Port Sharaea

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Widely renowned as the Door to the Viteshan Domain, Port Sharaea is a world-class hub of trade, tourism and travel situated on the glittering sapphire coastline of the Kingdom, titled the "Sapphire Shores". This sprawling coastal metropolis boasts one of the most prominent harbors in the Valiant Empire, strategically situated near some of the greatest mortal shipwrights and craftsmen in history. As the most popular port of entry welcoming millions to the wonders of the Viteshan Domain every year, Port Sharaea radiates cosmopolitan energy - an intoxicating blend of peoples, cuisines, religions, arts and innovations from across the known world. Consistent imports from the Domain's interior regions also make their way to the thriving port, adding to its prosperity.
Consistently ranked among the top vacation destinations globally, one cannot help but understand why Port Sharaea has cemented its place in the popular imagination when gazing upon its iconic pink and white sand beaches, lush tropical greenery, and aquamarine bays and lagoons dotting the coastline. With its bustling waterfront punctuated by impressive strongholds of the Viteshan Navy, Port Sharaea has emerged over time as an indispensable gateway to the Domain, as renowned for its coastal scenery and beaches as it is for the sheer volume of ships frequenting its docks. As such, Port Sharaea is widely considered a cosmopolitan haven that rivals even the grandeur and opportunity of the Valiant City. Above all, it is trade that built and defines this coastal capital at the Eastern Cardinal Bay, otherwise known as the Sharaean Bay, with a staggering volume of ships and goods flowing through its ports each day.
Like a few names across the Domain, "Port" Sharaea's title is a bit of a historical misnomer, as the modern Port Sharaea is in fact a highly diversified network of individual specialized ports ranging across commercial, military and public purposes. While not a strict rule, these individual ports tend to as a general heuristic influence the form of the immediate towns, districts and communities that directly emerge from the waterfront of such ports. The commercial ports bustle with trade ships trafficking goods and supplies. Fortified military ports house the Domain's naval vessels. And public ports cater to traveling merchants, tourists and citizenry. The districts surrounding each port inherit some of their character, be they markets, armories or residential quarters.
According to myth, the Port was said to have emerged from the first encounter between humanity and the Court of Stars, where Titania herself brokered an agreement with the Alastai Siblings and the people of the Viteshan Domain, ensuring safe, smooth passage across the azure expanse. This divine right of travel and trade is one source of the prosperity the Port sees to this day, as Port Sharaea has become a cornerstone of the mighty Viteshan navy - amongst the most powerful fleets in the Valiant Empire, with a coastal guard alone that rivals other nations' naval forces taking up outposts on the entry points to the Sharaean Bay cradling the harbours beneath the shadow of the Yarukiman Mangroves. Travel accounts suggest that voyages to Port Sharaea were remarkably pleasant, as the wind seemed to guide ships to their destination under the watchful gaze of Elias Alastai. However, during times of war, the Sapphire Shores would transform into a tempestuous maelstrom, which curiously spared Viteshan naval and commerce vessels bearing the crest of the Alastai Siblings as well as the chief venerated Archfey of the Domain in Titania. This act paid homage to Siobhan's grace. As Port Sharaea shared parts of the sea with its neighboring ally, the island of Yalmara, home to the famous Blue Lily, the exchange of naval culture and traditions was common. Consequently, it was not uncommon to encounter Yalmarans who invoked the Alastai in their own way, making the Archfey quite popular in their own right in Yalmara.
=== The Greatest Mangrove Forest on Earth ===
While the extensive coastline of Port Sharaea boasts no shortage of mangrove species, the most famous are the legendary Yarukiman Mangroves that dot not just the coastline of Port Sharaea, but stretch across the coastline of the entire nation, creating a semi-contiguous line of barrier islands across the Viteshan Domain most strongly concentrated at the Port. Often visitors' first glimpse of the Domain's lush biodiversity, these mangroves are recorded to be the largest on the planet. Their extensive root structures plunge to the seafloor, allowing the towering trees to withstand furious storms, and sheltering the coast of the Domain from the worst of nearby storms and oceanic phenomenon with its sturdy boughs significantly dispersing the energy of even the strongest of windstorms while letting the tradewinds flow in undaunted. The mangroves form vital aquatic ecosystems, sheltering rich biodiversity along the coastal shallows. Microclimates flourish in the shadows of their canopy and endless niches in their bark. The plethora of marine life sustained by the mangroves in turn supports vibrant fishing economies, both for subsistence and trade markets across the Viteshan coastline. Their resilience and abundance is a cornerstone of life. According to myth, these forests were one aspect of the manifestation of the accord that founded Port Sharaea.
Each tree is itself the size of a small island, and capable of producing a special tree sap resin. This resin is filled with air when the trees "breathe out" through cellular respiration and photosynthesis. This results in the resin forming bubbles that float through the air. The resin bubbles are solid enough that someone can jump on them without popping them, however they are also completely permeable, allowing a person to ride in or store things inside of them without the bubble popping when they pass through. These mangroves have gained fame through Vitesh's legendary privateer force, known as the Emerald Corsairs, officially "independent" from the Crown’s will to serve as Viteshan naval heroes where the Domain’s hands are tied as a country, a sort of aligned mercenary force that the Domain is not directly accountable for that acts as an agent generally allied to the Domain.
As ships approach the clear blue waters of the Viteshan coastline, an otherworldly sight often greets them - glistening orbs of resin suspended in the air, bobbing gently on the ocean breezes. Ranging from small bubbles the size of coins to expansive spheres over six feet in diameter, they weave through the salty air in hypnotic patterns. Flocks of songbirds and insects can often be spotted riding the resin bubbles, catching free lifts on favorable winds. Occasionally, one may even spot a person, typically uniformed but sometimes not riding such a bubble to travel to another mangrove. It's not at all uncommon to pass by small local fishing vessels filled with high-spirited sailors singing their way across the bay. Smaller mangroves line the bay with emergency ports and various bubble-based attractions, including a bubble-themed amusement park, serving as small tourist attractions in their own right. The mangroves’ sprawling canopy and knotted bark host rich microclimates, nourishing vibrant corals, sponges, oysters and more that draw fisherfolk to the mangroves’ bounty. This marine life in turn feeds local subsistence and the Domain’s bustling nationwide trade. From shorebirds roosting among aromatic flowers the mangrove forests support ecosystems of remarkable richness.
==== Coating: Resin-Enabled Underwater Activities ====
The Yarukiman Mangroves have served not only as barrier islands or a tourist attraction, but as one of the major factors in the Domain's naval and maritime dominance as a nation. Over the centuries of access to the Mangroves the Domain has become incredibly skilled at harnessing the resin, allowing them to coat entire ships with the resin from the Yarukiman Mangroves enabling them to sail underwater and survive the crushing depths of even the deepest points of the ocean floor, granting them access to the deep sea floor to a degree no other land-dwelling civilization has been known to achieve on a grand scale, sailing safely even at depths of ten thousand metres and surviving the crushing depths of the ocean. This technology in particular allowed the Domain to create the world's first submarines before other nations had gotten to such a stage, allowing Port Sharaea to serve as the birthplace of submersible technology across the entire Valiant Empire and granting the Domain a significant naval advantage that has only grown more refined over the years, with modern seafaring coatings demonstrating an ability to act akin to gills, replenishing the air within the bubbles as long as the ship keeps moving, while special corals known as Bubbly Corals enable the rapid ascent of such vessels.
In fact, the Domain has gotten so skilled at the process of coating that they can apply the coating to people, as well as garments, as well as store and maintain the bubbles outside of the atmosphere of the Mangroves, allowing those in their own bubbles to similarly withstand such pressure as long as they remain in the bubble, though they possess limited air. The Domain's naval forces are all equipped with such a usage of the Mangrove in their uniforms that can be triggered automatically should they dive into the sea, and the process itself has revolutionized Viteshan deep-sea diving and exploration by letting the Domain explore further than ever before.
==== Mangrove Sheltering and the Cardinal Bay ====
As previously mentioned, the Domain uses the massive Mangroves themselves as a line of barrier islands across almost the entire coastline of the Viteshan Domain, forming strings of bays and lagoons in the process. In practice, this line of barrier islands creates and shelters an interconnected bay system along the Viteshan coast known as the Cardinal Bay. This Cardinal Bay is used as a protected trade route between their cities and regions fully shielded from ocean waves and storms while geographically making mounting an invasion of the Domain a logistical nightmare. Cardinal Bay enables goods and supplies to be conveniently and quickly transported between Viteshan port cities, agricultural communities and other settlements via these calm inner transport networks in barges and boats. The networks also double as secure transit lanes for naval vessels moving between Viteshan ports and coastal defense installations. Continuing on the path of security, some of these Mangroves serve as strategic locations where the barrier island chains segment have security checkpoints to control which vessels can access various regions through these sheltered channels, allowing for efficiently and highly regulated trade. Finally, the mangroves themselves become bases suitable for docks, warehousing, checkpoints and other shipping infrastructure along trade networks.
Cardinal Bay gets its name from the four gated points, known as the Cardinal Gates, corresponding to each cardinal direction that lets trade flow off to every corner of the world, allowing the Domain to control access and monitor the protected channels used for efficient transport between Viteshan port cities. The Four Cardinals serve as the major checkpoints for travel into the Domain from each end of the world. Ships that pass through the Cardinal Gates are tagged with bioluminescent phytoplankton, algae and adhesive barnacles that uniquely identify each incoming vessel as part of standard security clearance. The specific phytoplankton strains used would emit certain bioluminescent signals when stimulated by tuned lantern frequencies attuned to that tag combination. This would allow dock checkpoints, patrol boats and coastal lookouts to discreetly scan any vessel's tag from a distance. The emitted glows would instantly relay key details to naval forces - point of origin, cleared entry gates, detected contraband, vessel type and more. The gates strategically leverage geographic chokepoints, forcing vessels to submit to screening or else sail dangerously storm-exposed routes.
The Cardinal Gates are not undefended however, but rather sheltered in their own right through another layer of barrier islands that form the peripheral Cardinal Bay . This creates external scouting points/defensive islands and bases on the outskirts of the Doman's territorial waters that obstruct sightlines into the inner Bay, and the peripheral bay acts as a preliminary barrier and naval staging zone that enables the patrolling of Viteshan waters by naval forces as well as the protection of the Cardinal Gates. The inner Cardinal Bay meets the seas through the Cardinal Gates, which themselves have their own peripheral bay exclusively for military patrols with lesser gates that can be opened for military purposes.
==== Mangrove Resin Bubbles and Weight Reduction ====
However, even beyond this the Yarukiman Mangroves are not used simply to create intracoastal waterways, as tourists attractions, or for undersea ventures, but also for basic shipping and transportation across regions of the Domain. Specifically, the ability to suspend goods in bubbles of Yarukiman Resin and transport it across the Domain has effectively rewritten how distribution is carried out through and on behalf of the Domain, as the goods suspended in the bubble become incredibly light, far lighter than carrying the goods themselves. As a result, throughout the Domain it is not at all uncommon for stores to have floating bubbles containing a display of goods, as well as to see the Domain's bubble cargo vessels that suspend the cargo in the resin in a bubble that is then tied down firmly to the ship using a combination of Vitahemp biopolymers, mithril and special lumber from the Viteshan hinterlands, as well as to see animals carrying packs that contain such resin considerably lightening the load on their beasts of burden.
While heavy duty bubbles do exist and are commonly used by the Domain, due to the complexities in making them they tend not to be productive to create for small case uses however, and as a result while it is common to find those in Port Sharaea replacing shopping bags with resin bubbles, an example of a relatively trivial use, this becomes considerably less likely to be found the further inland one goes due to distance from the unique atmosphere of the Mangroves. This in turn incentivizes use of the goods more commonly designed with heavy duty bubbles outside the Domain and outside Port Sharaea if the same benefits want to be achieved.
=== Nautical Affairs ===
==== Naval Engineering ====
As one might expect from the city famed for inventing submersible vessels, Port Sharaea naturally attracted some of the most skilled shipwrights in the entirety of the Valiant Empire, and slowly over time and over the centuries has grown into the massive behemoth of naval culture and craftsmanship that it has become today. Sharaean craftsmanship has ascended to a mythical status across the Valiant Empire, with the naval architects populating the Domain's coast having grown to be some of the best in the known world. Traditions and techniques honed by the Irillinians over generations if not centuries are passed down and cultivated in a long unbroken chain and taught through membership at the Shipwright's Guild, with young apprentices eagerly learning from the mentors behind one of the most powerful navies on the planet. Principles learned from reverse-engineering shipwrecks and captured warships from other nations during conflicts in the past find themselves rapidly integrated into the arsenal of Viteshan naval architecture, who possess the same level of innovation demonstrated by the Viteshan people across the nation. To claim education among Sharaean shipwrights is a high honour allowing one to charge higher fares even internationally if one can prove it. The intricate curvature of Sharaean hulls, lofty hand-carved masts, and detailed filigree are signatures of local craftsmanship. Even humble fishing vessels display elegant designs and peerless seaworthiness, outlasting ships from other realms. At the heart of the harbor, the meticulously maintained Shipwright's Guild Hall stands as a monument to the city’s naval heritage, with timbered halls filled with relics of innovations - from mathematical shipbuilding models to experimental tools.
Massive drydocks and marine railways dot the Sharaean Bay filling Sharean tradehouses with a constant volume of contracts, where hundreds of ships fill the port at any given time. When in port, specialized riggings allow the shipwrights to coat and submerge multiple ships at once in mangrove resin bubbles, letting crews simultaneously work on upgrades and repairs beneath the waves, drastically augmenting the capacity and the number of jobs that can be carried out at once. Mechanical lifts then return the vessels to the surface. The drydocks teem with activity, ringing with the sounds of hammers, saws and chisels. Underwater, Sharaean craftsman coated in their own bubbles using Yarukiman Mangroves complete hull inspections and repairs. Carefully angled slipways constructed dynamically from mangrove resin later let the completed vessels slide gracefully into the harbor's shimmering blue waters, the pride of the city cheering their launch.
Warehouse Pods crammed with materials and exotic components imported from across the known world supply the yards. The secrets of resin harvesting, treatment and application remain closely guarded. Experimentation with bubble density, permeability, underwater curing, and gland cultivation push innovation. Nearby, the varnishers apply exacting coats of sealant, the glittering enamel curing to flex yet withstand tremendous pressure. As impressive in scope as in skill, the shipyards of Port Sharaea maintain the Viteshan fleet while pioneering new innovations in nautical design. Their output continually redefines the pinnacle of mortal maritime craftsmanship across the Valiant Empire. Partnered with the National College and the Shipwright's Guild, the Naval Academy drives cutting-edge research leveraging the unique mangrove resin. Workshops experiment with lighter-than-air ships, seamless underwater travel, and flexible yet impermeable barrier coatings. The resin's potential continues to push the boundaries of nautical engineering. The Academy's theorems and prototypes complement domain-leading work by the National College. Formidable fortifications line the coast, equipped with advanced ordnance to protect the harbor. The Naval Academy ensures readiness through rigorous training programs, strategic studies, and simulation of naval tactics. Its graduates staff the expansive decks of Viteshan warships. Guard stations dot the barrier islands, regulating access to the sheltered bay trade networks.
The naval engineering benefits significantly from the Domain's resources, pushing the boundaries of shipbuilding since time immemorial. Port Sharaea serves as a hub for developing experimental seafaring technologies, and has often been the birthplace of many a Viteshan naval advancement.
* Amaranth: Stemming from the hinterlands, Amaranth is one of the most prized woods in the known world, with an extraordinary durability capable of shattering and significantly deforming any conventional axe against the surface of the bark, even when forged from the strongest of steels, while maintaining an incredible lightness that allowed it to effortlessly glide across the water. Exceptionally resistant to flames, decay, pressures, and even cannon fire, Amaranth complements Mangrove resin coatings to create fast, resilient hulls. The Viteshan Navy, typically contracting Sharaean artisans are predominantly based from Amaranth, granting them fast and incredibly durable vessels across every parameter. Amaranth is notoriously difficult to work with, which makes the skill of the shipwrights of Sharaea far more notable as they handle such a wood with a surprising ease, and are similarly capable of integrating virtually any material requested into a ship's construction, within reason and availability.
* Vitahemp: The Domain's naval architecture also makes significant use of Vitahemp-based biopolymers to even further reinforce the structural integrity of a ship as well as create a sealant layer, with holes in a boat's hull seeing the polymer rapidly swell and expand to cover the gap as a stopgap measure to prevent water leakage. "Viteshan Hemp" commands top prices in markets abroad for its renowned durability and luster.
* Epidore: Engines powered by pellets of Epidore wheat allow for an additional source of propulsion and speed, allowing even the largest of ships to travel incredibly quickly across the seas.
== Industries off the Sapphire Shore ==
Port Sharaea, like most of the emergent port cities directly adjacent to the waters of the Cardinal Bay is a world-leader in deep sea exploration and prospecting due to the nature of the resin technology available to the port cities, as well as fishing. While most outsiders believe the Sapphire Shores earned their name purely from the glittering coastal waters, the reality runs far deeper. The Sharaean Bay and surrounding oceans hide mineral riches beyond imagination. Leveraging their mastery over Yarukiman resin, Viteshan divers encase themselves in malleable bubbles that allow unmatched access to crushing depths, typically alongside submarines. Venturing far below the photic zone, these intrepid explorers comb the seabed for valuable resources and natural wonders.
=== Fishing and Aquaculture ===
The oceans surrounding Port Sharaea teem with fish and marine life, supporting bustling fishing and aquaculture industries. Schools of flying fish leap from the waves, an iconic sight along the coast. Fisherfolk in small vessels haul in daily catches of snapper, grouper, tuna and more. Larger commercial trawlers process tonnes of fish to export dried, salted and smoked fish products abroad. Aquaculture farms dot the sheltered mangrove coves and protected waters of the Cardinal Bay. Resin bubble enclosures create ideal underwater habitats to raise oysters, clams, lobster, shrimp and seaweed. Careful monitoring ensures optimal oxygen and nutrient levels. Periodically, harvest barges collect mature shellfish and seaweed, transporting the bounty to onshore processing plants.
Upon returning to port, the fish are quickly offloaded, sorted and processed. Ice houses preserve tons of seafood to be loaded onto trade ships. Fisheries stretch along the docks, vying for the freshest catches. Expert fishmongers slice up every part of the fish into filets, roe, oil and dried meal. Nearby aquaculture farms raise oysters, clams, lobster and kelp in networks of submerged enclosures created from resin bubbles. Periodically the enclosures are lifted to the surface so harvests can be collected. The rare Irillinian King Crab commands premium prices in markets across the Empire. Fishermen bait specialized traps to catch these titanic crustaceans, whose legs can span several meters. Prized for their succulent meat, these crabs are exported live in resin bubbles or processed into packaged crab meat. Pearl diving operations harvest lustrous pearls from wild oysters on the seafloor, while pearl farms cultivate generations of implanted oysters in underwater enclosures. The most perfect pearls fetch fortunes from jewelers catering to nobility.
=== Undersea Research and Cataloging ===
The ability to safely reach extreme ocean depths has allowed port cities in the Domain to corner the market on undersea research and cataloging. The Marine Arm of Odyssey, the National College's own academic adventurer's guild sends teams of specialized scientists and cartographers on frequent prospecting dives. Their mission is to study and catalog the mysterious ecosystems of the deep sea floor. Strange new species of bioluminescent fish, giant tubeworms, sea cucumbers and other organisms are discovered on each dive. Shipwrecks, hydrothermal vents, and other geological features are also catalogued. Findings are published in lavish volumes and journals, circulated among scholars. Research agreements and knowledge-sharing partnerships are established with institutions across the Valiant Empire. The resulting catalogs fetch exorbitant prices from universities, researchers, and governments seeking to understand the largely unknown deep sea environments.
=== Deep-Sea Salvaging/Resupplying/Insurance ===
Leveraging its bubble resin technologies, Port Sharaea has become renowned across the Valiant Empire for its diverse array of marine protection and recovery services. Salvage crews equipped with resin-coated ships ply the open waters hunting for recent shipwrecks or ancient ruins on the seafloor, recovering lost treasures and valuables for a premium. The Viteshan navy and allied privateers patrol established sea lanes as far-ranging privateers, protecting merchant vessels and convoys from piracy and oceanic hazards for a fee. Insurance underwriters based in Sharaea's trading houses provide coverage for ships and cargos traversing perilous waters, supported by rescue submersibles ready to provide emergency aid to any vessel in distress. For substantial bounties, wreck hunters acquire maps and tips from explorers to find specific sunken ships rumored to contain fortunes in rare cargo, or simply go exploring for shipwrecks.
In addition to protection and recovery, Port Sharaea provides vital at-sea resupply services. Networks of bubble resin-fortified supply depots are strategically located across the outskirts of territorial waters and shipping lanes. Stranded ships can fire illuminated flare signals that are spotted by Viteshan supply ships. Responding vessels rush to deliver critical food, medicine, fuel, and parts from nearby depots, enabling damaged ships to make needed repairs and limp into port. Within hours, a Sharaean supply ship will arrive on site to replenish the stocks and provide damage control, keeping ships in operation. For merchant vessels and explorers planning long, perilous journeys beyond normal trade routes, Sharaean resupply ships tag along, using submersibles to top up resources and spare parts as needed in exchange for substantial fees.
=== The Underwater Forges of Port Sharaea: Yarukiman Forges ===
However, the true most famous marine industry of Port Sharaea and widely considered to be the magnum opus of Viteshan resin bubble technology, are Yarukiman Forges. Situated along the deepest underwater chasms off Port Sharaea's coast lie the fabled Yarukiman Forges - secretive facilities harnessing the extreme pressures and volcanic heat from hydrothermal vents over 5000 meters below the waves. Here, expert Viteshan metalsmiths produce the legendary Mithril, also known as Sharaean steel. The Yarukiman Forges leverage the unique properties of the mangrove resin to enable steel production in the crushing depths. Skilled smiths descend enclosed in permeable bubbles of the resin, the material's natural buoyancy counteracting the tremendous pressures. Guided through the inky darkness, the smiths anchor at active vents and get to work.
They first erect shimmering spheres of resin around the vents, the material miraculously withstanding the intense heat. The resin serves as form-fitting furnace lining, concentrating the vent's emissions for more efficient steel processing. It also forms a flexible, viscous barrier that allows gaseous and molten exchange while preventing raging currents from disrupting the carefully controlled reactions. Within these glowing resin shells, smiths have room to churn billowing oxygen through vents saturated with minerals. The reaction of vent water and concentrated oxygen drives carbon permeation orders of magnitude faster than surface forges could ever achieve. The viscous resin serves as the only viable material that can harden and set deep underwater to provide ovens and cast molds able to contain the extreme heat and pressure. Throughout the intricate process, the resin crucibles prevent contamination and buckling under the insane pressures.
The result is an ingenious underwater forge - protected by resin yet harnessing the immense power of an entire geothermal vent to produce steel infused with trace elements in a quality matched nowhere else on land. Even repairing microscopic breaches from falling debris, the durable bubbles allow smiths to remain on-site working the Mithril for days on end before safely ascending with the coveted gleaming haul. As ingots cool, the resin forms an extra layer helping evenly distribute the unique trace elements into the crystalline steel lattice. Soon enough, the sea-cured steel emerges - infused to the core with dense minerals and bearing the telltale iridescent sheen. The result is Mithril - an impossibly hardy steel infused with minerals and an almost magical enduring sharpness. This underwater process is extremely efficient, producing high-grade steel at a fraction of the cost and energy of traditional surface forging. The signature iridescent sheen of Mithril shifts hypnotically under light, betraying the origins of its unearthly strength - born from the crushing darkness of the deepest ocean abyss. The Yarukiman Forges endlessly toil to arm the naval forces with this near-divine steel, emerging from the trenches as perhaps one of the most fabled metalworks in the known world. Cave-ins, eruptions and tremors are constant threats, requiring impeccable engineering and fast reaction in resin domes. Extreme pressures take a physiological toll over shifts, necessitating rigorous training and health monitoring.
==== Mithril: The Mythical Sharaean Steel ====
Each ring of Mithril chainmail carries the colossal weight of the abyssal depths. Every blade and armor plate imbued with the strength of the sea. When forged into swords, the razored edges can cleave through conventional arms and armor with startling ease. Viteshan marines and warriors are issued Mithril-inlaid attire and equipage as marks of distinction. Officers proudly bear the Mithril, while naval infantrymen have Mithril decorations on their supernatural Life Fiber uniforms. Representatives of the Crown are known to gift small yet immensely precious caches of Mithril weapons or armor to distinguished allies. Due to the sheer peril, skill and conditions required to forge Mithril, it is regarded as one of the most valuable metals in the world. Its peerless strength and otherworldly origins make it among the most coveted metals on Earth. In the modern day, most Mithril workers either hail from or descend from Minerguerir, the mining and masonry capital of the Domain.
The training to become a Mithril smith is incredibly rigorous, reserved only for the most skilled and daring metalsmiths. Many are seasoned journeymen seeking a new challenge who undertake instruction at the esteemed Viteshan Naval Academy. Recruits undergo intense physical conditioning to withstand prolonged shifts in the crushing ocean depths. Equally demanding is the academic training in advanced metallurgy, geology, resin manipulation, and engineering - mastering the intricacies of harnessing volcanic vents 5000 meters below sea level. Safety protocols and emergency response are drilled extensively under naval supervision, as collapse, eruption or equipment failure can be fatal. The high stakes forge a tight-knit brotherhood among the smiths. Forgemasters pass down centuries of acquired knowledge to apprentices. The astronomical value of Mithril and inherent occupational hazards yield salaries that dwarf those of conventional land-based smithing. Most recruits hail from Minerguerir, Vitesh's mining and masonry capital, inheriting generations of craftsmanship. These skills are honed with naval science into a unique undersea expertise found nowhere else across the Valiant Empire.
Strict annual quotas are placed on Mithril production to prevent overtaxing the seabed of the Cardinal Bay, lest one anger and distract Siobhan, goddess of the deep sea, from her work in the deep azure with the constant incessant clanging of a forge and take for granted her hospitality. Forgemasters also actively reseed vent sites with heat-resistant coral and minerals to aid regeneration after ore extraction, ensuring that one atleast tries to replenish what one takes from Siobhan's realm. Mithril forgemasters also alternate between different vents/chasm sites seasonally, allowing each area time to recover and remain undisturbed. Ceremonies are held annually to give offerings and tribute to Lady Siobhan. The forgemasters who have spent the most years in her domain are honored to lead the rituals, sharing tales of glimpses they swear they've had of her immense underwater realm. Legends are told of the resonant songs the pressures and heat cause the Mithril to "sing" during formation. Only the forge masters are said to be able to hear the strange melodies while working in the bubbles.
== General Layout ==
The expansive Port Sharaea is composed of several specialized port areas that each contribute unique functions to this bustling coastal capital. Lined with warehouses, customs houses and exotic markets, the Commercial Port Towns form the shipping and trading backbone. Bowsprits from merchant vessels docked at the extensive wharves jut towards the busy harbors, where goods are constantly loaded and offloaded. These bustling commercial districts are quite multicultural, with foreign merchant enclaves taking up residence in the thriving port towns. Extensive docks and wharves facilitate the loading and unloading of a staggering volume of cargo. In contrast, the neighboring Military Port Districts house the well-defended bases and shipyards of the formidable Viteshan Navy. Stern warships and sleek frigates stand vigil near training grounds and naval command centers nestled among sheltered coves Their own shipyards enable building and repairing naval vessels, while nearby training grounds and academies prepare naval officers. Though the neighboring coves remain pristine yet secluded between natural defensive barriers.
Catering more to the local population are the public ports, with their lively, vibrant neighborhoods. Small craft harbors and fishing docks provide shelter and livelihood for fisherfolk, while community centers, markets, and public beaches draw residents and visitors alike. Boardwalks, beachfront cafes, bait shops, and entertainment venues line the busy promenades. Linking together this network of specialized ports is a transportation network of canals, waterways and railways. This interconnected system efficiently transports goods, people and services within Port Sharaea's districts. It also facilitates public transportation and tourism. Connecting this all is an intricate network of canals, waterways and railways allowing easy transit of both goods and people between Sharaea's diverse districts. This convenient transportation system feeds into the heart of the port city - the sprawling Grand Marketplace. Under intricately carved roofs, exotic wares, local handicrafts, fresh produce, and services of all kinds are proffered at countless stalls. A vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, stories, songs, and ideas wash over the market's central plaza, where travelers, scholars, jugglers and musicians alike gather to entertain the diverse crowds. Much like Port Sharaea itself, the Grand Marketplace thrives as a hub where goods, cultures, and people from all corners intermix.
To facilitate transportation within the city, an extensive railroad system interconnected various parts of Port Sharaea. Plans were underway to extend a sea train utilizing the Yarukiman Mangroves, aiming to enhance the existing ferry and canal systems. The railroad systems were powered by a unique cultivar of wheat found exclusively in the Golden Plains of the Domain. This innovative approach allowed the Domain to reduce reliance on conventional oil and instead utilize wheat-derived fuel for power generation. It should be noted that a significant population of the Lahlin, known for their unique intuitive knowledge of working with Astralite, resided in Port Sharaea. While many Lahlin lived further inland closer to the Delacroix for trade purposes, the presence of tourists in the city made it quite profitable for those Lahlin willing to provide the prohibitively rare and expensive metal. Along the Sapphire Shores of the Viteshan Domain, beach resorts emerged as popular tourist destinations, further contributing to the region's overall prosperity. The pristine coastline, with its crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches, attracted visitors seeking relaxation, recreation, and natural beauty.
Port Sharaea is connected to La Citadelle by a grand canal that flows out of its outskirts down the hanging gardens into the city, as well as several others that deliver manufactured goods to be exported.
=== The Marketplace ===
Port Sharaea, was a vibrant hub that attracted a diverse mix of people from virtually every corner of the world. While the native Irillinians formed the majority of its population, the city also welcomed individuals captivated by the grand vision set forth by the Domain. This diverse population created a melting pot of cultures, with Port Sharaea becoming a bustling commercial center and a popular tourist destination. As a bustling trade hub, Port Sharaea offered an abundance of goods and services. Merchants from far and wide flocked to the city, ensuring that whatever one needed, they could find it there. The city facilitated the exchange of goods and produce from the inland regions, playing a significant role in the trade network. Crown vessels from nations in trade agreement with the Domain acquired goods at a cheaper price from merchants than others. One such example was Yalmara.
Furthermore, Port Sharaea held a unique distinction as the major port for acquiring goods that were otherwise unattainable within the Valiant Empire. The city's reputation for offering exclusive and sought-after merchandise produced only in the Domain attracted individuals from far and wide. Whether it was rare spices, exotic textiles, or intricate craftsmanship, Port Sharaea was the go-to destination for acquiring these items. Beyond the allure of rare goods, the city provided an opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs to establish connections and seek favor from the influential mercantile factions within the Viteshan Domain. Forming business partnerships or gaining the respect and favor of those groups could prove immensely lucrative. For aspiring traders and ambitious individuals, Port Sharaea offered a gateway to success. The city's thriving commercial environment, coupled with its strategic location and connections to various trade networks, provided fertile ground for entrepreneurial endeavors. Those who could navigate the intricate dynamics and build relationships within the mercantile community stood to reap substantial rewards.
Furthermore, Port Sharaea held a unique distinction as the major port for acquiring goods that were otherwise unattainable within the Valiant Empire. The city's reputation for offering exclusive and sought-after merchandise produced only in the Domain attracted individuals from far and wide. Whether it was rare spices, exotic textiles, or intricate craftsmanship, Port Sharaea was the go-to destination for acquiring these items. Beyond the allure of rare goods, the city provided an opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs to establish connections and seek favor from the influential mercantile factions within the Viteshan Domain. Forming business partnerships or gaining the respect and favor of those groups could prove immensely lucrative. For aspiring traders and ambitious individuals, Port Sharaea offered a gateway to success. The city's thriving commercial environment, coupled with its strategic location and connections to various trade networks, provided fertile ground for entrepreneurial endeavors. Those who could navigate the intricate dynamics and build relationships within the mercantile community stood to reap substantial rewards.
== The Regatta of the Stars: International Competition ==
The Regatta of the Stars is a highly anticipated annual event hosted by Port Sharaea in honour of the tribunal that gave rise to the city according to legend, further adding to its reputation as a vibrant maritime hub. This international naval competition attracts skilled sailors and ship captains not only from the Viteshan Domain but also from distant lands, making it a truly global affair. The regatta serves as a platform to showcase the mastery of naval navigation and seamanship from across nations as well as share and demonstrate new technologies, as participants compete in thrilling races and various maritime challenges. The event takes place amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Sapphire Shores, where the crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches provide the perfect setting for the regatta. Spectators from near and far gather along the coastline, eagerly awaiting the start of the races. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation as the majestic ships, adorned with colorful sails and flags, prepare to set sail.
The Regatta of the Stars features different race categories, showcasing various aspects of sailing expertise. The races often encompass a combination of speed, strategy, and tactical decision-making, as sailors navigate through changing wind patterns and unpredictable currents. The regatta also includes additional competitions and challenges that test the sailors' abilities beyond pure speed. These may include precision navigation courses, where participants must navigate through a series of marked points with accuracy and efficiency. There may also be challenges that focus on teamwork, such as crew coordination and communication exercises, highlighting the importance of collaboration and synergy on board a ship. The regatta creates opportunities for local marine service providers to offer their expertise and support to visiting vessels. These services may include boat repairs, maintenance, refueling, provisioning, and marine equipment rentals. Local marine service companies and technicians are readily available to assist participants with any vessel-related requirements, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable regatta experience, as well as discounted goods.
The Regatta of the Stars not only serves as a thrilling spectacle but also fosters camaraderie and cultural exchange among sailors from different regions. It provides a platform for sailors to connect, share knowledge, and learn from each other's experiences. The event encourages friendly competition, mutual respect, and the forging of lasting friendships among the participants. Beyond the races themselves, the regatta becomes a festive celebration of maritime culture and traditions. The shores of Port Sharaea come alive with vibrant festivities, including music, dance, and local cuisine. Visitors and locals alike immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere, enjoying the opportunity to experience the diverse cultures and flavors brought by participants from around the world, with people from different cultures coming to Port Sharaea to rally after their home country, and camaraderie has often been forged during the competitions requiring captains from different nations to team up. Alongside the regatta, Port Sharaea's proximity to the Sapphire Shores opens up opportunities for water sports and recreational activities. Local operators offer services such as sailing lessons, yacht charters, kayaking tours, snorkeling excursions, and scuba diving adventures.