Slate Pit

Slate Pit is a small hamlet located in the county of Chrichheim. It is a small settlement, with a population of only about 160. Nevertheless, it is also the largest settlement in it's local area - which is commonly referred to as Cattìr (meaning 'cat land' in Old Chrich).
Slate Pit is located in the north-west of Chrichheim and the north-east of Cattìr - not far from the border with Glasheim. Interestingly, Slate Pit has strange seasonal day-night cycles. In the summer the hamlet experiences extremely long days, whilst during the winter it experiences the opposite - with only about 6 hours of actual sunlight. Theories as to why this happens range from a magical anomaly to Slate Pit's location in the world's magnetic field. There is even a local story about the land being cursed by a vengeful hag.
== Characteristics ==
=== History ===
Slate Pit as a name has it's roots, unsurprisingly, in the Old Chrich language. It comes from the hamlet's original name "Slocsglèat", "sloc" meaning pit and "sglèat" meaning slate, before the name was 'commonised' into Slate Pit.
Evidence of settlement in and around Slate Pit dates back to the earliest human history in the Impireacht region, as evidenced by ancient axe heads and other artefacts. Tribal settlement is shown by the Slate Pit Roundhouse - which still stands mostly intact today. Slate Pit as we understand today, however, was only founded about 150 years ago - during the Imperial Restoration - as a slate-mining settlement. Since it's original founding the hamlet has been burnt down and rebuilt twice, once by an Orc raiding party and a second by religious fanatics, who disapproved of the "drunken and immoral activities" of Slate Pit's miners.
Fort Lymphad was constructed about a century ago, just outside of the hamlet, for protection and remains garrisoned by a small military force today. It has proven to be a little but hardy fortification. More recently, Slate Pit has enjoyed a period of relative expansion as their slate-mining industry has finally proven itself profitable. Permanent stone buildings have replaced many of the older, wooden buildings during this expansion and Slate Pit's population has grown from about 40 residents to around 160.
=== Geography ===
Slate Pit occupies a distinctive niche in the area's geography. The hamlet is situated on slightly elevated ground, with the notable slate mine at its core, an essential feature that has shaped both the landscape and the livelihoods of its inhabitants. This central mine forms a stark contrast against the backdrop of low, rolling hills and sparse vegetation that characterizes the surrounding area. The terrain around Slate Pit is a patchwork of rocky outcrops and thin soil, supporting a limited array of hardy grasses and shrubs adapted to the cool climate of Cattìr. Weather patterns in Slate Pit are marked by the unusual seasonal day-night cycles, with prolonged daylight hours in the summer months and significantly reduced sunlight during the winter. This peculiar phenomenon, whether attributed to natural, magical, or mythical causes, adds a layer of intrigue to the settlement. On average, the winter months get no warmer than about 5 degrees whilst the summers are about 15 degrees at most. Rainfall is commonplace during the autumn and winter. Snowfall is known to happen in Slate Pit but this is not often heavy and typically short-lived - fortunately for the residents. High winds, on the other hand, are quite common.
=== Economy ===
The economy of Slate Pit, though modest in scale, is robust and primarily centred around slate quarrying. Much of this slate is taken from a singular network of mines and tunnels that can be entered and exited from only one pit - from which the hamlet take's it's namesake. This pit is serviced by a simple wooden lift. The slate industry in Slate Pit was originally not a profitable operation, however it has enjoyed genuine expansion and profit as county-wide architecture has made the use of said resource more commonplace. In particular, Slate Pit provides plenty of material for Chrichheim's roofing. Beyond quarrying, the community engages in small-scale agriculture and sheep rearing, but these endeavours pale in comparison to the quarrying sector. This blend of quarrying and pastoral activities forms the backbone of Slate Pit's economy, fostering a self-reliant community that thrives on the interdependence of its residents.
=== Culture ===
Slate Pit's culture is deeply rooted in its unique geographical and historical context, with a rich tapestry of traditions that reflect the resilience and adaptability of its inhabitants. The hamlet celebrates the Midsummer Festival each summer solstice, marking the peak of the long daylight hours with festivities that include traditional music, dancing, and storytelling. In addition, every Morning Star, Slate Pit holds a festival called Sus Abu Raich (meaning Up And Work), a fire festival which marks the end of the Yuletide season and a return to working life. Each festival involves a torchlit procession of costumed miners (known as guizers) parading the main road of the hamlet that culminates in the burning of a wicker imitation. This imitation is often a large man, symbolic of the miners quite literally returning to the earth, but other imitations have been used on occasion. The old meeting hall, a central building in Slate Pit second only to the titular pit itself, serves as a gathering place for various community events and meetings. Other notable buildings include Fort Lymphad and the Slate Pit Roundhouse.
== Trivia ==
* Slate Pit is loosely inspired by Lerwick, the main town and port in Shetland.