UIfshafen is the major port and trade center of the Kingdom of Evael. Located on the mouth of the Enorien River, Ulfshafen is well positioned to control maritime traffic in the Kald River estuary. Although beautiful and exotic, Ulfshafen's lack of raucous pleasures and its almost invisible civic authority can be strangely unsettling to human visitors.
CHRONOLOGY
4,817 BT: Caer Ulfshafen constructed
1, 100 BT: Jarin settle in Ulfshafen
150 BT: Ulfshafen opened again for foreign trade
HISTORY
Although the Sindarin have lived in the Shava Forest since their arrival on Hârn nearly eleven thousand years ago, the site was a simple clanhold for over five millennia. The Khuzdul changed this in 4817 BT when Bezarzal, the King of Azadmere, ordered construction of Caer Ulfshafen as a gift on a site chosen by King Daelda. Like Caer Elshavel, the elves accepted the gesture with good grace, then slowly modified the details of the design to suit their sylvan tastes.
Two hundred years after the Jarin appeared on Hârn, a small community of humans led by Amar the Farsighted settled at Ulfshafen. Legend has it that Amar married a Sindarin princess who obtained King Daelda's permission to settle her Jarin kinfolk within the Shava Forest. Although King Aranath later allowed Jarin of Ulfshafen to settle at Elshavel, the Ulfshafen community remained by far the larger of the two human enclaves.
The Atani Wars encouraged the elves to improve the fortifications of Ulfshafen. Most of the harbor facilities date from this period, including the port wall that extends into the harbor. King Aranath's renunciation of Hârnic sovereignty severely curtailed maritime traffic for several centuries. However, by 150 BT the elves renewed trade with the outside world, specifically limiting interaction to Ulfshafen.
The elven community has barely changed since the Battle of Sorrows fourteen hundred years ago. The Jarin quarter of the city is also resistant to change, but has doubled in size over the last two or three centuries, mainly the result of growing foreign trade with Evael.
GOVERNMENT
Ulfshafen is governed by King Aranath's constable, Raelir Gelarhun, the Prince of Nimfalas. The inhabitants of the city enjoy a passive government since there is little need for the King to impose his will on citizens. Prince Raelir maintains one company of elven light guard at Caer Ulfshafen, all expert archers.
King Aranath visits periodically, but takes little interest in the mundane affairs of the settlement. The same might be said of the Prince of Nimfalas. He leaves the Jarin community to govern itself, and intervenes in their affairs only on their specific request. The Jarin community is restricted to the eastern half of Rosear Island for landholding. A committee of seven elected aldermen govern this Jarin enclave. The most senior alderman serves as mayor and he acts as the chief civilian authority for the entire city when dealing with the outside world. The Jarin community maintains two companies of militia, who meet and train for one day every three months. When townsfolk have to deal with disorderly folk, (usually foreign seamen) the local militia remedy the situation.
ECONOMICS
Nearly all foreign trade for the kingdom passes through Ulfshafen. Sindarin glassware, jewelry and other fine artifacts produced in Elshavel are mostly brought downriver to Ulfshafen for export. The main imports are grain, metals, rare minerals and gemstones, and exotic woods and oils.
Maritime trade is carefully controlled. Vessels registered at Ulfshafen are exempt from hawking tax and wharfage, which effectively eliminates competition from unregistered vessels. Registration is by royal invitation only - no fees are assessed. Obtaining an Ulfshafen registration is extremely difficult for foreigners.
As of 720, there are twenty vessels registered in Ulfshafen, eight by Sindarin, five by Jain, and seven by foreign owners. Of the foreign vessels, two are from Aleath, three from Cherafir, one from Thay, and one from Janora in the Kingdom of Trierzon. TAXES
Ulfshafen has no property taxes. Residents and vessels registered in Ulfshafen are exempt from all taxes except Bonding & Pilotage. The high rates levied on foreigners discourage casual traffic to Ulfshafen.
Hawking: 20% Goods Value
Bonding: 4% Goods Value Monthly
Pilotage: 100sp Flat Fee
Wharfage: 4sp per foot per day
Registry: Free, by royal invitation only
RELIGION
Siem is worshipped by the Sindarin. Most Jarin also follow Siem, although some are adherents of Ilvir or Peoni. There are no temples in the city: Jarin residents worship in their homes, while the elves attend ceremonies in the Taur-im-Aina. Visitors who worship Agrik, Morgath, or Naveh are deported immediately (under pain of death should they return). Followers of other deities are tolerated, but must take care in expressing their beliefs. Spirituality in Evael is a personal affair. Uninvited sermons are considered extremely impolite.
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