Vairden Port
Nestled on a remote island, this smaller city produces some niche and valuable goods, and is an important stopover for ships between Scheillion Pass and Port Dalworth.
Demographics
Demographics: Human (49%), Elf (28%), Halfling (14%), Dwarf (4%), Half-Elf (2%), Tiefling (1%), Gnome (1%), Half-Orc (1%)
Government
Much of the city's daily affairs are regular and unchanging, being a major port of trade, the business-people and craftsmen and traders tend to manage the daily business without issue. The king visits here quite often, ensuring no issues arise that prevent the flow of goods.
Defences
The southern walls of the city have cannons mounted conservatively. While never needed, the threat of the foul things from the forests is enough to keep the city vigilant. A small permanent military force stands guard here, keeping the peace and patrolling the nearby civilized lands.
Industry & Trade
Fabrics, metals, and spices are the three big parts of trade here. Along with this, the constant flow of cargo through means that, even if nothing is sold or bought, the boats docking here require rest and food, and the city will find business any way.
Infrastructure
Shipyards to the north of town, where the water is deeper, offer repair services for ships, but do not make any. To the west, small, specialized blast furnaces burn, purifying rare metals hauled up from the depths of the mountains.
Districts
Wheat Rock
When the island that this city lies on was discovered, it was declared to be no more useful than a rock for which to grow wheat on. The mountains were seemingly barren of anything useful, and the forests filled with rot and decay. Many farmers, however, enjoyed this prospect. An isolated island, free from the worries of war, where they could grow and sell in peace. Nowadays, this district houses farmers that grow wheat and other grains to the south of the city, and refine it into various foods, which are bought in bulk by most ships passing through who are in need of restock.Citadel
Built to be an ocean-side home for the king, it is built luxuriously and sturdy, and looks much better than many citadels and fortresses and castles of old, for it is hardly a century old. It is home to many stores of strategic trade resources.Yellever's Green
A beautiful park located right on the waterline, local legend has it that it was named such because "...you could yell ever and ever onward, and naught a soul would hear you in the whole wide blue". It is home to many festivals and promenades throughout the year.Timber Port
A small port dedicated to the offloading of timber, the trees on the island are awful and not worth nearly any use in building, so all the wood for construction must be imported. This port sees specialty ships hauling entire trees and large stacks of planks and boards.Blackport
Black and shaded from the large ships that come into port regularly, this port is small, and always busy; It is not uncommon even for ships to wait further out for their turn to moor and offload & restock.The Ridges
This district has many small houses, where menial laborers live and work. Some outside the city in farms, some in trades, some on ships; Those who work here all tend to be among the poorer in society, however. The district hardly reeks of poverty, the houses are built well, the roads are mostly clean, and the people are polite, but there are no silver spoons and fancy stoneware here.Troll Road
To the southwest of the city, trolls live around the mountains. The name enough is a deterrent for those seeking to wander too far from the safety of the city. However, residents of the district tend to be hunters of monsters and beasts, taking the risk for the possibility of great rewards, as most strong and powerful monsters have magical properties useful to smiths and apothecaries and enchanters.Moonbarrow
Moon-Silver is a local specialty, an ever-so-slightly yellow tinged silver, as pure as all others, it can only be found in the nearby mountains in small amounts. Those who live here take the slag chunks from the forges and refine it to pure Moon-Silver, which is then turned into jewelry, decorations, even decorate weapons to those who can afford it.Massix Park
Another large park for celebrations, this one is named for the Massix Willows dotted across it, large willow trees, with long branches that drag across the ground at times.West Town
Trade is the business here, as cargo from ships moves in, and goods and other cargo move's out, an aerial view would show lines of carts moving to and from here from sun-up to sun-down.Spice Grove
Fields of bright flowering plants stretch past the north of the city. Farmers living here harvest these small little plants, and harvest the culinary gold within. Spices and herbs, seasonings, all valuable in their own realm to many nobles and rich, and to restaurants that cater to them.Silkgate
Recently, Silkworms have been found within the forests to the south. While the forests are incredibly dangerous, the fabric that can be made from the cocoons of these worms is worth the risk to many. baskets are brought back here, and refined into thread, and then into fabric, and then into clothing, or tapestry, or whatever one may desire. Small ships, fast and nimble, able to outpace most others, dock at this district to buy the silk to sell elsewhere. The ships must be fast, as robbing even a single smaller shipment of silk would make one incredibly rich.Newrot
As the city has expanded, the need for housing has too. This district is named for the facts that it is new, and stretches out towards the rot of the south. Most who live here find business within the heart of the city, working various trades or doing menial labor to live.Stonewalk
The mountains nearby hold rare metals, chiefly, Moon-Silver. Those who live here make it their life's business to find these valuable metals and to haul them back. Despite being a district of miner's, most people here are very well off, as even a few ounces of Moon-Silver is worth more than what the average village-farmer might make in a year.Assets
The city holds stores of fabrics and metals and wood, and coffers of gold.
History
Not long after coming into power, the then-young King Rikkert Oplar had heard many complaints from his citizens, and even from the Estrait Kingdom, about how long and difficult the trade journey was between Scheillion Pass and Port Dalworth, which both countries relied on heavily for economic gain. In the early months of 848, Matthias Von Estrait passed away, and the mantle of the King fell to Johannes Von Estrait, father of current-king Julius Von Estrait. Being a new king, and not holding grudges of old, he entered talks with Rikkert Oplar.
The waters between Port Dalworth and Scheillion Pass had been contested long before their meeting, and had almost caused many wars. Johannes, however, was willing to concede much of the territory, under the condition that the Oplar Kingdom would work on some stopping point between the two port-towns so that ships could rest and recover. Finding the terms exceptionally agreeable, Rikkert Oplar began construction on the city before the year was over, and within hardly 5 years, was near fully built, and had already established itself as an important point for trading vessels. It has since then, helped keep good relations between the two kingdoms, and as Julius Von Estrait came into power, a young and boisterous man at the time, it was unsure what would happen of the agreement. Soon after his coronation, he held a meeting with Rikkert at Yellever's Green, and made clear that he would continue free and open trade between the two, and that their nations would continue to prosper through trade.
Points of interest
Tavern: The Groggy Way
Located in The Ridges, this tavern is simple, but homey. Made of stone walls and wood framing, the inside is dark, not helped by only having a few windows, a fireplace, sconces, and candles, cast warm glowing lights over the tables and floor. A large pot of stew bubbles behind the counter, in the kitchen, where bread and meats lie in wait for orders, as barrels of booze slowly empty throughout the night. Owned by Reeza Oak-Chested, she is a crass middle aged dwarven woman who takes no disrespect, but is a great friend to her regulars.Blacksmith: The Molten Shield
Owned by Huru Clare, a young female half-orc, this workshop in the Stonewalk district is simple and open, a large, flat, canopied roof stretches out from a narrow house, underneath which, Huru swings a hammer all day. Much of what she makes is weapons, blades for men at sea who would defend themselves against the rare, but increasing, attack from a pirate vessel.Jeweler: The Silver Sun
Owned by a middle-aged Halfling by the name of Halander Goodearth, he specializes in Moon-Silver jewelry. His shop, located in the Moonbarrow, is small and simple compared to the surrounding houses, but he has no need of a large and lavish house on account of being a Halfling. His store is actually very clean, and little evidence of his work can be seen scattered around, instead, a large table sits centered in the main room, with fancy chairs around it. This is where he meets with clients, and asks them about what they want for jewelry. Each of his pieces is very expensive, and he does one at a time, making sure each of his works is made perfectly as requested.General Store: The Slayer's Bazaar
Owned by Joshua Abram, an adult human, this large store is located on the eastern edge of West Town, and is a great stop for those in need of general goods. He also is the chief authority on buying the remains of slaughtered monsters and beasts, as he has a keen eye to the potential within, and sells them again to those who can utilize them.Architecture
Many of the houses are a mixture of stone and wood, being more stone than wood often due to the hardships of getting appreciable quantities of it here, and the abundance of stone from the mountains. Timber framing and beams encase stone walls and floors, and the main thing separating a poor man's house from a rich man's is the quality of construction of the house, rather than the materials.
Geography
The city itself sits on a flat area next to a bay on the ocean, with a mountain to the west, and a long stretch of plains leading south to the forests.
Climate
Warm, sometimes very hot, and unbearably humid during the summer months, oceanic currents and breezes keep it always warm here, snow is unheard of, and rain comes often.
Natural Resources
Rare metals from the western mountains along with spices from the fields and luxury goods made from both are a core part of the city's business, and the main resources on which it thrives.
Founding Date
848
Founders
Population
34,686
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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