Branmere
Land presented by Lord Fozzinator
Land presented by Lord Fozzinator
The smell of fresh paint and cut wood takes over the senses of guests as they enter into the world of Old Britannia, Branmere (Bran is Celtic for raven, Mere is old English for sea) is a bustling port town in the British Isles that is filled with ships and guests are invited to explore the towns many offerings.
The journey through Branmere starts at the town entrance, in order to stop any unruly criminals entering the port town, large stone walls face the entrance with tall turrets going into the air with cannons facing each direction, making sure that no ships not loyal to the crown are sunk as soon as they enter the harbor. In the center of the land is a massive bay that is protected by a large looming stone fortress on top of a cliff, being the main defense for this town. This port town is filled with many ships from many different nations that can be explored by guests.Once guests pass under the steel gate, the busy port town is unveiled to all as the dozens of citizens of Branmere go about their daily lives and interact with visitors of their humble town. Citizens hang garments from their balconies, the occasional homeless person begging for coin, and the local militia (the Redcoats) making their rounds through the port town. Though this port looks well guarded, rumors say that their is a safe haven in the western part of the harbor for the most unruly and cruel of sailors that one can meet on the high seas, a hub of drinking and thievery that only attracts those who care not for the law.
Guests are faced with a fork in their journey, to the west is a haven for criminals, if guests continue forward, they are met with the bustling hub of the town. Guests continue forward and enter into a bustling marketplace that are filled with a variety of different stalls that sell many different objects of desire or delicious food that can make guests mouth water. 5 stalls surround a large fountain in the center of the marketplace, it's clear waters trinkling down through the several levels of the fountain. Several patches of grass with trees growing out throughout the marketplace, providing shade for guests for the hot days.
The Brandmere General Store is the primary shop in this land and is a large 2-story stone building. Several rugs hang from the balconies as guests enter this store. The inside of the store is a large atrium that has a staircase that goes up to a small 2nd story, a shining chandelier with melting candles lighting up the area. Several shelves hold a variety of different knickknacks that can be found throughout the world, several hangers hold different garments, and wooden tables that hold trinkets of many sorts. This store tries to be elegant in order to attract the rich with many paintings of different places around the store but this store has definitely seen better days with some boards looking in need of repair or a smashed window on the 2nd floor of the store.
Off to the right of the General Store, a quickly put together mess of planks and tarps hold Madame Otatia's Curiosities. Madame Otatia is the port town's witch doctor and was said to have gone absolutely insane when her husband was killed out at sea under the command of Admiral James Holloway, leading her to telling the futures of the citizens of the town (while also robbing them). This shop is cheaply put together with the planks on the walls being haphazardly put on the wall and the roof just being tarps folded over each other. Blue and purple lanterns light this very dimly lit store as the shelves hold very, interesting, objects. In the back of the store is Madame Otatia, that is in the middle of a ritual and can interact with guests, maybe telling the future to curious guests.
There are many docks surrounding the bay with many gangplanks going to 4 separate ships. George's Fury is a 2 masted frigate with a top deck filled with cannons, guests can explore the top deck but also the bottom deck with the crew quarters and the canteen. The Silver Sail is a small sailing ship that has 2 cannons on the front but it's main purpose is for traveling and transporting cargo. The Ocean's Tide is a medium sized fishing ship with fishing equipment spread amongst the decks of the ship, a massive skeleton of a whale is hanging from one of the mast's. The final ship that can be explored is the Furia Del Mar (Fury of the Sea) this is the largest ship in the harbor and is a Spanish Galleon that has dozens of cannons. This 3 masted ship has multiple decks and guests can explore the many rooms on this ship. The Furia and the Fortress overlooking the harbor occasionally trade cannon shots across the bay.
Jetting out from the harbor is a small dock that goes out into the bay, a ramshackle oyster bar is at the end of the dock and is built out of the stern of a sloop with the back mast providing shade. This is John's Oyster Bar. This bar has limited indoor seating with only a couple tables but there is more seating outside with many tables on the outside deck. This dining location gives wonderful views of the bay, with unobstructed views of the many ships and the fortress.
The main dining location for the harbor is the Lord James Inn, a table service restaurant that is for the more, refined citizens of this port town. This fine establishment has taken over a former mansion that used to belong to the mayor of the harbor before he was hanged for having an affair with the sheriff's wife. Guests walk up a stone pathway to the entrance of the Inn. The inside of the mansion is grand with paintings adorned across the walls and beautiful plants sprinkled around the dining rooms. The many rooms on the 1st floor have gold finishes but the centerpiece of the 1st floor is a grand foyer with a large fountain in the center of the room with a garden surrounding the fountain. Musicians play near the fountain and play old tunes from the 1700s. A grand staircase in the front room leads up to the 2nd floor which both gives a view of the foyer and a balcony area that looks over the port town. The food served here is some real fine dining that were popular in the British Isles during the early 17th century.
If guests take a right instead of left, they will enter into a seedier part of town where the criminals of Branmere gather to indulge in their debauchery. A worn down sign leads to Crook's Square, this square of filth and bad decisions are home to the worst of the worst of Branmere. Guests journey begins once they pass the sign, the plants have not been watered and are worse looking than the rest of the port.
Guests cross a wooden bridge that is in disrepair, the stream leading to a smaller bay that holds a ship, the Jolly Roger. The famous ship captained by Captain Hook is docked in the small bay and can be explored by guests but this ship is not a walkthrough but a restaurant, Hook's Fish'N'Chips. This restaurant has 3 decks with tables and chairs spread throughout the decks with lanterns hanging from poles and the roof of the decks. The cannons are stored away in the hold which opens up the hull to guests. The kitchen is on the 2nd deck which also has the counter where guests order. The premier dish that is served here is, you guessed it, Fish and Chips but also serves other minor items from the British Isles.
Once guests cross the bridge, they enter into a square with a cracked stone fountain with pitch black water going down the half-broken fountain. The poles holding up the lanterns are rusted as the brick pathways are cracked, the planters have many lines of cracks going through them. The buildings surrounding the square are not in the best shape with many cracked windows and run down buildings that have not been repaired in decades. A small stall sells different pirate themed snacks in the square.
The only shop that hasn't been robbed is Mr. Bloodthorn's Store, a respected member of the criminal community and helped him to keep his store from getting robbed. His store is the centerpiece of Crook's Square with the mast of a galleon going up into the air, tattered white sails fluttering in the wind. The main structure is in disrepair with dozens of cracks going through the brick building and the door being half broken. Once guests enter into the shop, the inside does not fare better than the outside with the walls having broken decorations and the wooden floors being rotted and cracked. The shelves of the store are filled with pirate themed merchandise and hand crafted souvenirs. Barrels of rum are stored across one of the walls.
This land offers many events that happen throughout the day that makes the city feel actually lived in.
The Branmere Militia
The port town has it's own militia and it frequently marches throughout the town. The members of this militia are dressed in traditional military uniform for the time (think of the redcoats) and are armed with muskets. They will make their rounds throughout the town and will question guests if they have seen any unusual activity around the town.
Merchant's from Around the World
Along the many docks of the town, guests can interact with many merchants that come from many different parts of the world from the deserts of the Ottoman Empire to the vast rainforests of the Dutch East Indies. These merchants are dressed in their traditional attire that is accustomed to their nation.
Citizens of Branmere
The citizens of Branmere come in many different shapes and sizes. They will hang carpets on their balconies, scrub the decks of the many ships in the bay, and walk hand in hand with their partner as they walk through the town. These citizens will make the land actually feel lived in and an actual city.
Drunk Pirates and Criminals
These encounters are only in Crook's Square. Spread throughout Crook's Square, many criminals will have a swig of their drink as they stumble throughout the land and interact with guests. A large group of criminals will put on a little show and dance to a bunch of sea shanties and calls in guests to dance along.
Sword Fight
During several times of the day, a spectacle will occur in the middle of the marketplace, a sword duel between the local blacksmith and a Spanish traveler. This duel will last several minutes and the 2 combatants will use the surrounding terrain in order to get the upper hand. Of course, the sword fighters will have sufficient protection and the guests can't get too close but it is still a spectacle.
And now, check out the land's attractions!
Spinning Roller Coaster
Aquatic Flat Ride
Musical Show