Westpoint

The bustling port town of Westpoint is a favoured trading post along the west coast. This is where the materials mined in the Coldcloud Spires are shipped to cities all over the continent, as well as many items crafted from them. The road to the mainland is of vital importance to the town, as it is used to transport goods from along the peninsula and even the mainland, such as harvests to sustain Westpoint and sell as provisions to ships, as well as other goods which are to be shipped from its harbour.
It is a waypoint for ships travelling to the great northern city of Vimndarul. The town has suffered several pirate attacks in its history and is now protected by sturdy wooden walls, while the harbour is commanded by the central tower of castle Starsea, secondary seat of the somewhat enigmatic rulers of the region, House Thenebrys.

Demographics

Predominately humans, goliaths and dwarves. Some half-elves and a few halfling or gnome families

Government

The town is governed by an elected mayor in conjunction with a chosen representative of the Thenebrys family. Other important offices are appointed by them. Council meetings with the heads of the guilds are held monthly in Hull's hall, the communal meeting space.

Defences

Westpoint is a walled town, having had to deal with pirates on more then one occasion. Its walls are whitewashed wood with square towers at regular intervals. The harbour is defended by the castle of Starsea, which sits at the end of the thin strip of land that shelters the harbour from storms. There are some warehouses for temporary storage along the wharfs, but the more important ones are situated within the city in order to protect precious goods.

Industry & Trade

The main income of the town besides trade are the shipyards where repairs can be made and new ships are built from the high quality wood of the surrounding rolling hills, which are mainly ordered by shipping companies further south. Ships from Westpoint have a widespread reputation of being durable and very swift. Largest export is precious minerals and metals from the mountains, wood, fish and furs.

Infrastructure

Westpoint is a harbour town, the place where precious minerals mined in the mountains and shipped from Hidden harbour and goods from the plains are traded and shipped to the rest of the continent. It is also a waypoint for ships travelling further north to the dwarven settlements. It has a shipyard, warehouses, a fishmarket and a general marketplace. Two watermills can be found along the river. Some tanneries are located along another stream two hour's walk by foot to the east.

Districts

In times of peace Castle Starsea is accessible, though the guard at the gate will take note of the visitor's name and purpose. If the purpose is simply to view this representation of the power of the House Thenebrys, one shall be given an escort and admitted into the bailey for a short time. Entry to the keep is not granted without due reason. When in the wharves one be careful not to stand in anyone's way. The shipyards themselves are only meant for those who have business there, as the local guild guards the secrets of their trade fiercely. The seaside fish market is always lively, and in the warehouses and general marketplace many curiosities can be found if one has the talent to find them.

Guilds and Factions

Shipwrights, Farmers, Fishers, Merchants, Tanners, Scribes.
The Shipwright guild is the most powerful, rivaled by the merchants.
There is a shadowy thieves guild smuggling ore and dealing in illicit goods, constantly battled by the agents of house Thenebrys.
Chamber of Scribes A collection of more learned individuals who provide education for those who pass the preliminary tests. They also function as a guild. Those who need them can buy the writing services of the members present in Hull’s Hall each day. Access to books from the collection of the Chamber or even the personal libraries of House Thenebrys can be requested through the Scribes. It is most often granted, sometimes at a price depending on the rarity of the tome, and when regarding a Thenebrys book only with supervision at Starsea Castle.

Points of interest

• Castle Starsea
• Hull's Hall
• The warehouses of house Thenebrys
• The Open market and fish market

Architecture

Most buildings are made of wood and decorated with carvings.

Geography

Westpoint is located at the curving tip of the peninsula, on the western side of Westpoint Bay. The hills here are lower, but only a few hours travel further up and down the coast they become much steeper again, quickly reverting back to the mountains which dominate the rest of the peninsula.The harbour is formed by a headland curving east and then north into the bay. It and the rest of the steep cape are separated from the town by a modest river, which comes from the mountains and is used to float wood down to the coast from the woods.

Natural Resources

The area immediately surrounding the town has been cleared for use as meadows, fields and some orchards, before transitioning into heavy woods. This is one of the few places in the region where horses can be raised on the rolling hills, which become grassy only right before they reach the shore. Fishing is the main source of food for this community, supplemented by the crops grown immediately around the town and some hunting in the surrounding woods.

Founding Date

26 A.F.

Type

Town

Location under

Birminver

Included Locations

• Hull's hall

Additional Rulers/Owners

• Dalryn Thenebrys