Port Castellion
History
"As we approached, it appeared as if the walls of the city curved out to embrace us. However, we quickly realised it was no city, rather just the port of one, a massive port unlike any at home, which seemed large enough to house every fleet in the world. " - Marcolo Matei, Wide Blue Beyond
Founding
Marc I Castel, founder of House Castel, was sent out by House Mira, then overlord of House Castel, to establish a well-defended port at the mouth of Meridia's Current in 35AR. Meridia's Current, flowing from Lake Mira to Honeyo Bay, served as the main waterway connecting the capital of Meridia to the sea. Thus, if this position came under the control of House Mira, it would both protect the capital as well as serve as the entrepot for the region."Our servant, The Castellan, is to be sent North to the mouth of the stream which empties into the lake bearing Our own name, and is there to establish, for the protection of the seat of Our House, a port, equipped both with defensive measures and facilities for the importation and exportation of commercial and agricultural material." - Annals of House MiraMarc was then granted his own minor house following the establishment of the city of Port Castellion, creating one of the first minor houses, House Castel in 40AR. The name of the House and the city are both of the same disputed origin, with most agreeing it stems from the word castellan, a title denoting one who manages a castle. This is backed up by references in early Anharan documents of Marc I's status as a castellan of House Mira, prior to his creation of a minor house. Some scholars, however, say that is it comes from a combination of the words castle and lion, which is a motif frequently repeated in the architecture of Port Castellion, and in the heraldry of House Castel. However, the origin of the lion as a symbol of the house is lost, with most scholars hazarding few guesses, especially given the existence of House Leone.
Development
Under Marc I and his immediate descendants, the Lords of House Castel constructed an ever-expanding port city. As Meridia developed in importance and came to be recognized as the unofficial capital of Anhara, the shipping traffic in the region increased dramatically, bringing with it wealth for House Castel and House Mira. While House Mira collected their tribute from Port Castellion and used it to develop their city of Meridia, constructing many of the magnificent buildings still standing today, House Castel kept their money local. Through prudently investing in further port facilities, such as the construction of an artificial outer harbor, expansive warehouse facilities, and markets, House Castel managed to increase their profits despite growing tolls and tributes imposed by their overlords. In keeping with their original status as castellans, House Castel constructed fortifications on either side of the mouth of Meridia's Current. The Age of Rule was mostly a time of gradual investment for House Castel. (See Districts)Independence
Following the Shattering of House Mira, in 3AM, House Castel took the stage as a major house. While Lord Anton II Castel originally debated staying loyal, the growing merchant elements of Port Castellion pressured him to side against his liege. This was largely due to the increasing tolls exacted by House Mira upon shipping, rather than the indignation felt by other houses over the status of Meridia as the capital."House Castel is Elevated to the status of Major House by unanimous vote of the remaining Rhetors, a well-deserved reward for their assistance against House Mira." - The Whistling ObserverFollowing independence, House Castel expanded their territory along the entire western bank of Meridia's Current, and investments in Port Castellion dwindled with the growth of other towns within their territory. This went on until the First Climbing War in 36AM, when minor noble houses, as well as smaller major houses, rose up after years of simmering tensions following The Crossing Over. With the Treaty of Somae ending the First Climbing War in 40AM, House Castel expanded its territory to cover many of islands in Honeyo Bay. This would prove to be a mixed blessing, however, as the instability resulting from the end of the war led to the start of the Waterspout War against the Litoric Islands, and House Castel's embarrassment when Litoric Marines destroyed many of their ships in the city, as well as in Meridia. Following the end of the Waterspout War, Port Castellion's defenses were increased dramatically, as was trade with the Litoric Islands.
Districts
Outer Harbor
"The Master-at-Arms apprehend four lascivious women who had been snuck onto a barracks barge anchored in the Outer Harbor, in violation on the new prohibition on prostitution on the West Bank" - The Daily ScuttlebuttThe Outer Harbor of Port Castellion was constructed artificially sometime in the early Age of Rule. In local legend, Lord Denin I Castel, third patriarch of the house, took possession of the two massive statues of Mistra and Vestria, now on the East and West Banks, in 70AR. These were shipped as gifts from House Mira, down Meridia's Current to Port Castellian, upon two huge ships. Those vessels were filled with stones and sunk to begin the formation of the causeways separating the Inner and Outer Harbors. Then, that was followed up by the depositions of silt and rocks along a naturally forming chain of barrier islands, forming the crescent bay seen today. The Outer Harbor, while an engineering feat for the time, was expanded by future patriarchs to host a naval fleet. The fleet docks on the exterior of the walls, and is serviced by facilities contained within the defensive structures themselves. This serves to keep the main harbor free for commercial shipping, as Honeyo Bay provides ample protection from major storms, thus not requiring the military vessels to remain within the protected Inner Harbor. The walls and fortifications of the Outer Harbor contain blacksmiths, barracks, mess halls, warehouses, and all of the other facilities associated with a naval station, effectively forming a small town outside of the city-proper.
Inner Harbor
"The master of the ship is answerable for all goods laded aboard his ship, which he shall be obliged to deliver by the bills of lading" - Maritime Ordinances of Anhara, 346ARThe Inner Harbor is just that, the innermost harbor of the city, a small yet extremely important district. It curves along the entire coastline within the city walls, so there is not a grain of sand along the harbor which does not hold some sort of facility dedicated to shipping. Cranes of all sizes stand along the innumerable docks, and there are a number of drydocks for refitting damaged ships. Each dock is constructed of a brick base along the coastline, with steps running down to sea level, and at a uniform height so that one can transit from the east to the west of the Inner Harbor without needing to use steps or ramps. Additionally, there are, at even intervals, eight large ramps running down into the water, allowing for ships to be removed from the harbor onto land.
Warehouses
"Two snakeskins from Julfar found dead in the Warehouses, stevedores staying silent on the murder." - The Daily ScuttlebuttThe Warehouse district is one of the most iconic in the city, and may be intimidating to sailors unfamiliar with Port Castellion. This district is made up of three large complexes of warehouse buildings, all made of stone faced with brick, and most at a height of six stories. The roofs are of a dark blue tile, peaked, and over a large arched entryway, each with massive wooden doors. Rarely are these warehouses entirely filled, rather they were originally constructed, around the beginning of the Age of Men, to the dimensions required to store naval vessels in an emergency. There are about one hundred of these warehouses per three blocks of structures, and each is controlled by a member of the port authority to allow for the efficient flow of goods. The Warehouse district is believed to be the largest storage facility in the known world, dwarfing even the Litoric Islands' many ports. House Castel prides itself on the efficiency of their facilities, despite their sprawling nature. However, these Warehouses often operate as a community of their own, with smuggling and crime growing and shrinking over time, depending on the priorities of the city's administration.
West Bank
"My first port-of-call, so to speak, when I landed in Port Castellion were the offices of Costanza & Co., on the West Bank of the city. They had constructed such an homage to the Islands in the architecture of their foreign headquarters, that it awoke such pangs of homesickness in me after such a long journey." - Marcolo Matei, Wide Blue BeyondThe West Bank begins with The Castellion, a major fortress defending the mouth of Meridia's Current, and serving to impose tolls upon traffic exiting and entering the river, a crucial revenue source for House Castel. Adjacent to The Castellion is the statue of Mistra, where part of the Marriage of the Waters Festival takes place. Just south of The Castellion, and directly adjacent to the dock-lined waters of Meridia's Current, are dozens of offices for merchant, shipping, and insurance companies. These buildings are a very strange sight to the uninformed traveler, coming downriver from the Coquet Heights for the first time, as they are constructed in a wide variety of styles so as to represent the nation or region of origin of the companies involved. Sandstone structures with brilliantly colored awnings from the Mawan, wooden longhouses from varying tribes of the Boreal North, mossy stone structures from the few merchants of Panag Rho progressive enough to set foot in the land of a heretic, and more dot this coastline. Behind this multinational mix of merchants is a beautiful tree-lined neighborhood, segmented from the hustle and bustle of the city by their private parks and clusters of trees. These are the homes of the wealthy merchant families and businessmen who have chosen to live, or at least have one of their homes, in the city itself. These vassals of House Castel, as those are the only merchant families who would be within the port city itself, form a unique class within Anhara, as few other cities in the nation have such a wealthy group of low-ranking nobles.
Marcian Markets
"This year's Marriage of the Waters Festival went off without issue, beginning in the Marcian Markets with a rare visit by the High Priestess herself." - The Daily ScuttlebuttThe Marcian Markets are the most famous attraction within the city of Port Castellion, and are known throughout the world. They form a city-within-a-city and are constructed of a series of wide, well-paved, stone streets. From these, smaller streets branch off into a spiraling mess, difficult for the uninitiated to navigate alone, but home to the most diverse community of nationalities, races, and religions in the known world. These well-maintained stone streets are lined with what is claimed locally to be the longest mosaic in existence. This mosaic is an artful depiction of the goods for sale in the market, said to be the most beautiful advertisement thus far created. Each side street can be identified by the depictions on the main mosaic at its entrance. These symbols could be of goods sold there, as well as the names and visual representations of the cities, companies, and groups selling goods on that street. These mosaics are further lined in a long series of loggia, from which are hung awnings on either side, often in a color similar to the mosaics below, to aid shoppers in identifying them from a distance, as well as to provide shade. Then, along the many roads which branch off from the main one, are the market-stalls, tents, or shop buildings selling the goods represented on their respective street's mosaic. In the very center of the Marcian Markets is a large square into which all the major mosaic-lined streets feed. Here, along the edges of the square itself, is a mosaic representing the history of House Castel, backed by four L-shaped, loggia fronted, structures holding local administrative offices. In the center of the square is a large fountain, containing a rock within the middle upon which are life-sized statues depicting Marc I Castel founding the city. This square is used to host a number of local festivals and celebrations, the largest of which is the start of the Marriage of the Waters Festival. During the day-to-day life of the city however, it is a meeting place for the lower classes to organize, news to be announced, tourists to gather, merchants to hawk their goods, and so on.
Bellows & House Castel
This hardly qualifies as a district itself, but must not escape mention, as it is a feature of any significant house seat. The Bellows, which also features the nascent airship dock, is a large tower for communication across cities. Adjacent to this is a structure of towers in the Meridian-style, with original bluestone, where the officials of House Castel administrate the city-proper from.East Bank
"The Season Has Opened: Bets Being Taken Until The End of Churus, Gentlemen Gamblers Welcome" - Poster for an East Bank bookie, found in MeridiaThe East Bank of Meridia's Current is an eclectic mix of groups. For one, in the northernmost portion of the East Bank is Aidan's Rock, one of the most important fortresses in the Coquet Heights, and crucial for the defense of the waterways leading to the capital. From here, tolls are imposed upon traffic exiting and entering Meridia's Current, providing one of the main sources of income for House Castel. Adjacent to Aidan's Rock is the statue of Vestria, where part of the Marriage of the Waters Festival takes place. Just south of Aidan's Rock sits a cluster of structures largely disconnected from the overall city of Port Castellion. Here, after laws were passed to remove women of ill-repute from the city proper, for the health of the sailors, the less-savory elements of the city took up residence. While originally the home of brothels alone, the East Bank proper has grown into one of the foremost areas in Anhara for gambling, alcohol, and loose living, with almost every social class represented in the clientele. While the East Bank formally comprises the areas above, it leads into the areas listed below, forming a bridge between Port Castellion proper, and the outlying neighborhoods associated with the city.
The Sandline
The Sandline technically falls outside of the normally-acknowledged administrative area of Port Castellion. Nonetheless, it is very close-by and has some influence upon matters of the city's internal politics. The Sandline is a stretch of beach, along Honeyo Bay on the eastern side of Meridia's Current, along which have been constructed a number of expansive estates. These are used as seasonal homes for the wealthiest and most powerful members of Anharan society, at least those near the Coquet Heights region. Most of these estates are very private, as they are used by Rhetors or other high-ranking officials.The Gatehouse
The Gatehouse is the primary seat of House Castel. Here, most of the key members of the family reside, when not working within the city or busy with politics in the capital. It is a large manor, situated atop a grassy, square-shaped, plateau to the far east of the city, and south of the Sandline.
Founding Date
35AR
Type
Large city
Inhabitant Demonym
Castellions
Included Locations
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
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