Awa Harbor

Awa Harbor

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Awa Harbor is the capital of the Isle of Awa , and of the Drembari Isles as a whole.

Awa Harbor is the capital city of the Isle of Awa and, thus, of the Drembari Isles. Its cultural and political influence inflects the entirety of the Isles.

Demographics

Awa Harbor is considered to be comprised of six areas.
Bluebud: The admirative heart of the city, and of the Isles. Most governmental buildings are found here, as well as those who are the "movers and shakers" of the Isle's political climate.
The Bends: Situated near the city's western gate, The Bends is home to both ambitious merchants as well as skilled tradesfolk. The current Waterspeaker, Six Bottle, hails from here.
Graypoint: Easily the wealthiest part of the city, Graypoint is separated from the rest of Awa Harbor by a small pond referred to as Otuna's Charge. The community of Graypoint exists on a single slab of etched slate, predating the city itself.
Green Cross: The largest district in the city is home to most of folk who make the city run--working-class laborers, small shops, bustling taverns. All of that can be found in Green Cross.
Keeside: The docks of Awa Harbor, like many docks in urban areas, are usually busy and populated both by daring sailors and less scrupulous opportunists.
Spentbrine: While some might not consider Spentbrine a part of the city, as it is technically outside the gates, the peninsula it inhabits, along with its sometimes unsavory people, is essential to Awa Harbor's ability to get things done, regardless of circumstance. A sprawling network of tunnels and caves exists below the surface.

Government

Aside from hosting the federal government of the Isles, the city itself is managed by the Waterspeaker, appointed by an elected committee, usually referred to as the Stewards.
The current Waterspeaker is Six Bottles, but the Sea Sibyl is in residence here, too, and although Loshi Saltbloom's commission is over the Isles as a whole, the Sibyl holds significant sway over the local affairs of both the city and Awa Isle.

Defences

In addition to the stalwart walls, Awa Harbor maintains a trained standing guard, called Baena's Peace. This organization is responsible for both interior policing as well as serving as a bulwark against external threats.
There have been efforts to create a unified navy, but these often die in committee as the Waterspeakers cannot come to an equitable accord.

Industry & Trade

As the center of the Drembari Isles, every sort of trade imaginable is present in Awa Harbor to at least some extent. Major considerations include foodstuffs, especially the nutrient-rich leafy green produce called Algaesmosh and various root vegetables. 
The art of pickling and preserving food has been refined by skilled craftsfolk in Green Cross and The Bends, and, as that is essential to travel at sea, the fortunes of Awa Harbor have been refined with it.

Infrastructure

The city is protected by a thick stone wall, with the foundations of that wall being volcanic rock. The farmland outside the city has several watermills and a sturdy network of roads connects each part of the city to the next. Most of the buildings have a strong blueish hue, owing to the nature of the clay on Awa. As perhaps expected with a capital city of an island league, docks, jetties and launching points dot the city all over and are swarmed by vessels large and small.
The most impressive building is largely considered to be The Gathering Hall. 
There are many rumors about the labyrinth of sewers, caves, and tunnels below Spentbrine and what secrets those areas might contain.

History

Awa Harbor has existed as long as Awa itself. In fact, it predates known history. Some historians and archeologists speculate that the etched slate of Graypoint indicates the presence of a robust citadel here sometime during the Unknown Eras. 
The city itself was settled as early as 750 AC, with industry and trade centered firmly on its access to viable freshwater and cultivatable fields. Thanks to the lush farmland, Awa Harbor soon prospered and grew beyond its own meager expectations. By 880 AC, Awa Harbor was the largest and most important city in the Isles, and began to exert its political influence over other Isles in the fledgling Drembari Isles league. This resulted in the capital of the confederation being moved from Ionak in Matahak to Awa Harbor in 913 AC. 
Since then, the cultural and political importance of both the city and the Isle itself has continued to grow, cementing its position as the key settlement of the Bari people.

Tourism

Bari come from all over to experience The Gathering Hall, and many have claimed to see visions of both Otuna and Baena in its corridors and surrounding areas.

Geography

Awa Harbor, like most settlements in the Isles, abuts The Vast. It is also astride Nemmik, a swift river running deeper into the Isle. There is bountiful lumber available, thanks to thick concentrations of sappy Blue Pine.

Founding Date

787

Alternative Name(s)

Awa, Otunawa

Type

Capital

Population

10.482

Inhabitant Demonym

Awans

Location under

Awa

Owner/Ruler

Six Bottle

Ruling/Owning Rank

Waterspeaker

Owning Organization

Drembari Isles

Characters in Location

• Loshi Saltbloom
• Six Bottle

Related Reports (Primary)

• Winedark, Chapter Four
• Winedark, Chapter Six
• Winedark, Chapter Sixteen
• Winedark, Chapter Ten
• Winedark, Chapter Thirty-One
• Winedark, Chapter Thirty-Six
• Winedark, Chapter Thirty-Two
• Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Six
• Winedark. Chapter Five

Related Reports (Secondary)

• Winedark, Blood and Therapy: In the Bowels of the Hippowhale
• Winedark, Blood and Therapy: In the Halls of the Herald of Rot
• Winedark, Blood and Therapy: On the Trail of the Ulam
• Winedark, Blood and Therapy: The Frogman Cometh
• Winedark, Chapter Eleven
• Winedark, Chapter Fifteen
• Winedark, Chapter Seven
• Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Five
• Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Four
• Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Seven
• Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Three