Overview:
Seagate, the capital city of Portum, was once a bustling port city known for its vibrant harbor and strategic position along the Periculosus Ocean. Now a relic of its former glory, Seagate still stands as a testament to its rich maritime heritage.
Description:
Seagate is characterized by its rugged coastline, with remnants of ancient docks and shipwrecks that hint at its prosperous past. The city is a mix of decaying port structures and newer, land-based buildings that have been adapted to current needs. The harbor, once filled with ships from distant lands, is now quiet and eerie.
History:
Seagate’s history is marked by its rise as a major trade hub and its dramatic fall during the Age of Darkness (AoD). The city was a central player in maritime trade and cultural exchange before the AoD brought demonic creatures and chaos to its shores, devastating its fleets and ports. Over the past two centuries, Seagate has struggled to rebuild and adapt to its new reality.
Significance:
Seagate remains the political and cultural heart of Portum. It serves as the seat of the local government and a strategic bastion to the Western Seas should they ever be deemed safe again.
Notable Features:
- Old Harbor: The decaying remnants of Seagate’s once-thriving port, now a haunting reminder of its past.
- Council Hall: The seat of local governance, where former merchants and sea captains’ descendants make decisions for the region.
- Rezza Oir’s Shrine: A shrine dedicated to Rezza Oir, the Elemental God of the Trade Winds, located on an island in the middle of the harbor.
- Isle of Marrow: A small, rugged island just off the coast of Seagate, renowned for its ancient lighthouse long abandoned, yet still operation.
Local Legends or Stories:
One of the most enduring legends in Seagate is that of the “Phantom Merchant.” According to local lore, the once-grand merchant ship named The Golden Venture, disappeared without a trace early into the AoD. Today, it is said that on foggy nights, the ghostly form of The Golden Venture can be seen cruising near the entrance to Seagate’s harbor. The ship appears as it did in its prime, with glowing lanterns and billowing sails, yet eerily silent. Some claim that spotting the Phantom Merchant is an omen, either of impending fortune or doom. Another chilling legend speaks of “The Demon of the Seagate,” a malevolent creature unleashed during the AoD. As demonic forces ravaged the seas, one particularly fearsome entity is said to have made its home in the waters off Seagate’s coast, where it remains to this day, harassing any attempt to re-establish sea trade.
Current Status:
Seagate is a shadow of its former self but continues to function as the administrative center of Portum. Efforts are ongoing to restore parts of the old harbor and revitalize the local economy through land-based activities.
Visitors’ Experience:
Visitors to Seagate will encounter a town that, while once thriving, now shows the signs of its gradual decline. The atmosphere is one of faded glory, with the remnants of its prosperous past still visible amidst the decay. The harbor of Seagate, once bustling with activity and teeming with ships from distant lands, now lies in a state of disrepair. Ancient docks, made of weathered wood and crumbling stone, stretch out into the water, their grandeur diminished by time and neglect. Rusting chains and abandoned warehouses serve as haunting reminders of the harbor’s once vibrant commerce. In the heart of Seagate, the market square, which once bustled with traders and merchants, now sees only sparse activity. A few determined vendors still set up their stalls, selling local produce and handcrafted goods. Despite its decline, Seagate still holds on to some of its cultural traditions. Festivals and local events, though less frequent and grand than in the past, continue to draw the community together. These occasions offer a rare glimpse into the town’s enduring spirit and provide a sense of continuity amid the decay.