Tortuga
honu deragona make
Overview
Tortuga - to some it is the name of freedom from tyranny, to be able to do whatever you want, to be whoever you want to be. Others ay see it as a haven for lawlessnes and criminals, a place of dishonour and debauchery.
As with many things, the truth is somewhere in the middle. While it sís run by pirates, a city that large would not be able to function without proper rules and at least some form of an economy. Although, the rules that apply here are much less restrictive than they might be elsewhere.
History
Pirates have always made a home in the Shifting Isles, and the only island that does not move of its own volition has always been a good choice for central settlement. Tortuga has had many names over the years, but the spirit always stayed the same. Under the latest line of council cpatains the organization has gotten way better, without sacrificing any of its spirit.
Further history has not been well documented as pirates aren't exactly well known for their love of lore and history.
Further history has not been well documented as pirates aren't exactly well known for their love of lore and history.
The Island
The Island and the City share the name of Tortuga. The Island is round like an exact circle and sits in the middle of The Shifting Isles. About 20% of it are used by the city and the harbour. The remaining part may look like wilderness but is actually pretty tame compared to the other islands of the chain. Larger threats have been removed, smaller ones are staying outside the city limits and those who encounter them are usually capable of dealing with them, or are eaten...
The City
The City of Tortuga is quite a sight to behold. Harbours full of ships, each one strange and different in another way. Some have magical runes faintly glowing on their sails or hulls, others are equipped to be pulled by marine life, a few seem to have billowing sails on a day without wind.
The people living in Tortuga are as varied as one can imagine in their wildest dreams. No one bats an eye if a giant Leonin walks past, while talking to a regular human. Elves are just as common as Gnomes, Halflings or Kenku. Merfolk traders move in special contraptions, allowing them to be sorrounded by water at all times, bartering with Aarakocra and Owlin, Genasi as their servants - it is loud, bright, smelly and most importantly: beautiful.
The people living in Tortuga are as varied as one can imagine in their wildest dreams. No one bats an eye if a giant Leonin walks past, while talking to a regular human. Elves are just as common as Gnomes, Halflings or Kenku. Merfolk traders move in special contraptions, allowing them to be sorrounded by water at all times, bartering with Aarakocra and Owlin, Genasi as their servants - it is loud, bright, smelly and most importantly: beautiful.
Excerpt from the personal diary of a recovered criminal
Notable Locations
Taverns
The Sunken Treasure
A Tavern for traders and wannabe adventurers alike. It provides a rugged charm and the obligatory one eyed sailor telling stories for drinks.
The drinks are twice the usual rate and watered down compared to the other taverns, but still strong compared to the mainland.
Sneaky Barb set this place up to keep the annoying hipsters out of the real bars and out of danger. Everything possible is done so that it looks dangerous but isn’t. The traders have an “authentic” experience and the real pirates are left alone and in peace.
Storytellers are aplenty in here, although the Everlasting stay clear of the place, as they do not want to scare people off and potentially deeper into the city.
The Drowned Sailor
The Barkeeper is the literal Drowned Sailor. A Reborn looking for his purpose in unlife. He set up a simple bar to come in contact with as many people as possible.
Food is ok, drinks are good and reasonably priced. Many of the regular taverns are like this one, nothing special, but people will always be welcome, as long as they stay out of trouble.
The Leviathans Lament
A tavern where the weirder side of town comes together. Cursed people and outcasts among outcasts, only the bravest of people dare hire these pirates.
Scum and Villainy gathers here, the worst of the worst, respected by nobody, but feared by many.
Magic Item Shops and Services
The Lucky Lantern
Run by a halfling that is half the size of a regular halfling. People call him “Quarter”. A friendly but nervous fella, you never know what kind of explosives are hidden around him.
He creates and sells common and uncommon magic items. Simple ones are easily identified by him, for more others are needed - for a small fee of course.
If somebody wants to earn some cash fast, they can be Guinea Pigs for some of his less sane creations.
The Arcane Anchor
Anything that has any real worth is brought here to be bought and sold. A small but capable team is handling everything with utmost care.
Proper identifications are available here - for a fee of course.
These are the only ones that can hand out a recommendation for The Abyssal Vault. Only those trusted by the employees of The Arcane Anchor are given a way to enter the Vault.
While they might not try to rip you off completely, they will always drive a hard bargain, knowing that they are the only ones capable enough.
The Abyssal Vault
Only very few people ever see this location. The rarest and most dangerous artefacts are kept here and tended to by many undead hands, not even all the captains know of this place. If you have an item that belongs in here, you will be contacted and compensated richly.
Not handing over something is not an option, sometimes an elite team has to be sent to “collect” items from the hands of unwitting traders.
Meeting Hall
As close to the harbour is the grand meeting hall in which the captains meet to discuss the business of the Shifting Isles, how the loot is divided, who is cast out and the rare sentemcing. Seeing the writing on the walls, the captains have been using the meeting hall quite frequently recently.
It is customary, that a newjoiner to the council brings a part of their ships hull to reinforce the walls with. So whenever a meeting is held, all are reminded of the past and those that came before them.
It is customary, that a newjoiner to the council brings a part of their ships hull to reinforce the walls with. So whenever a meeting is held, all are reminded of the past and those that came before them.
Shipwrights
Tortuga is a pirate haven, as such it has become quite the industrial center for all kinds of shipwrights, small damage may be repaired by mages and carpenters, but larger damage is always taken care of by the shipwrights.
Many shipwrights actually come to the shifting isles to complete their apprenticeships and learn from the best.
Based on the reputation of a captain they will have access to different shipwrights.
Brothels
As a city without any laws on decency, Tortuga is home to many brothels, anything you fancy can be found - for a price of course. Run by Sneaky Barb, many brothels are the prime source of gossip and stolen information. Quite useful for a setup though, many a trader has paid handsomly to avoid his family finding out about their particular taste.
Pawn Shop
The pawn Shops are run by many different individuals and are quite handy to get rid of some loot, which may still be of use to someone else.
Tattoo Parlours
Now that is something you see rarely. You will quickly notice that many pirates wear tattoos and display them proudly. They look down on anybody that didn't earn their tattoo and just got one. A tattoo should always tell a story, of a foe vanquished, a monster hunted, a storm survived etc.
If you know where to look, you might even find tatoo-artists that can imbue tattoos with magical power, giving the wearer access to arcane powers they never knew before. Although, it is said, that only a boon of one of the Council members can bestow such a right.
If you know where to look, you might even find tatoo-artists that can imbue tattoos with magical power, giving the wearer access to arcane powers they never knew before. Although, it is said, that only a boon of one of the Council members can bestow such a right.
Banks
Banks? In a pirate city? I'd call this an exercise in trust...Yes they exist, yes Rayal Creaking-Beam makes sure that nothing is taken without permission. One of the most fortified positions in the entire Archipelago. Traders have trust in the institution (and no other choices) which is the important thing. Few pirates actually use the bank, most preferring to add to their own hidden stashes.
Type
Island
Location under
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