Centrum Dockland Project

What's the significance? Well...   when this "Dockland"- as so many want to call it- is completed, it will change how every person on the continent conducts business with the merchants of Centrum!

— Shigeru Azuma-kara, Architect

Overview

Construction of a large floating structure continues slowly on the relatively calm waters of Harenosum Bay. The bay lies due west from the Free City of Centrum offshore of the Magna Sorror Island. On the island's shoreline one can see construction materials housed under quickly constructed warehouses. Only the foundations of this project are visible as of 1277AGC. The "Dockland Project" has already taken three years to finalize plans and assemble the necessary materials and is not expected to be completed for at least another five years.
Centrum's Dockland is meant to greatly increase the city's trade capacity. While many ports have been built on the island, its capacity is already strained by the continued development of civilization across the continent. The design for the dockland is inspired from Azumanami floating island designs. In fact, the Centrum Director's Council hired an experienced Azumanami architect, Shigeru Azuma-kara, to head the project to ensure the job is done properly.

The Architect from Azumanami

It is said that Shigeru Azuma-kara has designed and overseen the construction of several floating island projects for the Azumanami Thalassocracy. As such, he is well regarded within the Thalassocracy and such a reputation must have allowed him leverage to demand a high price from the Director's Council in Centrum. He jumped at the chance to bring one of his visions to life in the Occulus Sea and the reputation and the rewards that are sure to follow a successful completion of such a project. Shigeru claims to have an official name already picked for the dockland, but will not reveal it until its completion in five years time.

The project sounds like it will be quite the accomplishment. However, I do wonder what implications it may have for the rising influence of the free city.

— Jamieson Larmare, Centrum Merchant

Centrum's Future Prospects

Should this project prove to be successful, Centrum may construct more such structures near other towns and cities in order to increase trade capacity across the Occulus Sea. For this reason, many suspect that this is the key asset that will ensure Centrum's dominance of the inner continental sea for decades to come. Of course, Centrum so far has only shown an interest in conducting trade and commerce rather than outright subjugation that most other sovereign states strive for.

Type

Boathouse / Wharf

Note(s) from the Archivists:

Can Visus island handle the influx of new trade this dockland will cause? The forest grows hostile already. - Archivist Enna 
Time will tell. If the island can, then the quality of life in Centrum will improve. If the island cannot, then it is sure to let us know through either slow or quick destruction. - Archivist Taenya
I guess I should enjoy as many pies as is dwarvenly possible until then. - Archivist Bob