Fronthé
Fronthé is the northernmost settlement of Vauren, nestled along the jagged coast where the seas of Kirishin meet the trade routes to Malnarr and Jakkurin. It serves as the primary gateway for intercontinental commerce, ferrying goods, people, and knowledge across the continents. Known for its bustling harbor, flying airships, and armored warships, Fronthé is both a trading hub and a military bulwark, safeguarding the Empire’s northern seas from pirates and foreign threats. Fronthé is a critical trade and military hub, but like other parts of the Furiconia Empire, it struggles with unstable electrical infrastructure. Blackouts disrupt everyday life, leading the city to develop creative solutions for power management. Thanks to its access to traditional energy sources—such as steam power and Magha Crystals—Fronthé remains one of the few cities in the empire that effectively balances new technology with older methods.
The city’s architecture reflects both its functionality and grandeur: warehouses, markets, and docks line the harbor, while naval academies, embassies, and merchant guild halls dominate the inner
Defences
Fallback Defenses: The Magha Barrier around the harbor operates at reduced power during blackouts, offering weaker protection. However, defensive cannons and steam-powered artillery remain active to guard against enemy ships or pirates. Airships stationed in Fronthé are equipped with dual systems—diesel engines and Magha reserves—ensuring they remain operational even without electricity.
Stormcaller Emergency Network: In emergencies, Electric Artt mages (Stormcallers) can channel lightning from the Skythorn storms directly into the city’s grid. This creates temporary power boosts, though overuse risks causing Magha buildup or overloading machinery.
Industry & Trade
Energy-Efficient Industry: Shipbuilders in Fronthé rely on diesel-fueled machines during outages and have developed energy-efficient tools to minimize electrical consumption. They also utilize Magha Crystals to power enchanted workshops. Electric cargo cranes at the harbor switch to steam-based pulleys during blackouts to maintain operations.
Specialized Exports: Fronthé has become known for power-efficient technologies—such as shock-resistant insulation materials and low-energy navigation devices—which it exports to other regions still struggling with blackouts. Traders in Fronthé also carry manual energy storage units (like enchanted batteries) to power devices in settlements with unreliable grids.
Shipbuilding and Repairs: Fronthé’s shipyards specialize in both traditional ships and steam-powered vessels. The airship docks also repair damaged airships, using both metalwork and Artt-infused materials.
Trade Hub: Fronthé connects Malnarr and Jakkurin with the Furiconia Empire, trading goods such as metals, exotic spices, alchemical ingredients, and textiles.
Fishery and Whaling Industry: The northern seas are rich with fish and whales, whose oils and bones are essential for the empire’s industries.
Infrastructure
Airship Docks: Elevated platforms house Fronthé’s airship fleets, with docking arms and Magha-charged platforms ensuring secure landings even during high winds.
Hybrid Power Systems: Electrical grids power parts of the harbor and market districts, but diesel engines and steam boilers provide critical backups. Steam-powered streetlamps light many streets during blackouts, while airship docks use Magha-charged platforms to stay operational even without electricity.
Canals and Bridges: The city is threaded with canals that serve as quick transport routes between districts. Steam-powered boats ferry goods across these waterways.
Energy Management Centers: The city’s engineers and Artt scholars monitor electricity usage from a central hub known as the Pulse Tower. This tower also directs power rationing during storms or high-demand periods. Fronthé is known for its power-saving protocols, including scheduled blackouts in non-essential districts to conserve electricity for critical operations.
Manual Overrides and Clockwork Devices: To prepare for outages, mechanical devices—such as clockwork alarms and steam-powered elevators—serve as emergency backups. Even the Harbor Chain can be manually raised if power runs out, though it’s a slow and labor-intensive process.
Districts
Market District: The Market District is known for its open-air bazaars and luxury goods, where traders from distant continents bring exotic wares.
Harbor District: Fronthé’s deep-water harbor accommodates merchant ships, steam-powered vessels, warships, and airships. Cranes, shipyards, and loading docks operate day and night.
Guilds and Factions
Naval Academy Officers: The academy’s officers push for greater investment in backup power infrastructure, arguing that unreliable electricity threatens the city’s defenses. There are rumors of friction between the navy officers and merchant guilds, who want funds directed toward expanding trade infrastructure instead.
The Stormcallers Guild: As managers of weather control and emergency power boosts, the Stormcallers have gained political leverage in Fronthé. Their ability to summon power during blackouts makes them critical to the city's stability.
The Black Reef Syndicate: A shadowy faction that operates in the city’s underbelly, trafficking in contraband and magical artifacts. They have strong connections with pirates operating in nearby seas.
Points of interest
The Pulse Tower: A centralized power management hub that monitors the city’s electricity usage. It’s run by a mix of engineers and Artt scholars who adjust power flows across districts during high-demand periods. The control room at the top of the tower features Magha-powered monitors that track storms and energy surges, helping predict outages.
Lighthouse of Mournhold: A massive, glowing tower powered by Magha Crystals, serving both as a navigational beacon and an emergency power source. During blackouts, the lighthouse acts as the city’s backup generator, keeping the harbor operational.
Airship Docks: Fronthé’s airship docks are equipped with dual power systems—electric and Magha-based. Engineers constantly tweak the systems to conserve power during long flights.
Grand Bazaar: The bazaar is famous not only for its exotic wares but also for selling energy-efficient technologies. Merchants from Verivia bring experimental devices to showcase at the bazaar, including low-energy lamps and hand-crank radios.
The Sunken Temple: Rumors suggest that an ancient Artt shrine lies beneath the harbor, and some say the Black Reef Syndicate uses it as a base of operations.
Architecture
Sustainable Building Design: Fronthé’s buildings reflect maritime themes and are designed to maximize natural light and airflow, reducing the need for electrical lighting. Large windows, canal-side terraces, and open courtyards keep buildings cool during summer. Public spaces, such as squares and markets, are often lit by lanterns powered by Magha Crystals, conserving electricity during nighttime hours.
Canal System Integration: Many workshops and businesses along the canals use waterwheels to generate mechanical energy, reducing their reliance on electricity.
Geography
Fronthé’s position on the northern coast exposes it to frequent storms, which strain the power grid but also offer opportunities to harvest lightning energy.
Coastal Location: Fronthé sits on a deep-water harbor along the northern coast of Vauren, with clear access to the seas separating it from Malnarr.
Cliffside Layout: Part of the city is built into cliffs overlooking the harbor, with homes and workshops clinging to the rock face, accessible via elevators and staircases.
Isolated Isles: A series of small islands lie just off the coast, providing defensive outposts and lookout towers. One of these islands is home to a private naval retreat for high-ranking officers.
Climate
The foggy mornings and stormy autumns affect electrical systems, with moisture often causing short circuits in unprotected devices. Engineers must frequently repair damaged infrastructure during storm season.
Temperate Coastal Climate: Fronthé experiences mild summers with frequent sea breezes and cold winters with occasional snow.
Storm Season: During autumn, the city is prone to storms and heavy rains, making sea travel dangerous.
Foggy Mornings: Thick morning fogs roll in from the sea during spring and autumn, adding to the city’s maritime atmosphere.
Natural Resources
Fish and Whale Oil: Fronthé’s economy relies heavily on fishing and whaling, with whale oil being a primary fuel source.
Thunderroot Trees: Forests near the city contain these trees, whose shock-resistant wood is essential for crafting tools, weapons, and airship components.
Magha Crystals: Rare Magha deposits lie within underwater caves near the harbor, mined carefully by divers for use in magical technology.
Sea Pearls and Algae: The surrounding waters yield valuable pearls and medicinal algae, which are used in alchemical practices.
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