Vesper
Vesper is northernmost city on the eastern coast of Britannia. Due to its positioning the town is actually more a part of the culture of Magincia, as it serves as a major trade port for the north part of the sea.
Vesper itself is a city of shallow waterways and canals. Although the canals are mostly man-made, they are rather rough-hewn which gives the impression of almost normal waterways. The temperature in the town ranges from temperate to cold, and despite the rather cool climate the inhabitants have developed a certain affectation for stonework and wide, open spaces which serve as breezyways. The stonework is all crafted by local artisans and artists, and thanks to their presence Vesper has gained the reputation of a beautiful city.
Thanks to its position as primary trade route as well as major export center for inventions coming out of Minoc, the city of Vesper has the newest of everything. The shops carry gadgets from useful, new and exciting to inane.
Vesper tends not to deal in magic with any seriousness, although its cosmopolitan nature means that looking in the right place can lead one to find assassins who use magic in their work. Mostly magic is confined to magical trinkets: the magically dull blade, for example, sold to rich young ladies to serve as an ostentatious bauble.
As the region around the city is not too fertile and not everywhere suitable for agriculture, Vesper has to import the majority of the food needed. Meats are salted and shipped from Minoc and its wilderness via the river. There is also a lively fish trade between the two towns.
Due to its extravagant lifestyle and the need to import most of the food the people living in Vesper are in constant need of money. Therefore many of their achievements are sold only shortly after they have been purchased, and soon the saying “If it is for sale you can buy it in Vesper” developed. Someone with an eye for money will probably describe Vesper as the ideal city to do business, as new needs arise almost every day, just to be abolished again only a few days later.
The city of Vesper is led by the Justicar. Policing is heavy, is the number of people who pass through the city daily is rather uncontrolled. There are some voices who mumble that the Justicar has too much power, coming mainly from the merchant classes.
Although it is Vesper that provides their livelihood, the citizens of Minoc regard it as a decadent and uncivil place. And Magincia, although it sees Vesper as its major trading partner and therefore ally, is terribly jealous of it. There are few nations on the eastern rim of the sea, which would not like to have control of its economic power.
Although the city of Vesper, with its constant influx of foreigners to Britannia, in many ways does not conform to the Britannian ideal, Britain and Lord British bow to economic necessity in supporting it. This doesn’t mean that Lord British would not like to clean up the various illegal actions here, such as smuggling, espionage, and assassinations. He also has grave doubts about the Justicar, but it is a locally elected position.
Fairs showcasing goods virtually take place every month. Also very common are street festivals, parades, fireworks, concerts and other attractions that could convince potential customers to come back. The attitude of merchants against a potential customer is very careful, and the inhabitants of the town try hard to never show open hatred or dislike against a wealthy person who might do business with them.
But Vesper is not only in love with money (and that a little bit too much sharper tongues than mine might add), but also with its art. Museums and beautiful buildings can be easily found in the city, and theatre, dance, music and sculpture are a very popular and favoured way to pass time.
A Day at the Harbour, by Lisissta Ennyon, Merchant
I breathe the fresh breeze that tickles my nose. It is full of moisture and I can taste the salt of the sea mixed with the aroma of fresh fish. I reap my skirts and through the wide and open, decorated streets of Vesper I hurry towards the docks to pick up the wares from Minoc which should arrive today.
The closer I get to the markets and the docks the busier the roads get. Merchants just like me have already opened their stands or display their wares in their shops, they are bargaining and trying to attract the customers, especially the foreign ones, with loud cries and promises for special offers. A feisty woman with a red face excitedly haggles with Mertha, the artist, as she fell in love with one of their paintings but cannot afford to pay the prize for it.
In midst the colourful clutter of merchants, workers and occasional nobles I eventually reach the docks. The ship with the newest gadgets I has already arrived, and some sailors are unloading it already, while their captain gives them shouted orders. I just came in at the right point of time. Quickly I get closer and with a warm smile I greet the captain. Noticing that I know him from earlier business I decide to give my plan a try.
Half the load has been brought to storage already to be inspected and taxed by one of the harbour workers. I wink at the captain and after handing him a small pouch of silver and gold I say with a chuckle: “Would you please bring those directly to my warehouse? You know, the taxes!” The captain grins widely and weighs the pouch in his hand testing. “Of course, Ma’am,” he answers my request and I can smell a wave of old alcohol. “It was a pleasure doing business with you!” With these words he turns around and shouts some new orders into the direction of his crew.
