Highport
| Highport | |
|---|---|
 Highport, illustration by Anna Meyer (2019). | |
| General information | |
| Realm: | Pomarj |
| Size: | City |
| Government | |
| Authority: | Despot Turrosh Mak |
| Established: | 305 CY |
| Demographics | |
| Population: | 15,000[1] |
| Races: | Orcs, half-orcs, humans |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Earth Dragon Cult; other deities are tolerated (see below) |
Highport is a city on the northern coast of the Pomarj. The former capital city of the Pomarj, Highport was razed to the ground in 513 CY following the Hateful Wars, before being rebuilt as an orcish trade port.
Description
Highport is a dark, dirty city firmly in the grip of evil, but safe for those that don’t appear weak. The humanoid districts within the city reek of filth, unwashed bodies, and rotting meat, with the human districts being in a somewhat more tolerable state. Many of the buildings still show burns and damage from the Night of the Bloody Spear, but most that were present at that time have fallen down or been renovated by the new inhabitants. Some parts of town are little more than open fields with large and small tents, where drunken sailors, poor mercenaries, and out casts of many races grab a few hours of sleep at any hour of the day. A large area devoted to warehouses covers part of the shoreline, and the damaged city walls have been rebuilt. Large sections of the city are unused and are likely to hold squatters, vermin, wizards, or monsters seeking some privacy or secrecy, and even some rogue undead (either animated by one of the evil temples and abandoned or long-dead citizens clinging to unlife through sheer force of will and looking to avenge their deaths at the hands of humanoids).[citation needed]
Of course, not everyone in Highport is a maniacal cutthroat; many are merchants and other people (not necessarily humans) just looking to do business, and are just less concerned with the sort of person who pays them for their goods. A wide variety of shops, inns, and taverns exist in Highport, serving the rough-and-tumble clientele and providing the basic services that are necessary to all: equipment, food, clothing, and so on.[citation needed]
History
Establishment
In 295 CY, an alliance between the prince of Ulek and the growing empire of Keoland joined forces to begin the conquest what would become the Pomarj, seeking to exploit the region's mineral wealth. Highport was constructed in 305 CY on the foundations of a smaller town, allowing trade with the rest of the Flanaess.[2]
Independence
In 461 CY, Ulek withdrew from Keoland. Two years later, in 463 CY, the barons of the Pomarj declared their own independence from Ulek, taking the city of Highport as their capital. The Pomarj barons ejected the dwarven garrisons of Ulek and began ruling their fiefdoms independently.[2]
Highport became a major trade hub on the Pomarj, particularly between the southwestern and southeastern Flanaess. Its population reached seasonal highs of nearly 10,000, plus many sailors and merchants taking up temporary residence at any time.[3]
Highport was once the center of a bustling shipping and trade industry that moved goods up and down the Wild Coast and to and from the southwestern and southeastern portions of the Flanaess. For a time, the population had a seasonal high of nearly 10,000, with additional numbers coming from the many sailors, marines, and merchants who made Highport their temporary home.[citation needed]
Night of the Bloody Spear
In 498 CY, conflict brought out between the elves, dwarves, and humans of the Lortmils and the orcs and goblins. The prince of Ulek called upon the Pomarj to form an alliance. In 499 CY, the human lords of the Pomarj held a meeting at Highport, where they decided to decline Ulek's support. The barons distrusted Ulek, and refused to involve themselves in what they saw as ultimately a conflict between demihumans. The Hateful Wars ended in 510 CY with the orcs and goblins defeated.[2]
This outcome would lead to disaster for Highport. On the 11th of Planting, 513 CY, orcs and goblins driven from the Lortmils came from the Suss Forest and descended on the capital of Highport. The hardy population of Highport, which included many strong laborers and experienced seamen, put up a strong defense, repelling five separate assaults. A sixth assault breached the city gates, and Highport fell to the orcs.[3]
The city was sacked and burned, and most of population was slaughtered, save for a few who managed to escape with their lives. Bodies of the defenders were impaled on spikes and left on the city wall. Highport was left in ruins. The event was dubbed the Night of the Bloody Spear. Within months, the orcs would go on to conquer most of the Pomarj, finding the defenders of other towns much less capable than those of Highport.[2][3]
Reconstruction
The orcs gradually rebuilt Highport, and within a few years the port was once again open to trade. Pirates who first braved the new port found it reasonably tolerant, and it soon became an important location for trade.[3]
For over fifty years, Highport was thereafter ruled by a coalition of tribes, whose control over the city was routinely marred by factional division, blood feuds and in-fighting. Various tribes dominated the government at different times, including at least two human and half-orc controlled governments.[3]
Under this system, no formal system of law or justice existed. Highport's population rose as it became a popular land for human followers of evil gods, who accepted the orcs as kinsmen, and half-orcs soon became common. The city was a rare port accepting of pirates, who raided shipping along the Wooly Bay and into the Azure Sea.[3]
Rise of Turrosh Mak
In 581 CY, the half-orc warlord Turrosh Mak rose to become ruler of the Pomarj. Turrosh Mak took the title of Despot, and establish a harsh system of laws in the city. He established a government loyal to himself settled tribal disputes by force, by magic, or by the exchange of hostages between tribes to ensuce peace. Turrosh Mak established the city's temple of the Earth Dragon, seeking religious unity, and warned temples of of the gods that they would be blamed for disasters which befell the city.[3]
Current events
War continues between the Pomarj and the dwarves of Ulek.
In 591 CY, the Prince of Ulek allied with the Knights of Luna to oppose Turrosh Mak. Sister Kuranyie of Onnwall has meanwhile sought an alliance.[2]
Recently, drow have been spotted in the city at night.[2]
Geography
Highport is located on the northern Pomarj.[4]
Cityscape
Much of the city still bears scars of its destruction in 513 CY.[4]
People
Population and demographics
Highport is the largest city in the Pomarj. Almost 15,000 people live there. Humans are the most common, and orcs and half-orcs are common. The city's non-human population are commonly seen at night.[4]
Religion
A temple of the Earth Dragon was consecrated to foster religious unity. Other temples (especially ones of the more destructive gods) were warned that any mass slayings, plagues, or other great ills that befell the city would be blamed on them. [citation needed]
The temple of the Earth Dragon is a renovated temple of Xerbo that was looted and damaged during the sacking of the city. Other dark deities with temples here include Beltar, Erythnul (hate, slaughter), Incabulos (plagues, famine, disasters), Hextor (war, discord, tyranny), Iuz, Mictlantecuhtli (an Olman death god), Nerull (death, murder), Pyremius (poison, murder), the cult of Vecna (destructive and evil secrets), and various humanoid gods.[citation needed]
Languages
Government
The city is run by a coalition of mercantile and mercenary factions who ultimately report to Despot Turrosh Mak.[4]
Heraldry
Law and justice
The city was in a state of anarchy for over fifty years following the razing of the city, during which no system of justice existed. With the recent rise of Turrosh Mak came a harsh but fair system of laws intended to maintain order in the city. However, the city is still somewhat dangerous, especially at night.[4]
Military
Turrosh Mak has begun building a major pirate navy of human and half-orcs. He intends to use this fleet to extend his power over the Azure Sea.[2]
Economy
Resources
Trade
Highport's markets and shipping port make it an important commercial center. During the day, it does a great deal of trade.[4] Ships of the Scarlet Brotherhood are occasionally seen here, although they do so carefully, and under a foreign flag or no flag.[3]
Currency
Various official and unofficial currencies are used in the Pomarj, including coins minted by cities, towns, and tribes.[1]
Rumors & legends
Gallery
Publishing history
AD&D 1st edition
Highport first appeared in the adventure modules A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity (1980) and A2 Secret of the Slavers (1981), later collected into A1-4 Scourge of the Slavelords (1986). The city was officially incorporated into the Flanaess by World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983).
AD&D 2nd edition
Highport is described in most detail in in Slavers (2000) p.89-97.
Highport appeared in Greyhawk Adventures (1988), Puppets (1989), The City of Greyhawk (1989), Vecna Lives! (1990), From the Ashes (1992), Player's Guide to Greyhawk (1998), The Adventure Begins (1998), and Slavers (2000).
D&D 3rd edition
Highport is mentioned in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000).
External links
References
Citations
Bibliography
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnacle Rock Inn (Highport) | Building | Inn, | A1-4 Scourge of the Slave Lords | 28 |
| Beltar, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 93 |
| Coast Road (Highport) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 97 |
| Erythnul, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 94 |
| Fat Cow (Highport) | Building | Shop, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 96 |
| Gruumsh, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | A2 Secret of the Slavers Stockade | 2 |
| Gruumsh, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 92 |
| Hextor, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 94 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity | 2, 10 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | A1-4 Scourge of the Slave Lords | 2, 5, 12, 16, 18, 19, 23, 24-29, 45-47, 54, 55 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | A2 Secret of the Slavers Stockade | 2, 4, 20 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | A4 In The Dungeons of the Slave Lords | 2 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Artifact of Evil | 30, 59 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 18, 33 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Dragon magazine #167 | 10, 11, 13 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Dragon magazine #241 | 80 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 72 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #3 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Greyhawk Adventures | 101 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 66, 86, 87, 88 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Oerth Journal #04 | 9 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Oerth Journal #10 | 19 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Oerth Journal #21 | 29 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Oerth Journal #29 | 38 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Oerth Journal #32 | 22,37,43 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 59 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 1, 5, 38, 39, 44, 86, 88-98, 101, 121 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | The Adventure Begins | 33, 56 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | WG11 Puppets | IC, 5 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | WGA4 Vecna Lives! | 49 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 48 |
| Highport | Settlement | Pomarj, Settlement, (591 pop: 15000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 30, IBC |
| House of Quiet (Highport) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 93 |
| Incabulos, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 94 |
| Iuz, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 95 |
| Lords Palace (Highport) | Place | Palace, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 92, 96 |
| Lowdown in Highport | Adventure | Located in: Wild coast, | Dungeon magazine #221 | |
| Maglubiyet, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 95 |
| Merchants, Guild of (Highport) | People Group | Guild, | Dragon magazine #167 | 11 |
| Mictlantecuhtli, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 92 |
| Nerull, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 91, 94 |
| Pyremius, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 94, 95 |
| Suss Road (Highport) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 97 |
| Vecna, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 95 |
| Warehouse District (Highport) | Place | District, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 92 |
| Xerbo, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 90, 91 |
| Yeenoghu, Temple of (Highport) | Building | Temple, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 92 |