Westport
The Shield of the Western Coast
Military City, Naval Stronghold, and Festival Spectacle
Settlement Summary
- Population: 7,000 (4,500 military personnel, 2,000 civilians, 500 support staff)
- Government: Governed by a Naval Commander of the Imperial Navy, advised by a single Windsinger under the oversight of Westrun’s monarchy
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Languages: Common, Halfling, Elven
- Notable Locations: The Iron Quay, The Command Spire, The Parade Grounds, The Naval Academy, The Western Beacon
Notable Features
- The Iron Quay: A massive fortified dockyard capable of accommodating the Imperial Navy’s largest ships, equipped with repair facilities and armament storage.
- The Command Spire: A tall, imposing tower overlooking the bay, serving as the headquarters for the Naval Commander and other officers.
- The Parade Grounds: A vast open area designed for military drills, ceremonies, and demonstrations of naval might during Lera’s Parade.
- The Naval Academy: A training centre for new recruits, offering rigorous instruction in seamanship, navigation, and naval combat.
- The Western Beacon: A towering lighthouse and signal station that communicates with other coastal defenses and guides ships safely into the harbour.
Special Qualities
- Naval Stronghold: Westport serves as the primary defensive point for Kyneshelm’s western coast, housing a significant portion of the Imperial Navy’s forces.
- Festival Showcase: As the third stop on Lera’s Parade, Westport uses the festival to display its military might and foster pride among the empire’s citizens.
- Strategic Location: Positioned to monitor and respond to threats from the western seas, the city is vital to the empire’s coastal security.
Defenses
- Imperial Navy Presence: With 4,500 naval personnel stationed here, Westport is the western empire’s most fortified coastal city.
- Fortified Harbour: The Iron Quay is protected by heavy artillery emplacements and defensive walls, making it nearly impervious to direct assault.
- Patrol Fleet: A fleet of naval vessels patrols the western coast, ensuring the safety of shipping lanes and monitoring for pirate activity.
Notable NPCs
- Naval Commander Arden Tidebreaker: A human officer who governs Westport with firm authority, balancing military readiness with the city’s role in Lera’s Parade.
- Windsinger Lirien Cloudsong: An elven bard-mage who advises the Naval Commander and ensures Lera’s presence is honoured in the city’s operations.
- Quartermaster Brynn Stormhelm: A dwarf responsible for managing the city’s military supplies, ensuring the fleet is well-equipped and ready for action.
- Captain Soryn Wavecutter: A half-elf naval officer who leads the coastal patrols and coordinates with other western defenses.
- Engineer Kael Ironwake: A gnomish architect who oversees the maintenance and upgrades of Westport’s defenses and infrastructure.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Festival Crowds: Lera’s Parade draws thousands of visitors to Westport, creating logistical challenges for both the military and the city’s civilian population.
- Pirate Threats: While the western coast is generally secure, occasional pirate activity requires constant vigilance from the navy.
- Smuggling: The festival economy attracts smugglers who attempt to exploit the increased activity and trade in the city.
- Resource Strain: The city’s heavy military focus means that civilian amenities can be limited, causing occasional friction with residents.
The Iron Quay
"Fortress on the Water"
The Iron Quay is a symbol of Westrun's naval strength, its docks lined with warships and its warehouses brimming with supplies.
The Parade Grounds
"A Stage for Glory"
The Parade Grounds are used for military drills and demonstrations, culminating in grand displays of naval power during Lera’s Parade. As the center stop for the Parade, the Empire takes the opportunity of the stopover in a fort to perform displays of military might, including showing off the windsingers, one of Kyneshelm's greatest military assets.
The Naval Academy
"Forging the Fleet"
The Naval Academy trains recruits from across Westrun. With Pike, and even Kingsport, so far across the continent, the Imperial Navy established the academy to continue training sailors for their forces even from across the empire.
Life in Westport
"Order and Discipline"
The people of Westport, whether military or civilian, are accustomed to a structured and disciplined way of life, with a focus on duty and loyalty. The quadrennial parade livens up the city drastically, and permanent residents prepare long in advanced for the arrival of levity.