Leeside

The Merchant Consortium

 

City Upkeep and Development:

The Consortium/Senate is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the city's infrastructure. This includes overseeing the construction of new buildings, docks, and public spaces, as well as the maintenance of existing structures.  

Organizing Celebrations and Festivals:

As a vibrant port city, Leeside hosts numerous festivals and celebrations. The Consortium/Senate plans and fund sthese events, which are crucial for the city's cultural identity and also attract traders and visitors from far and wide.  

Funding and Overseeing the City Watch:

They are responsible for financing the city's watch, ensuring law and order is maintained. The watch deals with everyday crimes and ensures the safety of the city's bustling markets and docks.  

Struggle Against Pirates:

 

The Corsairs of Fortune

Leeside, with its wealth and strategic location, naturally attracts the attention of pirates. The Consortium/Senate must thus invest in defenses, both at sea and within the city, to protect against pirate raids.  

Negotiations and Skirmishes:

There might be ongoing negotiations or skirmishes with pirate crews, requiring a delicate balance of diplomacy and force to protect the city's interests.  

The Elusive Thieves' Guild:

 

Rumors and Speculations:

Among the populace, there are whispers about a shadowy Thieves' Guild. Some merchants and citizens dismiss it as mere rumor, while others are convinced of its existence. The Consortium is quick to try and quell these rumors when they begin to get carried away, however they tend to enact new laws or increase the presence of the city watch whenever these rumors swell, only adding to the intrigue and mystery of the Guild.  

Public Perception and Politics:

  While the members of the Consortium are viewed in a mostly pleasant and respectful light, there is some skepticism by the citizens, particularly those of lower classes. While they ensure the city thrives, their focus on commerce and wealth does not always align with the needs of those who are not already well off or catch a lucky break.

The Harborfront:

The bustling heart of Leeside's maritime activity, this district is home to the city's main docks, shipyards, and warehouses. It's a lively area filled with sailors, merchants, and dockworkers, and is the primary point of entry for goods and travelers.  

The Market Quarter:

Adjacent to the harbor, this district features a maze of marketplaces and trading posts. Here, merchants from across Aetheria and beyond sell exotic goods, seafood, spices, and artifacts. The streets are always alive with the chatter of haggling and the clatter of commerce.  

The Floating Ward:

Unique to Leeside, this district comprises floating structures, including lavish villas and repurposed ships that serve as homes and businesses. It's a testament to Leeside's wealth and creativity, offering stunning sea views and a sense of exclusivity.  

The Adventurers' Haven:

Catering to the many explorers and fortune-seekers that pass through Leeside, this district is filled with taverns, inns, and outfitters. It's a place of stories and recruitment, where many expeditions and voyages are planned.  

The Old Town:

The historical heart of Leeside, featuring older, weathered buildings rich with history. Narrow, winding streets are lined with local shops, traditional eateries, and residences that have stood for generations.  

The Artisans' Alley:

Known for its workshops and craft studios, this district is where Leeside's artisans work their trade, producing everything from ship parts to intricate trinkets. The sound of hammering and the smell of sawdust permeate the air.  

The Gilded Row:

This upscale district is where the wealthiest merchants and successful captains reside. It features opulent homes, private docks, and exclusive clubs, showcasing the luxury and success attainable in Leeside.  

The Watchtower District:

Home to the city's watch and naval defense force, this district features barracks, training grounds, and lookout towers. It's a testament to Leeside's need to protect its wealth and interests from pirates and other threats.  

The Cultural Quarter:

Here, theaters, galleries, and music halls offer entertainment and culture to the city's residents and visitors. It's a vibrant area where the arts are celebrated and showcased.

The Corsairs of Fortune

A boisterous group of free-spirited pirates, coexist within Leeside's vibrant tapestry, known for their loud advocacy of a life guided by fortune and luck. Anchored close to the harbor, their repurposed ships serve as raucous taverns and meeting places, embodying their philosophy of seizing life's opportunities unbound by the structured norms of trade and commerce. For the most part, the Consortium allows their coexistence peacefully, only getting involved when they disrupt the peace, or start to spark to much contention against the current structure of Leeside.  

The Adventurer's Haven

The most famous and active Adventurer's Guild in Aetheria, aligns with Onasis's teachings that champion fortune, adventure, and the embrace of the unknown. With the recent resurgence of Riftspawn in Aetheria, the Guild has extended its reach to Eralyn, the capital, to unify Aetheria's adventurers. This expansion not only addresses the immediate threat but also supports a long-term goal: to assist in identifying and rallying new Champions of the Eralyn pantheon, should the need arise. The Guild's efforts are crucial in ensuring that heroes are ready to face any challenge and explore the mysteries that Aetheria has to offer.

Leeside's origins trace back to Fortuna Leeside, a daring adventurer and Champion of Onasis, whose dream of sailing the open seas was realized with the liberation from the Riftspawn. Initially, what would become Leeside started as a fleet of ships, each a small world unto itself, with Fortuna at the helm. These vessels, home to those who sought freedom and adventure on the high seas, eventually anchored at a promising coastal location, laying the foundations of what would grow into the city of Leeside.   The early days of Leeside were marked by a spirit of exploration and trade. The city expanded rapidly, drawing in traders, sailors, and fortune-seekers. As it grew, the need for structure and governance became apparent. The most prominent and prosperous merchants came together to form The Consortium, an assembly aimed at managing the burgeoning trade, ensuring the city's prosperity, and upholding the teachings of Onasis that valued fortune and opportunity.   Recognizing the need for security and order amidst the city's bustling growth, The Consortium soon established the City Watch. This organization was tasked with maintaining peace and safeguarding Leeside's interests, both on land and at sea, protecting it from pirates and other threats.   Over time, Leeside transformed from a fleet of ships into a sprawling, vibrant port city. Its docks, markets, and taverns echoed with stories of distant lands and adventures on the high seas. The city became a symbol of opportunity and freedom, embodying the adventurous spirit of its founder, Fortuna Leeside, and the blessings of Onasis, the god of Fortune, Adventurers, and Luck.