Overview
Belath is a small fortified river city within the Wallhaven protectorate, located not far from the sea. Its docks give Wallhaven access to northern trade routes, safer passage toward the Winterlands, and important smokepowder contracts with the goblin cities of Scath and Gabhann.
Belath is one of the most strategically important settlements under Wallhaven’s protection, though its citizens do not always agree on whether they are protected partners or well-dressed possessions.
Character
Belath is remote, practical, fogbound, and more maritime than Wallhaven. Its people are used to river traffic, hard bargaining, salt-stained ledgers, dockside violence, and cargoes that do not always match their manifests.
The city respects Wallhaven’s soldiers, but resents Wallhaven’s tariffs. Its merchants know that everyone needs their docks, and that knowledge gives them courage.
Current Tensions
- River smugglers.
- Rival merchants seeking to bypass Wallhaven tariffs.
- Goblin smokepowder contracts.
- Winterlands trade politics.
- Debate over whether Belath is a partner or possession.
Notable NPCs
| Name | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Warden-Captain Jonah Fleetwell | Military Commander of Belath | Loyal to Wallhaven, but protective of Belath’s local privileges. |
| Dockmaster Morven Pike | Harbor Authority | Knows every cargo that enters Belath, and several that officially did not. |
| Ambassador Skrik Nine-Coals | Goblin Powder Factor | Represents Scath interests. Polite, shrewd, and never far from a bodyguard. |
| Mistress Helena Brackmere | River Merchant | Wants Belath richer and Wallhaven less controlling. |
Adventure Hooks
- A smokepowder shipment from Scath vanishes from a locked river warehouse.
- Winterlands merchants offer Belath a secret trade agreement that would undermine Wallhaven tariffs.
- Dockworkers discover a sealed cargo crate containing something alive, arcane, and very illegal.