Silver Bay
Silver Bay is a large town located in the Dalarn Lowlands. Found along The Silver Coast, it takes prime position for being the main port for the Province. It's streets are tightly-packed, with multi-storey buildings looming over cobbled streets. A large market and plethora of docks are the main features of the town, and goods and services can be found plenty - as long as there is gold to pay for it!
All would not last though, as the expansion of The Kingdom of Arden rapidly progressed, goods were required further north and in the Capitol, Ardenholt. New Port Towns were created closer to the centre of the Kingdom, most notably Lighthaven and Amal Veor. These stole a lot of the wealth away from Silver Bay, which has suffered more and more as the years have gone by.
In the year 952 AF, a great fire spread throughout the South-eastern part of the town. To this day, the buildings have not been repaired, and residents refer to the abandoned and dilapidated area as "The Ruins of Old Town". Along with this, large sections of the old town wall have long since collapsed, so that they do not surround the town fully. Many buildings and streets have been built over these old walls, resulting in their replacement being all but impossible.
Whilst ultimate rulings and laws fall to the Governor, much of the running of Silver Bay falls to a Council of the Governor's choosing. Often made up of prominent figures in the community, over the years this Town Council has been used for more political and economical means, with members often being appointed for the Governor's own ends. It is not unheard of for a Council Member to lose their seat if they fall out of the Governor's favour.
Alongside the Town Guard is a detachment from Highwater Shipping Company Navy. Primarily based in the large Keep that dominates the northern cliffs, the Captain's and soldiers of Highwater are often found in the northern parts of town. Occasionally, squads will be attached to ships and crews as part of a guard, and replacements from other Ports will come in to replenish the numbers. These individuals come from all over Arden, and are a rare force of professional and disciplined troops. Despite this, the Highwater soldiers have gained a fierce reputation amongst the local populace, often being regarded as upper-class brutes. This is reflective of the nickname given to the soldiers and Officers, and the uniform they wear - The Blue-Coats.
Fishing is also a large part of Silver Bay's trade, and Highwater Shipping Company has all but monopolised this industry in the area. A fleet of fishing boats can be found in Silver Bay, providing food all year round, along with fish being specially prepared and frozen for delivery to other regions in the Kingdom.
For those who dive deeper in to the political and economical happenings in Silver Bay, smuggling can be found plentiful. Being so far from the Crown's influence, the town is ripe for larger, organised crime to take place, and the avoidance of any taxes imposed by the Crown is chief amongst these. Many of the more wealthy merchants and traders often deal in illegal goods or smuggling, and it is rumoured that the Governor himself knows about these dealings, but turns a blind eye to such things.
At the southern end of the seafront, near the dry docks, a small Shrine can be found. This has been dedicated to the Sea Serpent, an belief held over from the times before the Hero Arden. Despite the Holy Light's influence, this minor religion holds many followers around Silver Bay, and many fishermen and sailor's will visit the shrine to receive blessings for their voyages ahead.
Lately, a new religion has cropped up in Silver Bay. A statue has been placed to the Drowned Goddess, an unknown deity that is rumoured to have come from Therrezia. A small following to this new Goddess has begun flourishing in Silver Bay, with those that worship having notably better luck when sailing at sea. If this is as a result of their new religion or some strange coincidence is unknown.
History of Silver Bay
Established under the rule of King Marcus the Third, the town was originally called "King's Bay" and was the staging point for the first voyages across the Sapphire Ocean. With exploration and trade increasing, the town flourished. As coin ran through its streets, the town took a new name - Silver Bay. The region around the town also was dubbed "The Silver Coast", with many nearby villages also flourishing in this era.All would not last though, as the expansion of The Kingdom of Arden rapidly progressed, goods were required further north and in the Capitol, Ardenholt. New Port Towns were created closer to the centre of the Kingdom, most notably Lighthaven and Amal Veor. These stole a lot of the wealth away from Silver Bay, which has suffered more and more as the years have gone by.
In the year 952 AF, a great fire spread throughout the South-eastern part of the town. To this day, the buildings have not been repaired, and residents refer to the abandoned and dilapidated area as "The Ruins of Old Town". Along with this, large sections of the old town wall have long since collapsed, so that they do not surround the town fully. Many buildings and streets have been built over these old walls, resulting in their replacement being all but impossible.
Local Government
Having been used for the first voyages from the Kingdom of Arden, Silver Bay has never had a Noble House ruling and instead relies on a regional Governor. This was originally a prominent Captain or Businessman who was voted for in a local election. However, since the rise of Highwater Shipping Company, a Governor has been appointed from their own ranks.Whilst ultimate rulings and laws fall to the Governor, much of the running of Silver Bay falls to a Council of the Governor's choosing. Often made up of prominent figures in the community, over the years this Town Council has been used for more political and economical means, with members often being appointed for the Governor's own ends. It is not unheard of for a Council Member to lose their seat if they fall out of the Governor's favour.
Law and Order
Like most larger settlements, Silver Bay has its own Town Guard. These are employed by the Governor's Household itself, and are often found patrolling the local region and streets. Led by Sergeant Henry Osgood, the fourty-or-so Guard are recruited from the local populace and will uphold the laws set by the Governor.Alongside the Town Guard is a detachment from Highwater Shipping Company Navy. Primarily based in the large Keep that dominates the northern cliffs, the Captain's and soldiers of Highwater are often found in the northern parts of town. Occasionally, squads will be attached to ships and crews as part of a guard, and replacements from other Ports will come in to replenish the numbers. These individuals come from all over Arden, and are a rare force of professional and disciplined troops. Despite this, the Highwater soldiers have gained a fierce reputation amongst the local populace, often being regarded as upper-class brutes. This is reflective of the nickname given to the soldiers and Officers, and the uniform they wear - The Blue-Coats.
Commerce
Despite its decline in usefulness as a Port for the wider Kingdom, Silver Bay still enjoys a large amount of trade. With its location set up for more southern trade routes, ships from The High Elves of Laheria and the Ogre Empire of Ari'Salar. Most goods come in the form of silks and cloth, along with food and goods found in hotter, more exotic climates. High Elven furniture and crafted goods are often common, alongside a variety of magical items that are not found anywhere else in Arden.Fishing is also a large part of Silver Bay's trade, and Highwater Shipping Company has all but monopolised this industry in the area. A fleet of fishing boats can be found in Silver Bay, providing food all year round, along with fish being specially prepared and frozen for delivery to other regions in the Kingdom.
For those who dive deeper in to the political and economical happenings in Silver Bay, smuggling can be found plentiful. Being so far from the Crown's influence, the town is ripe for larger, organised crime to take place, and the avoidance of any taxes imposed by the Crown is chief amongst these. Many of the more wealthy merchants and traders often deal in illegal goods or smuggling, and it is rumoured that the Governor himself knows about these dealings, but turns a blind eye to such things.
Religion
Like most of The Kingdom of Arden, The Church of the Holy Light holds a significant presence amongst the populace of Silver Bay. The Church of the Divine Tithe is located within the town, and is used by some of the locals in their devotion to the Light. Despite it holding some influence, only a small percentage of Silver Bay's populace actually attend the Church services regularly, and the devotion to the Light has faltered for the locals in recent years.At the southern end of the seafront, near the dry docks, a small Shrine can be found. This has been dedicated to the Sea Serpent, an belief held over from the times before the Hero Arden. Despite the Holy Light's influence, this minor religion holds many followers around Silver Bay, and many fishermen and sailor's will visit the shrine to receive blessings for their voyages ahead.
Lately, a new religion has cropped up in Silver Bay. A statue has been placed to the Drowned Goddess, an unknown deity that is rumoured to have come from Therrezia. A small following to this new Goddess has begun flourishing in Silver Bay, with those that worship having notably better luck when sailing at sea. If this is as a result of their new religion or some strange coincidence is unknown.
Demographics
Human ~25%
Dwarf ~20%
Halfling ~25%
Elf ~15%
Other ~15%
Dwarf ~20%
Halfling ~25%
Elf ~15%
Other ~15%
Notable Locations in Silver Bay
- Town Hall
- Hall of Commerce
- Town Guard Barracks
- East Stables
- South Stables
- The Sailor's Knot Inn
- The King's Head
- The Half-Mast Tavern
- The Mermaid's Tale
- The Siron's Song Bath House
- Highwater Shipping Offices
- Arcane Enclave Library
- Church of the Divine Tithe
- Temple of the Sea Serpent
- Shrine of the Drowned Goddess
- Generally Good General Goods
- Anvil Crafts
- The Enchanted Emporium
- The Gilded Bubbler
- a. Town Market
- b. Governor's Mansion
- c. Keep
- d. Hangman's Point
- e. Dry Docks
- f. Halfing District
- g. Ruins of Old Town
- h. Druid's Grove
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