Steelport, Capital of Westmarch
"This place is rotten to the core. We had honour, once. We had a flag to be proud of, a storied history to uphold, carved in marble, in gorgeous stone. Now, we are a waste on the shore, empty shells of a home. Led by a whore and ruled by greed... Our streets ran aglow with gold, now 'tis all but blood and bribes."
Foundation
Map of Steelport
Demographics
Steelport is home to mostly three ethnicities, namely from neighbouring elemental tribes, and raiders from the north. The primary ethnicity happens to be the Eostre, an ancestry they share with the people of Shawgate.
Secondarily, Steelporters have a shared ancestry with the Ilmari people of the Great Roc, namely through repeated trade and shared interests in defending against constant raids from the third predominant ethnic group, the Jormar.
Repeated raids from these northern clans have left some of the pirates stranded in search of a better life, settlers looking to till the fertile lands of Westmarch and whalers who then return years later with families from the snowy wastelands of the Jormar. The city has recently seen a drastic decline in male population due to the Devastation.
Local Population:
- Eostre, the Tribe of Light - 40%
- Ilmari, the Tribe of Winds - 26%
- Jormar, the Children of Ice - 26%
- Hàlogi, the Tribe of Embers - 8%
Government
The city of Steelport, and all its territories across Westmarch, are ruled by Aneira Blackmoor, Lady of Westmarch, last daughter of the old Lord Blackmoor. Her rule is absolute, albeit it is devolved into multiple parties. Within Steelport itself, she has delegated her authority between various members of her council, who oversee different aspects of governance.
The Privy Council of Steelport is composed of three positions, the Master of Coin, the Dockmaster, and the Commander of the City Guard, accompanied by an unofficial attendant, the Orator of Steelport. These four officials council and advise the ruler of Steelport in their respective matters, as well as hold authority over their different departments.
Members of the Privy Council
- The Master of Coin is one Sior Mardrim and is the guild's representative in matters of trade, economy and taxes. They raise or lower tithes, set quotas for the next four years, and pass laws with regards to coin.
- The Dockmaster of Steelport is one Jarlath Blue-Eye and monitors all trade within the docklands of Steelport. They are also the admiral of Steelport's navy, and protects its western shores against raiders who pillar the countryside..
- The Commander of the City Guard is one Siobhan Blackmoor and is both the leader of Westmarch's standing army, and the overseer of the city's militia. They maintain peace and order within the streets, ensure that all criminals are caught, and protect the city walls from potential invasions.
- The Orator of the Church is one Urien Nascì and is the annointed chief of the clergy in Steelport, who overwatches the priesthood. It is their holy duty to advise the Lord of Steelport, and ensure that no action they take will corrupt their soul.
Industry & Trade
Steelport's key industry is metallurgy, hence its name. It is renown for its silver, iron and tin artifacts, as well as the weaving of fine silks from the migrating Ilmari tailors from the mountains. However, as the centuries have passed, so have the veins of the earth, and mining has become not only an unprofitable profession, but a dangerous one.
Many guilds still cling unto the hope of striking literal gold, and will gladly send forth desperate miners in droves to risk their lives in the collapsing tunnels and infested bowels of the earth, hoping to still collect whatever nuggets of precious metals can be discovered deep within the earth.
Nowadays, however, the profit lies at sea. The great whales of the west are harvested for more than just meat. Their whale oil has become essential to heating the homes of the rich and poor, or in the crafting of crucial implements, such as candles, lanterns, and even various textiles. Whalers take to the ocean to hunt down the leviathans and haul them back to port, despite the outrage of Boann sailors and merchants.
Districts
The city of Steelport is distributed into 5 districts, each with distinct class divides and increasing in levels of wealth, starting from the castle town and ending in the Steelport farmlands outside the city gates. These districts are divided into further quarters, which host a variety of amenities, each with a distinct name.
The Districts of Steelport
The Upper City:
- Castle Blackmoor lies at the center of the castle town and has been carved out of the mountain like an edifice to Steelport's mining origins. The castle itself can be seen from outside the city, and it stands as reminder to all where the true power of the city resides.
- The Church Quarter is simply the immediate area around the Cathedral of the Choir in Steelport; it is the home of the Orator and the central place of worship for all Laitosians in Steelport. The clergy also occupy the quarters attached to the Cathedral close by.
- The Guild Quarter is placed around the upper city square, with the guildhall found closest to the castle. Therein, the various aspiring artisans can write their names onto the guild charter, and join the ranks of master craftsmen.
The Lower City
- The Clocks and Coin's Quarter is found at the entrance of the city, it is home to the countinghouse, and the market square of Steelport. It is Steelport's main residential district as well as the home of numerous artisans and is named after the tower at its center, a clocktower that was gifted to the city by the Archonate.
- The Dustfall Quarter is named after the mountain dust and rock dust that falls from the mines, it is also home to the poorest citizens of Steelport, who do not make a living tilling the farms outside, but slave away in the dwindling mines of Steelport.
Outside Steelport
- The Whaler's Quarter are also simply known as the docklands of Steelport, where many merchant ships and whaling ships are docked, awaiting the lull of the storm to set sail once again, and bring back riches from distant lands, or the oily blubber of ancient whales and leviathans from the ocean depths. The Steelport Farmlands are pretty explicit. This is where the farmers and millers that supply the food of Steelport live, with their families and the aid of traders coming north from Shawgate.
Additional Details
The House of Blackmoor
"Solas Da Dorchadas"
"Solas Da Dorchadas"
Alternative Name(s)
Steel's Point, Castle Blackmoor
Type
City
Population
15,000
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Steelporters
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Inns & Taverns of Steelport
"Stay a while and listen."
The Wanderer's Inn, is led by a rugged Shawgatian called James Linton, who apprenticed under the previous owner and has since been desperately trying to bring its standards to a higher degree. The customer base is wide, as many merchants and traders from the south waltz in before and after their typical grocery run, yet with dwindling supplies and increasing prices, the Inn is desperate need of help. Therefore, it isn't uncommon for a few unsavoury folk to fence their goods through James' inn.
Guilds and Policing
The Merchant Guilds of Steelport
The merchant guilds of Steelport are considered some of the oldest institutions of the city, borne from the mercantile origins of the Iron City. These guilds are mandatory organisations that all master craftsmen must join in order to be allowed to practice their professions within the city. These guilds also impose an additional tax on all services provided by their members, but choose to guarantee a certain level of quality for all their customers. In exchange for joining a guild and have access to a network for funds, resources and assistance, artisans must pay a hefty tax that goes back into the guild coffers, and by extension, the Lady of Steelport's own coffers.
The Reeves of Westmarch
The Reeves of Westmarch are officials selected by the Commander of the City Guard, and the Lady of Steelport, to act as delegated governors of villages, towns and other settlements across Westmarch. They oversee the application of law, collection of taxes, and the distribution of justice. Whilst at first, the reeves held much power and autonomy, they are now nothing but puppets for the Lady of Steelport to control. The Reeve of Shawgate lazes the days away in his mansion, caring little for the rising bandit threats south of his village, whilst the Reeve of Steelport is blissfully unaware of the many transgressions caused by the guard and nobility against the commonfolk.
Shops & Artisans
There are many artisans and shops across Steelport, which provide a variety of different services, namely in matters of equipment, potions and craftmanship.
- John's Bracers, weapons and shields shop, owned by John Brace.
- Willowbark and Anissed, potions and herbs, owned by Anise Carwille.
- Ye Olde Grocers', general goods store and cooking ingredients, owned by Emma Coca.
- Bigges and Smith, farrier and armor, owned by Kallen Smith & Hugh Bigges.
- Pebble & Shine, magic crystals, owned by Peter Hewer.
- Bob's Fish, fishing tools and instruments, owned by Robert Fisc.
- Fletcher & Sons, bows, arrows and archery gear, owned by William Fletcher.
- Touch of the Sky, tailor, owned by Lia Addison.
- Tanner and Hyde, leatherworker & tanner, owned by Brom Tanner.
Points of Interest
The Castle Blackmoor (Caer Dubhmoìn) is one of the central points of interest in the city, having been built for over 300 years, it is monument to the origins and history of the city itself. It shows both the strength and protection the Lord of Steelport brings to their subjects, as well as the opulence and glory of the city.
The Cathedral of the Choir can be seen from outside the city gates, and stands as a reminder to all visitors and townsmen of the ever present authority of the Church of the Redeemer. The Cathedral is named after the Choir of the Nativity, heretics who seek to convert, who built the cathedral after decades of hard labour.
Darker Secrets Linger...
The city of Steelport thrives now from massive whaling and illegal smuggling operations. The sewers are home to some of the worse criminals and murderers the people of Steelport have seen.
Many of the people who come to Steelport, namely the staff and low-income labour, have come illegally on ships from far away lands, and not always of their own volition.
People starve in the streets, whilst the upper class feed on overpriced imports, and purchase ancient trinkets from foreign countries, the courts of Steelport ignore the pleas of the commonfolk for clean water, and more food from the stores of the castle town.
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