Purdue Fantasy Club

Port Davis was founded in 9874 SF, starting as a tiny port built to accommodate the inner islands of the Rhine when the seas freeze over in the winter months. As time went on, the tiny port grew and grew until it became a great and expansive city. The majority of the port city’s residents are merchants who make their money taking in wares from outside the Rhine and distributing them to the various ports and islands within. The town celebrates a joyous winter season, when it becomes one of the only ports that remains open to the sea while the inner islands freeze. Hundreds flock to the town over the ice on skimmers to partake in festivities and games, and to lose their coin on The Gleaming Pier, lined with multiple large casino ships, and features the brilliant shining ship of Edward G. Sherwood himself. The town exists as a testament to wealth, as thousands, perhaps tens, even hundreds of thousands of gold are exchanged in a week. As the campaign progresses, the town progresses on their preparations for the festival season when The Freeze first takes hold. Lower Seawharf is the old-town of Port Davis, where some of the original buildings still remain. It features expensive properties, and several noblemen’s villas, with the closest access to The Gleaming Pier. It is also where Chalet Vren Renée d’Aurolis, a large manor that overlooks the shining lights of The Gleaming Pier. It hosts the most lavish balls and bacchanales this side of the Rhine. Upper Seawharf exists directly north, and is the more residential side of town, and is where Via Sondivenki can be found, a cultural landmark where many go to purchase and partake in nomadic culture. Dockside is where most of the mercantilism takes place, and several trading companies set up their offices and warehouses here. Northgate is the “downtown” of Port Davis, business moguls and entrepreneurial individuals flock here to conduct their affairs. Lastly, the Shambles features the poorer side of Port Davis, where those who have lost their all to the gambling hall now reside, in poor condition half desperate to leave and never come back, half desperate to find even a single gold coin just to lose it on The Gleaming Pier yet again.

a) - Southwest Rhine Trading Co.

A successful trading company that operates in the southwestern half of the Rhine. They also do some treasure recovery and diving near Sinner’s Rest. One of these such trips is preparing to depart, but the trades-master, a half-orc half-dwarf named Dav Reichart is looking to hire an additional escort ship, on top of the two attack boats they have already booked from the Stormfin Sharks. Advertisements for this hiring are placed near Dockside so that incoming ships can easily see them.

b) - Via Sondivenki

This colorful street is where all the rondos of this region of the Rhine gather together for The Gathering, which occurs every 5 years. Adorned with colored overhangs, various flags and pennants, music constantly playing down the street, outdoor markets, and small food stands, the street has become a cultural icon through the southwest Rhine, and a beautiful destination for tourists and adventurers alike.

c) - Sanctum of Saint Kienan the Wise

‘Welcome One and All to the Great Mystical Prognostications and Fortune-Blessed Knowings of the One and Only Saint Kienan the Wise! Premium Rates for Premium Fates!’ reads a carnivalesque sign proudly displayed on a large temple to Orus, which seems to have been repurposed from what might have been a town hall at some point. Inside, the hall has been cleared out to form a great empty space, and offices at the back have been converted into a rectory of sorts. Here, Saint Kienan the Wise (so self-proclaimed) offers advice for those headed towards The Gleaming Pier, claiming to be able to see the threads of fate and how they interweave and giving a clue to how one may fair at chance, for a significant fee of course. A true charlatan at heart, Kienan only offers vague, confusing statements and general encouragement that have no objective truth in them, but a silver-tongue and a will to believe goes a long way for someone down on their luck. Perhaps Kienan truly believes in what he says, how else would he be able to channel the powers of Orus? His brusque and loud nature certainly leads one to believe that he is a true Orusian, inside and out.

d) - The Busted Barnacle

If there ever was a seedy tavern by the docks, it would be The Busted Barnacle. Even if the name of the bar doesn’t drive you away, the smell and the riff-raff certainly would. But sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures, and there may be no greater desperate than “Smokey” Joe, a regular at the establishment and constant thorn in Port Davis’s side. He also happens to be one of the most prominent information brokers this side of the Rhine. The tavern is truly a testament to the amount of abuse a building can withstand and still remain standing, the tables and chairs are in frequent state of disrepair and disarray, and the drinks here might be worse than dolphin piss, but it’ll get you drunk faster than anywhere else in town.

e) - Chalet Vren Renée d'Aurolis

Vren Renée d’Aurolis is a name known throughout Port Davis, and perhaps even beyond. His manor house sits on a promontory that overlooks The Gleaming Pier, and frequently hosts extravagant balls and parties, setting off fireworks that many go to the pier to watch and experience. His undeniable wealth is displayed prominently to the town each week, and many vie for the opportunity to visit the Chalet themselves.

f) - Zak's Dolphin Emporium Extraordinaire

Zak, originally named Mordak, is an orc specializing in the training and supplying of dolphins, one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel on the seas, especially for close distances. Resenting being used by an unscrupulous pirate lord, he tried to tip off the Stormfin Sharks and organize a sort of sting operation, but was caught by some of pirate informants, and narrowly escaped to Port Davis, changing his name to Zak.

g) - The Gleaming Pier

The jewel of the Rhine, people from near and far flock to The Gleaming Pier, if not to try their luck, then for the carnivalesque attractions, various fried and novelty street foods, and family-friendly entertainments (which are maybe not so family-friendly to your wallet). It’s said that more gold flows through The Gleaming Pier than anywhere else in the Rhine, perhaps it's true, perhaps not, but the festivities and joyous nature of the attraction make tourism one of the primary industries of Port Davis. Several large maraujo casino ships are docked along the pier, welcoming any-and-all into their timeless gambling halls.