Drannsmund

Capital of the Bay Province

Population: 43,000

Ruler: Duke Valentin von Baden

Civil War Allegiance: Neutral

Known For: Harbor District, Shipyards, Major Commercial Hub, International Trade, Crabs, Pearls

Built where the wide mouth of the Drann River opens into Ash Bay, the bustling harbor of Drannsmund is filled with countless ships, galleons, and trade caravels. Extending from the stone piers and wooden docks is a tight network of cobblestone streets, bridges, and canals. The ramshackle warehouses and slums slowly transform into a vibrant city filled with trade plazas, parks, and verdant suburbs full of gracious houses. Sailors, merchants, and all manner of travelers from far and wide bargain around elegant shopping arcades and share in a lively cultural life.

The skyline is defined by the overlooking palace of Baden Castle, the high steeples of Saint Jordana’s Cathedral, and the crackling light of the Tower of Storms, which acts as a beacon over the bay. Drannsmund is the largest port city in Westemär. Even before the fall of Drakkenheim, the city was an important economic hub. Drannsmund has benefited considerably despite the hardships facing the nation as a whole thanks to its geographic position, powerful fleet, and the shrewd, level-headed rule of House von Baden. The people of Drannsmund are beginning to think of their city as a potential new capital for Westemär, or perhaps even the heart of an independent nation of their own. Nevertheless, the city is not without its problems.

After running through the corrupted ruins of Drakkenheim for fifteen years, the waters of the Drann River have become thoroughly contaminated, and the once-prosperous fishing around Ash Bay is starting to fail. Ocean-bound trade still thrives largely in part because Drannsmund is now the ideal place for smugglers and prospectors to bring delerium harvested from Drakkenheim. The strange stones move through Drannsmund to markets in distant lands and far continents, where it may fetch prices even beyond those offered by the Amethyst Academy. While House von Baden has profited greatly from taxing this trade, smugglers and malfeasant mages making black market deals for delerium have spurred increased crime and violence in the streets.

Baden Castle.

Perched upon a rocky cliff overlooking the city and the bay, this estate of House von Baden is less a fortification and more a palatial manor. Here, Duke Valentin von Baden holds court. The estate looms over Ash Bay with massive balconies decorated with stone carved statues and gargoyles. The brick building with its bright blue roof and white trim surrounding the windows and doors can be seen from anywhere in Drannsmund. Harbor and Shipyards. Harbormaster Dogberry oversees the daily operations of the port, keeping meticulous records of every ship and its cargo. Though he feels himself a man of great importance to House von Baden, he has never personally met the duke. The shipyard is often filled with large sailing ships, travelers from the Isles of Skye, trade boats from Elyria, and even some from across the ocean. There is never a quiet moment amongst the sprawling docks and harbor. Saint Jordana’s Cathedral. High Flamekeeper Marselle recently converted to the Falling Fire and is now at odds with the other Flamekeepers who manage the smaller chapels throughout Drannsmund. With her conversion, a number of her congregation have begun to set out on pilgrimages of their own, and slowly the Followers of the Falling Fire are becoming much more commonplace in Drannsmund than previously suspected. Shrine of Nodens.

On the edge of the cliff overlooking Ash Bay is a small shrine to Nodens. The statue of the god is adorned with seashells and starfish. Fish guts are placed daily upon the shoulders of the statue to attract gulls to perch and feast. Bogdan Strangewayes, an old hermit and druid of the Old Faith lives in a small shack nearby. He tends to the shrine daily and performs ancient rituals to appease Nodens and prevent the Old God from sweeping Drannsmund in to the ocean. Tower of Storms. On the eastern end of the city is a small rocky peninsula where a tall tower stands overlooking the bay. Court mage to House von Baden, master wizard Sundar Stormgale, a blue dragonborn mage, uses his evocation magic to operate the tower as a beacon for ships to make it into harbor safely during storms. The wizened dragonborn has a wispy white beard and wrinkled face. He wears uniquely-crafted spectacles and flowing purple robes. Kraken Manor Hotel. While Drannsmund is home to many seedy sailors’ taverns, flophouses, and hostels, those preferring finer accommodations seek out this prestigious establishment. Wealthy merchants, nobles, and Academy mages often stay in its fine private suites and dine together each evening in the luxurious lounge. The double doors at the entrance have carvings of a large kraken upon them, with two of its tentacles protruding as handles. The lobby has a great painted ceiling showing two krakens embracing one another. The lounge features paintings of nautical themes, ship battles, and stormy ocean waters decorating the walls and a grand staircase leading to the suites splits like waves upon a massive statue of a kraken carved out of marble.