Far out in the Western Sea, there is a large island with a mage’s tower sticking out of the canopy of the trees. A large dock has been built on the eastern side of the island, in the lee of the wind. This island is known as Genthrix’s Port, a small safe haven in the lawless, dangerous seas.

The Mage King

Genthrix shipwrecked here decades ago during a search for the mythical lost society of Magron. As the only survivor of the shipwreck, he declared himself Genthrix the Mage King, and began building his tower. Unfortunately, this tower drew notice from traders, who began anchoring at the island for repairs. After realizing that these traders could bring him magical tomes and supplies, Genthrix struck a simple deal with them: Bring him tribute, and he would provide protection around the island.

Knowles’ Tattoos

On the southern shore of Genthrix’s Port, is a small hut with a thatched roof, sitting on stilts to keep it above the tide. One side of the hut has a hammock and some bedding; the other has a comfortable chair and several bins of colored powder. Near the bins is a leather case that holds a tool made of whalebone, with a sharp brass spike pointing downwards at one end. Most of his income comes from sailors commemorating their first voyage to Genthrix’s Port, or a particularly dire struggle along the way.

A simple symbol like a star or a popular religious icon costs 5 SP, while more complicated imagery like specific monsters starts at 1 GP and goes up from there. Text costs 5 SP per word.

The Southern Star

The Southern Star is an old privateering ship that was beached in a storm a decade ago. Its captain made the best of a bad situation and has since turned the inside of the ship into an inn, providing a reasonable amount of comfort to any sailor with a few spare silver. All cannons are still in place, though they haven’t been used since the beaching.

The Southern Star’s cargo area and gun deck have been split into rooms with rough wooden walls. Each room has a double bed, and costs one gold piece per night. The ship’s deck has been turned into a common area, with a few tables and benches strewn between the cannons. The captain’s quarters have remained unchanged, and Captain Renn still spends most of his time there.

The Swill Shack

The largest bar on the island is The Swill Shack, a wooden building on the western beach. The bar is split between a large patio over the water, and an inside area over the beach. A small dock on the patio is used for unloading and processing fish, ensuring a constant supply of fresh fish for the customers.

Ships in Port

The Dragon’s Death

The Dragon’s Death is a ship with a striking profile. At its bow is an enormous ballista mounted on a complicated mechanism allowing it to aim anywhere within a 180-degree arc of the front of the ship, and up to 45 degrees up or down. A red dragon’s skull has been mounted on the bow, just below the front of the ballista.

The crew of the Dragon’s Death makes their living by slaying monsters and selling their parts.

The Charlotte

The Charlotte is an agile merchant ship with a steel contraption of pumps and hoses mounted on its port side. This contraption is a flamethrower, and black scorches mar the port side of the vessel where burning fuel has blown back onto it.

The Sharp Beak

The Sharp Beak is a galleon whose most notable feature is its “cannons,” which are fleshy beasts that sit near the gunports until needed. When their services are required, they stick their heads through the ports and spit large balls of calcium at enemy ships with frightening power. Their diet consists mostly of bones, sometimes of the opposing crew.

The Sharp Beak’s crew hails from a place they call Festerport, an island run by a cult obsessed with experimenting on living things.

Ships of the Elven Theocracy

Far west of Genthrix’s Port is a chain of islands ruled by The Church of the Tempest, an order of elves dedicated to Esus, a sea deity. They have a powerful navy guarding their island from pirates and other nations.

Rozor’s Sword

Rozor’s Sword is an elegant ship with a white hull and the traditional blue sails of the Elven Theocracy’s naval fleet. Just below where its name is carved in Elvish script, there is a carving of the constellation it takes its name from. As a naval ship, this vessel is well-armed and carries little cargo. It is currently escorting Shae’rra’s Will.

Shae’rra’s Will

Shae’rra’s Will is an elven ship with a long history. It was built three centuries ago in the elven homelands and spent two centuries serving the elven navy patrolling the ocean. Its naval blue sails have been replaced with white ones, and half of its cannons have been removed (leaving two per side), but it’s still recognizably a naval ship. The ship is referred to by its crew as “the Will.”

Afterword

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article about strange pirates. Genthrix’s Port is meant to serve as a neutral trading area, where people who would normally try to kill each other are forced to play nice or get fireballed by a grumpy wizard.

While this island can act as a destination on its own (after all, it’s not hard to imagine problems that can only be solved by a powerful and reclusive wizard) it is largely meant for breather sessions, where the party can grab a few drinks, get some tattoos, and soak up some sun.

Hopefully, in the near future I’ll have an article up about the Elven Theocracy. Look forward to it!

-Garm

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