Introduction to Port of Kiel

[Ekaterina]

Port of Kiel, the high cliffs of this region creates the excellent natural harbors along the coast, the low lying area has fertile agricultural land except in the center, where heaths and moors predominate. Farming (grain, potatoes, and vegetables) and cattle raising are pursued, although agricultural production accounts for less than one tenth of the lands's yearly output. Shipping and fishing are important along the coasts, and made up the brunt of the wealth to be gained in the area, as well as it's vast reserves of timber, iron, copper, and other precious minerals. Manufactures of Port of Kiel include ships, paper, beer, and clothing. It's very heart the trading center for areas of Othlund and those close about. The markets included Jewelers who made not only precious bobbles, but precision watches, the fish market where a large variety of sea food could be found. Being the hub of imports and exports, exotic fruits and flowers were also found here.

The high cliffs were the claim of those who held wealth and power. Estate Manors that rested close to the edges in order to harbor a view of the vast spans of water before them. They would also overlook the lower areas, peppered with farms and ranches. Which stood between them and the busy hub of the Port City and it's vast markets. Here all walks of earth would intermingle in business and trade. Those of reputation as well as those that crept from the lower dredges of humanity. As usual in such places, one area catered more to the dock hands, fishermen, and sailors that came to the area to sell their wares, or simply gain employment. Businesses that catered to such men with their supply of liquor and fast company.

Balls with symphonies would be held in the higher elevations, while fiddles played and scantily clad women danced in the taverns and Inns of the port. Life was a mix match of all levels of society and it would be in the market area and upon the docks that these levels would walk side by side.

Constant battle for control by those who held wealth and power, with many pawns in use, and associations created with the dredges of the lower and darker legions that existed. Murder, thievery, bribary, debotchery, and power plays were all things all levels shared and used to their advantage to gain what they wished. For those who couldn't or wouldn't do the crime themself, there were those more than willing for the thrill, the weight of gold, or just cause they could!

[Ekaterina]

(Here are some websites that offer information on the local businesses. As more are created, they'll be added here )


The Stumble Inne - Located 5 miles from the main city of Port of Kiel...
Proprietor: Ekaterina Von Drasek
Tender: Radulfr (NPC)
idarkestxdesiresi.9k.com/StumbleInne.html

The Bloody Bore Tavern - Located on the docks in the market area of Port of Kiel.
Proprietor: Carlotta Basinstoke
Tenders: Veronica & Dan (NPC)
Serving Wenches: Gerty, Hilda, and Elsa (NPC)
www.angelfire.com/rpg2/blackswan/BloodyBoreTavern.html

[Ekaterina]

It is unsure how the Port came to be overlooked by ruling heads, but over the years the area had been left to its own accord. No King or Queen with outstretched hands to demand the payment of taxes, or appoint heads of council to represent the land. However, there was a hierarcy that over-seen the laws of the Port City, the everyday business dealings, and selling of lands.

It was a council that started back when the Port first was settled by survivors of a ship wreck. They built their buildings and over time, more came to build, and settle upon the lands. Over time it grew to the massive city it had become, and the center of the games Nobles play. The council was the head member of one of thirteen houses, of Nobles who had prestigue of power due to the amount of land and businesses they owned. There were lesser houses who's head members held an advisory status, but no strength in voice or position.

Over the years houses fell and became absorbed by others who sought power, either those already seated, or by those who gained their own seat through various means. Yet the number never dwindled from the thirteen seats of members. If one of the major houses did happen to fall, one of the higher lesser houses would take its place.

Yet even in a council, there was always one who sat at its head, this member was the one with the largest amount of holdings, and coins within their treasury. Power in Kiel was bought and sold on a daily basis. No guards or knights patrolled the streets or maintained a safe permimeter about the Noble estates. They were more henchmen, hired by the council when they gained the largest amount of support in numbers. Paid from the pot in which all houses paid into from their profits that kept them in their seats. Though, it wasn't uncommon for these men to turn their heads the other way when various situations occured; if paid to do so. Nor for one to hold loyalty to one Noble more than others. Funny how the weight of a purse can make a man become deaf and blind at the most inopportune of moments.

There were those who owned their businesses, that held not such prestigue or lived within the stately manors upon the cliffs. Ranchers and farmers who owed no loyalty to a Noble house, what they had was theirs and most generally passed through the family line from one generation to the next. There were merchant shops, resturaunts, taverns, private businesses and inns that lined the streets of the city and docks.

The warehouse district was where the main hub of the trade center was, with the massive market area where all sold their wares. Where slavers auctioned off their latest aquisitions right along side those who auctioned off animals and farm stock. There were also shipwrights whom built some of the most impressive ships. Import and export businesses that deal in rare aquisitions, and those they were paid to find. Not to mention the constant traffic of ships from around the world, either stopping to replenish provisions, drop off those who booked passage upon passenger ships, and those that were involved with the local trade. Many of the ships belonged to the Nobles as well, to provide a means to ship their own products, and gain others they might have gotten in trade.

Not only was the lands occupied by Noblity and those of lesser, yet still financially set homes, but those of the lower dredges, that fed off those fat and happy. Thieves and bandits often found the area as a safe haven in which to fill their own treasury with the bounty gained from others. Criminals seeking asylum, due to the lack of enforcement of bounties placed out on their heads; and most would return to their deeds that had them hiding away in the first place.

Some came to the Port of Kiel to seek their riches, while others came to simply hide within the shadows, and then there were those who rested somewhere in between.

Not only was there an unspoken war between the Nobles, where all tried to gain the highest positon of power by any means possible, there were also those willing to benefit by becoming involved in seeing the cause to fruit. Life continued on, as did the games they all played, and there were those who lost and those who won, it depended upon whos shoulder Lady Luck sat upon that day.

[Ekaterina]

Map of Port of Kiel & Black Jade Skull Islands