Heras Tut

More properly the third Heras Tut, this hidden outpost is a clearinghouse for goods pilfered by the Eterti as well as other ne'er do wells or any who might wish to supply them. Located in a hidden cove somewhere in the Eastern Archipelago, Heras Tut is hard to find for those outside the know, and has almost no permanent residents.
Partially built into a sea cave, Heras Tut is a natural harbor with only a few permanent structures. Built up with an open-air shipyard, a shrine to the Great Gods, and the Harbormaster's house, most other buildings are warehousing space or temporary accommodation. The mouth of the cave is cleared out to be used as a great market square. Thursdays tend to be the busiest days of the outpost, but Heras Tut does not have a strict rhythm for that might make it easier for the Red Sails to discover it.
Heras Tut is used by pirates and Eterti to discharge their loot, and to purchase goods from Grand Tescary and further afield that they might otherwise be unable to source. Thus, the variety of goods on offer is great, and depends entirely on who is selling. Connected traders sail from Grand Tescary to Heras Tut to sell goods like goat-hair felts to the Eterti at inflated prices, while valuable things often go for cheap, sold by pirates who know their options for selling their loot are limited. Trade is conducted by barter, perhaps for jars of octopus ink, or for precious jewelry. Ironically, the Confederation Dinar and Kilthian Crown are valid forms of payment in this market. Many things that are stolen find their way here, and many practical things can also be bought here.
The Harbormaster of Heras Tut is possessed of a healthy paranoia, and swears any comers to secrecy. A supply depot for the enemies of the Condominium, all involved are eager to avoid the fate of the first two Heras Tuts. Those claiming piracy or Eterti as their allegiance must name their crews and clans, and if the answer does not satisfy, they may be killed on the spot to avoid leaking the location of the outpost to the The Red Sails.

The merchants of Grand Tescary are offered slightly more leeway, but are still carefully watched. In addition, any crew or group entering Heras Tut is expected to bring a gift to the harbormaster, in the Tescarana tradition.

History

The idea of Heras Tut first appeared in the 480s, as the Eterti begun to arise in response to Runberi aggression. Though impromptu pirate outposts popped up every once in a while, Heras Tut, founded in 484 first did the legwork of spreading the word to as many Eterti clans and pirate crews as possible, without being immediately discovered by the Red Sails. This first Heras Tut lasted until 489. when someone revealed the hideout to the Red Sails who promptly razed it to the ground.
A month and a half later, there was a new Heras Tut, the second Heras Tut. That one lasted for 2 years, as the Red Sails were already on the lookout for such outposts. Then, for three years there was no Heras Tut, as no-one dared found one. However, in 494, the third one was founded. The uncompromising security, the swearing to secrecy, and the summary execution of suspected spies all date back to the lessons of the first two pirate outposts. Thus far, this Heras Tut, hidden as it is among the innumerable isles has survived, though by now the Red Sails know it exists. So far, the bounty for Heras Tut's whereabouts stands unclaimed.

Type

Trade post

Owning Organization

Clan Scire