Rotherhythe Keep

== Introduction ==

What is Rotherhythe Keep?
Rotherhythe Keep is a Fortress located north of the outpost spawn region. Constructed in a Medieval / Industrial style, with heavy influences of ice and snow due to it's location in a mountain.

Who owns it?
Rotherhythe Keep was founded on December 24th 2021 by TheSecondLord, and as of January 2022, has been jointly constructed and administered by Mattesco.

How to get there?
Rotherhythe Keep can currently be accessed via the Northern Highway out of the Outpost, Located beyond the 1000 block marker, and to the right.

Soon, Rotherhythe will be accessible via the EGRK Expressway project, connecting it to Evergreen and other towns along the route.

''' What's on? '''

Rotherhythe hosts events on occasion Including: The Christmas Market (December), The Birthday special (December 24th), Summer Showdown Ice Hockey (July), UV Olympics Ice Hockey, and many more.

Can I join?

Rotherhythe Keep is a private settlement, being built (unless stated otherwise) exclusively by Mattesco & TheSecondLord, However other areas within the Greater Rotherhythe Area allow for Public construction, most notably the village of Samhach, located only 100 blocks North from Rotherhythe Keep.

Construction and design
Rotherhythe Keeps history begins with it's gatehouse, as it was the first piece constructed by TheSecondLord on December 24th 2021. Marking the beginning of Rotherhythe. Originally named 'Brasshelm Keep' it was a vanity project designed to house him on an irregular basis. Eventually, this structure would find itself at the heart of the Rotherhythe Project, and as of September 30th is now a USUV hall.

It's design is that of a Medieval Gatehouse, but it's palette and subtle themes and designs reflect Industrial era elements. Such as the orange and black colour scheme, and the lava flowing in the entry way.

The Door, constructed of spruce and dark oak, is the entrance to Rotherhythe Keep, having been left open with a small gap for visitors to welcome themselves inside.

Use as a USUV hall
After being hollow for 9 months, The Gatehouse was recently converted into a USUV hall, as Rotherhythe will be hosting the USUV Meeting scheduled for October 30th. The hall's design focuses on all members gathering around 1 central table, marking a change from the more separated nature of USUV halls. The table is based on the ideals of the mythical round table, and is styled to fit that of a traditional long table used for gatherings. The interior has been closely linked to the rest of the keep, and modifications made to the Gatehouse structure included adding more depth to the interior, and breaking the floor of the upper half of the structure, linking it up with the rest to add more lighting and room for the vote board.

The Meeting hall will be using a redstone wired voting system, similar to that of Illyria's meeting hall, instead of traditional flick-switch light counters.

Central Hall
Construction and Design The central hall was constructed in April 2022. Marking the centre of all rooms in the Keep, it's specially marked by it's crystal sculpture in the centre, which houses the beacons used to make getting around the Keep easier. It's roof sculpture is an ice cavern owing to the area's natural landscape, surrounded by X formations in the flooring.

Future purpose

The statue in the middle comes with 4 latch gaps, these gaps were originally proposed to lead into an Underground USUV Hall. However when Rotherhythe earnt the right to host the USUV the Gatehouse was selected as the venue instead,

However, due to Rotherhythe's deepslate being mined in its ravine cavern located underneath and out in the deeper caverns, It may one day be used to gain lower level entry.

Copper Palace Plaza
The Copper Palace plaza is an area focusing on the outside of Rotherhythe. The two wings both house important visitation infrastructure, with one housing the Cultural Block, and the other housing the EGRK Expressway station 'Rotherhythe Palace'. The plaza is also home to the central courtyard, which houses year round events, such as the Rotherhythe Christmas Market. On each side of the courtyard, are raised street platforms, which will be designated for both event usage and permanent structures.

Cultural Block
The Cultural Block is occupying the Southern half of the Copper Palace Plaza, Including a Library, Museum, Art Gallery and Tourist information desk.

Station
Station progress is awaiting the completion of the EGRK dig.

Arena
The dedicated arena for Ice Hockey on UV, The Talla Olimpigaech has played host to two major UV events since it's construction in March 2022. One being the Third UV Olympics and the other being the annual Summer Showdown. The Arena houses an upper seating Gallery for spectators, and the lower floor houses the ice hockey playing field. It's window looks out onto the village of Samhach. Equipment can be found in the toolroom.

It's roof uses the same ice technique as found in the central hall, this time flowing from 3 rivers upwards into a stream.

Hall of Champions
The hall of champions leading from the Central hall to the arena houses plaques for the winners of Ice Hockey in UV History, include UV Olympics I, II and III. and the Summer Showdown champions for Duos and Solos.

First Hall
The First hall is the first hallway from the entrance, hence the name. This hallway houses 4 statues, and includes 3 rooms,

Storage room.
The Storage room is 2 corridor-cornered rows filled with chests, the inner row dedicated to items, and the outer row to blocks.

Staircase
The Staircase up to the Gatehouse USUV Hall can be found on the right, opposite the storage room.

TheSecondLord's bedroom
TheSecondLord's bedroom is found on the right, adjacent to the staircase, this features a few maparts, some created by him, and a cabinet of armour.

The future
Babies Big Throne Room

TheSecondLord will gain a new space called "babies big throne room" in which the big baby himself can sit upon his high chair, deserted a solid 50 blocks away over a bridge to assure the sound of crying will not disrupt the rest of the keep.

Summary

In the future, farms will be occupying most of the hallways. With TheSecondLord gaining babies big throne room and other amenities across a bridge via the hall opposite the first hall. TheSecondLord will not be moving out to Babies big throne room (allegedly) and will instead have the audacity to have a throne room, sub rooms, and his bedroom.

Floorplan

 * Lower level plan for Rotherhythe KeepRotherhytheA.png
 * Upper level plan for Rotherhythe KeepRotherhytheB.png

All finished?
 Feel free to return to the central Rotherhythe page to find out more about our history!