Taverner's Guide - Vol I: The Sunspire Coast

Taverner's Guide - Vol I: The Sunspire Coast

"Where coin flows like wine, and wine flows like the sea itself"

By Harrick Taverner, Year 4,181 of the Cracked Crown

Overview & Geography

The Sunspire Coast stretches for three hundred miles along Aurelia's southern edge, where golden beaches meet sapphire waters and merchant vessels crowd every harbor like pilgrims at a shrine. This is the wealthiest region on the continent, built on maritime trade, fishing dynasties, and a peculiar combination of cutthroat business acumen and overwhelming hospitality.

The region takes its name from the distinctive crystalline cliffs that catch the dawn light—locals call it "Solinar's first kiss." When Aurethiel and Lunara rise together over these cliffs during harvest season, the entire coastline blazes with golden-silver radiance.

Climate: Mediterranean perfection. Winters are mild, summers are warm but tempered by sea breezes. The region experiences what locals call "merchant's weather"—predictably favorable, as if the gods themselves invest in trade.

Major Cities

Port Kalidor

Population: \~85,000

The jewel of the Sunspire Coast, Port Kalidor is where half of Aurelia's maritime commerce flows through elaborate harbor systems. The city rises in elegant terraces from the waterfront, each level more expensive than the last. At the summit sits the famous Merchant's Crown district, where trading families display wealth with architectural peacocking.

What to See:

- The Grand Exchange - A marble cathedral to commerce where fortunes change hands daily

- Harbormaster's Tower - Offers panoramic views (10 silver admission)

- The Floating Gardens - Botanical wonder built on interconnected barges

- Wavecutter's Memorial - Honors sailors lost at sea (moving at sunset)

Where to Stay:

- The Silver Compass Inn - My personal favorite. Clean, professional, excellent breakfast. 2 gold/night. Proprietor Marina speaks six languages and knows everyone worth knowing.

- The Azure Pearl - Luxury accommodations for those with coin to spare. 15 gold/night. Worth it if someone else is paying.

- The Rusty Anchor - Budget option near the docks. 5 silver/night. Loud, somewhat clean, excellent for meeting sailors with stories.

Where to Eat:

- The Gilded Plate - Where merchant princes wine and dine. The seared moonfish is transcendent. Expensive but worth experiencing once.

- Mama Thessia's - Traditional coastal cuisine. The fish stew could convert a vegetarian. Fair prices, massive portions.

- The Spice Merchant - Fusion cuisine from a chef who sailed the world. Try the curry-spiced clam chowder.

***Taverner's Notes:*** Port Kalidor rewards preparation. Dress well—appearances matter here. Learn basic merchant's etiquette (never discuss prices during meals, always compliment the host's ship/warehouse/offspring). The city runs on connections, so collect business cards like they're magical artifacts. Also: beware pickpockets in the Lower Docks district. I learned this lesson twice.

# Saltmere

Population: \~35,000

Built on stilts over a massive tidal lagoon, Saltmere is famous for three things: salt production, pearl diving, and the most spectacular sunsets in Aurelia. The city literally rises and falls with the tides—streets flood at high tide, transforming into canals navigated by shallow-bottomed boats.

The locals are phenomenally laid-back, operating on what they call "tide time" rather than merchant schedules. Business happens when the tide allows, meals happen when you're hungry, and rushing is considered mildly offensive.

What to See:

- The Salt Pavilions - Massive crystallization pools that shimmer like mirrors

- Pearl Diver's Shrine - Pay respects to Lunara, who guards those who work beneath waves

- The Floating Market - Only accessible at mid-tide, worth timing your visit

Where to Stay:

- The Tidekeeper's Rest - Built to rise with the water. Surprisingly comfortable. 1 gold/night.

- Marina's Perch - Upper level accommodations that stay dry. 15 silver/night.

Local Delicacy: Salt-cured fish with pearl onions. Sounds odd, tastes divine. Every restaurant serves a version.

***Taverner's Notes:*** Check tide tables before booking accommodations. High tide means romantic waterway views; it also means potential ankle-deep flooding in lower-tier rooms. Bring water-resistant luggage. The local "pearl wine" is potent—pace yourself. And if a pearl diver offers to take you diving, accept—it's a rare honor and unforgettable experience.

Coral Bay

Population: \~12,000 (triples during festival season)

The smallest of the major coastal settlements, Coral Bay punches above its weight in charm. This is where wealthy Port Kalidor merchants keep vacation homes, where artists come for inspiration, and where the famous Moonshell Wine is produced.

The town curves around a crescent-shaped bay of impossible blue-green water. White-washed buildings with coral-pink shutters climb gentle hillsides covered in grape vines. It's aggressively picturesque.

What to See:

- The Moonshell Vineyards - Tours and tastings (free, but you'll want to buy bottles)

- Artist's Walk - Cliffside path lined with galleries and sculpture gardens

- The Coral Grotto - Sea caves accessible only during low tide, naturally illuminated

Where to Stay:

- The Painted Shell - Boutique inn run by a retired artist. Each room is unique. 3 gold/night.

- Cliffside Cottages - Self-catering accommodations with killer views. 2 gold/night.

***Taverner's Notes:*** Coral Bay is perfect for recovery after hard travel. Spend a few days doing absolutely nothing except eating, drinking wine, and watching sunsets. Book ahead during festival months (Thirdmoon and Eighthmoon). The local cheese is exceptional—buy some for the road.

Cultural Notes & Festivals

The Sunspire Coast celebrates prosperity, beauty, and the sea. Festivals here are elaborate, well-funded affairs.

The Tidecaller's Festival

When: First week of Thirdmoon (Spring)

The biggest event on the coastal calendar. For seven days, every town celebrates the sea's bounty with boat races, seafood competitions, and elaborate water pageants. In Port Kalidor, merchant families compete to create the most impressive ship displays—floating gardens, illuminated rigging, synchronized sailing demonstrations.

Don't miss the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony on the final day, where priests perform elaborate rituals asking Lunara's protection for sailors.

The Pearl Dive

When: Full Lunara of Eighthmoon (Late Summer)

Saltmere's signature event. Professional pearl divers compete to retrieve specially marked shells from the deepest parts of the lagoon. It's simultaneously beautiful, terrifying, and deeply respectful—failed divers are honored as much as winners.

The evening celebrations feature traditional diving songs that will haunt your dreams (in a good way).

The Harvest of Shells

When: Throughout Ninthmoon (Early Autumn)

Coral Bay's wine harvest season. The entire town smells of crushing grapes. Every vineyard hosts tastings, and the Moonshell Wine competition draws connoisseurs from across Aurelia.

Warning: Accommodation prices triple. Book months ahead or prepare to sleep on a friendly local's couch (which happens more often than you'd expect—coastal hospitality is genuine).

Local Customs & Etiquette

- Business before pleasure, but meals are sacred. Never discuss serious business during formal dinners.

- Tipping: 10% standard, 15% for exceptional service. Undertipping marks you as uncouth.

- Always compliment someone's ship, warehouse, or business before asking for assistance.

- If invited to a merchant family's home, bring a small gift. Wine from another region is safe.

- Dress codes matter in upper districts. When in doubt, overdress slightly.

- Pearl divers have right-of-way in Saltmere—always. It's tradition and law.

Practical Information

Currency: The Sunspire Coast uses standard Aurelian currency but prices run high. Budget 3-5 gold per day for comfortable travel, 8-12 for luxury.

Transportation: Coastal ferries run daily between major towns (5-15 silver per trip). Comfortable, reliable, and offer excellent views. Road travel is possible but slower—coastal roads wind considerably.

Safety: Generally excellent. The Merchant Council maintains well-funded city guards. Pickpockets are your main concern in crowded areas. Violent crime is rare—bad for business.

Best Time to Visit: Spring (Thirdmoon-Fourthmoon) or Autumn (Ninthmoon-Tenthmoon). Summer gets crowded and expensive. Winter is mild but some tourist attractions close.

***Final Thoughts:*** The Sunspire Coast is Aurelia at its most polished and prosperous. It's not "authentic" in the way that rougher regions claim to be, but it offers its own genuine pleasures: excellent food, comfortable accommodations, stunning scenery, and the intoxicating energy of a place where ambition and opportunity collide. Come with an open wallet and an appreciation for the finer things. You'll leave poorer but deeply satisfied.