Opalport
Demographics
Opalport's proximity to Logres translated into a surge of non-bediz communities, beginning with the Tuatha de Danaan and other Sidhe races, then Fomorians arriving from the Orkney Isles. By 900 SI, roughly 50% of the population was non-Bediz, a trend that largely continues to this day, despite population shifts in both directions.
Government
The County of Boulogne is a large, but mostly rural sovereignty, centered on the city of Opalport, its capital. The Counts of Boulogne, appointed by the Gallian Crown, oversee the formerly independent city-state and are sworn to the Count of Flandre, another Gallian vassal. The Boulonnais do not have any landed vassals of their own in peerage, but a large number of urban gentry make up the noble class in the region. A local merchant's guild, once an independent and semi-democratic council, was disbanded by the Crown after it financed the War of the Golden Spurs against Gallia. Following the war, laws passed restricting guildmaster status to the nobility, the appointment of which was held solely by Gallia.
Defences
Opalport is surrounded on 3 sides by sturdy crenelated walls of stone, protected by 4 reinforced gates and 17 towers. A large keep, located in the Northeast quarter of the city, provides the garrison and additional defense.
Industry & Trade
Opalport is the region's largest harbour, which serves both whaling fleets and herring fisheries, the latter making up the primary export of the region. The surrounding area, made of plains and gently rolling hills, is dominated by marshland, and remains largely underdeveloped, spotted with ill-defined Bocage and isolated hamlets.
To assist in the shipping of the herring that is brought into the region, salt is imported in massive quantities, both overland and via martime routes. Gallian control has severely limited access to international markets in favour of Gallian salt, taxes of which go directly into the royal coffers. The majority of this is processed through the Anjevin Lordship of Durtal and the Lords of Durtal maintain representation in the city.
Assets
The fishing port that gives its capital its name is the primary asset of the region, housing large fishing and whaling fleets, as well as Gallian warships.
The Tour d'Ordre, a large lighthouse built during Imperial times, dominates Opalport, rising in the center of the town.
History
Opalport, the largest settlement in the region, is an ancient city, created during the Empire of Tarif to serve as a connection between the continent and the nearby island of Albia . Following the collapse of the empire, the city remained an Imperial holdout, protected by the remains of the Northern navy. It swore allegiance to Magnus Maximus, Emperor of the West during the civil war and served as the main port for his armies during much of his reign. During the War of the Erlking , the treacherous sidhe lord Hellequin took control of the region. The city became a settlement hub for Tuatha de Danaan from Logres and Fomorians from the Orkney.
Geography
Opalport is located along in the center of the County of Bolougne. The Ar Mor Opal (Opal Coast), along the Mor Breizh, dominates the region, a picturesque stretch of sandy beaches and white limestone cliffs. The interior of the region is dominated by forests and swampy wetlands. Aside from Opalport itself, much of the region is rural and underdeveloped, tended to by subsistence farming.
The city is located roughly 100 km from both Samarobriva and Rysel, 150 km from Rouan and 215 km from Per-Ys.
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