[Location] Sandpoint

Geography

Resting in a exceptional natural cove along the cliff-lined Lost Coast region of Varisia, on the edge of the Varisian Gulf, Sandpoint is a small town of around two thousand inhabitants that exemplifies the diverse people of Varisia. While located only thirty varimiles northeast of the city of Magnimar and technically under its rule, Sandpoint benefits from its isolated position in its ability to remain fairly independent. The most striking feature of the town is the ruined gigantic tower that extends high above the cliffs of the coast, reflecting the ancient ruins that can be found in Varisia.
Although small compared to Magnimar and Riddleport, Sandpoint’s shipyard and port is the only alternative provider of naval services and safe mooring on the whole bay of Varisia due it’s exceptional location.

Government

While technically a holding of Magnimar, Sandpoint’s isolated nature provides it a sizable amount of independence. The town is governed by a mayor (currently Kendra Deverin) but the four founding families of Sandpoint still hold considerable influence, politically and economically.

Founding

Four powerful families from Magnimar had designs on settling the region where Sandpoint now stands, and rather than work against each other, consolidated their efforts and formed the Sandpoint Mercantile League. These four families, the Kaijitsu (glassmakers and jewelers), the Valdemars (shipbuilders and carpenters), the Scarnettis (loggers and millers), and the Deverins (farmers and brewers), sailed north to claim their land after securing the rights from the Magnimar Charterhouse. Yet when they arrived, they found the place already settled by a particularly large tribe of Varisians who held the region as a traditional place to spend the winter.
Despite some initial conflicts and blood spilled, an agreement was achieved and the town of Sandpoint founded with the approval of the Varisian who have no political power on the town but receive a tithe on the benefits of the Sandpoint Mercantile League and get to name the Priest of Sandpoint’s basilica.

Sandpoint Mercantile League

The founding families who created the Mercantile League hold noble titles in Sandpoint as well as some level of power in Magnimar itself. The Sandpoint Mercantile League maintains an all-purpose building in the southern part of the town, where citizens and travelers can perform a number of business matters. Whether one needs to book passage on a ship, arrange for a caravan to take goods to other parts of Varisia, or get a title or charter for a new real estate purchase or business venture. The four noble families are no longer involved in the day-to-day workings of the league, though they maintain equal parts ownership of it, leaving the administration and organization of the company to the Banker Jasper Korvaski, a priest of Abadar.

Inhabitants

The inhabitants of Sandpoint are primarily human, but like any civilized population center, a smattering of other races can be found throughout the area, mainly Dwarves and Hobbits. The human population is fairly evenly divided between those of both Varisian and Chelaxian descent, with the number of Shoanti making the town their home regularly increasing over the years. Elves, half-elves, gnomes and half-orcs are rare enough to be known by their name by many of the locals.

Notable personages

  • Lord Kendra Deverin, founding family, town Mayor, farmers and brewers guild master
  • Sheriff Belor Hemlock, chief of the town’s watch and militia
  • Peregrin Abstalar Zantus, head of the basilica, Priest of Desna
  • Lord Lonjiku Kaijitsu, founding family, glassworks’ owner, jewelers guild master, richest man of Sandpoint
  • Lord Titus Scarnetti, founding family, loggers and millers guild master
  • Lord Ethram Valdemar, founding family,shipbuilders and carpenters guild master