Port Hope

Port Hope is a medium-sized fishing port on the South-Western edge of Libera.

Port Hope is a renownedly beautiful city, with temperate weather all year round thanks to the relative proximity of the Darama Desert. In its youth, the city was a beacon of hope for fisherman who had previously been forced to bear the more harsh northernly and easternly waters. Because of its peaceful location (far from many of the warring races), much of the architecture is in its original state, using rare obsidian brick that was long ago revered for it's anti-demon properties, and imported from the Zindro Flame when trade routes to the East were still prominent. Any expansions since the original construction were mostly organized by rich and generous port-masters, who hired wizards to construct the buildings of living diamond (actually a self-repairing Quartz). These buildings, mostly comprising the local government and community services, were constructed in homage to the calm waters which have offered such serenity to the town thoughout the years.

Occasionally the town is attacked by the denizens of the



Plains of Havoc, however many of the descendents of the original consulted wizards were so impressed by the final architecture that they and their descendents decided to stay to protect the town. The chief architecture of the time, Buh-Reein, was famously known for the line (which later became the town's motto):

"Within this port's heart, you will find a port of hope." -Buh-Reein

That being said, the current townmasters are of the human "Stock" lineage (Ardur Stock being the current mayor), who are known to guard the city jealously. Visitors, tired from venturing the plains, are frequently turned away, not willing to face the town's enormous army (many of whom were recruited simply by the promise of living in Port Hope). Only merchants are allowed unhindered access to the town, but those that do are required to pay hefty premiums to discourage stragglers. Refugees have been known to try and smuggle themselves into the city through the Seed River, only to find themselves caught up in the nets of nearby fishermen.

The penalty for tresspassing into Port Hope is Contamination (individuals are sent out into the plains with "the sickness", a short-term illness exhibiting the symptoms of radiation poisoning, which also imbues upon them the scent of Hawthorne, to which bears are attracted).