Free Ports

The western coast, along the ocean, is home to city-states known as the Free Ports. The three largest are Pupa, Pruva and Neptune.¹ They lie along the shores of the Great Western Sea, where each city-state on the long coastline governs itself; the true home of their people is the sea, and from these cities a ship can reach the Farr Islands within a few days.²

Near the Free Ports and the southern lands of the D’afat, at the south-western edge of The Empire, lies the ancient crater in which Vansreik stands.³

The free folk

Whatever their race or culture, the people of this region are called free folk. In the eyes of the Empire they may all be outlaws and their cities may look like chaos, but the reality is different.¹

The free folk elect their ship captains, their city leaders and even their gang leaders by vote. These votes may not be very democratic, and power struggles go on, but the custom is a tradition handed down from the pirates of old.¹

Law and gangs

There is no king in the Free Ports and no law beyond the most basic. This brings insecurity and crime, but it is also a life in which nobody can tell you what to think or say.¹

Gangs play a significant role in the Free Port cities, Neptune above all, seizing every opportunity that the weakness of central government offers. The Gentlemens, the Hanged Devil and The Boulevard Killers are a few of these powerful gangs.¹

Faith

The free folk have a church of Aquaron that is independent of the High Church. It is established in Neptune, just ten steps from the salty seawater.¹

In history

During the northern raids led by Skolpa, the raiders burned and destroyed the cities and towns where the free folk lived. The raids lasted four years and ended in a bloody and decisive battle on the border of the free ports, in the westernmost part of the province of Westreach.⁴