Sunrock

In ancient times, Sunrock was ruled by a number of minor dukes and princes whose lineages petered out in a succession of squabbles that were finally settled by Empress Galea who appointed a governor in 4421 BPC putting the town under the direct rule of the Old Pale Empire bureaucracy, where it remained until the unfortunate events of the Planar Conformation.   The Mayoralty of Sunrock arose in the aftermath of the town's liberation from the forces of the Dark Domains in 227 APC and has been a remarkably stable system of government ever since.

Sunrock, although never more than a large town, is one of the most venerable settlements in the entire world, with origins which go all the way back to the age of the New Kingdoms, when it played an important role in the opening up and settlement of Tinturbean, before the Trinity Moon Triple Enfolding rose to power.   Despite its advantageous geometrical position, other geographical factors have conspired to prevent the town from ever attaining the level of significance it might otherwise have enjoyed. Treacherous local currents, dangerous offshore rocks and the lack of proper deep water sheltered anchorages, have always restricted the growth of the port. It lost out to Jebbin City when the trade in Phryne leaves from Punjuki became an important commodity, although when it joined the Jebbin League as a founder member, it gained economic strength from the alliance.   In the age of the Old Pale Empire, the development of Honirham as a port able to provide much better security and safer and deeper docks, left Sunrock behind in the competition for trade with Tinturbean.   During the Breach Wars the town was attacked twice and overrun on the second occasion in 34 APC. It was only liberated again in 227 APC.   In 1411 APC, at the time of the Puzzle Lords Directorate a famous game of Star Market, between Untharep Riolle and Finn Embinn, settled the rights to the trading routes into Sunrock and made Finn Embinn's fortune and that of his family for generations. This became known as Finn's game   Later, during the age of the Four Aerial Courts, Sunrock was a Hub Town and briefly a fashionable and important capital. The art work below was commissioned by the Lord Mayor Livran Borque in 2337 APC to honour his glamorous and perspicacious wife, the Cloud-Marchioness Xyletha who he had appointed to govern the operation of the Aerial Hub two years before.     After the Four Aerial Courts lost their centrality to the politics of Magicians' End, Sunrock declined in importance but still played a useful if relatively minor role in the life of the greater political structures which subsequently controlled its fate, just as it does now as a part of the Trans-Oceanic Empire.

The Sun Rock which gives its name to the town, stands at the limit of the old harbour. It has a staircase carved inside the rock and from the top you can look out onto the Krellwrack Sea towards Tinturbean.     The Hamdon theatre is the most famous building in Sunrock today. It was completed in 2190 APC in the early years of the Four Aerial Courts. In the image below we can see the west lobby hall.     The theatre has been a venue for many famous opening nights, including Michaela Trent's renowned play "The Stern Wedding", written in the age of the Moderators' Council and debuting here in 2472 APC.