Cliffport

History

Cliffport has undergone many changes throughout its history, from its humble beginnings as a small temple settlement, to its current status as the biggest port city in the Efristan Empire. Its expansive deep harbour allows for even the largest vessels to come directly into the docks, a feat impossible for most coastal settlements these days.

Small Beginnings

About five hundred years ago followers of Oas, the God of placeholder built a small community and temple at the top of a cliff, overlooking the Plains of Ellisboia. About a half day's journey on horseback lay the river city of Highwater, who's population had many followers of Oas. It is said that Oas once appeared here to the Prophet Lormathen, and it was this event which started the prophet down their path to creating the Empire.

A Growing Population

The Rising of four hundred and twenty five years ago saw a great influx of people from the surrounding lower lying regions. This was due in part to its elevation, and in part to the fact that the followers at the temple were known for helping those in need. Many of the refugees were from the city of Highwater, which had suffered severe flooding from the rising waters. People built temporary shelters, which soon became more permanent structures. Within ten years the small settlement had turned into a small farming town.

An Increase in Fortune

The Rising of seventeen years ago brought the sea level up to no more than five metres from the top of the cliff. The once landbound town was now a coastal city with a very rare natural deep harbour. The rising waters had completely changed the coastlines of the Empire, and much of it was clogged with silt and debris, or so shallow as not to not allow passage of anything with deeper draft than a barge.
It soon became apparent to the Empire that this town was now one the few places where trading vessels and navy ships could dock freely. It had recently seen another influx of refugees from the latest Rising and this meant there was an abundant workforce only too eager to help build a new place for themselves to live. In the last seventeen years the town has become a city, nearly trippling in size. The Empire spent as many resources as it could spare on building the expansive docks, but this expense was soon recuperated as trade with other nations was reinstated.

Places of Interest

i.s.e.c Branch

The Imperial Society of Exploration and Cartography has one of their busiet branches in the city of Cliffport. Situated on Kingfisher street, in the commercial district, it is an impressive two storey stone building which used to be the town mayor's residence. The branch is staffed with six clerks, two cartographers , a requisitions officer, the Branch Secretary, and Branch Head. Members can receive assignments, report on expeditions, request supplies and special items, and send messages to other branches.

Shivering Shrimp

A tavern, popular with both local and visiting sailors, the The Shivering Shrimp serves some of the finest fish dishes in the city. While the tavern gets very busy and has a relaxed atmosphere, the owners brook no nonsens, and anyone causing trouble is put out straight away. The tavern is owned by Kimmel Thorfren and his wife Vrissa, who pride themselves on running a clean and friendly establishment. Vrissa adopted an ogre chid about fourteen years, and Hazel helps out around the tavern as server and bouncer.

The Docks

The lifeblood of the city, the docks take up most of the costal perimeter of Clifftop, and service over fifty ships a day. The city sits about five metres above the sea level so many large, stone piers have been built out from the cliff face, these have stairs built into the sides for passengers and large cranes for the loading and offloading of cargo. The docks are split into two sections one for short stay and one for long stay. There is also a dry dock for the repair and overhaul of ships, and a large shipyard with some of the finest shipwrights in the Empire.

General Goods Store

Dewberry's General Goods has been around for nearly one hundred years, the building itself for another hundred before that. It was originally a large warehouse, until it was bought by Farshim Dewberry and his brother Nervin. They had been merchants, but as they aged decided they should settle down somewhere and open a business. Cliffport was a growing farming town, and they still had many of their trading contacts from their merchant days, so a general goods store seemed like the perfect idea. Since the last Rising the business has grown considerably.

Runesmith

A relatively new addition to the city, only opening six years ago, it has become a very popular place for ship captains and successful adventures. It supplies the best runes in the city, that can be bought commercially, and Master Runesmith Araxina has built up an excellent reputation. Here you can find tablet runes for ships, for both offense and defense, as well as personal runes which perform a variety of functions. The runes can be used by anyone as long as they know the activation word, so are very popular with non-mages.

Government Buildings

Situated in the centre of the city, the large, sprawling stone buildings house the offices for most of the governmental departments within the city. They are spread across several buildings that have been repurposed in recent years. Here can also be found the offices of foreign ambassadors from friendly or neutral nations. All major political functions and meetings take place in the many meeting chambers and large entertainment hall. Salvaging licences are obtained here, as are government contracts.

Type

City

Included Locations

• The Shivering Shrimp

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NPCs of note

Rinirith - Branch Head of I.S.E.C. Female Tiefling. She has a professional manner, is very efficient at her job, and is one of the Administrator's most respected advisors. She has been Branch Head since the branch opened seven years ago, but has lived in Cliffport for thirteen years.
Kimmel and Vrissa Thorfren - The Halfling husband and wife team who own and run The Shivering Shrimp tavern. They are both warm and friendly people, though Kimmel is fond of tall tales and Vrissa has little tolerance for bad manners. Kimmel has lived in Cliffport all his, while Vrissa moved here sixteen years ago, with her adopted ogre child.
Hazel - Adopted ogre child of Vrissa Thorfren. Smaller and more intelligent than most of her kind, she was put out by her tribe as a small child, and found and raised by Vrissa. They help out in the shivering shrimp, and though a gentle and polite soul most of the time, if you cause trouble for mum then you will be soon be reminded that small for an ogre is still larger than most folk in Cliffport.
Vurdol Fallenore - Harbourmaster of the Cliffport docks. Human male. Short, skinny and bespectacled, he looks more like a clerk than most typical harbourmasters. He runs the docks with impeccable efficiency and despite his small stature has a hearty set of lungs on him, and can send a dockworker scurrying with a frown. He is known for being honourable and fair, and most of the dock workers have a great deal of respect for him.
Farshim Dewberry - Owner of the Dewbwerry general goods store. Male Dwarf. Started the shop with his brother Nervin about a hundred years ago, but his brother died fifteen years ago, and now he runs it with the help of his two nieces, Arma and Brildelle. He is getting on in years now and can become a little forgetful, often gets distracted by telling tales from his merchant days. His nieces dote on him, but also think he should retire and enjoy life for a bit.
Darilla Araxina - Master Runesmith. Owns and runs the Runesmiths. Female Half-Elf. Relatively new to the city, she setup shop only six years ago, but has quickly become the most sought after Runesmith within the city. Young, talented and slightly full of herself, she never the less has a friendly and bright personality.
Idami - Mayor/Governor of Cliffport. Human. Sent by the Imperial court to oversee the expansion of Cliffport into a major port city, they have proven themselves to be an extremely capable leader. Strict but fair, they have earned the respect of the original town inhabitants, by demonstrating a similar philosophy to that of their own: "Help make a home, or don't come back".