Highport
| Highport | |
|---|---|
 Highport, illustration by Anna Meyer (2019). | |
| General information | |
| Realm: | Pomarj |
| Size: | City |
| Government | |
| Authority: | Despot Turrosh Mak |
| Government: | Council of merchants and tribal leaders |
| 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. It is a profitable trade center, but a dangerous place for the weak or unwary.
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]
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]
Protective enchantments placed by the wizard Bilarro on the Lord's Palace allowed it to remain uncaptured for several years.[4]
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 Woolly 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.[5] To the north is the Woolly Bay, along which are built numerous piers, about half of which are in ruins and are used to store derelict ships for storage. The city is surrounded by a wall. Roads connect the city by land: the Suss Road to the west, Coast Road to the east, and brick-paved Slave Road to the south.[6][7]
The Coast Road is a dirt trail which leads to abandoned human villages, many occupied by the trail. The Bloody Ax gnolls, the Saltburner orcs, and the Ichor kobolds live out by this direction.
The Suss Road is the main land route used by travelers to the Wild Coast. It passes through the lands of the Bleeding Moon gnolls, Kraken hobgoblins, and then goes by the Suss Forest to Eldredd.
Slaves walk the brick-paved Slave Road to the south, wide enough to allow two carts to pass one another, except in the mountains where it is only wide enough for one card and relies on paved turnouts for carts to pass one another.[7]
Cityscape
Much of the city still bears scars of its destruction in 513 CY.[5] Many of the city's districts are divided by race,
Three towers have been converted into lighthouses. They are manned by humans or half-orcs, as orcs are sensitive to the bright light.[4]
The warehouse district is used for storage of goods, and is well guarded by soldiers.[4]
The palace district surrounds the Lord's Palace, former residence of Prince Kevram Bilarro. When the Slavelords came to power in Highport, the wizard Markessa was able to defeat the palace's magical defenses and establish it as the leaders of Highport. The district has surrounded by its own defensive walls. As of 591 CY the palace is inhabited by Markessa the Gold (aka Tanva), a duplicate of Markessa, and the half-orc fighter Braks, both loyal to the Slavelords.[4][8]
Hordes of giant rats are a common problem in many neighborhoods. Casks of oil are kept in order to create barriers of fire to keep the rats out. Stirges act as a predator creature which keep the rats in check, but the stirges themselves are a danger. Giant weasels are kept as pets or guard animals, but often run wild in the city's abandoned areas.[9]
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 more commonly seen at night.[5]
Rare inhabitants include a pair of harpies, a pair of hill giants, a pack of trolls, an extended family of ogre mercenaries, and a pack of ghouls who live outside the city.[9]
Religion
Many religions have temples in this Highport.
Turrosh Mak established a temple of the Earth Dragon here, with the goal of encouraging religious unity among the city's inhabitants. It was built in a renovated temple of Xerbo that was damaged when the city was sacked.[6] The high priest here is the half-orc Nofosh, who has twenty lesser priests and ten acolytes. The temple chargest the lowest rates in the city for healing spells, and is a popular stop with visitors to the city, as one of the few temples to protective gods. It has a good view of the harbor.[9]
The worship of orc god Gruumsh has decreased in favor of the Earth Dragon, and only a small temple to the god now exists, in a small house inhabited by the priest Nabbok. Every few months he saves enough donations to purchase an old or weak slave for sacrifice, which draws some followers.[4]
Yeenoghu is worshipped by the gnolls who live on the east side of town. His temple here is run by the shaman Rafguraat, brother of Lorrosh of the Blue Eye tribe.[4]
There is a temple in the city to Mictlantecuhtli, Olman death god.. It was established by former Olman slaves from the Hold of the Sea Princes. The temple is run by Lipcatihli, an Olman priest who is unaware that his enemy, the Scarlet Brotherhood, is behind the Slavelords.[4]
The temple to Beltar leads down into a subterranean altar. It is guarded by two zombies and is led by the orc Kurrsh, supported in secret by the Scarlet Brotherhood.[8]
The temple to Erythnul is a converted butcher's shop led by the priest Renchen, who preaches outdoors to all, sometimes unpopularly in the dead of night. Renchen has feral features, and it is suspected that he is part gnoll. Pirates and raiders pay Erythnul tribute here before a journey.[10]
A temple to Incabulos is run by an insane human priest known as the Mad One, who has held the position for three years. He engages in bizarre rituals such as screaming at random times, curses unseen enemies, casts money into the bay, and burns black candles when a ship enters or leaves port. The temple is little more than an abandoned house with a bronze possession rune nailed to the door. It is believed that leaving coins before his door wards off sickness.[10]
The temple to Hextor consists of a warehouse which was once filled with slaves and prisoners of war, who were slaughtered. It has since been converted into a military training facility. Five priests hold services here. The high priest is named Satran. [10]
A temple to Nerull is built in a former orphanage whose inhabitants were slaughtered as they hid from the orc army. The windows are boarded up and the building has been painted black. The high priest is a human named Torish.[10]
A store here sells hot sauce and poison. It also serves as a temple to the Suel fire deity Pyremius. The temple is led by Malav, who is served by a number of her acolytes.[10][11]
A temple to Iuz here is run by a man named Marten, an outspoken man known for his many complaints, including about the living conditions in the city, lack of respect for his deity there, and his negative opinion of the government. He is tolerated because he is so unpopular that he distracts the public hatred from the activities of the Slavelords.[11]
The cult of Vecna, illegal in some civilized lands, operates openly here. Only a handful of low-level priests operate the temple here, run by a necromancer named Gotto. Their temple is guarded by a basilisk, who wears a gauze head-dress during the day to protect is petrifying gaze.[11]
A temple to Maglubiyet, deity of goblin and hobgblins, is run here by a shaman named Jukko, who serves as spiritual leader for all goblinoids in the city, even those who worship the Earth Dragon. The temple sacrifices slaves to Maglubiyet every new moon.[11]
Temples to other major deities include Iuz, Nerull, Vecna, the Olman death god Mictlantecuhtli, and the gods of various humanoids.[6]
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.[5]
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.[5]
Slavery is legal here. Freemen are nonetheless valued as reliable employees, as they tend to have a better work ethic and are unlikely to unexpectedly attempt to flee.[6] Human sacrifice for religious purposes is tolerated here.[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
Highport was originally built as a port for the export of gemstones and minerals. While some ships are repaired here, most shipbuilding takes place further at the port of Eldredd. [7]
Trade
Highport's markets and shipping port make it an important commercial center. During the day, it does a great deal of trade.[5] Ships of the Scarlet Brotherhood are occasionally seen here, although they do so carefully, and under a foreign flag or no flag.[3]
Slaves are openly traded in Highport.[7]
Most trade eastward is carried by ships. On average, 3-13 ships are found in port on a typical day.[7]
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
- ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.86.
- ↑ a b c d e f g Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.88.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Slavers (2000), p.89.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Slavers (2000), p.92.
- ↑ a b c d e f Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.87.
- ↑ a b c d Slavers (2000), p.90.
- ↑ a b c d e Slavers (2000), p.97.
- ↑ a b Slavers (2000), p.93.
- ↑ a b c Slavers (2000), p.91.
- ↑ a b c d e Slavers (2000), p.94.
- ↑ a b c d Slavers (2000), p.95.
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 |