Le Phare Rochegris
Le Phare Rochegris also known as Le Phare Ducate or Ducate's folly. Is an old light house located outside of Havere's southern city wall. After being abandoned and fallen into disrepair for many years, the Church of the Passion requested the Trade Council of Havere if they could take over the property and renovate it as a place of worship.
Architecture
Gerald Ducate wanted to follow the same general architecture of the rest of the city. The light house was a tall, hollow conical structure made of grey stone with a white dome supported by marble pillars on top. Unfortunately, the dome of the lighthouse was hit by lightning and partially collapsed during the 4725 Storm and the rest of the structure collapsed a short time after. Inside there are three intermediate floors along a spiral staircase the circles the entire interior chamber. On the top "deck" there is access to the light house via a ladder.
The Church of Passion, since taking over the site, has tried to make the site usable. They have patched up the holes in the structure and repaired the interior. They have purchased furniture and built a podium and dais from where priests can recite sermons to perishers. They have not yet restored the beautiful dome top to the lighthouse.
History
A Port of New Opportunities
In 4717, Gerald Ducate then owner of the now defunct Ducate trading company tired of paying expensive harbor fees from the Crystal Port decided to build and open a competing harbor south of Havere. His plans included a man-made harbor and giant lighthouse to guide ships in at night. He called the project "a port of new opportunities." The lighthouse for the complex was completed in 4722 and was heralded as a beautiful addition to the city's coastline. However, there were many who complained that the new lighthouse detracted from the existing two harbor guardians at the Crystal Port. That the new structure was offensive and competing with the tribute to Margot du Mer I. With the lighthouse completed, Ducate patiently awaited the completion of the harbor but there were complications. The planned harbor site, while initially thought to be suitable for a harbor, was later found to be much shallower than expected. The original plan was to dredge out a small natural inlet to make it wide and deep enough for large ships to dock. However, the sand in the inlet proved to be a very thin covering for the hard bedrock underneath. The entire inlet was impossible to dredge by hand. Ducate was forced to downsize his plans and hire the The Mages' Guild to remove large sections of bedrock to create a deep and wide enough channel. These large pieces of granite stone were used to reinforce the sandy bank of the original inlet and as a foundation to the harbor. Le Port Ducate was finally completed and opened for businesses in 4724 and operated well, diverting lots of business away from central Havere. Many city merchants and trader began to develop the area around Le Port Ducate to made unloading and loading ships there easier. However in the winter of 4724-25, in the month of Olastri, a large week-long storm ravaged the Glass Sea Coast. In the aftermath, all of the ships and the port itself was destroyed in the storm. Gerald Ducate, burdened by the debt he issued to build the port, was forced into bankruptcy. The port - now known as Ducate's Folly - was believed to be destroyed by Olastra Himself, a punishment for competing with the harbor he provided to Margot du Mer I at Havere's founding.New Life
In Baedum of 4824, the Church of the Passion asked the Trade Council of Havere if they could take over the property, renovate it, and use it as a place of worship. The lighthouse now a blight and dangerous to those in the Outer City agreed to the request. The church, in secret, fixed up the lighthouse and converted it into a temple, but as the church and its influence grows people have realized that they worship there - to mixed feelings.
RUINED STRUCTURE
4724
4724
Alternative Names
Le Phare Ducate, Ducate's Folly
Type
Lighthouse
Parent Location
Owning Organization
Related Report (Secondary Locations)
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