Duchy of High Island

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The Duchy of High Island is ruled by Duchess Dimity.

The main settlements are as follows :

Higher Port is the capital and the Northernmost city port in Ahtory.
Persis Shrine is the Southernmost port and claims most of the trade from the Duchy of Oak. It was also one of the Empire's training centres for Blades. Duchess Dimity has recently revived this function.
Retharway is the Easternmost port and claims most of the trade from the Duchies in the East of Athory.
Torreth is the Westernmost port and claims most of the trade from the Duchies in the West of Athory.

Detailed Settlement Descriptions

Higher Port

Whilst a trading port, the actual trade ships come form elsewhere in Athory. Even at the time of the Empire, there were no landmasses to the North of Athory and consequently Higher Port was less busy than Lower Port, Dawn Port and Haven. However occasionally an exploration sets out from Higher Port looking to establish new contacts. Many of these ships end up at the Kiris Isles or the Kry Lands having taken the long way around, however, Higher Port is regarded as the place to find a ship if you wish to travel outside Athory (apart from journeys to Lathany and Cezairisan).

The city itself is a sprawl of houses scattered around the harbour, the Duchess' court and then moving inland until they become farmhouses making use of the rich soil close to the coast. Higher Port has never been invaded and, consequently, the people of the capital enjoy a less precarious existence than those living elsewhere on High Island.

The main features of the city are :

The Central Offices - the priesthood of Higher Port are situated in the very centre of the city within the Ring of Stalls. Nobles and commoners alike can call to ask for their services.
There are three main marketplaces : Ring of Stalls in the centre of the city, Dock market which, unsurprisingly is near the docks and the Farmers Market which is the furthest South.
Like any other city, Higher Port has a barracks. These are situated near the court.
A tavern called The Adventurer is based close to the docks. It is here that anyone wishing to take a long sea voyage can make enquires about ships and crew.

The Court of the Duchess

The Duchess' court is a large, squat building at the western end of the harbour where the Duchess' ships stand. The High Island symbol, a black ship on a blue background, can be seen on the entrances and also over the main court of audience. Dimity has an oval face with a pointed chin, framed by reddish-brown hair. Now in her late thirties, she is still an attractive woman despite having a family of five. Her husband, Lord Lackery, is a powerful empathy mage who specialises in sea effects. Together they have ruled High Island for nearly two decades and seem to have moved the culture of High Island away from the atmosphere of intrigue and mistrust which covers much of Athory. They are certainly far more accessible to their people than many other Dukes and Duchesses.

The Nobility of Higher Port

Lord Borris - Twenty years ago, Captain Borris (third son of Lord Ghathan) was a suitor of the new Duchess Dimity. Instead she chose to marry a mage with no noble blood. However, rather than leaving Higher Port, Lord Borris remained and continued to lead the navy and began to interest himself in court politics. Twenty years on, he is a skilled warrior and strategist known to be loyal to his Duchess. He married recently, to a woman fifteen years his junior and she recently gave birth to twins - two boys. However, anyone approaching the Lord should be warned - he doesn't suffer fools gladly and has a very short temper.
Lady Constance - Dimity's young sister, Constance was granted the estate at the eastern end of the harbour after five years without an owner. Constance has spent much of her life in her sister's shadow and, since becoming of age (six years ago) has spent a great deal of time travelling at sea.
Lord Maunder - Maunder's father was granted an estate in Higher Port after spending his life amassing a considerable fortune as a trader. Maunder is an equally shrewd businessman and has funded several sea voyages out to former lands of the Empire. Some rumours suggest that Constance's latest voyage was a joint venture between herself and the Lord.
Lady Jennael - Jennael was granted her estate ten years ago, in reward for long and faithful service as an empathy mage. Jennael was Lackery's tutor and, between them, they have some of the strongest talent in Athory.

There is currently one unoccupied estate in Higher Port.