Averse's Landing

The population of Averse's Landing consists entirely of sailors and naval officers who are Human and Harengon, the latter being a minority, as naval missions are an uncomfortable habitat for the rabbit race. They're a small, but vital contingent to the base's defense. Most of the sailors are engineers and shipwrights who specialize in the steam-powered technology designed by the Pale Stone tribe and the Dwarven clans. As Owenarians, they reside on the mainland where their families are safely protected by their stalwart positions. The naval officers enjoy a more privileged status compared to the sailors, as they live in the better-maintained areas of the fort. This privilege is rarely contested by the lower class, as the military culture of camaraderie and the common goal of protecting their homeland fosters a bond between them. For instance, the iconic cannon of Averse's Landing, the Sterm Splitter, is mechanically controlled by the engineer sailors, and its effectiveness is monitored by the officers, who assist the sailors in finding its designated target. This massive cannon requires the teamwork of both sailors and officers to utilize its full defensive potential.

As an Owenarian naval base, it operates under the militaristic government established by the Kingdom of Owenar, as outlined in the kingdom's constitution known as the Silver Sun. The Maester Judge plays an essential role in maintaining law and order within each division based at Averse's Landing, which is part of the Kingdom's military justice system. The only other authority that overwrites that rank is the monarch of the Kingdom. Officers take on the role of prosecutors, while another officer assists the convicted individuals in forming their defense. The Maester Judge has the final authority over judgments regarding law and order for every division at Averse's Landing. Furthermore, all Navy personnel have the right to vote for a Judge, the rank second to Maester Judge, in their respective divisions, with officers holding the exclusive privilege to campaign for the position. Should a challenge to duel arise, a referendum can be initiated to call for a vote and potentially bring the challenge to a conclusion.

As it is of Owenarian origin, its use for naval defense makes it superior to most. Shipcrafters design quick and sturdy warships for the Kingdom's use. Although not as effectively as the mastered craftsmanship of Dalios Hold, it compensates for its lack of finesse with the most devastating offensive power against an invading naval force. Over a dozen artillery cannons line the port and starboard sides of the ship, while its bow holds the pinnacle of artillery power with just one massive steam-powered cannon, the Storm Splitter. Capable of angling 45 degrees in any cardinal direction, with steam pistons aligned on the cannon's axis, it can launch 680 kg (1500 lb) balls using large quantities of dragon powder. It earned the name Storm Splitter when it was first fired, unleashing a massive shock wave that silenced the stormy weather for a brief moment. The Salted Steel Tribe recognizes this mechanical monstrosity as the ultimate sea weapon of the Kingdom of Owenar and rightfully fears its devastating capabilities.

Due to the ever-present threat of the Tempete Archipel and its residents, Averse Island has been deemed an exclusive military zone by the Owenarian Parliament. No trade routes or civilian habitation are permitted on the island or the base. Any visitor to the island is checked for motives and activities and is either sent on their way or transferred to the mainland the same day. If you seek to travel to or from the Tempete Archipel, you must have written permission from a higher authority, such as the Maester Judge or the reigning monarch of Owenar.

Resting on Averse Island, the base is essentially a ruined flagship that crashed on the island during the First Salted Steel War. The ship lays at an upward angle, exposing its bow completely and is kept in that position by the rocky islands supporting structure, ensuring it remains in place even when pummeled by an outside force. Many of its structures remained intact, but the damaged areas have been refitted with reinforced steel and wooden supports. The ship itself was designed to withstand the heavy storms of the Tempete Archipel during naval combat, framed with refined steel and dense layers of wood. As such, it can endure cannon fire, excessive rainfall, and lightning strikes. Despite centuries of harsh weather, it still showcases exquisite architecture fitting for a queen's royal ship. Its exterior is painted with blue and silver linings coated in Saltwood tree sap between decorative wooden carvings. Although this colorful material has worn down to a minor degree, it is occasionally maintained by the sailors. Its upper compartments are redesigned with steam-powered machinery that helps sustain the interior of the ship for tasks like heating, mechanical locks, and water pumping. The interiors are illuminated using wall lamps fueled by whale oil, similar to those in Dalios Hold. The lower compartment, the least renovated, uses basic but effective locking mechanics for storage rooms and crafting stations. Apart from that, the front end is redesigned with advanced steam mechanics that support the use of the base's greatest wonder.   The most innovative part of the base is the massive cannon that extends out from the bow of the ship. A marvel of Human/Dwarven engineering, the cannon, named Storm Splitter, is a steam-powered artillery device that extends to a length close to that of the ship in its prime. Aiding its offensive capabilities are small openings on the starboard and port sides of the ship for archery and smaller artillery.   Aside from the ship, there are small military barracks made from wood imported from the mainland. They are structured for efficiency rather than style and reinforced with basic metal frames, as well as steam-powered heating and plumbing pipes. These barracks are stationed on the small outcrop of Averse Island, where sailors can quickly access the ruined ship in the event of an unprecedented attack. Inside, the barracks consist of small resting rooms, a canteen, and small arms storage. Hidden in the back half of the island is a shipcrafting facility and port for both sea-born access and the construction of ships.

The naval base carries a significant assortment of military equipment including blades, arrows, bows, firearms, artillery, ammunition, and armor. There is no accumulated wealth to speak of apart from treasures collected from destroyed ships which are stored at port for immediate transfer to the mainland.

At the time, the First Salted Steel War was considered the bloodiest conflict in Owenarian history and the Kingdom's first taste of an invasive and nation-threatening force. In the year 91 after the Dark Ages (ADA), during the Battle of Averse, the decisive conflict of the war, Queen Lauren Owenar ambitiously sought to overrun the retreating Salted Steel Tribe and claim the Tempete Archipel. In her rush, her flagship, Breyta's Promise, caught a heavy wind that dragged her vessel directly into Averse Island. The crashing waves lifted it onto land with such force that it landed in the middle of the island's rocky edge at a slanted angle, rendering Lauren's mighty ship idle and broken. The Queen, however, did not despair. Looking toward the bow of the boat, facing the Saline Citadel at a vast distance, she saw a unique opportunity to create a menacing line of defense against any future attacks by the neighboring enemy. Under her orders, the ship was refitted into a naval base, and the island itself was secured as territory for the Kingdom of Owenar.   After Queen Lauren's passing, Averse's Landing held strong against multiple rogue attacks by the Salted Steel Tribe's raiding parties. Despite the tribe's contradictory notion of isolation, the Kingdom of Owenar did not fear a full-scale invasion, as independent forces carried out raids, and none of them were able to break the naval bases' barrage of cannon fire. By the time steam-powered mechanics were founded by the Pale Stone Tribe and the Dwarven Clans in 258 ADA, the Owenarian Navy had made plans to renovate the ruined ship with a new weapon of grand proportions. In 317 ADA, on the 400th anniversary of the base's founding, the steam-mechanical cannon was fully developed. Its first test was taken during the peak hours of a heavy rainstorm. Targeting the storm itself as a test, the cannon unleashed a shockwave so great that it silenced the storm itself. The heavy winds became a stiff breeze, the raging shore abruptly calmed, and the lightning-bearing clouds scattered like flies. The cannon's monstrous power earned it the name "Storm Splitter." Its thundering roar was heard as far as the Saline Citadel. Declaring to the Salted Steel Tribe a warning of any act against the Kingdom of Owenar.   For centuries after, Averse's Landing maintained its defense and even heightened its awareness in 497 ADA when the Salted Steel Tribe began amassing its forces after its Signeur was killed in a coup d'état. This culminated in the sudden and massive attack in 979 ADA known as the Sudden Gust, sparking the beginning of the Second Salted Steel War. The sailors and officers of the base fought valiantly. The Storm Splitter fired upon many of the tribe's warships and decimated their numbers, but there were too many to count and slowly overwhelmed the base. Within a matter of days, the base was overrun, Maester Judge was killed in battle, and the enemy occupied what was left.  Those that survived had retreated to the mainland as the Kingdom gathered its forces to take on the impending invasion force. For 11 years, the Salted Steel ruled over Averse's landing until the Owenarian armada had managed to force the enemy into retreat. In what would be know as the Battle of Bleeding Rain, the Owenarian fleet fought tooth and nail to reclaim Averse Island. Elbion Stormmoon, the commanding admiral of the Owenarian Navy, ordered his ship "Kraken's Bane" against the infamous enemy ship "Blood Moon." The Salted Steel Tribe thought that Elbion was on the ship leading the attack, but in secret, he set foot on Averse's Landing with a small band of fighters. Elbion commandeered the fallen base and Storm Splitter. Sacrificing his own ship, he fired the cannon directly at Blood Moon. For the ship had been secretly storing large quantities of explosive Dragonpowder. Enough to create an explosion big enough to take down even the mightiest of warships. The thundering cannon fire followed by an intense eruption of flame shuttered the ongoing storm and struck fear into the hearts of the remiang enemy. Kraken's Bane was instantly engulfed in the explosion as debris hurled across the sky for miles. Forcing the enemy into a retreat, the Kingdom of Owenar had won the battle and ended the war. Since then, the naval base has been under repair and occupation once again by the Owenarians. Ready to face the Salted Steel Tribe if they once again seek to conquer the mainland.

A volatile temperature and weather regime characterizes Averse Island and the base. Storms are a near-constant feature, with only brief periods of calm interrupting the turbulent conditions. Summers bring humid air, while winters are marked by cold, persistent rain. Rainfall is typically intense, often accompanied by strong thunderstorms and significant ocean rainfall, all driven by heavy winds. Notably, the thunderstorms possess a wild and magical quality, originating from the lightning-attuned lands of Forodren, further emphasizing the dramatic weather patterns of the archipelago. At the peak of these storms, it is considered dangerous to be standing out in the open as lightning strikes in quick succession.   In comparison, other islands have an advantage against storms due to stationed lightning rods. Averse's Landing is uniquely suited to withstand them because of its geographical location. Averse Island is the closest to the mainland and experiences the least severe lightning storms, which diminish in strength by the time they reach it. As such, the only significant effects on the base are the constant rain that can cause rust and wear if not maintained by the base's sailors.