A Visitor's Guide to Port Kern

The Center of the World for Trade and Information

Welcome, traveler, to Port Kern - the independent city-state where the Idylwyld River meets the ocean. Whether you're here on business, seeking passage to distant lands, or simply exploring the world's greatest trade hub, this guide will help you navigate our bustling metropolis.

Getting Your Bearings

Population: 55,000 souls
Location: Mouth of Idylwyld River at the ocean
Government: Mercantile Consortium (elected council)
Best Known For: International trade, maritime commerce, skilled mercenaries
Language: Common (trade standard), with merchants speaking dozens of tongues

Districts Worth Knowing

City Center (Inside Walls)

The administrative heart of Port Kern, housing the Consortium meeting halls and government offices. The Temple of Solarius stands prominently here, serving as the center of civic justice. This is where official business is conducted and where you'll find the Public Notice Hall with opportunities for work.

Harbor District (Inside Walls)

The main commercial port where large vessels dock and international trade occurs. Massive warehouses line the waterfront, and major trading company offices conduct business throughout the day. For maritime passage or cargo shipment, this is your destination. Swift Current Charters and Worldspan Voyages can arrange travel to virtually any destination.

Trade Quarter (Inside Walls)

Port Kern's commercial heart, featuring the Compass Rose Market where exotic goods from across the world change hands daily. The Consortium Exchange handles currency conversion and banking services. Merchant's Row offers shops and trading houses for those with coin to spend. The Temple of Aethon overlooks the quarter, blessing commerce with natural balance.

Craft District (Inside Walls)

Where Port Kern's renowned artisans and craftsmen work their trades. Guild halls for various crafts maintain quality standards. Visitors seeking custom weapons, armor, or specialized goods will find master craftsmen here producing some of the finest work in the known world.

Skyline District (Inside Walls)

The elevated district where Port Kern's most successful merchants and trading families reside. Elegant estates and manicured gardens showcase the wealth that flows through our city. The Sanctum Tower stands at the border with Wayfarer's Concourse, home to our magical oversight authority.

Olive Grove (Inside Walls)

A comfortable middle-class residential district where successful merchants, skilled workers, and professionals make their homes. Local businesses serve neighborhood needs, and the district offers a quieter respite from the commercial bustle.

Wayfarer's Concourse (Inside Walls)

The central corridor cutting through the city, designed specifically for travelers and visiting merchants. Inns, taverns, and lodging houses of all quality levels line this thoroughfare, with services catering to those passing through our gates.

Military Quarter (Inside Walls)

Home to the City Watch training grounds and defensive installations. Visitors should respect military areas and understand that Port Kern's security is maintained through constant vigilance. The city's defensive walls, equipped with advanced siege weapons, have never been breached.

Seabreeze Park (Inside Walls)

Public gardens and green spaces offering fresh ocean air away from commercial areas. A pleasant place for contemplation and rest, popular with locals and visitors alike.

Gallery Walk (Inside Walls)

Port Kern's cultural center, featuring theaters, music halls, libraries, and performance venues. The Temple of Chronos maintains extensive records and scholarly resources here. Evening performances draw crowds from across the city.

Warehouse District (Inside Walls)

Massive storage facilities handle the constant flow of goods through Port Kern. While not a tourist destination, the district showcases the scale of our commercial operations.

Brinewater Bay (Outside Walls)

The fishing fleet district where daily catches are brought to shore and processed. Fresh seafood is available at excellent prices, and the Temple of Fortuna blesses fishermen with good fortune. The salt air and working atmosphere provide authentic Port Kern character.

Shallowmar (Outside Walls)

An upscale working-class district by Shallowmar Lake, featuring better housing and amenities than typical dockside areas. The Temple of Sorenvald celebrates freedom and adventure here, popular with those who've worked their way up from harder circumstances.

Mentersville (Outside Walls)

Agricultural district providing fresh food to the city. Scattered farms, grain fields, and livestock operations supply Port Kern's markets. The Mentersville Fresh Market offers produce directly from local farmers.

Accommodations

Inns & Taverns

The Golden Anchor - City Center
Expensive establishment catering to government officials and wealthy merchants. Finest service in Port Kern.

The Merchant Prince - Trade Quarter
Upscale inn for successful traders. Private dining rooms and secure storage available.

The Crown & Compass - Skyline District
Elegant lodging for visiting nobility and diplomatic missions.

The Silver Tide - Harbor District
Mid-range inn popular with ship captains and maritime merchants. Clean rooms, good food.

The Trader's Rest - Olive Grove
Comfortable middle-class accommodation. Good value for extended stays.

The Harbor Bell - Althariette
Mid-range inn serving the upscale residential district outside the walls.

The Weary Traveler - Wayfarer's Concourse
Budget-friendly lodging for those watching their coin. Basic but clean.

The Salty Anchor - Harbor District
Working sailor's tavern. Lively atmosphere, sea stories, strong drink.

The Captain's Table - Harbor District
Upscale maritime tavern where ship captains conduct business over meals.

The Contract & Quill - Trade Quarter
Business tavern where deals are negotiated and contracts signed.

The Consortium Club - City Center
Exclusive establishment for Consortium business and high-level negotiations.

The Foreign Shores - Wayfarer's Concourse
Tavern welcoming travelers from distant lands. Diverse clientele and stories.

The Ledger House - Olive Grove
Quiet business tavern for merchants and accountants.

Essential Services

Craftsmen & Specialized Services

Port Kern Outfitters - Trade Quarter
General provisions and supplies for any journey. Merchant Willem Stockwell maintains excellent stock.

Keen Edge Weaponry - Craft District
Master Aldric Sharpe produces exceptional weapons. Custom orders available.

Iron Ward Armory - Craft District
Mistress Vera Steelwright creates armor of the highest quality.

The Bubbling Cauldron - Craft District
Magister Cornelius Vex provides alchemical supplies and potions.

Healing Herbs & Remedies - Craft District
Goodwife Marta Greenleaf offers medicinal herbs and healing supplies.

Arcane Curiosities - Craft District
Master Eldwin Starweaver deals in magical components and enchanted items.

Sturdy Hide Tannery - Craft District
Master Garrett Brownhide provides quality leather goods and custom work.

The Compass Rose Market - Trade Quarter
Covered market with hundreds of merchants selling goods from across the world.

The Consortium Exchange - Trade Quarter
Banker Lucinda Goldhand handles currency exchange, letters of credit, and merchant banking.

Swift Current Charters - Harbor District
Captain Marcus Tidecaller arranges boat charters to regional destinations.

Worldspan Voyages - Harbor District
Admiral Retired Elena Farshore books passage to international destinations.

Mentersville Fresh Market - Mentersville
Farmer's collective selling fresh produce directly from local farms.

Prime Cuts & Fresh Meat - Mentersville
Butcher Roland Cleaver provides quality meat and preserved goods.

Getting Around

On Foot: The city is walkable, though districts outside the walls require more time
Harbor Boats: Small craft for hire at the Harbor District
Porters: Available at major inns and the harbor for cargo assistance

Local Customs & Etiquette

Business Hours: Most trades start at dawn, break midday, continue until dusk
Currency: We accept all major currencies at fair exchange rates
Bargaining: Expected in the Compass Rose Market, less common in established shops
Languages: Don't be surprised to hear dozens of different tongues in one morning
Harbor Protocol: Stay clear of working docks unless you have business there
City Watch: Respect our guards - they maintain the peace that makes trade possible

Trade & Commerce

Port Kern maintains regular trade routes to:

Brightmoor - Kingdom capital goods
Korvain - Ships and maritime products
Pyrros - Craftsmen's tools and metalwork
Laridia - Exotic goods from the neighboring continent

Diplomatic missions from these nations facilitate commerce and maintain international relationships. Port Kern's neutrality makes us the ideal meeting point for merchants who might not trade directly in their home territories.

Religious Temples

Port Kern welcomes worship of all lawful faiths:

Temple of Solarius - City Center - Justice, law, and civic order
Temple of Chronos - Gallery Walk - Record keeping, contracts, scholarly pursuits
Temple of Aethon - Trade Quarter - Balance in commerce, natural cycles
Temple of Sorenvald - Shallowmar - Freedom, adventure, liberation
Temple of Fortuna - Brinewater Bay - Luck in fishing, favorable winds, fortune

Private worship of other faiths occurs in residential estates throughout the city.

Safety & Warnings

Harbor Security: Our walls have never been breached - they bristle with defensive weapons
Pirate Protection: Korvain's fleet keeps waters safe for a reasonable fee
City Watch: Report crimes to the nearest patrol or City Watch headquarters in City Center
Pickpockets: Common in crowded markets - secure your valuables
Dark Dealings: Avoid areas outside walls after dark unless you know where you're going
Mercenary Presence: The Gray Company operates legally - give professional soldiers their space

Professional Opportunities

Public Notice Hall - City Center
The official board for bounties, job postings, and opportunities. Adventurers, skilled workers, and those seeking employment should check here regularly.

The Gray Company - City Center
The world's largest mercenary organization maintains headquarters here. Professional soldiers seeking contract work should inquire at their offices.

Festivals & Celebrations

Marketfaire - Early Autumn
Port Kern's largest celebration when shipping routes are optimal. Major trading companies time new product arrivals for this week. Massive crowds from hundreds of miles away come to see the year's new goods. Preview days for wealthy customers, then public market days featuring competition between trading houses.

Blessing of the Tides - Late Spring
Celebration marking the beginning of fishing season. Massive seafood feast, ship blessing ceremonies, and harbor processions with decorated boats. Offerings to the sea and traditional sea shanty performances throughout the district.

Saltburn - Anniversary Date
Remembrance festival honoring those lost in the historical magical accident and Port Kern rose from. Features demonstrations of safe magical practices by Sanctum wizards, controlled fireworks displays, and public education about why magical regulation protects everyone. The Sanctum Tower opens for rare public tours.

Emergency Information

City Watch Headquarters: City Center - for all law enforcement needs
Temple Healers: Available at temples of Solarius and other healing faiths
Harbor Authority: For maritime emergencies or disputes
Consortium Offices: For trade disputes or official complaints

Parting Advice

Port Kern thrives because we welcome all nations, all peoples, and all honest commerce. Our independence means we answer to no distant crown - only to the merchants and citizens who built this city. Treat others fairly, conduct your business honestly, and you'll find Port Kern rewards success earned through merit rather than birthright.

The ocean connects us to the entire world. Whatever you seek - passage to distant lands, exotic goods, skilled craftsmen, professional soldiers, or simply a place where your past matters less than your capabilities - you'll find it in Port Kern.

May your ventures prove profitable and your stay be prosperous.

Published by the Mercantile Consortium of Port Kern
Updated Annually
Current Steward: Thom Nettles