Highport

Overview

• Country: Located in::Orcish Empire
• Leader: Count Kertek Bilarro
• Population: Population::30000

The largest humanoid city on The Pomarj, located on the northern side of the peninsula on the shores of the Wooley Bay. It is part of the Orcish Empire, and is known to have a large contingent of Uruk Hai as well as a sizable human population.

History

The city was ruled for centuries by Count Kevram Bilarro, a powerful wizard who extended his life through the prodigious use of 'potions of longevity'. Unfortunately, one such draught malfunctioned, and instead of gaining another 10 years of life, he instantly lost a hundred.

He died instantly and with no heir, throwing the entire city into chaos. This ended when a distant relative named Kern Bilarro -- a nephew several times removed who also happened to be a Wild Coast warlord of considerably strength -- brought his men to the city and seized the Lord's Palace for himself.

He ruled until the city was invaded by the orcs in CY 513, burning and looting their way through the city in an event that came to be known as the Night of the Bloody Spear by the survivors.

In the decades that followed, the city was ruled by an uneasy coalition of humanoid tribes. Humans -- typically the most evil scum ever to sail the Azure Sea -- began to return as well, with the bravest and strongest pirates using it as a port. A handful of tradesmen followed, and in time a sense of normalcy returned to the city.

Current Leadership

Kertek Bilarro

In the CY 560s the Bilarro family returned to the city in the form of the charismatic Kertek Bilarro (Hum, Rog 6/Ari 2), who was able to swindle his way back into the position of count by deftly playing the humanoid tribes against each other, gifting them with treasure and weapons, and generally succeeding through deception and gile where his ancestors had failed through magic and force of arms.

He was able to do quite well for himself, negotiating successful treaties with powerful pirates, humanoid tribes, and even the notorious Slave Lords themselves (which in turn made the city a center of the lucrative slave trade).

This state of affairs survived the fall of the Slave Lords (though the Slave Market itself became far less trafficked with the defeat of the lords at the hands of the Invincibles Guild in the CY 570s) and lasted until the Rise of Turrosh Mak. Seeing an opponent that he couldn't possibly defeat on the battlefield, and who was far too canny to trick, Kertek decided to do what he does best: negotiate.

He established a deal that kept him in nominal control of the city, while simultaneously allowing legions of Mak's disciplined orcs into the city. A strict order the city hadn't known in centuries was soon established.

General Braks

The reason for this sudden order was two fold. For one, the military commander of the city -- a brutal half-orc known as General Braks (Half-Orc, Ftr 8) instituted the Killing Way, a stretch of the old Slave Road running up to the Drachensgrabs on which he crucifies all who dare break the law of Mak.

Brother Nofosh

The other major factor was the rise of the Faith of the Earth Dragon. While the myriad humanoid species in the city still worshiped their own gods, they also began to praise the destruction and strength aspects of the Earth Dragon. At the same time, humans and near-humans in the city also began to venerate the primal god, worshipping it's earth and productive aspects. This faith has served to bind the city together, and prevent major fights from breaking out among its adherents.

The leader of the Temple of the Earth Dragon in the city -- the half orc Nofosh (Half-Orc, Clr 9) wields considerable power in the city, and is crucial for

Tanva the Gold

Tanva the Gold (female elf, Wiz/Enc 8) completes the triumverate of Mak agents in the city. She long ago assumed leadership of The Illumination, a cadre of half-insane wizards hellbent on creating ever more powerful (and ever more strange) magic items, encouraging them to create weapons for the Empire of Mak. She is typically found at the Lord's Palace serving as an "advisor" for Kertek Bilarro.

The City

The Great Gate

Unlike other walled cities its size, Highport has only one main entrance to the city. This design, dicatated by the original count of the city, was intended as a defense against the maurauding humanoids of the pennisula. It has worked, but it has also created massive logisitical problems in the city.

On major trade days its not uncommon for traders trying to get into the city to be backed up for several miles along the High Road, the highway that runs from Highport to Blue. Before the Wars, Highport's rulers allowed only select individuals -- mostly fishermen and farmers -- to set up settlements outside of the city's foritication.

The Wharf

The Wharf is the collective term for the city's sprawling warehouse and shipping district. Most of its streets are cluttered, claustrophoic and generally unsettling for most people. Rangers especially despise the place.

Some of the buildings here are made from stone, but most are made from wood harvested from the surrounding woodlands. Exposure to the corrosive, ever-present sea air has ravaged many of the buildings to the point that most are near the point of collapse. That inevitible occurance has been postponed in many cases by the addition of new, but still inferior, wooden supports.

Bands of thieves, pirates and other cutthroats fill the Wharf like vile human rodents. Blood is spilled nightly in bar fights that can quickly grow to include more than 200 combatents.

What passes for the city guard here -- the Count's Men -- rarely enter the Wharf, and when they do, it is usually to escort a particular cargo to some of the better warehousing facilites outside of the district.

Sites

This is a dynamic list of all the sites associated with this location. {{#ask:located in::Highport | ?Population | format=ul }}

Organizations

• Church of Hextor, Highport: Even in a city dominated by humanoids, the Church of Hextor is a force to be reckoned with.
• Illumination, The: About 15 mages belong to this reclusive, exclusive organization which serves as the city's Wizards Guild.
• Followers of the Skeletal Way: A fantatical group of warriors, mages and thieves who have pledged themselves to the service of Nerull and His agents on Oerth.
• Grey Renders Guild: An adventuring guild based in Highport with members of an evil and corrupt nature