Oakheart

Founded: 1065 REM Population: 3500 Purpose: Protection of Alabaster Crossing Founded as a garrison to protect the Alabaster Bridges, the city has expanded due to constant foot travel and a growing number of unofficial settlements on the Rimbar Islands. While a city exists, Oakheart refers to the series of oak-wood garrisons constructed directly on the expanse.
Travelers must submit to being searched before making the four-day journey, and dangerous materials must be confiscated and returned to travelers once their journey is complete. This process typically results in small amounts of lost goods, a fault that is waived as an occupational hazard. Travelers are also not permitted to sleep, instead renting empire-controlled lodges at inflated prices. Yet, despite these challenges, the crossing of this marvel is breathtaking, its beautifully crafted arches providing a view found in dreams yet somehow now a reality.
City Dynamics Finding Another Way. A growing movement seeks alternatives looking at sea-based routes or smuggling attempts. This led to the creation of the Rinbar Pirates, a group of like-minded individuals who ferry goods through the northern islands, besting the Yentarian and taking coins from their purses. Though labeled fugitives, merchants look favorably at the pirates, looking for their stolen Parish Sails to secure a cheaper method across the Oakheart Strait.
Significant Locations Twin Alabaster Bridges. An engineering and arcane feat, the bridges span 50 miles over the Oakheart Straight connecting the Northern and Eastern Empires. Ornately decorated, each bridge is a single piece of alabaster, raised and shaped. While used primarily now for travel, the bridge was designed as a defense mechanism for royals escaping Anook. This function was lost when the city fell.