Setting Profile #3: Cloviahurst
Meet my logging town!
Hello, friends, and welcome to my third Setting Profile, a monthly feature in which you get to learn more about one of my settings for my middle grade fantasy series.
Each setting profile will consist of three parts:
the mood board — where you get a peek into the setting as photos!
the history book-esque description of the setting — where you get to learn more about the setting through an entertaining textbook!
a writing snippet featuring that setting— where you get to see how I incorporate the setting (and some characters from Project Royalty) into a short scene!
#1: The Mood Board
#2: The Description
Cloviahurst is the main city in the country of Clovia and is named after the country itself (see page 392 for more information on the etymology of the town). The town’s name is also the last name of the ruling royals of Clovia (see page 297 for more information.)
Cloviahurst is home to over 62,000 people and is the largest city in the entire country. The town was formed in 97 SCE when a legion of Fauns and humans revolted from the neighboring country, Sailim, and formed their own community. Despite being one of the most important parts of the uprising and having special privileges in the royal community, Fauns in Cloviahurst are generally looked down upon.
Cloviahurst’s main exports are crystals and lumber. Most of the remaining country is woodland, a good percentage of which is cut down for wood. However, the ruling family has recently put an influx of laws into place which protect the forests and require planting of new trees. The number of casualties due to the combination of logging accidents and Shadow attacks has increased in Clovia in recent years.
Cloviahurst is located in the southern part of Clovia and is mainly surrounded by forest. The royal palace is only 6 miles from the town and is made of the same white calcite that the region is known for.
For more on the royal palace, see page 129.
#3: The Snippet
Aileen’s* sister was leaving for a trip, but first they decided to walk into town before she left.
“Let’s ride our horses,” Gracelyn suggested, and soon they were riding into Cloviahurst.
The town, despite being huge, was quiet for the middle of the afternoon. Huge stone buildings with multiple floors stretched as far as Aileen could see. Large swaths of forest filled in the dead space around the buildings. Aileen could tell that this part of town was very well-to-do.
A small group of people carrying schoolbooks passed them on the road and bowed respectfully. Despite being in the rich part of town, many of them had bandages on their forehead, cheek, or even arm.
“I didn’t realize so many miners and loggers went to school here,” Gracelyn remarked as they passed a large park where many people sat on benches or fished absentmindedly in the crystal blue pond. “I wonder how they got so much money.”
“Haven’t you read the new accord Father passed?” Aileen asked, surprised. Gracelyn shook her head. “Because the job is so dangerous, they get free admission to any school they want for night classes.”
“Night classes? They must be so tired by the time they get home.” Gracelyn surveyed the park with interest. “That pool looks perfect to float in. I’m so tired.”
“But you went to bed early last night!” Their horses trotted past the park and into a part of town where the stone buildings became smaller. A group of kids in one of the front yards kicked a red rubber ball back and forth, dipping into small bows and curtsies as the princesses passed them. The smell of meat cooking made Aileen’s stomach rumble.
“Did you miss breakfast again?” Gracelyn said, shaking her head. “Aileen, you have to take better care of yourself. I know you take your training regiment seriously, but if you don’t eat consistently, you won’t be in the best shape.”
“Okay,” Aileen said in a mock annoyed tone as they passed a playground. The metal structure was warped from use and looked rundown, but there were still a few kids running around and playing on it.
As they rode further and further into town, the buildings became smaller and more packed next to each other, and the trees became fewer and farther in between. Aileen could tell by the signs over the windows and the wide open doors that these were businesses. Stalls were set up in the street, but not many people were buying, so Aileen took a pouch of gold and handed coins out to each stall owner.
“Thank ye, Your Highness,” an old woman with graying hair said, her eyes filling with tears. Aileen smiled and nodded as the horses walked on.
Before long, they had reached the end of the town and the big forest began to appear again. Aileen could still see plenty of houses stretching out beyond the town they had ridden through, but she and Gracelyn took a narrow road leading out of Cloviahurst.
After a mile or so, the road began to shrink until it was nothing more than a small dirt path cutting through the grass. Aileen looked at her sister in confusion. “I’ve never been out here before. Where are we going?”
“I found this spot last week,” Gracelyn said with a knowing smile. “It’s only another half mile or so, don’t worry…”
“But you’re going to be late for the carriage!” Aileen said in protest. “You know what Mother would say.”
“I’ll race you back.” A smile tugged at Gracelyn’s lips. “It’s not like five minutes will delay much anyway. The trip to Sailim is three days solid.” She hesitated, pulling on her horse’s reins. “I’m going to miss you, you know. It’s not fair Mother said you couldn’t come.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Aileen forced a smile. “Come on, show me the spot.”
They rode the rest of the way until they came to a low grove of pine trees that marked the entrance.
“Okay, close your eyes,” Gracelyn said, reaching over and grasping Aileen’s reins. “I’ll lead Reina.”
Aileen closed them dutifully. Blackness enveloped her and she focused on the sounds around her. Birds chirped loudly and she could hear trees swaying in the distance. A gust of wind made pine needles fall all around her, and she felt a few of their sharp needles press her skin.
Under her, she could feel Reina moving as Gracelyn guided the horse to the correct spot. Then there was a second of stillness as the horse came to a stop.
“Alright.” Gracelyn’s voice came from next to her. “Open your eyes now.”
Aileen blinked, then gasped.
High above her were the tallest trees Aileen had ever seen. They stretched high overhead, so much so that Aileen had to tilt her head back. The tops of the trees were too tall to see.
“Now look down,” Gracelyn said, and Aileen craned her head over Reina to see a message spelt out in pine needles:
I’ll miss you, Aileen!
“What in the-” Aileen turned to see her sister, who was grinning from ear to ear. “How did you do this? When did you do this?”
“Some things are better kept secret,” Gracelyn said with a smile. They sat there for several minutes before Gracelyn turned the horse around.
“Come on! Last one to the castle has to scrub both Reina and Winston down!”
“You know I’m going to have to do that anyway,” Aileen said, but she pulled Reina into a run as the two of them took off, laughing.
*all names have been changed for character privacy*
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