Out Of Words
GM of If December Freezes
IF DECEMBER FREEZES
Noteworthy Locations
Local Cafe
NAME: The Loving Spoon
LOCATION: Faces the docks, closest to the two main piers and nestled between a craft supply store on the left, and a grocery store on the right.
DESCRIPTION: The front of the cafe has cobblestone steps leading to the front glass door with a push/pull silver vertical handle. The flooring consists of light wooden planks, faded in areas of frequent foot traffic. Tables are small, fitting up to four place settings, but can be easily moved together to accommodate larger groups. Each table has a deep blue fabric tablecloth, and anywhere from two to four white, mid-back dining chairs.
The recessed lighting can be dimmed for the sunny days, or a bit of extra quiet ambiance. The walls are half stone, from the original foundation, with the top half painted in various murals from local artists. There is a display case next to the register, shelves filled with various baked goods from muffins to cupcakes and more. There isn't a menu displayed on the walls, but a small wooden box holds folded hand written menus customers can even take with them.
The menu consists of a handful of standard items for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, all priced very reasonably for the amount of food given. Most of the items are prepared by Matilda Walker, most regulars call her Tilly. A handful of other locals help out based on the size of the crowd on any given day. It's a pleasant place, never too loud, never too quiet. Many residents sit next to the windows and watch the tides carry the ships to and from the harbor.
The Docks
NAME: Docks, Waterfront, Piers, The D
LOCATION: On the northern side of Marasong Harbor.
DESCRIPTION: There are several piers and a long stretch of dock made of dark wooden planks. When a ship or boat docks, the wood feels as if it moves slightly to absorb the shock of the small collision between boat and pier when the waves are unruly. There are enough piers to accommodate up to four ships, but they rarely have more than one at the same time. They make their livelihood by trading ships, but average about three a week, sometimes more if there are smaller vessels in the area needing to stock up, or trade goods.
Just on the other end of the stretch of planks, lay a row of shops meant to catch the eye. Some of them switch out their goods based on the expected shipments that week, but you can find almost anything, given enough determination. The cafe is a popular local watering hole, as is the small artists' gallery. There are benches and chairs set up all along the dock as most residents enjoy watching the ships come and go.
Gallery
NAME: Colors in the Rain
LOCATION: Located on the docks, with a store selling rocks and shells to the left, and the imported goods store to the right.
DESCRIPTION: All the shops are similar on the outside, with cobblestone steps leading to the front glass door with a push/pull silver vertical handle. Light colored wooden planks make up the floor, and there is recessed lighting in the ceiling with dimming capabilities. The one wall facing the docks have large windows to allow more natural light, and tease at the art, beckoning others to enter.
Once inside, it's clear the small store makes the most out of the room it has, and hosts a surprising number of art pieces. There are paintings hanging along the other three walls, and some dividers strategically placed throughout. There are sculptures on shelves and in the front window, and some low padded benches allow visitors to sit and interpret or just enjoy the art displayed. Nearly each piece has a small placard listing the artist, and a purchase price.
Town Hall
NAME: Harbor Center, Hi-C
LOCATION: Just a little inland from the docks, the town hall is the only building in a cul-de-sac off to the side.
DESCRIPTION: The town hall is the oldest building in the harbor, comprised of stone dated back to the medieval era. The wood sections have been updated as needed, and the mortar replaced to keep the stones held fast, but overall, the building is reported to be the same style as when it was first built.
The building was two stories high, with a bell tower at the very front towering about three and a half stories tall. Double hand carved wooden doors rested above four small cobblestone steps. Just standing before the front doors gave most folks a sense of calm. Once inside, a few more modern aspects could be seen.
The wooden flooring had to be replaced, and now was made up of polished stones with a square spiral design etched into each one. It was designed to be a meeting hall, with a small raised dais at the far end, along with a handful of chairs and a wooden podium. The rest of the floor space held benches and individual chairs, with a seating capacity of around seventy five, but standing room for twice the amount.
A closed door to the left of the speaking stage led to a small number of offices and other rooms used for general storage of paperwork and the like. One wall along the right of the main room had cubbyholes which served as a postal office for the residents. A lost and found bin was to the right of that, usually always half filled with lost items found by others and turned in.
The Cove
NAME: Cove, Glow Cove, No Man's Home, Big-G
LOCATION: About a mile along the shoreline from the docs, tucked away in a small inlet.
DESCRIPTION: A rock arch formation signals the entrance to the cove. It's a dangerous place to enter, and most usually remain on the land to either side. The tides are unpredictable, and stronger than a riptide. Yet, there's usually a few visitors here each week to see the unparalleled beauty of the water.
The deeper one ventures into this natural formed cavern, the more strikingly beautiful the water becomes. A bio-luminescent algae thrives along the rock walls, just below the water's surface, casting peaceful, yet eerie blue light. The light reflects off the walls as the tide coats the stone on a regular basis. It's this almost ethereal beauty that has cost more than a few curious adventurers their lives.
There is a warning sign posted on the shore, but there are always a few each month who thought the risk was worth it. Some are found washed up somewhere along the coast, others are never seen again. At night, when the glow is the most vibrant, it can be easily glimpsed from land, and there are monthly camp out events to observe the phenomenon, usually during a full moon. Pictures and paintings of the cove usually sell very well at the docks.
The Farm
NAME: The Greens, Greenway, The Way
LOCATION: Opposite the town hall.
DESCRIPTION: On the other side of the cul-de-sac where the Town Hall stands, is a large section of fields dedicated to farming. Aside from the trading routes, Marasong Harbor uses their produce to supply the bulk of the town's food supply, and the excess is sold on the docks.
Everyone in town has likely worked on the farms at one point or another. It is a community run project, taking volunteers and paid workers alike. Age doesn't matter, even the young children can benefit from working the land with their own two hands.
The plots are often cycled each year, rotating which sections are not tilled to give the ground a chance to recover. The type of produce varies, but there is usually enough variety to whet everyone's appetite. No matter the season, there is always something the land will grow.
Local Inn
NAME: Marasong Inn
LOCATION: Located on the docks, at the Eastern end.
DESCRIPTION: A modest building, recently updated with a slightly more modern front to draw the eye, but retaining the quaintness of the town. It is a stone two story home, with a three story lighthouse at the end closest to the water. The lighthouse is still utilized in stormy weather, when the lights of the docks would not be strong enough to illuminate the shoreline for shipping vessels.
The Inn is managed by Seraphim O'Connor. It has been passed down through the generations and owned by the O'Connor family longer than any records show. There are twenty rooms total, fifteen roomy enough for a queen sized bed or two doubles, and five smaller rooms accommodate a single twin bed. There are small bathrooms connected between every two rooms, with a shower tub combo, toilet, and sink. The rooms on the Northeastern corner have the best views and are usually reserved constantly through the tourist season.
There is a small gathering room on the first floor, where drinks and small snacks are provided. However, all meals are either delivered by, or eaten at, the Loving Spoon. All guests will have two meal vouchers per day, and an assortment of other discounts for the different shops along the docks. The Inn has consistent four and five star reviews online and is likely one of the most profitable businesses aside from the general trading.
Local Bar
NAME: The Careless Shark Pub
LOCATION: On the western end of the docks.
DESCRIPTION: The pub was a popular watering hole for locals and sailing crews alike, until it suffered a fire recently. It started from the inside, gutting the place and causing minor exterior damage. It is currently being renovated and rebuilt, using a mismatch of donated furniture and decorations. The locals don't care about how it looks on the inside, they just want the place open again.
It is owned and run by Kai Tangaroa, who is said to make the best drinks in all of New Zealand. Even if he doesn't, after a couple of his mixed drink concotions, no one really cares.
IF DECEMBER FREEZES
A story by Out Of Words
A story by Out Of Words
Season One: A Night Bleeds
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