Five Fingers

The Port of Deceit is an infamous pirate port at the mouth of the Dragon's Tongue river on the border between Cygnar and Ord. Five Fingers is located on a number of islands in the river, the largest of which divide the river into five "finger" channels that give the city its name. It is said that one can acquire anything they desire in Five Fingers, so long as they keep hold of the coin to pay for it. Five Fingers is a haven for pirates, scoundrels, industrialists and those without a proper place to call home.

## History

The history of Five Fingers dates back to the Orgoth occupation, during which time the Orgoth noted the strategic importance for launching raids further inland via the Dragon's Tongue river. While there, the Orgoth built a fortress on the largest of the islands and built the foundations of the network of bridges that connect the islands. After the Orgoth left Immoren, the islands were left as ruins. Eventually, pirates noticed that the many islands and small channels useful for evading naval patrols, and began to set up their own structures on the islands. From shacks to permanent buildings to proper houses, brothels and taverns, all of which expanded trade in the area.

Eventually the town caught the attention of the Ordic crown and eventually agreed to not attack Ordic vessels and to pay taxes to the crown in exchange for its continued existence. While Five Fingers was no longer raiding Ordic ships its other neighbor Cygnar was not as fortunate. Over the years, a man by the name of Bolis Turgon had a vision for the city and by schemes and force of will had transformed Five Fingers from a seedy town to a true destination city (that was still seedy), with some of the best taverns and gambling establishments. Bolis also convinced the most powerful of the pirate captains residing in the city to become its "High Captains".

Jealous of Five Finger's new prosperity and its strategic location on the mouth of the river, Cygnar put pressure on Ord to deal with the pirates in Five Fingers. The current king of Ord didn't care too much for the den of pirates and was considering ceding his claim to the city to solve the issue, when Bolis and his high captains placed enormous pressure on the Ordic nobility for them to keep the city. The threats and bribes paid off and Ord kept the city, though in an attempt to reign in Five Finger's debauchery and villainy appointed a lord governor to the islands to enforce the crown's will on the city. Bolis eventually died, though ascended as one of Thamar's scions in death, firmly securing Five Fingers as a city of importance.

## Government

The high captains are the other end of the government of Five Fingers, which are comprised of the most powerful of the criminals that reside in Five Fingers. The number of high captains varies as there isn't a codified method for becoming one, rather one seeking to ascend to the role must claim the title without the dispute of the other high captains. There have never been fewer than three or more than seven high captains for Five Fingers, with all of them holding considerable sway across the port. As one would expect for a pirate port most high captains have a background in piracy or smuggling, using their connections in the underworld to carve out a powerbase for their criminal empire. Currently there are four individuals powerful enough to claim the position of high captain.

Today, Five Fingers is ruled by an uneasy truce between the high captains and the lord governor, both wielding just enough power to make trouble for the other. The high captains squabble amongst themselves as well, with their gangs fighting over territory in order to gain the most profits from the city. The city is protected by the Finger's Watch a police force of sorts that attempts to keep a semblance of order in the city, or at least where the tourists are. Crime on the islands is rampant though varies heavily depending on location, though there are crimes that are punished severely by everyone, no matter the location. Arson being the chief among them.

## Geography

There are five major islands to the city of Five Fingers, these islands hold most of the population of the city and a decent portion of its industry. In addition to the major islands there also tens of smaller islands of various sizes surrounding the major islands. Being an archipelago city, space is at a premium, so Five Fingers has grown up rather than out. On many islands above the ground level is another set of buildings, connected by a lattice network of rope bridges. This city on top of a city is referred to the rigging, and is home to the second class citizens of Five Fingers.

Bellicose Island is the northernmost major island, commonly called Bull Island. It is the most organized and easily-traversed of the islands since it was rebuilt after a great fire, and designed with thought to the layout of thoroughfares. A large bridge connects it to the Bold Shore and the Western Tradeway road nearby. Built by the Orgoth, it provides the most direct route for land caravans heading elsewhere in Ord.

Perhaps the most famous Island is Doleth, also called “Dicer’s Isle” or even “Bolis Isle.” It is the place where Scion Bolis had his dark ascension. King Merin III sent priests to banish the darkness from the island and it was named Doleth, after the patron of sailors. Merin also had the Cathedral of Morrow built on Doleth, but it had little effect on the neighboring gambling halls and establishments and deteriorated over the centuries.

Chaser Island is less famous than Doleth but no less popular. It is home to market districts noted for industry and good produce, full of many honest merchants and craftsmen. The markets sell locally made items, including tools and weapons forged on neighboring Bellows Isle. Unfortunately, turf wars of the high captains spill over into the streets here and disrupt the lives of regular citizens.

Captain’s Isle is the largest and most populous island, and the center of government in Five Fingers. The offices of the lord governor and his bureaucrats and the Fingers Watch headquarters are located here. Nearly sixty thousand live here, and ten thousand or more come in daily for work. The high captains also struggle for control of various districts, but do so carefully and subtly, since the island’s trade and business are essential to the city. The island is also home to the largest and most popular entertainment districts.

The last major island is Hospice Island, named after its function during the Beggar’s Plague of 536 AR. Even today it is crowded with the sick and the poor, who live in squalid conditions and suffer from outbreaks of disease. Hospice Island is avoided by most, save for the brave priests who live thereupon and try to improve health conditions.