Storm's Break

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Storm's Break is a large town located on the eastern banks of Oyster Bay.

It is famed for the tempests that harry it and the Eboncliffs to the north.

## History

Storm's Break was originally a large port-city that served as a mainstay for most vessels travelling by means of the Cobalt Sea throughout the entirety of Atralran's former existence. Although other ports existed within the borders of the Realm, Storm's Break's location relative to the Green River provided easy connections to the capital of Chalimar, and with it the city prospered. Some time after the Materialisation, Duke Brantharn Fallack claimed the abandoned city for himself, stationing his troops on the northern edge of the settlement, declaring that much of the rest was beyond saving. Binding the few residents of the surrounding fields to fealty beneath him, he asserted his dominion over the Province of Rethamia, naming it a Duchy as to take the title of Duke.

After the Duke's death through the actions of the Archfey Selgaer, Caller of the Hunt, the Blue Fangs, a mercenary guild in ongoing employ to the Duke sacked the town, seeking to claim assets and riches to repay owed debts, unaware of their former employer's demise. The surviving populace of commonfolk fled to the south, and the settlement was left to cinder and degrade for several further years before initiatives by the newly-crowned Eldarion I Goldlor spurred new interest in repopulating the region.

## Government

Similar to the rulership of Ashenwatch Redoubt and Hob's Fall, Storm's Break is ruled in an unofficial tandem of noble appointee and military commander from Beaconlight Castle. The office of the Marquis of Rethamia manages most matters within the town, ensuring trade runs smoothly, the acknowledgement and honouring of religious Holy Days, dealing with the populace's concerns and woes, while the Lord-Admiral is tasked with maintaining the security and safety of the settlement, which they predominantly do from his flagship *Banneret*.

The fleet of Atralran is stationed at Storm's Break, as well as a subdivision of the Silvertowers that specialise in combat afloat, utilising lighter armour and rapiers, axes and daggers in place of lances and greatswords.

## Crime

In spite of the presence of the Atral navy, Storm's Break is favoured by many smugglers compared to Whittengrove. Though military presence is tight around the waters of Sanctuary Docks, Silvertower patrols are lighter than those carried out by the Rosehelms at Halfsail Wharf in Whittengrove. From Storm's Break, produce and supplies are then carried overland where they can be sold in a manner that bypasses most conventional tariffs and taxation.

## Geography

Disregarding the ruins of Lost Key Castle, the first Marquis of Rethamia built a new keep on the northern edge of the settlement. Named Beaconlight Castle, the fortification is partly constructed on an island one hundred feet off shore in the estuary of the Green River, connected to its land bound half by means of a pair of high-sided bridges. This tower doubles as a lighthouse for approaching vessels.

The port of Whittengrove to the west dominates trade in the Oyster Bay, but ships arriving to the port is a common sight for the residents. Strong overland connections with the other settlements of Atralran mean that most commodities are readily available, and chartering a ship from Storm's Break is often much cheaper than the neighbouring capital of the Lotus Basin. Small guildhalls are maintained by most merchant guilds in Storm's Break, and two large temples dedicated to Iotl and Veth are contained in the city's walls.

The Atral navy is moored in the private harbour of Sanctuary Docks, nestled tight into a bay to shield the vessels from the worst winds of the frequent storms, while other vessels instead find port along the other smaller quaysides and jetties. Serving these minor ports are a number of storehouses, markets and taverns, and many carpenters and shipwrights find steady business repairing storm-damaged hulls, sails, rigging and decking for those that moor their vessels nearby.