Crimson Bay
“Oh, you must have seen it with your own eyes! Crimson Bay is a city full of life that never rests. A city that tries to take money out of your pocket at every turn. Be it the traders offering their “wares” from all over the world or the prostitutes, each more beautiful than the last. It's every buccaneer's dream come true.”
History
Crimson Bay was founded many years ago. The city was set up on the ruins of a long-defunct settlement of the lost Vodnik. At the time of its foundation, three of the most notorious pirate captains decided to build a refuge where privateers from all over the world could safely store their treasures, trade, let off steam and relax. Crimson Bay seemed to them to be the ideal location. Only a few ships ventured near the former home of the Vodnik, as no one knew exactly what had happened to the people. Rumor had it that the bay was colored by the many poor souls whose blood had been spilled there by the pirates.
Location and infrastructure
Crimson Bay is located, as the name suggests, in the bay of the same name, Crimson Bay. While the bay got its name from the blood-red colored water, the town was very uninspiredly named after the bay in which it was built. Dozens of jetties line the shore of the sweeping bay. The town itself stretches around almost the entire bay and extends far into the hills that begin directly behind the beach. Several suspension bridges have been built between the individual levels, which are separated inland by ravines. These allow visitors and residents of the town to get from one side to the other more quickly than having to squeeze through the congested alleyways. Carts and pack animals are not allowed on the suspension bridges, which makes crossing the ravines quicker.
The Vault
As already mentioned, Crimson Bay is intended to provide privateers with a safe place to store their treasures. There is a large vault for this purpose. Unfortunately, we were unable to gain access to this building. However, we can report with certainty that it is a heavily fortified and guarded building on the higher levels of the city. We speculate that the actual vaults must be underground, as the building does not appear large enough from the outside.
The master of the Vault is a person referred to by everyone only as the Keeper. None of the pirates interviewed wanted to give any more precise details about his identity. However, it is very likely to be a Kerdil architect and engineer. This would also fit in with the fact that the vaults are located underground. However, this information cannot be confirmed and should therefore be treated with caution.
We were also warned not to gain unauthorized access to the building, even if only for research purposes. Apart from heavy security consisting of several guards at the same time and what appear to be both ballistic and magical defense systems, the building is also additionally secured inside. The corridors of the building and the doors of the individual vaults are peppered with potentially deadly traps.
I wonder how true this is ...
Recommended Establishments
- The Crimson Rose (brothel)
- The Tin Tankard (tavern)
- Lisa's Hostel (boarding house)
- All Brawls, no Brains (Fighting Pit)
- Friedrichs General Store (Fence)
NOT Recommended Establishments
- The Velvet Pillow (brothel)
- The Roasting Pig (pub)
- Golden Crown Inn (inn)
Administration
Since the beginning of its existence, Crimson Bay has been administered by an elected triumvirate. This traditionally consists of one captain each from the Willenberger, the Kadal and the Hayato. Even though a few Haelsingar and Varjoperi ships have arrived in the harbor recently and a few of them are also residents, these ethnic groups have no permanent representation on the triumvirate. There is no set cycle in which the triumvirate is re-elected. Elections are normally held whenever one of the members steps down. Be it voluntarily or through death. In addition, an existing membership can be contested by another captain at any time. As Crimson Bay acts as a haven for freebooters of all races, it was decided early on by the Tirumvirate that the city would not be divided according to race or culture. In keeping with Crimson Bay's guiding principle - “equality, freedom, brotherhood” - everyone lives together in peace. As peaceful as it can be in a town of ruffians, swashbucklers and drunkards.
Legislation
When the city was founded, the first triumvirate decided to establish some basic rules that are still strictly observed today.
Do not steal
Theft within the city is not tolerated and is punished by the removal of individual fingers or an entire hand, depending on the severity of the offense.
Do not kill
If someone causes the death of another pirate, this is punishable by death, unless he can prove that it was an unavoidable accident, in which case the punishment is banishment.
Do not cheat
Loyalty to one's own crew and the agreements made is paramount. Betrayal, whether through espionage, breaking pacts or betraying comrades, is considered one of the most serious offenses. Proven violations are punished with banishment.
The current triumvirate is responsible for determining the level of punishment and administering it. Interestingly, the trials here are conducted just as meticulously as in the Willenberg Republic, for example. Evidence is presented, both sides put forward arguments and in the end the triumvirate must come to a unanimous decision.
Triumvirate
Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain a complete list of the previous members of the Triumvirate. As the information we have received from various pirates in this regard differs greatly in some cases, we have only recorded the members in the year 815 of the 4th age here.
The Sea Wolves
3B - Blade & Bone Brigands
Kaijano Kaizoku - Sea Serpent Pirates (海蛇の海賊)
Captain Wilhelm “Rotbart” Störtemeester
Captain Adalon “Blackscale” Lareth
Captain Akiko “Taka” Itō (明子 “鷹” 伊藤)
Captain Rotbart leads the crew of 92 men and women on the “Schwarze Lilie”. He has been a member of the triumvirate for 37 years. At 57, he is the oldest member and the youngest captain to be appointed to date. He enjoys a very good reputation among all crews and is still respected, even if his active captaincy has waned.
Captain Blackscale took command of the 118-strong crew of the Dragonfly just two years ago. And unusually, he also inherited the seat on the Triumvirate. As a navigator, he had previously made a name for himself among the Kadal of the “Blade and Bone Brigands”, which is why his election was the clearest in decades and a mere formality.
As a woman in the triumvirate, Captain Taka made it clear early on through various sensational raids that she is in no way inferior to her male colleagues. With the “Hikaku (Flying Crane) 飛鶴” and her crew of 154 men and women, she commands one of the largest ships in the Crimson Bay Conglomerate.
TLDR for my players
Crimson Bay is a pirate town located in the Crimson Bay. It is bulid on the foundations of an old Vodnik city. The Triumvirate is ruling over Crimson Bay. There are three important rules to follow:- Do not steal
- Do not kill
- Do not betray
Congratulations on completing the first chapter of "The longest journey". As promised, here is a little memento to remember your travels - I hope to see you in chapter 2!
Unfortunately, there was a slight mixup with the article link for chapter 2. Here is the correct link for Chapter 2. Hope to see you there!