RandomArt

((I'm supposed to be Hobbs apprentice, but matching up our playing times has been difficult.))

((To start, I quite like this idea. Perhaps the two towns could be separated by no more than the fields themselves? Then, if roleplay does well with it, we could make full-sized burrows for the farmers in the large fields. I would also like to volunteer to have a full-sized burrow built on the other side of the fields, so we can have at least someone living over there full time. Getting two or three other people to do so would be ideal, I think.))

((The Tookwater is full. There are burrows lining both banks. Anything built beyond the edge of the river is very nearly not Branborough anymore. That's why I personally believe it might be time to get a second town under way.

((Segregating towns between "common folk" and "important folk" is a terrible idea... My thought was two towns, one that was more of a fishing town, which Branborough is, and it looks a lot like Bywater from Lord of the Rings, and a town more focused on agriculture, and looking more like Hobbiton. The actual infrastructure and government systems that would have to be made for this should all be done in character.))

((I got completely shut down when I suggested that, there's already a thread for it.))

((That's where the idea of the town centre comes in, it provides for a place where all these people will be able to find each other. I would hate to spread out the RP like that, too. But we do need more space than immediately on the Tookwater. This is not meant to all be implemented at once, because that would leave lots of empty space, but rather as a sort of plan for future growth, which Branborough doesn't have right now as far as I'm aware. I'm not saying go out right now and fill that entire space with Halflings, disregarding population density, I'm saying leave things the way they are now, but rather than struggling to cram the Tookwater with even more burrows, despite it already being crowded, allow us to move inland and begin building there in an orderly manner. A thought I had after making the map was moving the proposed town center East so it connects directly with the burrows on the Tookwater, then just subsitituting that space with agricultural space or burrow land. Also, I think you might like this, Petyr, because it will allow for much, much larger farm fields like the one you built by the Salty Salmon. Because all that space (and it could change if everyone wanted it somewhere else) is dedicated farmland, we could just make massive fields that cover everything with paths between them to storehouses and farmers' burrows and the like. Which would be very aesthetically pleasing, and a lot like the one you just built.))

((They don't, I completely understand that's horribly out of the question and far too much work.)) I'll outline some o' my proposals then if it's quite alright. Above I've posted the afore drawn map o' The Vale. As ye can see, Branborough itself takes up just a small fraction o' the space we 'ave available. The town was started 'ere, I'm assuming, because it is right on the Tookwater, a perfectly reasonable reason te begin building somewhere. 'Owever, we are now building Branborough all up an' down the Tookwater in an 'ope of keeping the town on the river, but we 'ave all this space te the West o' the current town proper o' Branborough, as ye can see in the map, that is completely unused. Now, I'm not saying this 'ere unused land is an 'orrible thing, the peaceful forests are quite nice, but with us 'Alflings being more an' more 'ard pressed fer land in which te dig burrows, why not move over 'ere? it would also allow us te start a proper, planned outline fer Branborough, leaving the Tookwater as a sort o' neighbor'ood in the overall scheme o' things. I 'ave taken the time te draw up a proper plan o' my ideas fer Branborough's future growth. It allows fer the conservation of the forests concealing Branborough from much of the outside world, but still gives us the room we need te expand comfortably. It accounts fer farmland an' the burrows of the farmers (indicated by the black hatching), future burrows (indicated by the red hatching), an' a rightly done Town Centre (indicated by the blue hatching) where we could 'ave public gatherings and a place te build public burrows, such as a burrow fer the elders te keep offices so as us normal folk can actually find them from time te time an' the meeting burrow, the pub, an' a larger Inn per'aps, as well as some various other burrows that might be fer the best o' The Vale. ((Please let me know if this is even a viable option, I've tried to present everything in character for roleplay's sake, but I'd be more than happy to explain it again properly.))

I'll try te keep my message short this time with some basic ideas and I'd really like some feedback from the other residents o' The Vale. More burrowers, so as te dig burrows fer all the new arrivals faster an' make it possible for more of us than jus' Hobbs to 'elp out with this. More public space, so as us 'Alflings can gather in a public place and just spend time together, talking, laughing, an' sharing a drink. A town centre would be a fine addition to the already fine town o' Branborough. More planning, so Branborough doesn't sprawl te the 'orizon. Dedicated places fer burrows, farmlands, and public spaces would be a soothing sight fer sore eyes. ((OOC, I am majoring in Public Administration and City Planning at college, and I can tell you all exactly what is being handled poorly and how to fix it if you'll let me. I do know what I'm talking about, I'm not just blowing smoke up your asses. I won't rant here in a public setting unless it's part of an IC response to something, but some communication would be greatly appreciated. There are just several little things that could be done to make Branborough much nicer, and it's not just my opinion, it's tried and tested City Planning theories and proven examples of Public Administration.)

I must agree, after spending more time 'ere in The Vale, that the 'ole system of getting into a burrow is very slow an' drawn out an' I know 'aste is not the 'Alfling way, but simply training another builder or two so we can all work 'round the clock te get the folk o' The Vale into nice, cozy 'omes would greatly improve our quality o' life in a place that ought te 'ave the best quality o' life in all o' Asulon! The suggestion o' a new town fer some o' us was a very drastic one. Simply some reworking o' Branborough would make many o' us very, very 'appy. I think I'll write up wot all we 'ad in mind on another note.

I like that idea. So a password protected door?

OOC I like the idea of needing to know someone who will tell you where The Vale is. It keeps it a very exclusive place. That being said, if it weren't for the Salty Salmon, I would have never, ever found The Vale, so there would have to be a viable alternative.

I 'ave been 'way fer a bit, but I would very much like te 'elp with the farm beasts o' The Vale. I'm sure we could set up some sort o' enclosure that is plenty large fer the animals to be able to wander 'bout as they please. And per'aps we could build a barn for the care o' their young'uns an' for when we, as unfortunate as it may be, 'ave to slaughter some so we can 'ave nice tasty steaks fer dinner. But most importantly, cakes would be much easier te make!

*The notice has been redacted, its text covered in dark ink, on top of it is a new note, recognizable by its familiar penmanship* "I now see that this is an unpopular idea. It was just a suggestion I made in response to the woes of others I 'ad 'eard in my very few days 'ere in Branborough. I will not press the matter an' I 'pologize fer any feathers I may 'ave ruffled. If this issue does become more widespread, I do ask that this idea be kept in mind an' considered when the time comes. An 'undred 'pologies. Reginald Took"

"While I do understand yer fear, and I would 'gree with it in an 'eartbeat, I 'ave also 'eard over an' over that no one can find a 'ome in Branborough, an' so I thought that per'aps I could be a part o' the solution"

*Reginald Took writes a short response at the bottom of the message left by Graeme Parker* The land te the west is already a part of The Vale, and is an untapped, beautiful area.