Hollyport is a wonderful place to build a port, and a terrible place to build a city. The large, calm, sheltered bay has deep water with no rocks or other hazards. The land on shore, however, is rocky, hilly, and broken. The most level and even spaces are taken up by the docks and warehouses.
The rest of the city rises up, level after level, layer after layer, seemingly without end. All of the homes and businesses have to be built to counter the slopes and inclines of the land. Everywhere are stairs, ramps, and bridges moving between the different levels and crossing various gaps. It's not uncommon to be strolling at street level and suddenly find yourself on the roof of a building.
Structures throughout the city are painted in a riot of bright, beautiful colors. The tradition started as an act of defiance against orc raiders, showing that the citizenry wasn't afraid and refused to hide. Walls, stairs, pillars, and other public structures are completely covered in graffiti, ranging from beautiful landscape murals to vile curse words.
Throughout the city are its famous holly trees and bushes, with dark green leaves and bright red berries. Holly is considered the personal property of the Duke, and it is unlawful for others to cut or kill it. The city is also overrun with small, stray dogs that are beloved by the residents. The dogs hunt and kill the rats that are ubiquitous on ships arriving in the port, and keep their population under control.
Duke Charles lives in Hollyport Manse, perched atop the highest bluff in the region. The building has six great towers with pointed domes, all painted with bright stripes, swirls, or checks. The cliff below is carved and painted in an enormous frieze of the Duke's family crest, visible even far out to sea. The lighthouse in the crest is enchanted to glow brightly, and functions as an actual lighthouse for nearby ships. Legend has it that all of the previous dukes haunt the dwelling after death, and that the current head of the family can consult with them when the moon is new.
Hollyport University is built around an enormous spire of rock, overlooking the sea atop a cliff. The University is built in the shape of a great spiral wrapped around the spire, its dark red brick contrasting sharply against the pale and weathered rock. Below, the rocks are furiously pounded by the relentless surf. From its peak, on a clear day, mages can just make out the tops of the towers at Suden Torni, the elven University across the channel.
Before an initiate at the University can be apprenticed to a master mage, they have to go into the Wallen Woods and survive an encounter with a dangerous creature. This could be a venomous snake, an owlbear, or a beholder. The apprentice returns and takes the creature as their personal token. The mages here are experts in Transmutation magic, maintaining large Battle and Divine colleges. Their token is a seagull.
Hollyport is well-known for a confection called atesti. These atesti are made from a mixture of sugar, honey, ground nuts, egg whites, and tree gums. Traditionally, they are formed into the shapes of fruit, flowers, or nuts and painted realistically with edible dyes. Confectioners sometimes compete by making much more elaborate sculptures, such as statuary, furniture, animals, or even full meals.
The region is well-known for its apples. There are dozens of varieties ranging from honey sweet to powerfully tart. Halflings in the employ of Duke Charles keep two favorite varieties for his family, one a bright gold and the other a deep violet color. Halflings are also responsible for tending the holly. One unique feature of Hollyport is that Halflings tend the bars in almost every tavern, where hard cider made on-site is much more popular than wine or ale. These taverns also serve a variety of baked goods, both sweet and savory, in place of typical meals.
The nearby Whitecap Bay isn't suitable for shipping but is the source for beautiful pearls. Divers brave the currents, undertow, and vicious sea creatures to collect them. The bay's pearls come in a rainbow of colors, due either to the chemistry of the waters or the proximity of the headquarters of the Guild of Magicians.
Type: City
Parent: The Kingdom of Wallen