set to work right away helping with fishing, hunting, and gathering wild foods and firewood so their arrival wouldn't cause shortages. They decided they would settle and protect the area near the trading post, some of them would stay on the houseboat until they had built enough itty bitty houses for everyone. They had only just begun building the houses when the river boatman, Belina, arrived. He had leather and wild oats to trade. A group of bears on the other side of the river had been following him, most were scared off but one crossed over to this side before being scared and running off. He ran right into my new friend, Diamona, who was playing by the road.
:) Suddenly the game has got a bear-infestation!
They sure look awesome!
I take a lot of screenshots of the bears ;D I best empty my recycling bin soon. ;D
You and
@galensgranny must settle in a part of the world with friendly bears, like in my bear story, if you looked at it. The bear was more a pet and everyone's darling! ;)
@Nilla ;D ya, it is getting a bit crowded in this part of the world. I saw bears in your story :) Love the bears but in bannie world pet bears should be on dinner plate ;D
Chapter 6
As it turned out, the bear was more scared then my friend, Diamona. She made it safely back home to one of the new bitty house. My other new friend, Billary, lived in the one that was built across from the headquarters. The people from the houseboat said if they were going to help they had to know all about the people here and the production and supplies. They would keep records in the headquarters building. We would have free access to all the information and a say in everything that was done, they were here to join us not to take over.
After studying the records they had compiled they suggested we prepare another crop field, we could grow more potatoes until the trader brought grain seeds. We should build a tailor shop where the wool could be used for wool or warm coats. We could trade for more leather if we needed to. The trading post and river boatmen needed protection and so did the townspeople. The adults were undecided about wanting a high wall built around their houses but agreed a place of protection nearby to go to if need be would be a good thing. Building a fort by the trading post began.
Fort walls began going up on the north and on the river side and a storage unit was built into the wall on the west side by the road to the farms. They called it a depot. A fort tool maker for basic iron and steel tools was built into the wall near the stockpile. Surplus tools could quickly be transferred to the trading post. A few more houses were needed inside the walls, some of their people were still living on the houseboat.
The houseboats are so neat though, I could understand if they didn't want to move out haha =)
:)
Chapter 7
Work on the fort continued over the winter months but it was slow going because of the snow and cold. The builders were hoping to have the other walls completed before the bears began to move in early spring, but a guard tower was built first. Elnorah, the hunter, said it was cold and windy up on the tower but she had a clear view of the riverbank and the whole area across the river. A butcher block was set up along the wall below the guard tower. We would have bear steaks or sausages. The bear furs would be made into warm coats by the fort coat maker set up further along the wall.
When the general goods merchant came to port he said that so far this year he'd only seen a few bears upriver. He would try to bring us wild oats and leather when he returned. Bears were spotted west of the fort by laborers who were gathering branches and wild foods. They hurried back to the safety of the fort. A guard tower was built along the west wall not far from the gate. More trees would be cut so the hunter would have a better view and better aim at imposing danger on that side of the fort. By early autumn of year 7 North Port Fort was completed.
The crop harvest was good despite the autumn frost. Our food supply was very good, thanks in part to the hunter and guard towers. They reduced the size of the bear packs and stopped a charging group of wild boars that came unexpectedly out of the hills in the southwest. We had a nice supply of meat, leather, and furs before winter really set in again.
Chapter 8
The bears were back and on the move again in early spring and a herd of elk was sighted across the river. We had no venison and the leather had all been used for warm coats. I had a new coat for going to school. If the elk would not come to us because of the bears, we would go to them. A bridge was built across the river near the trading post. There was a lot of trees, stone, and iron on that side of the river and a big mountain.
In late spring 10 migrants arrived on foot at the port. They'd had enough of the cold and snow and the bears. It was all they could do to feed themselves and their children, they could not also cut trees and gather stone and iron or make tools or clothes. It was all too much for them. They planned to go farther south but decided to say with us. When Belina, the riverboat merchant, returned with our leather and wild oats in early summer, he confirmed that that was the case with many families in this area now. If we could help supply those items it would be a great help to many people. He was in a hurry to leave when the bears appeared too close to the port. He would spread the word we were in the market for grain seeds and suggested we build a trading post suitable for storing the seeds when they came. We built a seed trader and more houses inside the fort, and another log cabin by the crop fields.
That winter 2 barges came down the small river looking for logs and wild foods. We had laborers on that side of the river who were willing to help, we built 2 small piers for the barges. We had extra laborers until it would be time to plant the crops. They brought the materials needed to build a tunnel through the mountain. We wanted to see what was on the other side.
It is good you made the fort. There are so many bears around!
:) yes, a lot of bears. I chose the start condition with the bears not only to test that start condition but to have bears on the map with the Wooden Fort update. The new guard tower is not a regular hunter but produces meat from bear & boar plus fur & leather whether the animals are on the map or not.
Chapter 9
When the tunnel was finished 2 of the men did some scouting and returned to say they discovered 2 small lakes shrouded in mist caused by the warm water in those lakes. The area around those lakes seemed to be much warmer too. Shortly after the scouts returned, Gardo the seed merchant arrived. He said he would try to find wheat seeds to bring along on his next trip. He told us that the 2 lakes across the river were hot springs and an underground heat source is what kept those lakes warm and kept the rivers here in the north from freezing. Maybe the wood elves would know what was causing the heat underground, they knew a lot of stuff about the earth and the animals. He also said that in the winter river boatmen and hunting parties were known to camp around those 2 small lakes, there were more elk than bears over there. He'd try to get us those seeds.
In early spring of year 9, we saw several herds of elks across the river and set up a hunting tower not far from the tunnel, and not far from that hunting tower we built a forester station. Extra logs would go to the log barge. On this side of the river a lone baby elk was spotted close to the fort wall. I looked for its parents but did not see them anywhere, I didn't think they just went away and left it here. The tower guard said the parents were probably killed by bears, he would make sure none came close to the baby. I wanted to bring it inside the fort to keep it safe but my parents wouldn't let me. It stayed near the fort though, going back and forth along the wall for some time.
By early summer we were low on firewood, no branches had been gathered for awhile. A one-man forester was set up west of the fort within sight and range of the guard tower, and a wood cutter began chopping firewood by the stock pile inside the fort walls. Along the west wall a brewers barrel was set up and as soon as there were enough berries ale could be made. There might be ale sooner than we thought because Gardo returned to port with our wheat seeds. Next spring 2 of the crop fields would grow wheat.
Chapter 10
Once the harvest of year 9 was complete we had more help to gather branches and wild foods before the snow got too deep. More time was spend across the river, exploring the area and gathering resources. A road was built through the tunnel and out on the other side between the 2 small lakes. Nothing more could be done until spring.
Two children missed starting school before a second school was built. Several children living inside the fort would reach school age soon so a spot near the west wall was chosen for the new school. We needed more housing, we had 30 families but only 22 homes. Two log cabins were built across the river. The hunter and foresters said they worked outside the fort walls, they may as well live outside them. Some of the laborers and builders agreed, saying they rather live closer to where they worked, so construction of stone houses across the river near the hot springs began.
In late spring a houseboat with 18 migrants arrived at our port. The boat owners picked up several other families along the way who were also heading south. The boat was overcrowded and they were totally out of supplies. They would gladly remain here with us and help in anyway they could. They would settle across the river near the springs, the settlement would be called Hot Springs. By autumn a market and more stone houses were built not far from the tunnel. A gatherer's workstation was set up in one of the backyards. The population of the original farm settlement, North Port Fort, and Hot Springs combined was 91 in autumn of year 10.
Chapter 11
In spring of year 11 the baby elk returned, she was all grown up and had a baby of her own. She and her baby stayed near the fort wall like she herself had done. Belina the boatman also returned in spring, he had sweet potatoes that were a real treat. When he returned later in the year he brought sweet potato seeds. A trade was made not knowing how well they would grow here in the cold north. The 2 barges with logs and supplies left that spring, they were grateful for the help and were sure their small settlements would now survive.
Building continued in Hot Springs. More houses were built around one of the small lakes and a hostel by the other. A market food stall began baking potatoes which were very popular. A Hot Springs Town Hall was built nearby, and like the Fort Headquarters, it too would keep record totals for all 3 settlements. We still needed more housing.
Word spread among the boatmen that North Port not only was a good place to make the turnaround on their routes but that Hot Springs provide a short respite from the cold and a hot meal, both were very welcome especially for boatmen coming from and going to the northwest. A Market BBQ was being built by the springs, it would serve fish and chips. A fishing pier was built in a prime spot where the main river turned south, we did not want to run out of fish. The BBQ grill was completed by the end of the year.
Nice! :) :)
One thing comes to mind. Is it disturbing to have several textures on the same f-key?
I mean - to step through them to find the right one?
No, not really a problem, they are different enough to tell apart and I have used mod several times before, so I am familiar with it. Stone House addon is one of my favorites :)
The usability experience for F key variations is great until you come across something that you would like to place down lots of in the same texture... Like fences.
My first group of fences had f key variations for each design but I quickly realized you didn't want to have to select the right color for something you were placing down quickly. For buildings, it doesn't seem to affect "the process" negatively at all to have the options under F Keys instead of different toolbar icons.
If anything, from watching my husbrat test things, I've learned that having texture options within the toolbar as sub-options makes the ux less seamless feeling bc he'll forget to select the next level toolbar option and tries to place down nothing XD
:) I also found it to be difficult selecting and placing things with f-key variants in the winter when there is snow on the roofs and other items.
Chapter 12
The mist that rose from the warm waters of the springs created a micro climate in the area. The cold dry air seemed much warmer because of the added humidity. Many days were quite pleasant, and in early summer picnic tables and benches began to appear, the atmosphere was almost festive.
Over by the fort, the elk returned not only with another baby but with the whole family. They were safe from bears and hunters in that location. The bears had greatly reduced the size and numbers of the elk herds, they needed protection for the time being. Since the bear population was now reduced there was more food available for those remaining, and the growing population of our settlements may have contributed to the bears keeping their distance. The goats and the sheep remained safe from harm. One of the laborers died in childbirth and was the first citizen laid to rest in the nearby cemetery.
A cleaning shed was set up there by the goat and sheep sheds. The animal fertilizer would go into the compost bin across the river. Plant debris was being cleaned up from the potato field there. Sweet potatoes were being grown in one of the original potato fields now.
In late winter we were short of firewood. The new houses and the 2 food stand were using more than we had anticipated. Another forester was added to the large forester station and a woodcutter began chopping wood near the tunnel stockpile. Every available laborer was out collecting branches at the end of the year.
Chapter 13
By early spring another crop field was cleared in order to plant more potatoes near the food stall where they would be roasted. A small storage barn and a growhouse for fresh tomatoes was built there too. Our overall health had fallen and some citizens were not as happy as they once were. A small sauna and chapel were built by the forest fishing pond and a small spa and chapel were built over in Hot Springs. More wheat would be planted in one of the original farm fields instead of sweet potatoes next year. The harvest totals of the original fields were good considering our climate but one of the potato fields produced much less than the other. It was thought that either the farmer lived too far from the field or he had been too far away in spring collecting branches and did not plant the potatoes early enough.
Maybe next year would be better with more grain to improve their health and 2 chapels to improve their spirits. If that didn't work maybe ale made from wheat by the Fort Brewer would.
Chapter 14
In late winter of year 13 we had some mild days which allowed us to collect more branches for firewood, and the tailor shop in Hot Springs was completed sooner than expected. The warmer temperatures also had the bears up and on the prowl earlier too. A hunting cabin was built up near the northwest river junction and another was built near the growhouse. A butcher shop would cut bear meat into steaks on this side of the river.
Also in spring of year 14, 4 migrants from the surrounding area arrived in town. The bears had gotten into their storage barn and demolished their supply of food, they just could not contend with the constant struggle to survive. They were more than happy to stay with us.
We paid the price for our early spring in late autumn when the temperature dropped to below zero. We only hoped our supply of firewood would last until the weather warmed. Our food supply was good but again the one potato field did very poorly. We would try growing wheat in that field next year. Maybe more grain would improve our overall health which continued to drop.
Chapter 15
Perhaps it was our overall poor health that made our people susceptible to the outbreak of cholera when it hit in Spring of year 15. A laborer living in North Port Fort was the first to come down with the disease. The small sauna by the forest pond was immediately opened. Had the group of 11 who arrived by houseboat in Hot Springs known about the outbreak they probably would not have stayed. They had an idea for a unique food stall and heard we were building a resort here. They would need flour, tomatoes, peppers, and cheese to prepare the food they had in mind.
By the time the water mill was complete near the wheat field we had 13 cases of cholera. The Hot Springs small spa was also treating patients. A few patients improved but more became ill. Another compost bin was constructed by the wheat field. We were already growing tomatoes so we built another growhouse to grow pepper. By the time it was completed we had 22 cases of cholera. By early summer there were 31 cases and the 1st death followed by 2 others. We soon had 47 reported cases. The completion of the new food stall was somewhat overlooked, the construction of a 2nd small sauna and spa took precedence amidst the tragic losses. By early autumn there had been a total of 57 cases of cholera and over a dozen deaths, more than our small cemetery could hold. A 2nd cemetery was built by Hot Springs' Chapel but luckily it remained empty. In honor of the young children who fell victim to the disease, a school and playground was constructed near that chapel.
Yay! The Pizza Hat! :D That section looks so nice with EB's red striped umbrella tables.
How terrible that there were so many deaths.
;D I think that Pizza Hat is really cool, very festive looking. Very stressful to have serious disease outbreak so close to the end of the story. The towns are doing well despite the outbreak, it could have been worse with so many cases.
Chapter 16
The North Port area survived a lot and had grown a lot, although the original farm community was much the same as it had been 16 years before. The Fort offered safety inside its walls and protection for those outside especially the port workers and river boatmen. A bridge crossed the main river to a small farm area with a tunnel leading to what had become the town of Hot Springs, a resort with a wide variety of foods and housing choices. As you know, weary traveler, North Port Fort and Hot Springs Resort has become know as a place in the north where people can escape from the cold and the snow and the problems of life for a day or a week or even more. I highly recommend the high-rise stone houses with the view of the river and the getaway spots up on the roof.
Enjoy your stay, weary traveler.
The End
Find info on Kid Wooden Fort mod update and download link here:
http://worldofbanished.com/index.php?topic=2522.0
A visit looks very attractive to my old weary bones! Hope to see you there!
:) Wise Nordic Woman is always welcome :)
The resort and town look great! How did you get the deco on top of the third floor of Kid's tower houses?
Thanks
@galensgranny. Each level has a deco top floor, maybe not the first, I would have to check for sure. And each one is different. Also top deco roof piece has an f-key variant so that the brick and stonework match - I didn't notice I had the wrong one on the tallest tower until after I saw the picture. ::)
Sorry, nothing new is being added here. This post is being done to arrange stories back in number order. As you know, many of the stories are connected to the previous story or the following one and thus should follow one after the other. These stories are now being locked. Addition comments may be made on the thread for the featured mod itself, and comments on currant story and featured mods are always welcome. Thank you