The largest dock in all of Commona, the Grandport was the main hub of Cliffsunder's coastal maritime activity. Long stone quays extended into the Shifting Blue, lined with warehouses, shipyards, and platforms for loading and unloading cargo. Ships of all sizes docked here, from large cargo vessels to small fishing boats, guided by pilots familiar with the Helefir River and coastal tides. The docks were always busy, but beneath the surface of trade and work, smuggling and petty theft were common. Dark alleys ran between the warehouses, and sailors often turned a blind eye to illicit dealings.
Shipwrights and craftsmen woked in drydocks and workshops, building and repairing vessels and maintaining cranes, pulleys, and tools used to move cargo. Merchants from across Commona and the Scycaen Imperium came to trade imported goods for marble, gems, and seafood, but not all trade was legal. Contraband moved quietly at night, and local gangs claimed parts of the docks as their own, using intimidation and bribes to control smaller operations. Despite this, the port remained essential for adventurers and traders seeking ships for distant voyages.
Life at the Grandport mixed work with rough entertainment. Floating platforms were sometimes used for naval drills or experiments in partnership with the Whiteharbour Academy, but they were also a place for gambling and testing small magical devices. Taverns and inns along the waterfront, such as the Brine Widow, catered not only to sailors and merchants, but also to thieves, smugglers, and opportunists looking for a profit. Lanterns lit the docks at night, casting long shadows across the water, as both honest work and secret dealings carried on.