Sunset Quarter OrphanageI received permission from Avarice to post this here.  Located in the south-east corner of the Sunset Quarter, surrounded by the Cheap Side is the Sunset Quarter Orphanage. It is one of the larger structures in the city, standing at two stories tall with a basement level, made of crumbling brick and mortar. Built about three centuries after the Valterrian, it was originally used as a prison during one of the many times Sunberth was enslaved. It has since then been restructured as the largest orphanage in all of Sunberth, capable of housing 150 children with some comfort, though could house twice that if ever absolutely necessary. The children's rooms are built in a bunk style, with ten beds to a room with a single window opposite the door to let in light. Each bed has a trunk for the children to keep the few belongings they have. The rooms are typically kept separated by age, though not gender, with the younger toward the back of the hall, and the older toward the front Jillene, and the other caretakers she hires, have their own private quarters at both ends of the hall of bunkrooms. At both ends of the hall, there are two rooms with large tubs dedicated for bathing as well as latrine buckets for ablutions, one each for the older boys and older girls at the front, and one each for the younger boys and girls at the back. Toward the back of the orphanage is a single, large mess hall with large tables and benches where the children take their meals. The kitchen is connected to the mess hall with a large cut out window for passing the plates through to the children. The kitchen has a large pantry, and stairwell access to the basement for storage, both of which are kept locked. Only Jillene and the kitchen staff have keys to them. Because of the amount of mouths they have to feed, the kitchen is equipped with several ovens, a massive hearth, several sinks, and a lot of counter space, and will normally have anywhere from two to four people cooking within. Opposite the kitchen is the doctor's office. It is small, equipped for a single physician to perform the wide variety of medical injuries that children accrue. It has a single exam table, and a large amount of cabinets for equipment. It has two windows for light during the day, and braziers for light when it is darker. The children have often jokingly called this room The Closet, but no one is real sure as to why. The second story of the building is not covered by a roof, and is one of the most common play areas for the children. Some of the older children, those nearing sixteen years of age, will sometimes move their mattresses up there to get some independence. It is a trend that Jillene does not attempt to stop, so long as the mattresses aren't ruined in the weather. There is a large courtyard in front of the orphanage with a single, massive oak tree, and several smaller trees. Children can often be found climbing the trees, chasing one another, and general child play. This is also the space commonly used when, on the rare occasion, children are adopted, to meet their new families. From time to time, a particularly helpful individual will teach the children lessons around the tree, usually survival skills for when they turn sixteen, things like self-defense, history of the city and its culture, and the like. These teachers are never permanent and must receive approval from Jillene if they don't want thrown out rather violently. NPCs
 Name: Jillene Ironside Race: Isur DoB: Winter 44, 389 AV PoB: Sunberth Title: Proprietor Skills: 73 Brawling, 68 Intimidation, 62 Intelligence, 59 Caretaking, 49 Leadership, 45 Organization Gnosis: 1 Mark of Izurdin Additional Info: Jillene is five feet tall of corded muscle, with eyes as white as snow, and is easily the most intimidating figure in the orphanage. Very little is known about her past, but many suspect she was an old rival of Calyn's in the killing people business. Jillene is very direct, blunt, and gruff, and will often cuff people that lie to her. She is very strict toward the kids, but not cruelly so, enforcing nightly curfews, bed checks, and cleaning regimens. She is fiercely protective of her children, both while in her care, and after they've grown up and moved on. She will not stand for the badmouthing of her children, her employees, her orphanage, or of Calyn.  Name: Calyn the Knower (Now Deceased) Race: Konti (Now Ghost) DoB: Summer 44, 345 AV PoB: Sunberth Title: Proprietor Skills: 76 Unarmed Combat, 72 Dagger, 65 Intelligence, 63 Caretaking Gnosis: None Additional Info: Although an older woman, Calyn is no slouch. In her day she was a prime warrior and came to Sunberth young where she adapted to the harshness of life and learned to deal with its greatest toils. In her time Calyn was called the "Knower" due to her special Konti gift that allowed her to know a man by simple touch; it was common for her to learn of her target's past before she cut his throat. An unparalleled assassin, Calyn was one of the most feared agents of the city and was often hired out by those across great distances, employing the woman for her never yielding success. She was never known to fail a job. Eventually though, as Calyn aged, she grew weary of her habits and made an effort to resolve her sins. What brought upon this sudden change is unknown, but the people of Sunset Quarters are grateful for her new disposition. While she does endeavor to be peaceful, Calyn is known to take up old habits for those that dare cross her people. After Calyn died in the fire that ravaged the orphanage, she was buried on the eastern most side of the Dust Beds, so that Syna would always rise for her. Some say that her ghost will occasionally pop out for orphans she's cared for or those who've done good for the orphanage in the past. She's not hostile, and many believe she is waiting for Jillene to die so that the old rivals may pass on together. Adopting
If your PC wishes to adopt one of the children, they must have employment that would allow for the child to live in Poor or better living conditions. Jillene will conduct an extensive background check, using the many children that have grown up as her contacts. If you pass the background check, she will then approach you at your home for the interview as well as inspect the living conditions. If you pass the interview, you pay a one time fee of 100gm, and the child will go home with you.
If Jillene ever catches wind of neglectful or abusive parenting, she will often personally seek out retribution on the individuals involved. After a very vicious beating, she will reclaim the child. She never kills the individual, for that would be too kind in her mind. Employment
Cook: 3 GM/Day
General Labor/Maintenance: 2 GM/Day
Caretaker: 4 GM/Day
Doctor: 8 GM/Day
Jillene handles all employment personally. She seeks out candidates that not only have the required skills, but would be good fits for the children. She usually likes her employees to be trained in combat as well, for the orphanage has been raided in the past by slavers, and the children need protecting. Housing
If you wish to live here as an orphan, you must be under the age of 16 (or your race's equivalent). There is no cost for staying, but you will be expected to help clean and maintain the orphanage, and attend the lessons that are sometimes offered. You get a single bed in a bunk room with other children roughly your age, and an empty chest for your belongings. All children receive hardy meals a day, breakfast and dinner. Fighting on the grounds is not tolerated, and doing so will result in expulsion from the orphanage. But, if the child shows enough remorse and hard work, she will often take them back after enough time has been served as punishment. The day after a child turns 16, Jillene will usually have helped found them a place to live, and if the child hasn't found employment, will recommend them to someone. Recent History
On the 53rd Day of Fall AV 511, one of saddest days in the history of Sunberth occurred. Every once in a while, there's a person that dwells in the city that even heartless men are happy exist. Calyn was one of those very special people. Old, wonderful, and she would never turn away a hungry or homeless child. Yet, on that day the gods were cruel, and an inferno lit up the Sunset quarter, killing dozens of orphans, citizens, and Calyn herself. The orphanage managed to stay standing, though repair took fifteen days to complete, making it accessible once more on the 68th of Fall. The place is now run by a short woman, notably an Isur of mysterious roots. Where she is younger, more athletic, and more beautiful than Calyn, she's not the woman everyone cared for. There's even rumors that she's in allegiance with the Night Eyes. |
