Bernatha

Bernatha is a location in Corambis, and is Felix Harrogate and Mildmay's first significant location after travelling to Corambis. It is situated between Caloxa and Corambis, and doesn't consider itself a member of either country.
== Description ==
Bernatha is set on three main islands, and is a crafty, clever trading town directly neighbouring Caloxa, proximal to sea ports, and is quite multicultural as a result. Caloxans and Corambins and Bernathans seem to make up the majority of the population, and many there - like Gartrett Corbie - speak a Bernathan dialect that is like a fusion of Caloxan-Corambin dialects. Bernatha considers itself a free city, with eight districts (St. Melior and the Seven Houses). It escaped the Insurgence fairly unscathed and profited from aiding the Corambin army, and shows political nous when choosing to ally with either Corambis or Caloxa when it suits them. It is practiced in double dealing.
The people of Bernatha, as with many Corambins, tend to wear severely tailored, dark, plain clothes. Those who wear colors are generally jezebels (prostitutes) as Felix quickly discovers.
The city puts signs at intersections (unlike many parts of Mélusine). 
Bernatha has a complex 'Seven House' system, where many different workers are pledged to certain Houses. For example, the House of Chastity requires all brothels to pledge to them, which is similar to a tithing system but offers certain protections. The House of Chastity then aggressively disbands all unpledged 'blacklight' brothels. Unpledged jezebels are allowed (like Felix), but most are pledged, like Corbie.
== Appearance ==
The buildings are mainly built with a pale, grey-brown stone. Many buildings are built into or against the slopes, so it is hard to tell how tall they are, or where one building ends and another begins. Facades of the buildings tend to be plain, to deal with the wind and sea scouring away decorations. Streetlamps are posted at close and regular intervals to combat fog, and street signs are common on most corners of the city.
== Geography ==
A grouping of three islands (not including St. Melior). The main island is only accessible at certain times of day, via causeway, otherwise most traffic is by boat, or gondols rowed by gondolmen along the Crait. The three islands divide the Seven Houses.
== The Seven Houses ==
Professionals of Bernatha are pledged to different Houses. Those who are unpledged get notably rougher or poorer jobs and significantly less pay overall. Those who pledge must tithe to their house, but in exchange get better jobs and can charge much more. Additionally, pledged Bernathan professionals can charge unpledged people even more than pledged citizens. 
This causes Felix difficulty when he looks for a doctor to tend to Mildmay, being unpledged and not having much money.
==== House of Honesty ====
Home of the judicial system, city government and Stonewater prison. The place to lay charges (press charges) and also speak to the honest-men (police). Found on the north island. 
==== House of Chastity ====
Affiliated with all the brothels and pledged jezebels throughout Bernatha. Found on the main island.
==== House of Mercy ====
Home of the House of Mercy, the largest hospital in Corambis. Found on the south island.
==== House of Prudence ====
Found on the main island.
==== House of Patience ====
Found on the main island.
==== House of Loyalty ====
Found on the main island.
==== House of Charity ====
Found on the main island.
== Significant Locations ==
==== The Althammara ====
Expensive and upper class hotel in Bernatha, with unusually good plumbing. This is where Ferrand Carrey first meets Felix, when Ferrand procures Felix as a jezebel to spend the night with.
==== Clave ====
Bernatha's train station.
==== The Clock Palace of the Seven Houses ====
Where the titan Clock of Eclipses is housed.
==== The Crait ====
The main river of Bernatha. The City winds up and down it in a serpentine manner. 
==== Fiddler's Fox ====
A cheap hotel recommended to Felix by Corbie, and where they stay for the rest of their time in Bernatha.
==== The Gull and Gringolet ====
An expensive hotel with a stableyard, as well as being the first place Felix and Mildmay arrive. Felix describes the room as a 'grandiose closet.' Located in St. Melior.
==== The Hall of Seven Virtues ====
Part of the Clock Palace, and the seat of Bernathan government.
==== Our Lady of Fogs ====
Main island church.
==== The Sisters ====
Considered the best lighthouses in Corambis, they are two tall, side by side lighthouses to combat the frequent Bernathan fogs. Grimglass is taller.
==== St. Melior ====
Not considered a 'proper' part of the city, more like an entryway into the Seven Houses.
==== Waddilow and Berowne ====
One of the first bookstores Felix visits.
== Culture ==
* Specialises in stuffed breads
* Prostitution is legal, and a vital, flourishing industry. All brothels must be pledged to the House of Chastity.
* The Duke of Glimmering is considered an ornament of Bernatha when he appears, but is overshadowed by Ferrand.
* Due to their strong identity as a trade town, they are against the war Corambis has with Ygres.
* There is a myth in Bernatha that if a wizard falls into saltwater, they will lose their magic for a week.
== References ==
Category:Corambis
Category:Locations