Porto Esperanza

Porto Esperanza, or Port Hope, lies at the western-most edge of the Storm Coast at the tip of Segesta Peninsula. Where much of the coastline of the Storm Coast is characterized by its rocky shoals, reefs, and sea cliffs, Segesta Peninsula, and in particular the place that was chosen for Porto Esperanza, is the ideal place for a large port with even terrain and relatively few hazards for ships. This fact has allowed the colony of Porto Esperanza to prosper and become the main hub of trade between the colonies and Damasia. The busy docks overlook Iron Roc Island, a large, but unsettled, rocky island across the Tempest Straight. Smaller farming settlements surround the 6 or 7 miles east of the town, supplying the colony with food and other supplies that cannot be supplied by the constant influx of ships from the Continent of Kingdoms. Beyond there, the Trade Road splits north and south from Porto Esperanza bringing supplies to smaller settlements up and down the peninsula where it terminates in the north as it reaches the mouth of the Tarfell River and in the south at the mouth of the Uinta River.

Porto Esperanza imports most of its iron and other metals needed for its growth from Damasia, which it pays for through the vast amount of wealth such as gold, jewels, relics, and spices that flow through its markets and harbor. These goods are largely exported to the City States and beyond throughout Damasia. It also imports a large amount of wood and quarried stone from settlements deeper in the interior of the continent which helps fuel not only its growth, but also supplies the shipyards with a steady supply of materials to create more trade ships. In recent years, Esperanza has also seen a sharp increase in slaves being traded in the city and sold to Damasians as other colonies further south along the Storm Coast have begun exporting indigenous people captured in conflict.

Population: 6876; another 900 or so live on farmsteads dotting the peninsula to the east of the town. The settlers of Porto Esperanza are mostly humans, particularly from the City States, but dispossessed people from all over Damasia make their way aboard ships bound for the Misty Continent daily, and most of them arrive here, so travelers from all over Damasia are not uncommon in Porto Esperanza.

Government: Prince Vicente Segesta III, grandson of the colony’s founder, is the Trade Prince of Porto Esperanza. As Trade Prince, he is the governor of the entire colony, and so is responsible for ensuring wealth and prosperity for its people, but in reality, he has very little of an active hand in governing. The actual administration falls to his appointed lord mayor, Gaspar Silva, and the council which is made up of representatives of the major trade guilds that have a presence in the colony.

Defense: The Esperanza Guard number around 650 men, with around 50 of those on patrol along the roads and waterways at any given point. Their barracks is Fort Segesta. The city also maintains a garrison of 150 Barician Guard, commonly known in the City States of Ea as Goldcloaks, who protect and serve the Segesta family and the other noble families. The barracks for the Goldcloaks, Goldcloak Hold, lies on Stonecliffe along with the Villa of the Trade Prince.

Commerce: Porto Segesta is the largest colony on Xhaan and is a major trade hub for rare and exotic goods being shipped back to Damasia. For this reason, basic supplies are abundant, particularly supplies which facilitate the exploration and settling of the surrounding wilderness. Exotic goods and services are available, but most of these goods are typically being sent off the continent or delivered to profit the trade prince, so they may not be immediately available to just anyone. Numerous inns and taverns support travelers since there are always new settlers, explorers, and treasure seekers arriving each day.

Inns: Seekers Lodge (good; exclusive), The Lighthouse Arms (good), the Bronze Blade (common), The Gypsy and Goblet (poor)

Taverns: The Wench and Tankard(poor), The Wolf and Badger Pub (common), The Dancing Thief (good)

Supplies: The Jester’s Chalice

Temples: Customs House Court (Reylan, Eamon, Miranda), The Silent Mausoleum (Thanatos), The Houses of Healing (Allene)Population

Organizations: Priory of the Shackled Sages, The Seekers, The Icy Edict, the Trade Guilds.

Key Locations

Porto Esperanza is divided into six districts by palisade walls that have few gates and are carefully guarded and manned at all times. There is a steep bluff on the northern side of the town adjacent to the waterfront called Stonecliffe where the Villa of the Trade Prince sits overlooking the Tempest Straights along with the Goldcloak Keep. The wealthiest of the nobles, mostly members of the Segesta family all live here on Stonecliffe, the most defensible location in town. The area east of this steep hill is called Northfront and is where the lower-upper and upper-middle class nobles and patricians live. Northfront is one of the newer districts of the town, having risen within the past 30 years to prominence as more make their fortunes in the Gold Sea Trade. At the heart of the city is the Customs District which holds most of the town’s government buildings and temples, including the largest temple, Customs House Court. East of the Customs District lies Merchantside or Midtown as it is called by locals. This district holds most of the town’s shops and suppliers, including the guildhouses for most of the non-sea based trades, as well as residential areas for the lower-middle merchant class. The large district on the south side is unimaginatively called Southside, or Beggar’s Row. Clusters of shantytowns dot Beggar’s Row, supplying most of the labor force for the city, and in particular the Docks District. A few farms lie within the walls of the city at the furthest edges of Southside which provide some food for the town, but not nearly enough should it ever come under siege from outside. Finally, the Docks District covers the western shoreline of the town.


 * 1) Docks District

The Docks District is the busiest portion of the city, with ships filled with supplies and riches coming from and going to Damasia. Warehouses and shipyards line along the waterfront, and is actually kept quite clean of crime; at least on the surface. The Goldcloaks have their heaviest presence outside of Stonecliffe here at the docks to protect the sea-trade and ensure proper taxes are collected for the Trade Prince’s coffers.

A.   Ship Row

Ship Row is the name given by locals to the actual shore-side where the piers and boardwalks line the waters of Segesta Bay. While standing on Ship Row, many claim it is almost impossible to see out to Lighthouse Pointe through the forest of ship’s masts and rigging.

B.    Lighthouse Pointe

At the edge of Segesta Bay sits a small island on which is built a lighthouse of white marble. Built by the son of the founder of Porto Esperanza, Vicente Segesta II in honor of his father, Lighthouse Pointe is the end point of the no

rthern section of the sea-wall surrounding the harbor. Not only does it provide a beacon for incoming ships during dense fog, storm, or night, but the Lighthouse also houses a complex gnomish-built machine which controls  the five massive pillars that make up the Harbor Gate. Should an attack come from the sea, these pillars can be raised up from under the water and a web of arcing lightning can be projected across the pillars creating a deadly barrier across the surface. This has never before been used, so its existence is only confirmed to a select group of Goldcloaks, the Trade Prince, and is rumored to everyone else.

C.    Esperanza Shipyards

Though not as large or expansive as the shipyards of distant Port Eam, the shipyards in Esperanza are no less busy. New keels begin to be laid mere hours after a ship is launched. These shipyards are the lifeblood of the growing city, as if something were to even slow down the steady flow of new ships to carry goods, the trade that Porto Esperanza relies on could trickle to a halt.

D.   The Lighthouse Arms

Sitting within a stone’s throw of Ship Row along the main road is a two-story stone building with several stained glass windows depicting various nautical images. This Inn, though surrounded by shadowed alleys and noisy taverns, is considered a fairly nice establishment and is one of the oldest inns in Porto Esperanza. Inside patrons find that the place is fancifully decorated and brightly lit by magical candles and crystal chandeliers, and the accommodations are some of the best in the town, consisting of several large rooms with beds and feather mattresses. The innkeeper is a young male half elf named Doci who recently inherited the inn from his ailing father. Many travelers from Damasia pass through the Lighthouse Arms, and though Doci does not make a point to listen in on his clientele, he certainly hears quite a bit.


 * 1) Customs District

The Customs District lies at the heart of Porto Esperanza both literally and figuratively. It is not only the commercial and governmental center of the town, but also the spiritual center. Locals conduct business daily within the district with money lenders and bankers, bureaucrats and couriers rush about on the business of administrating the town, and hopeful explorers and entrepreneurs seek licenses and dispensation here. It is said for every three gold pieces made in Porto Esperanza, one of them ends up in some coffer in the Customs District.

A.   Customs House Court

At the center of the Customs District lies the largest building in Porto Esperanza, and is the only building, besides the Villa of the Trade Prince and Goldcloak Keep on Stonecliffe, that can be seen from anywhere in the town. Customs House Court is the spiritual heart of the port town, and in many ways represents the colonial spirit itself. It is a temple to three gods, Miranda, Reylan, and Eamon, and by that token has shrines dedicated to all three within. This temple also serves all of the practical purposes typical to temples of these gods, acting as the courthouse, bank, customs house, and immigration center for Porto Esperanza. Everyone who arrives in Porto Esperanza and intends to stay in the colonies must find their way to Customs House Court to declare themselves and any cargo they are bringing into Porto Esperanza for tax purposes. The shrines are kept by three head priests, and are capable of providing ritual services at a price determined by what appeals best to their beliefs.

B.    The Dancing Thief

Just down the block from Customs House Court, at the corner of two side-streets off the main thoroughfare lies a somewhat unknown but fine tavern called the Dancing Thief. This inn is a two-story timber and brick building with vaulted ceilings. The air around this tavern is filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers in the spring. This is because of the apiaries which fill the back yard of the tavern, supplying the inn with fresh honey for their in-house made honey-mead. Accommodations consist of several large rooms with beds and woolen mattresses. The proprietor, a young male Hill Dwarf named Faror Honeydew, runs the place with his wife Hilda, with Faror operating the bar and Hilda serving tables. Faror is also the brewer of his family’s famous honey mead, which he makes himself alongside his young son and apprentice, Karl. The Dancing Thief remains something of a well-kept secret as it isn’t in the best of locations, but it does draw in a full crowd on most weekends, usually by people who are suggested to it by former customers spreading word of its fine honey mead.