Flora and Fauna
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The swamp has it all. Items of distinction include the iron wood trees and verns. The ironwood trees require massive cutting machines. They were one of the few commodities that were tradable to the outside world. The wood is useful to builders on land as well as sea. The vern is a type of bird with large decorative plums that was also traded with the outside world. Other more common type of trees and birds are available. Hunting my be done safely only within 100 yards of the area cleared around the outer city walls. Deer are the most likely kills, although boarsand large cats are also brought in from time to time. There are also large alligators in the swamp that are often captured for sale as exotic pets for the rich, and also for their hides that are turned into useful high quality items. In general the area outside the city walls is avoided except by the hunters and farmers who live outside the city walls.
Inside the city there is a large semi natural area known as the Botanical district. Inside this area is a more user friendly version of the outside world. It also houses the central water supply that is stocked with innumerable carp for times of war. In addition deer are semi controlled and harvested seasonally. In the Slum district, domesticated animals are common, but cattle are mostly kept in small plots adjacentto the individual private holdings before the end.
The Monsters
There Are No Monsters In Helsport
Contrary to popular belief monsters abounds in Helsport. There are common
sightings of giant rats and spiders. In general there is good reason to avoid
the religious district. Rumor has it that the area is teaming with zombies
and others of this ilk. The Arena occasionally has fire elementals. The sewers
are also a likely death trap. Djinn are rumored to also be slightly more than
uncommon. Werecreatures are suspected by most common folk, but the evidence
is inconclusive. Mindflyers were rumored to have been guests at the college
and also at the Citadel subsequent to the Destruction. Then there are the
monsters that for one reason or another have been acceptedas citizens. A prime
example is the beholder "Sid Vicious" who ran thecasino"Dot-Matrix." Also
in this vein of acceptance are the Orcs who have dedicated themselves to
the worship of Lathander and who now patrol the city walls.
Outside the city walls all bets are off.
Lizardmen, shambling mounds, lesser creatures such as molds and slimes,
and even basilisk are known. Of prime importance though are the so called
Orcish kingdoms.While they really are not kingdoms in the sense of human
organization they do tend to engage in attempted plunder. As the situation
is now, they have practically cut off the land side route to Helsport. Only
a very large and powerful army can safely pass. The pilgrims who have attempted
to reach Helsport are more often slaughtered than reach the city. Territory
has been marked by piles of dead human corpses. If you go outside to the
swamp be careful and prepared. The seaside is also a less than safe place.
The most common monster seems to be an improbably high number of immature
Eyeof the Deep's that are caught almost daily by fishermen. Also known isa
large Dragon Turtle that comes every five or so springs to lay its eggs.
Otherwise the sea seems safe close to the coast. Farther out in deeper water
there is a merman kingdom of somesize.While not unreasonably hostile in the
past, they have begun harassing the limited trade that still gets to Helsport
in its post Destruction phase. Farther from the city the monsters become
more exotic and improbable. One thing for sure is that the northern half
of the continent is decidedly less hospitable than the southern half. This
is mostly due to human intervention in the South rather than due to some
environmental limitation.
History
Now this is important because historyis what will determine your future.
If you ignore history in Helsport you will die. If you understand history
you will survive. If you capitalize on history, you will rule Helsport. Ancient
History,I.E. more than 15 years ago OK. Learn these two empires, Ranken
and Issligi. Because of these two empires and their battles against each
other, Helsport was given the window of opportunity to develop.
Argiculture
The soils here are adequate
but not ideally suited to agriculture. Some of the crops grown by locals
include potatoes, radishes, beans, a small hybrid of wheat, and a version
of indian corn. To the Northeast the remains of the exposed face of the dome
of granite can be seen. This face was the source for the stone used in the
constructionof the city's walls and fortifications. Within a few hundred
yards of thecity walls is the all surrounding swamp. The bay has a very
shallow draught, which means the city had to build several long piers into
the bay to permit ships larger than 100 tons to dock. Water comes in three
types, swamp, fresh, and salt.The fresh water is sourced primarily from
a natural aquifer located in theBotanical district and is pumped from the
ground into an artificial holding pond. Thefarms outside the city often use
swamp water for irrigation,but it becomes more brackish the closer to the
bay one moves. Outside the city there are groves of Ironwood Trees
which the city harvested at one time to use in construction and shipbuilding.
Many of the grooves have regrown and replishened themselves over the past
15 years.