Freeport

Freeport is located on the western side of Skull Island. If is a large metropolitan City made up of people from all over Aranthar. Unlike many of the other large cities where races tend to self segregate, Freeport is more of a melting pot with the many races living among each other. Freeport is also known to be welcoming to some races that are not welcome in other places. There are several Lizardmen in the city, and even a few Darklings living in the open. It is also one of the most welcoming place for Half-orcs, who usually find work on the Docks as Stevedores or as bouncers in one of the many taverns in Freeport.

Freeport is the Largest trading hub on the Amrid Ocean. Many merchants specialize in buying from Western Aranthar and selling to Eastern Aranthar, or putting together items for the Long Haul to Chi-Cshura. There are ships coming in all day and night.

Freeport Districts

Drac's End

Freeport Docks

Freeport Eastern District

Freeport Merchant District

Scurvytown

Government

Seaport is ruled by the Lord of Seaport, a position chosen by the Captains Council.  The council also acts as advisors and local leaders.

Defences

Seaport has the third Largest navy in the world, though the numerous merchant ships that call the port city home into service if pressed could easily make it the largest.  Not only does it maintain a strong city guard, but many of the merchant houses have a force used for security aboard their ships.  In addition, Seaport is home to several large mercenary companies.

Industry & Trade

Seaport is a hub for trading.  The many merchants that in the city provide a steady revenue from tariffs, the amount of people that come into the city keeps its business well funded. 
The Island that Seaport is located on also was the home of an ancient Praxite Civilization and adventurers are always spending time on the island looking for lost treasures and using Seaport as a place to launch expeditions from.

Guilds and Factions

Several Mutlti national organization have a presence in Freeport.  The Silver Raven mercenary company have a training facility here, and both the House Of Scholars  and the The Society both have chapter houses in Freeport.  The The Halfling Benevolent Association looks out for the Halflings in the city, and even the Half Orcs on the Docks have been looking to unionize.  There are also rumors or even darker organizations in the city.

History

The city grew out of a collection of pirate bases, which tended to collect on the island because it was close enough to plenty of tempting targets while still being far enough away from the main continents to provide some safety. Over time, these prates grew steadily in number and accumulated more and more enemies, but none ever succeeded in stamping out the pirates. This successful defiance of the various continental navies emboldened the pirates, and they decided to retaliate for the various attacks that had been mounted against them. For the first time in the young city's history, they united under a pair of prominent captains and organized a single raiding expedition that was to assault as many targets as possible. Largely through surprise, the Great Raid was very successful, and the loot acquired was truly unprecedented. To this day, the city celebrates Swagfest in honor of the triumph of Captains Drac and Francisco.
However, the Great Raid united the city's enemies too, and they set out on a more determined campaign to resolve the problem once and for all. Eventually, a large fleet composed of ships from several nations was seen to be approaching, and the two captains again led their fleets out. Just before battle was joined, Drac's fleet turned away and returned to the city in accordance with the secret deal he had signed with the continental navies. Francisco's outnumbered fleet was destroyed, and Drac proclaimed himself Lord of Freeport.
Drac had agreed to give up (more or less) the city's tradition of piracy, and instead use its fleet and tradition of seamanship for trade. As the city had more skilled sailors and shipbuilders than any other, it became a prominent center of seaborne trade. Over the years, this trade has made the city a very wealthy place.
Drac's final legacy was to give control of the city to the Captain's Council that had helped him run the city, and give it the right to choose future Lords. This arrangement has, generally speaking, held since then, uniting the fractious denizens of the city to an extent that had not been thought possible. While there has been constant turmoil, crime and violence within the city, few have seriously tried to overthrow the Council.
Some years ago, a descendant of Captain Drac named Marten Drac assumed the title of Lord through a campaign of blackmail and worse. He proceeded to implement a series of tax increases and import duties that drove away many of the city's merchants, but did allow him to decorate his palace and acquire all manner of decadent and bizarre treasures. Most importantly, he also implemented a law that required all future Lords to be members of the Drac family.
Fortunately for the city, his younger brother and successor, Anton, was a rather better leader. Anton reversed many of his brother's less popular policies, and won back much of the trade that had departed for greener shores. Unlike his predecessors, Anton wanted to involve the city in the wars of the continent, and to use Freeport's considerable naval strength to support Amador in its campaign against The Mark. This was not a popular view in the city, as few saw the profit in it. On the eve of the mission, Anton was assassinated when a single arrow hit him as he inspected the fleet.
His younger cousin Milton took the title, and immediately ended the city's active involvement in continental wars. Instead, he spent all available money building a giant lighthouse to advertise the city and its standing in the world. This tower was to be the tallest human-built structure on Nor, and truly one of the wonders of the world. This was not a popular idea either, but for some reason no-one ever seemed to be able to stand up to the Lord until, when the lighthouse was completed, it was revealed to be a shrine to the demons Drac worshiped. Milton Drac and several Councilors were killed in battle at the tower as they attempted to use it to summon their dark god.  Since then, The name of Drac has been disgraced and many other have held the title of Lord of Freeport.  Strangely enough nonehave held it very long though, and some think the position is cursed.

Tourism

Freeport is a tourist draw, and many people will come to the City of Adventure just to say they have been.  Some come to see the mixing of cultures between the races.  Some come for the great markets and shops where one can buy almost anything.  Some come to see the Lighthouse, the largest of its kind in Aranthar.  What ever the reason, the city is a popular destination for tourists.

Architecture

Seaport's Architecture, like its residents in a mix of many styles and culture.  From sprawling mansions in the richer districts, to Dwarven designed safehouses to ramshackle shacks in the poorer sections, all manner of building types can be found.

by Andy Law

Founding Date

671

Alternative Name(s)

City of Adventure; City of Pirates

Type

Metropolis

Population

28000

Location under

Skull Island

Included Locations

• Drac's End
• Freeport Docks
• Freeport Eastern District
• Freeport Merchant District
• Freeport The Old City

Owner/Ruler

Lenok Enloquicedo

Ruling/Owning Rank

Lord of Seaport

Owning Organization

Freeport Captain's Council

Characters in Location

• Aldrin Starcut
• Billie-Bob Billie

Vehicles Present

• The Durmont

Related Reports (Primary)

• Sesison 0: Welcome to the Society Report 1/28/2023
• Session 6 Report
• Session 7 & 8: Blackthorne's Manor, and a trip to a necropolis Report
• Something's Strange in Freeport Conclusion Report
• Something's Strange in Freeport Part 1 Report
• Something's Strange in Freeport Part 2 Report
• Who is Cross Eyed Jack, Part I

Related Reports (Secondary)

• Session 1: Following up on the Griffon Family Jewelry Report
• Session 9: Rookwood Report - A Grimoire, a lizardfolk champion, A druid and a difficult choice.
• Who is Cross-Eyed Jack PArt II Report

Map

Freeport

Open full size

Freeport during the Vemoraxx

Freeport is needed by the vamoraxx as they need to move men and supplies. Due to this, the Dragons have been careful not to cause any damage to the city. The Vemoraxx do maintain a presence and can often be found patrolling the streets. The people of the city do their best to be on good behavior when they are looking and curse them when their back is turned.