Howell Hithe

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Howell Hithe is the only true port in the Hoarfrost Expanse, home of whaler and wholesaler alike.

## Government

The Alderman, a figure appointed by the Lord of Howell Keep, wields the authority of their Lord in their absence, and so works to enforce the laws of the land laid before them. The first Alderman of Howell Hithe was chosen from amongst Fonteyne Howell's close personnel, a ship captain that entered his employ shortly after the construction of Howell Town brave enough to sail the difficult waters of the River Widcier. After the selection of a second Alderman in the same manner, public discourse grew within Howell Hithe, with many instead putting force cases that they would serve the fledgling town better. After a series of proposals and trial periods to assess those most gifted at both bolstering the strength of the settlement and its potential profits, a new Alderman was instead selected from a resident of Howell Hithe, and thus has been that way since.

To this end, the Alderman sits upon a council of local residents made up predominantly of ship captains and labourers, one of which will be chosen as their eventual successor once their term comes to a close, or they are otherwise dismissed.

## Crime

The isolation of Howell Hithe serves as both a blessing and a curse to the residents and those passing through the settlement. Unless afforded a clear trail largely free of snow and wind, the journey between Howell Hithe and Howell Town conventionally take just over a week, and with the heavy weather fronts common in the region travel times can been in excess of two or three times this. As such, when combined with being located on the far side of Howell territory compared to the bastion and barracks of Caterwaul, Howell Hithe is a refuge for many seeking a slight disconnect from stringency found elsewhere. The presence of the law remains nonetheless, but between the warehouses all manner of underhanded deals and agreements are reached, just beyond the extent of regular patrols.

This matter is further confounded by the perception of the White Coats within the town. Given the level of isolation, the members of the White Coats stationed in Howell Hithe are permitted to bring their families with them, a scheme set in place to both bolster the populace of the settlement and stake the soldiers' interests in the protection and upkeep of the town. This exposure to comfortable and familial living has softened many of the guards in time, and come the night's chill, many instead prefer their abodes to the patrols they were originally assigned. While violent crimes remain low in frequency in the port, the Alderman is known to turn a blind eye to such actions, but takes a harsh response to the inactivity and delinquency when it proves truly necessary.

## Geography

Situated on the eastern bank of Barrow Beck, Howell Hithe stretches between the river and the sharp gorges of Verremote Valley, and so is afforded a great deal of nature defence. To bolster this further, Lord Fonteyne Howell ordered no bridge or ford to be built across the river, thus forcing an attacking force to do so via the Valley, or by nature of an aquatic landing. Watchtowers exploit the uneven terrain to scour the horizon for would-be foes approaching by snow, sea or sky, though in recent years have served instead to spot and guide approaching merchant ships. For this purpose, the largest watchtower has since been converted into a towering lighthouse, atop which a beacon fire shielded from the elements burns bright as a torch in the gloom. Named Font's Flame by the locals, the lighthouse is a tower of some 200 foot height, and tended to at all times by a staff of a dozen who use a combination of whale oil and arcane power to keep the light lasting in perpetuum, regardless of the weather.

The port of Howell Hithe stretches along the coastline to the north of the settlement, as well as down the eastern bank of the Barrow Beck river at its estuary, providing docking space for dozens of ships of various sizes at any given time. From the port, constructions are tightly packed, with narrow streets winding between wider roads to create a net-like route pattern through the town. The reason for this design is two-fold, facilitating both efficient and quick travel for sake of minimising time spent outside, and creating long sight lines through the settlement to aid in its policing.

The presence of Howell Holdings is ever felt in Howell Hithe, who hold near absolute control over the quays and shipping routes. Foreign ships are not uncommon however, with reduced taxes and tariffs afforded to those that enter into long-term trade deals and agreements. Most resources and provisions in Howell Hithe are bound elsewhere, and so rarely linger within the town for long. Shipments bound west for Rydoon export furs, ores and gemstones, whereas inbound vessels carry textiles, food provisions, including spices, and other supplies hard to cultivate in the colder climates.

For any seeking to leave Howell Hithe by the gates bound for the lands and settlements to the east, hiring of a caravan, dog sled, or local guide is often recommended, and so many residents sell such services, displaying signs carved from lumber and stone on plinths and boards around the exit fortifications. Four sets of paired guardtowers guard the valley through which the road east winds, with further guardtowers having since been constructed every quarter mile for an additional four miles. From there, twelve further guardtowers have been constructed, each a mile apart, for an overall total of thirty-six. These guardtowers, particularly those further afield, serve as bulwarks for the patrols responsible for their upkeep and operation, within which few true luxuries are available. As such, those stationed within are often willing to barter additional provisions in exchange for information of the comings and goings in the surrounding area. Around many of these towers small villages and hamlets have since started to grow, populated by local hunters that trade their catches for access to the tower's shelter, as well as amenities such as grindstones and fire pits. Gloves lined with Frosttail Hare fur and hats made of snowy owlbear hide are commonplace accessories for the White Coat residents of these watchtowers for this reason.