Rapier Cove
Situated on Claret island in the Sea of Sirens, Rapier Cove is a town that once lived up to its name. But that was a very long time ago. Originally founded as a port town for relaying goods to and from the west it didn't take long for Rapier Cove to become overrun by pirates . Pirates seeking a base of operations in the east or better yet the sky cities themselves.
The peaceful people of the land turned to the Principality of Sharib for assistance in dealing with the pirate threat, but found no help forthcoming. It's almost as if the crown prince desired the town to fall to plunder. And possibly with good reason. For when Rapier Cove was law abiding, it was simply another port town. But now, after the pirate incursion, it became a bastion for black market goods and other indecent sundries from all over the world.
The town itself is relatively new, having been established only a few hundred years ago. And it's lawless days have only been in effect for some sixty or seventy years, when it was taken by the "Free Captains of the Five Seas." The Free Captains are a loose association of pirates, black market sea merchants, and privateers who operate not only in the Sea of Sirens but also much of the southern hemisphere . They are feared and (sometimes) respected by all non-naval vessels traveling "their" sea lanes.
Though the Free Captains have chapters in most major seaports, they chose the relatively small town of Rapier Cove as the base of their western operations. Possibly because of its position, possibly due to lack of overt competition within the town itself. There's also talk of a strong working relationship with Regality of Alazir Navy, who could easily trounce the pirate menace if they so chose.
Relating to how Rapier Cove handles relations with its neighbors, the town's mayor and council (comprised of several sea captains, elected by, and only by, other seamen) have adopted a "don't mess with us and we won't mess with you" stance, which keeps trade lanes open and active.
The Harith Federation is aware of the situation in Rapier Cove and frowns upon it, however due to its popularity with a certain contingent of possible troublemakers, the king has turned a blind eye to its activities. For now.
Demographics
Predominantly human (80%), with the remaining 20% filled almost evenly (racially) from the detritus of the world's various peoples. Oddly, the town has a significant number of halflings living in the "slum" burrows near the docks.
Government
Rapier Cove is run by an elected mayor, Bael Avison, who maintains his longstanding position through bribery and political favors. Bael also owns or has interest in a good number of local businesses, not all of them legitimate. It is rumored that Bael is (or was) a Club Master, formerly of Trapshore who was either exiled or possibly still even works with them. At the very least, it would be foolish to assume that the Club Masters do not have some significant presence within the town's walls.
Defences
Rapier Cove doesn't have a standing army and cannot seem to maintain a civilian watch. Thus, it falls upon the city council to hire sell swords for the town's policing and defense. Many of these mercenaries are escaped convicts and pirates themselves, unemployable anywhere else, and thus not much better than the criminal element they're tasked to deal with.
Industry & Trade
Rapier Cove features a bustling market consisting of goods from across the sea, many of them not quite legal.
Infrastructure
Rapier Cove has all the amenities of a modern town twice its size. From well positioned and appointed docks to an actual, functioning sewer system, the town continues to innovate using the spoils of illegal trade.
Assets
If it's to be found, it can be found in Rapier Cove. This, of course, primarily relates to sundries best left unspoken. Though not as bad as, say, a slave market such as the Drow cities have been remoured to operate, Prosperity continually pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable under the watchful eye of Regality. Trade goes both directions, and many black marketeers flock to the town to ply their wares. Further, many criminal businesses have "evolved" within the protective walls of the town. Rapier Cove is known for its creation and distillation of various narcotic drugs, previously unseen in the west, and possibly even invented in the proportionally tiny settlement.
Guilds and Factions
Many of the major criminal empires have branches or at least representatives in Rapier Cove. From the Thornblacks to the Zanzakkar Thieves' Guild, if it traffics in the underhanded and illegal, you'll find it in Prosperity.
Tourism
The Storms Mooring Tavern
While there are a dozen tales of how the structure that houses this particular tavern came to be, what is cerainly true wether by accident or design is that the building is comprised of a pair of crashed brigatines situated inexpicably far inland.
Architecture
Most of the buildings within the town are wooden, and a great many were originally built as single story structures, but have accrued second and even third floors. The town is packed so densely, the only way to expand is up. However, civil planning is not a strong suit in Rapier Cove, so many (if not all) the "upwardly mobile" structures are rather ramshackle (and even that's being generous).
Natural Resources
Fish and seafood from the bay, contraband from across the world. Rapier Cove gets the majority of its other needs via trade, as the town always has what other people want.
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