Description
The Kuri Houses are a collection of elevated dog shelters built upon one of the sturdy Spine Bars, designed to provide safe, comfortable housing for the settlement's working dogs and beloved companions. Each shelter is raised on short stilts carved from driftwood and ironwood, keeping the dogs dry and safe during high tide while allowing cooling air to circulate beneath during the heat of the day.
The structures themselves are crafted in the traditional Vaitafe style, with sloped roofs thatched from dried cordgrass and woven pandanus leaves. The walls are constructed from interlaced driftwood branches and covered with tightly woven mats that can be rolled up during pleasant weather or secured down during storms. Each house features a wide, south-facing entrance that allows the dogs to monitor the settlement while remaining sheltered from the prevailing winds.
Inside each shelter, raised sleeping platforms are covered with soft, dried seagrass bedding that is regularly changed. The bedding is treated with crushed glasswort to naturally repel fleas and other pests. Small carved wooden bowls hold fresh water that is replenished twice daily from the settlement's water stores. Decorative carvings of traditional Vaitafe guardian spirits adorn the entrance posts of each house, believed to watch over and protect the kuri within.
The dog houses are arranged in a semicircle facing the main settlement area, allowing the kuri to serve their traditional role as watchful guardians. A covered communal area between the shelters provides shade where the dogs can gather during the day. This space features smooth sand for digging and rolling, along with several large pieces of driftwood that serve as natural chewing posts and climbing structures.
A small storage lean-to attached to one side of the dog house cluster holds supplies for the kuri, including dried fish treats, grooming tools, spare rope leads woven from coconut fiber, and medicinal herbs used to treat minor injuries. The entire compound is designed to accommodate up to twelve dogs comfortably, with room for puppies when litters are born. The facility reflects the Vaitafe people's deep respect for their canine companions, who have served as hunting partners, guardians, and loyal friends for countless generations.
Benefits
The settlement can now properly house and maintain up to 12 dogs. These kuri can serve as hunting companions, providing a +2 bonus to Survival checks made to hunt or forage for food within 2 miles of the settlement. They also serve as alert guardians, granting a +1 bonus to Perception checks made to notice approaching threats during the night. This generates 1 prestige for the settlement.