dooside

Dooside is a fictional coastal town widely used as a setting in contemporary fantasy and speculative fiction. It is typically depicted on a temperate, wind-swept coast where a crescent bay shelters two natural harbors, divided by a seawall known as the Glass Gate. The town centers on Old Town and North Quay, with a newer commercial district stretching along South Reach. The population and size vary by work, but most render Dooside as a compact community of tradesmen, artisans, and sailors.

Historically, Dooside is said to have been founded in the late Middle Ages by maritime families who integrated shallow-water shipyards with protected anchorage. A recurring tale links the town's name to a pair of local dialect words meaning 'two sides'—an allusion to the twin harbors. Dooside endured several maritime disasters and rebuildings, which contributed to its character: sturdy timber-framed houses, stone quays, and a tradition of resilience.

Economy centers on fishing, ship repair, small-scale crafts, and increasingly, tourism. The port authority oversees shipping lanes, and a municipal council governs local affairs. Cultural life revolves around the Lantern Festival, held at the Dooside Pier, and a weekly market where traders offer seafood, textiles, and curios.

In fiction, Dooside is noted for its atmospheric weather, layered architecture, and the sense that the town holds more history than appears on the surface. It has appeared in multiple works as a stand-in for a resilient harbor town facing change.