Gerbestadt

This city in Aladar is the seat of the Baron of Gerbestadt, Baron Frederick DeLambe (b756wk) and this is the South-Western most of the towns in the Viscounty of Baltheim and it is the principal port town of the Viscounty as it has a very good deep water bay and sheltered area for vessels to dock behind a good fortified seawall. The town has a deep-water port and is within the sheltered waters behind Cape Talvin and the town is further protected by a few small hills that divert the prevailing winds off The Great Western Sea.

History

The town is one that has been rebuilt on the ruins of a city that once stood here named Hantwerb but in 670WK a tidal wave surged ashore here and wiped out the city with the loss of 12,000 lives and the ruin of the city. Much was destroyed apart from the long stone docks that were undamaged.

Over the last 150 years or so the town of Gerbestadt has grown here and the need for a larger city here was supplanted by Zumular along the coast to the East and Grobbety to the West who both had superior trade access by sea/river to further inland parts. The town has used the rubble and ruin of the old city to build a strong town and they have worked with some sages to ensure such a wave doesn't strike here again.

As at 811wk

The town has grown to have a population of around 8,000 with a lot of the economy based around the sea, the fishing fleet and associated industries. 3 ships of the Western Kingdom Fleet are currently based here and these are 2 cutters and a caravel named Alicia's Revenge, Reece's Swiftness and the Baltheim Flyer. The seawall has a lighthouse (Goren's Lighthouse) at the end that stands 100ft above the waves and has 2 ballistae on its roof as well as other siege weapons in its upper levels.

The two thousand fisher-folk who earn their living and sustenance from the sea are the longest-standing residents of Gerbestadt, and many of their families lived here when the village was new. The eight thousand-strong population that long ago eclipsed the fishing families as Gerbestadt's primary residents are the farmers, labourers, sailors, traders, and guides who service the merchants plying the Great Western Sea with trade goods.

Though the town might appear ramshackle, its construction is anything but as Gerbestadt's culture reflects a deep connection to art and architecture that extends from its life on the sea shores. Whether stone, wood, or canvas, the shelters of Gerbestadt have a kind of utilitarian beauty to them and are built to last a lifetime.

Around the docks, the newer wood-frame buildings of the wealthier traders maintain an air of whitewashed respectability amid the muck. Things get consistently more disordered as Gerbestadt expands out toward the hills that separate the town from the coastal plains beyond.

Event - 5th of Thaw 812wk

This is now known as The Battle of Gerbestadt

The Drow corsairs attacked with 5 of their Trimaran's in the early afternoon and caused widespread damage to the town including the destruction of Goren's Lighthouse and 2 other defensive towers but the town survived after the combined weaponry of the 6 defensive towers around the town and Fort Gerbestadt destroyed 2 of the Corsair Trimaran's and severely damaged the other 3 causing them to break off their attack and retreat out to sea and the safety of the fog.

4,000 of the townspeople and troops died in the attack and there was severe damage inflicted on almost every waterside structure including food warehouses.

The end of the day saw people looking for survivors and foraging for supplies and equipment to salvage as well as rebuilding or recovering the defensive structures and weaponry. The four badly damaged merchant vessels still in port were unloaded and stripped of useful material and then sunk in the harbour channel.

Fort Gerbestadt was slightly damaged but its siege weapons proved the tipping point to enable the towns' survival

Event - 3rd of Meadow 819wk

The Sudden Wind-Storm

In the early morning, an hour after a few ships had come into harbour a sudden storm ripped through the roughlands to the North of town, causing extensive damage there (to barns, livestock and fences) and in the port where 6 ships had their sails ripped apart, 3 crewmen lost their limbs and a painter fell to his death.

The storm was so sudden that no-one had a chance to react when it was a clear blue sky for one minute, with no clouds for approx 30 miles in the area and then the next it was a dark ferocious windstorm and massive clouds (some down to ground level) in the area. It lasted only 1 hour before it simply disappeared, although a lone high cloud was seen heading Northwest against the prevailing wind!

Notable locations

1. Fort Gerbestadt. This fortification is on the north western edge of the town and it is a formidable line of defence situated uphill from the port itself and commanding the view for miles around.
2. Curgans Tavern. This is the largest Tavern (and Inn) in the town and it is 3 floors tall as well as being built into the surrounding hills. Jonas Curgan is a huge man and firm businessman who has very few problems with 'rude' or unruly guests.
3. Goren's Lighthouse. This rises 100ft above the waves and has 2 ballistae on its roof as well as other siege weapons in its upper levels. In the centre of the roof these is a pillar on top of which at night is a globe of Light with mirrored segments.
4. The Baltheim Shipping Company.
5. Gerbestadt Ropes and Nets.
6. The Clams Rest. This Tavern has a less than salubrious reputation and is frequented by people of ill repute, criminals and the like. It's said that you can find out much of the towns goings on over few days here, if you survive the experience and hospitality. The owner Maryann Niichols is said to be well connected.
7. Goren's Lighthouse
8. Arzog Tower
9. Talvin's Tor
10. Barrics Trail Tower
11. Gerbestadt Tower
12. The Red Tower
13. The Gerbestadt Seawall

Trade

• The Gerbestadt Shipyard