Rackhaven

Naval stronghold of the Council of Nine

Overview:
Once a haven for pirates and smugglers, Rackhaven is now the primary naval base of the Council of Nine , located on an island dotted with natural coves and hidden inlets. Though its lawless days are long gone, whispers of lost treasure still lure the bold and foolish alike.

History:
Rackhaven began as a pirate enclave, prized for its maze of coves and natural fortifications—perfect for stashing treasure and evading pursuit. The earliest inhabitants were a loose confederation of pirates who later formed the Rack Collective, a fearsome naval power that ruled the seas through a combination of ruthlessness and cunning.

In its early years, the Rack Collective enforced strict loyalty: anyone seeking shelter had to swear allegiance to their banner. This policy transformed them into one of the most dangerous maritime forces in Primordia, drawing the ire of the Council of Nine.

Eventually, the Council launched a joint siege with forces from Crankwall and Bhurnfaldur, leading to a brutal two-year standoff. Thanks to Rackhaven’s geography and a network of smuggling routes, the island held firm longer than anyone expected. As rations ran low, however, the Rack Collective reluctantly agreed to a treaty—swearing loyalty to the Council in exchange for clemency.

The treaty sparked outrage among Rackhaven’s diehards and culminated in the assassination of the Collective's leader. But the damage was done: the Council seized the Rack fleet and imposed direct control over the island.

Modern Day:
Over a century later, Rackhaven is a disciplined military port and a central hub for the Council of Nine’s naval operations. Fortifications ring the shoreline, and disciplined crews patrol the harbor. Pirate culture has been scrubbed from the streets, though old sea dogs and hopeful adventurers still seek rumors of buried gold and hidden vaults deep within the island.

Notable Features:

• The Breakline: A massive, reinforced seawall and drydock complex serving the Council’s navy.
• Smuggler’s Respite: A cliffside tavern said to have once been a secret meeting place for the Rack Collective; now a respectable (and heavily watched) officer’s club.
• The Grave Below: Alleged to be the final resting place of the Rack Collective's treasure, said to lie in collapsed tunnels beneath the island—off-limits to civilians and tightly patrolled.