Lakeview City rises around the central lake with a balance of order and warmth. Buildings climb no higher than eight stories, most standing between four and six, their brick and stone bases grounded by timber frames and plastered walls. Steep roofs, pitched between 40–55 degrees, shed snow cleanly in winters that hover near 30–40 °F (−1–4 °C). Broad eaves throw shade during humid summers that reach 75–85 °F (24–29 °C). Courtyards break the blocks, cobblestone streets run narrow, and the skyline stays low enough that towers and civic halls carry weight without crushing the human scale.

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The towns hold the same language but scale it down. Normandy keeps ridge-top homes with deep porches and chimneys, colors leaning toward maple reds and forest greens. Baywood raises its wooden houses two to three feet above the marsh edge, with boardwalks linking porches and shaded rooms designed for summer humidity. Rivermont favors stone and slate, narrow streets, and bridges that cross fog-heavy rivers, its houses built to hold warmth against long frosts.

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Transport fits this quieter rhythm. Cars exist, but rarely outside of state use or wealthy families. Most people walk or cycle, ferries trace the shoreline, and buses or passenger trains run on fixed schedules for intercity travel. They are practical, a little old-fashioned, and never overwhelm the streets. Lakeview feels modern enough for governance and trade, but grounded enough that distance, effort, and craft remain part of daily life.

Normandy House Style Guide

 

General Character

Normandy is a countryside town defined by warmth and heritage. It feels lived-in rather than engineered, with homes designed for comfort and community over grandeur. The town carries a steady, welcoming atmosphere that reflects its farmland setting and family roots.

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Settlement Pattern

The town is laid out in a mix of slope and grid. Older streets bend to the hillside, forming irregular lanes where buildings rise unevenly with the terrain. Newer areas follow a simpler grid, where terraces were leveled to allow straighter roads and small squares. This balance keeps Normandy flexible, avoiding monotony while reflecting both its organic origins and modest planning.

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House Style

Normandy houses are cozy, mid-scale dwellings. Timber-framed walls with stucco or painted plaster are common, paired with pitched roofs of clay tile or wood shingles. Stone foundations ground the structures, and chimneys are a familiar sight. Windows are practical, large enough to let in light, but not dominated by glass. Gardens and porches tie most homes together, adding to the sense of welcome.

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Community Buildings

Public spaces reflect the same style, scaled for gathering. The town hall and schoolhouse rely on brick and stone, sometimes accented with modest towers or clockfaces. Inns and shops mirror the residential design but with broader facades and larger doorways to fit their purpose. Nothing in Normandy rises beyond three stories, keeping the skyline human in scale.

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Integration with Landscape

Greenery is woven into the settlement. Trees line streets, hedges define yards, and vegetable gardens are a common sight. Older districts use cobblestone pathways, while newer areas lean on dirt-packed or lightly paved roads. This mix reinforces Normandy’s identity as a town shaped by its land, not apart from it.

 

Note on Baywood and Rivermont

Detailed descriptions of Baywood and Rivermont are intentionally withheld at this stage. Their architectural styles, settlement patterns, and cultural identities will be documented once the narrative advances to those locations and Sarah Morgan’s journey brings them into focus. This ensures that information on these towns aligns with story progression rather than being presented in advance.

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Boroughs of Lakeview City

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Lakeview City is organized into five boroughs that divide civic life across administration, culture, residence, industry, and heritage. Each borough has a distinct role inside the land of Signi and carries a small but felt microclimate shaped by the lake, elevation, tree canopy, and heat retention.

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Silverpoint

Administrative and corporate center. Government offices, civic halls, and Lumin HQ sit on broad avenues and formal plazas. Mid-rise blocks, stone fronts, and orderly squares host national ceremonies.

Climate note: Summer afternoons run 1–3°F warmer than the regional baseline but evenings cool quickly as breezes move through open squares and civic streets.

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Riversend

Cultural and media district. Birthplace of Signi FM, with theaters, galleries, and community radio. Streets carry murals, small venues, and weekend markets.

Climate note: Narrower arts streets create an urban canyon effect, keeping evenings 0–2°F warmer than the baseline. Humidity is slightly higher near creek-fed canals.

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Lockhart

Residential heart. Family districts, schools, and neighborhood centers such as Holloway’s Corner. Cozy mixed-use streets with small shops and courtyard housing.

Climate note: Tree canopy and pocket parks lower mid-day summer highs by 1–2°F, while winters match the regional average but feel milder thanks to block patterns and hedgerows.

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Highmere

Industrial and transforming quarter. Historic mills and workshops now converting into civic buildings, markets, and green commons. Rail spurs and warehouses remain in use.

Climate note: Retained heat from roofs and yards lifts summer afternoons 2–5°F above baseline. Winter is similar to the region, though open lots intensify wind chill.

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Lockwood Heights

Historic shoreline and heritage ridge. Older stone neighborhoods, civic memorial sites, and preserved architecture tied to Lakeview’s founding.

Climate note: Lake breezes keep summer days 2–4°F cooler than average. Winter nights run 1–3°F milder near water, though heavy fog is frequent.