We are touring towns and talking with guilds and other groups throughout this spotlight series, brought to you by Berek, your community wood elf druid. This latest Player Owned Town spotlight explores the underground metropolis of Bladewyke!
Close to Etceter and several other player owned towns along the northern shore of the Quel peninsula, I saw a great many in that cavern of wonders that drove me to write this spotlight. Here is what I witnessed:
Bladewyke is very easy to find with many distractions to appease your adventurous spirit along the way. As I neared the cavern entrance along the coast by Tanby Landing, the howl of the wind from the deepwater sound to the north threatened to rip my very body from my boots!
Fortunately, as I approached the town, I was able to take shelter in the mighty stones that formed the entrance. With each step I became more intrigued about what lie beyond.
Both Ruin, the town Governor, and guild loremaster Tamsen greeted me upon entering. They escorted me to the first area of interest – the town’s common crafting area. The walk from the entrance was nothing short of spectacular, given the amazing rock formations and hypnotising effect of the glowing fungi that populated the main cavern.
As we walked, I asked Bladewyke’s Loremaster, Tamsen… “With all the mysterious areas in Bladewyke, is there a story here?”
“As a matter of fact,” she replied, “there is!” and launched into one of her mesmerizing tales.
“Everybody in the place drew a deep breath as the satyr left the inn. I had to duck aside as the old man turned his head and spat into the fire, as if ridding himself of a bad taste in his mouth.
“Arr, where was I?” the old man asked.
I had come to the inn to get out of a steady downpour that didn’t look like ending in my lifetime. The rain drumming on the roof, the flames toasty on my back, and the old man’s droning voice combined to keep me three quarters asleep. His beard, almost snow white, was so long that it trailed over his knees as he sat and smoked a pipe almost smelly enough to cover up the odor of wet satyr. He held it clamped between his teeth and seemed to be able to reminisce unceasingly without ever missing a puff.
“Some cave or something,” I muttered unhelpfully.
“Oh, aye. Ye know all about th’ great Cataclysm, o’course …”
My hair was wet with my cloak equally damp, so I was steaming and grumpy. When I didn’t respond, he continued.
“Nigh on four hunnerd year’ ago it was. The moons smashed a’right into each other in the sky they did! Britannia was devastated. The sky burned and the ground tore itself apart.” He paused for effect and took a long swig of his ale.
I blinked sleepily. I had heard this story before. But what did it have to do with caves, or satyrs?
He took a draw of his pipe and puffed smoke towards me. “The earthquakes left fissures in the earth. Aye, fissures, y’know. Big cracks. An’ wot’s behind an’ underneath some of em? Why, caves, that’s what. Vast underground caves and mines full o’ gold.”
He nodded and tipped me a wink as if imparting a secret. “That satyr, that’s wot ‘minded me of ’em. They say not all o’ them caves been discovered yit. Some have, though.”
He took a drink, dribbling ale down his beard, and continued. “Them satyrs, they c’n smell gold I tell ye! Aye, it must be true as they found a cave to the west, along the coast amongst a stand of trees. Nobody knew it was there. Dug it out a bit more an’ all. Mined it all dry an’ abandoned it.
“Later on, they found more gold further into the foothills an’ dug out a big ol’ mine an’ it’s still payin’ out. Got ’em a town over there, no humans allowed.” They don’t like livin’ underground, they just like gold.
“One day, a fella calls himself Ruin found the way into that cave. Big ol’ place, it is. Saw it m’self once. Huge! Anyhoo, this fella claimed the whole thing for himself just ’cause he could. Heck, who’s t’ say he didn’t find himself some more gold left down there? Could be, ‘cuz he went an’ got some o’ his mates to settle there. Built ’em a whole town an’ all. Nice houses an’ such, an’ all underground and secret like.”
Hearing the old man’s story, I wasn’t asleep any more. I always did like caves. What’s more, I was blessed weary of tramping round in the rain and sleeping in empty barns. I wondered if there was room for one more further leg of my journey ahead for me this night. I don’t take up much space and my legs were suddenly restless.
“Next one’s on me, friend,” I said as I slapped some coins on the table before him and grabbed my knapsack. He winked and nodded as if he had planned it all and was pleased to see the fruits of his efforts.
It took me a couple of months to find the satyr town, judging by the blisters on my feet. I actually did spend a couple of days wandering around before I found the cave entrance, so clever was it camouflaged against the rocky terrain.
Bladewyke, the name is. It is the most scenic little town ever, right inside the biggest cave I’ve ever seen. The light comes from glowing mushrooms as big as trees. Amazing! Once your eyes adjust, you can see houses nestled around a town square where the residents continually wander in and out, greeting each other, talking, or going about their daily business.
They tend to gather in the square to work, to play, or just to chat around the fire or soak in the hot tub. There’s always somebody playing music, dancing, singing, and so on. Friendliest place I could have wished for. I moved there in a heartbeat.
Anybody can live on top of the ground, but that’s just ordinary. A whole town inside a cave is something special. No need to spread it around that I sometimes sift through the dirt behind my house looking for just a little … tiny … teeny glint of gold.”
After her tale, I then turned to Ruin and asked, “Who is welcome to reside in Bladewyke?”
Everyone is welcome! You do not need to be a guild member to live in town. We have very active members from all over the globe, from grinders, casual players, and crafters. As the governor, I have worked to create a town where players of all types can call home. Our town was founded on the principle of being friendly and respectful to each other. Our guild runs regular events, such as Dragontail Tours, and grouping for fun and experience.
Tell us about the current residents of this fine town!
The residents of Bladewyke are all active in game, and spend a lot of time improving not only their plots but also the general atmosphere of the town. Bladewyke has attracted so many different people, it’s been an amazing experience to watch it grow. You can always depend on a resident to be helpful and informative and above all welcoming.
There’s been many times a player will come to our town and is nearly assaulted by residents seeking to help them! Throughout the day you can find someone crafting, heading out on an adventure, or sitting around a fireplace somewhere. We also have a member, Draconious Dragonheart who runs tours of the subterranean zones of Britannia in his “Dragontail Tours”. Be sure to check those out!
What are the unique areas of Bladewyke?
Without a doubt, the many phosphorus mushrooms and the caverns themselves. We also have many ponds full of fish, and on occasion the ponds reveal other more nasty creatures.
The underground areas may look dark and dank at first, but once you start exploring them you begin to see all the hidden nooks and crannies filled with unexpected wonders. Creatures abound around every corner!
I should also mention that Bladewyke is a very safe place to live, being so far underground.
What is the future of the people here? I see a lot of room for more homes.
The future of Bladewyke is bright! We add new residents on a regular basis, all of whom take great delight and pride in their contributions to our humble town.
We have regular groups that form every day and work to build up not only our members inventory with reliable gear, but also the knowledge of where to go and what to do in the world of Britannia. We are already grouping more challenging scenes in preparation for upcoming group and raid content. More than anything, the future holds promise for more involvement in our town!
If interested in becoming part of the Bladewyke community, please message Cyin, Nim, or Tamsen in the community forums. You can also message them in-game of course!
Do you have a Player Owned Town, guild, or other type of group that makes available great things for the community? Let us know! We would like to include your establishment in an upcoming spotlight. Just send Berek a brief proposal of what you have to present!
All lots are open, individuals, guilds, anyone really is welcome. Currently just row lots are remaining but the communtiy is great come and visit or move in of you are in need of a great place to drop a row house.
If you own a nested pot and are willing to let people drop villiage lots and larger your welcome to nest here.
This is the best town and Guild I have been in, in all my years of gaming. And that is A “LOT” of years.
Seriously, this is a unique town. The template is different, strange, and beautiful. The people are lovely. The town is alive, active, stirring. The neighbors are neighborly. This is more than a place for extra storage. This is a place you’ll love to call home.
Love this town and guild! Everyone should check it out.
Grab a lot while there is still a bit of space left.
Great back-story, I will have to pop over to visit soon!