Speer Reef Island is the easternmost point of the Anurell Peninsula's archipelago at the southernmost tip of the continent of Lustria. On Spear Reef Island, at the easternmost point of the Anurell Peninsula archipelago, is a trading town called Ithisar'naynazythai Yn Daroth (or simply, the "Tip of Lustria" to Human sailors). The town's Eltharin name translates roughly to "Bay of the Southern Winds on the Rocky Island." This High Elf merchant colony predates the Citadel of Dusk by millennia, having originally been founded as a supply outpost by the Phoenix King Bel Shanaar during the golden age of Ulthuan's overseas expansion. Through a telescope, the island's impressive lighthouses are visible from the citadel.[1a]
Non-Elves are welcome; in fact foreigners are permitted to own property within the town (Dwarfs may be granted temporary access, but may not purchase property). Few outsiders choose to live here, however. The weather is unpleasant, and the High Elven colonists are subtly demeaning to non-Elves. Nevertheless, merchants regularly visit to acquire Lustrian exotics. Delegates from Ulthuan often use the island as a meeting place for trade or negotiation with their kinfolk from distant Asur colonies, or with folk of foreign lands.[1a]
Permanent residents of the island are predominantly former High Elf citizen-soldiers who turned to farming or fishing after serving their military terms. Most landowners are highborn veterans whose inheritance prospects were unfavourable in Ulthuan. Some were awarded an estate for service to the Citadel of Dusk. Fishermen from Cothique live in cliffside cavern-dwellings and expertly navigate the perilous reefs. The minority Human population is a motley assortment of merchants, explorers, and outlaws.[1a]
The fortified seaport at Spear Reef Island is a reserve naval base and repair yard for High Elf Navy warships. Lothern Sea Guard from the Citadel of Dusk garrison the island, while swift Hawkships are deployed from the citadel's secret port to protect the adjoining sea lanes from piracy. Despite the constant presence of forces from the citadel however, Human visitors are largely oblivious to its existence. The High Elven residents generally do not talk about the Citadel of Dusk with non-Elven -- Ylvathoi -- visitors.[1a]
Exotics Trade[]
Merchants visit the Tip of Lustria from distant lands to buy and sell exotic goods. Most of the merchandise passing through the port is ultimately bound for other destinations. Magical items crafted by Ulthuan's mage-smiths are exported to the High Elven colonies, while spices, gems, and ivory are imported to Ulthuan. Gold Sovereigns are the standard currency for deals with Human merchants. When dealing with each other, the High Elves prefer to barter or exchange in kind for services.[1d]
Despite the Everqueen Alarielle having warned her subjects against exploiting Lustria's wildlife in the Everqueen's Decree, the exotics trade remains a lucrative one. Rare Lustrian plants are sold as medicines, drugs, or spell ingredients in Ulthuan. Exotic birds and animals are captured to serve as pets or wizards' familiars. Trading in Slann artefacts is strictly forbidden, however, High Elven herb-gathering expeditions occasionally clash with Lizardmen nonetheless. The crooked harbourmaster Tenebrel is nominally responsible for policing Lustrian trade goods.[1d]
Notable Locations[]
Merchant Harbour[]
The town's large harbour is encircled by seawalls and a dozen sea-towers equipped with Eagle Claw Bolt Throwers. A pair of Hawkships glide swiftly around the bay on constant lookout for Dark Elf infiltrators. All visiting ships are permitted entry to the harbour, provided their cargos pass inspection by the harbourmaster. High Elf ships visiting from Ulthuan or other Asur colonies typically anchor here unless they're arriving for specific business at the Citadel of Dusk.[1b]
The Harbourmaster, Tenebrel, is a former Lothern Sea Guard sergeant who retired after losing a leg fighting the Dark Elves. His armed skiff pulls up alongside ships, then grapple lines are cast to board them for inspection. The harbourmaster accepts bribes to overlook cargos of contraband exotics, but he has no tolerance for drugs, and his Ellyrian bloodhounds can sniff out Pleasure cultists and Druchii assassins. Tenebrel warns visitors not to leave Spear Reef Island unescorted...for their own safety.[1b]
Market Quarter[]
The dockside civilian market is where the island's farmers and fishermen sell their produce. Carts and animal pens are set up on the limestone-tiled plaza throughout the day. The northern docks are outfitted with cranes and cargo scales for bulk mercantile trade. Orderly rows of warehouses line Shanaar Avenue which overlooks the market. The market quarter is often quiet for long stretches until an arriving merchant fleet generates a sudden bustle of activity.[1b]
The ambitious Human exotics merchant Jacobi D'Arcano owns a terracotta townhouse near the docks. His Tilean family has traded with Ulthuan and Grand Cathay for generations, and now Jacobi has decided to expand into Lustria. As a foreign resident, Jacobi's exemption from the Everqueen's Decree against interference with the fauna of Lustria allows him to export flora and fauna back to Tilea with minimal restrictions. Jacobi knows something about spell components and animal familiars because he apprenticed as an alchemist before committing to the family business.[1b]
D'Arcano also seeks adventurers to accompany his expedition into the Culchan Plains. Many rare spell ingredients can be found there. Jacobi promises any adventurers he hires that eggs of the vicious, flightless Culchan bird are extremely valuable, and that finding some would handsomely supplement their modest pay. The eerie plains are also allegedly inhabited by a native Human tribe that's eluded contact with Old World explorers. Jacobi intends to establish a base camp in the ruined temple-city of Xlanzec.[1d]
Governor's Villa[]
A magnificent two-tone villa of marble and basalt overlooks the harbour from the terraced hillside. The appointed governor of the island, who bears the title of "ward," receives important delegates, and communicates with the Citadel of Dusk via lighthouse signals. Naval (or aerial) reinforcements can arrive in a matter of hours. Since the Citadel of Dusk's construction, all appointees as the island's ward until now have been nobles from the Ulthuani kingdom of Yvresse. Recently, the kingdom of Tiranoc asserted a claim to the island's wardship, citing an ancient charter signed by the Phoenix King Bel Shanaar.[1b]
An Eatainian, Princess Aelsabrim Fallenstar, was appointed as the island's ward by the current Phoenix King, Finubar, to placate Tiranoc without formally recognising its land claim. The move is being criticized by certain Yvressian highborn, who complain that their kingdom suffered greatly while protecting the colony. Aelsabrim's husband, an animal merchant, fell ill and died soon after the family's arrival from Eataine. Rumours circulated of foul play by other Asur nobles, but in truth, Aelsabrim's husband was poisoned by her own handmaiden, an undercover Wood Elf agent from Athel Loren.[1b]
The Asrai assassin operating under the pseudonym Riolta has been sickened by the treatment and trading of animals at Spear Reef Island, and fears that worse is happening on other islands. Riolta is also intrigued by rumours of a magical forest on the Isle of Lost Souls.[1c]