Port

The area dominating the extreme southeastern corner of Balic is the house docks. Once the property of Andropinis and his personal fleet � known, ironically enough, as the people�s fleet � this area is now the property of the three great Houses of Balic � Wavir, Tomblador, and Rees.

The city side of the docks is surrounded by a fifteen foot wall of white mortared stone. No walkway exists atop the wall, as this is simply a barrier to keep out those who are unwelcome in the private harbor, not for defense. The wall is decorated with a fa�ade of fluted columns with capstones atop them. A single gate allows entry to the house docks, and a stone and wooden door can be shut, though it rarely is. Instead, the Houses depend on a constant presence of their guards to prevent trespassing. Typically, two guards watch the gate, but many more are nearby to prevent the very determined from entering.

The wrath of the Silt Sea is stayed by another wall that surrounds the docks. Unlike the city side defenses, these walls are solidly constructed to guard against attacks from outside the city, be the attack from ships or from the giant tribes that inhabit the islands at the eastern end of the Estuary of the Forked Tongue. Crenellations protect the soldiers who patrol the walls. Every hundred feet is a catapult and supply of rocks to ward off attacks. Both sides of the walls are decorated with the same embellishments as the city wall � carved fluted columns. A gate breaks the walls and allows for authorized ships to enter the docks. Merchant ships not directly permitted by one of the Houses is directed to the public harbor to the north.

Ten long docks provide ample space for skimmers to moor and load or unload their goods. Houses Rees and Tomblador each have three designated docks, and Wavir has four. Each dock is manned by personnel from their respective House, and each also has their own designated warehouses near their docks. The docks are mainly devoid of worker activity at night, though guards patrol are present at all hours of the day.

Several other buildings stand inside the House docks area. There are a handful of merchant offices, where meetings are set between House traders and incoming merchants. A barracks, located near the city side gate, shared by the three Houses holds an equal number of guards from each House. Each House also has their own supply shed to provide tools for their workers.

See also:

Public docks