Draugen Bay

Just beyond the walls of Raelia rests Draugen Bay. This vast waterscape is home to the capital city’s harbor and docks. This place is a rich estuary where the Vynmur River meets the northern sea. Cold water species of fish are plentiful here and the fishing industry of Melrath takes full advantage of this boon. Not a trial goes by that fishing boats with cobalt blue and red sails are not seen dotting the dark glittering waters of the bay.

To the northern side of the bay rests the commercial docks where large fishing vessels typically belonging to House Crovan are anchored. Here one cannot walk without seeing the noble families symbol of a rainbow trout bedecking every sail and prow. It is here that docks are busiest; packed to the brim with sailors and fishermen along with a few men and women set up with stalls where they weave and sell netting and hooks for the fishermen to purchase. There is a large block of warehouses with dark blue roofs that are owned almost exclusively by House Crovan. Fish and other seafood are unloaded from the holds of ships and brought into the warehouses for processing and salting for storage. Fish that is meant to be sent south out of Raelia are always preserved in the warehouses by packing them in barrels full of salt. Fresh fish to be sold in the capital however is sent right away to the nearby fish market to be put up for sale.

On the southern side of the bay rests primarily the private boats owned by the citizens of Raelia as well as a modest fleet of swift ships crewed by House Gofrith. There are often territory disputes over areas of the bay between the two nobles houses that lay claim to Melrath’s seas and waterways. However House Gofrith retains at least a third of the southern docks in Draugen Bay for themselves. Aside from their shipping galleons and schooners rest a multitude of private boats ranging from tiny row boats and dinghies to exclusive yachts owned by the wealthiest of Raelia. Not a night passes that there aren’t a few parties taking place aboard these beautiful boats out over the water.

Beyond the docks are many shops as well as highly frequented seafood restaurants. Raelians are known for having a taste for seafood and many of their meals include either fish or shellfish as a component. It’s only the wealthy that really enjoy meals that are not dependant on the bounty of the sea.

At the very northwest edge of the bay resides Laerad Tower where the Mervarian branch of the Rangari are headquartered. The tower itself rests on a large barrier island which can only be reached either by boat or by way of Laerad bridge which reaches over the northern mouth of the bay. However access to the island is restricted, and only government or military personnel are permitted unless an invitation is extended.