Port Mahon: A Setting For Magic Horizons.

Port Mahon is the farthest fringe of the Pragmatic Empire, in a small bay on the eastern coast of the smallish continent of Hellas. Port Mahon is roughly 2 weeks away from Karnatic Sands, the nearest imperial port.

The current Pragmatic Emperor is Trajan I, the Bookworm. Trajan funded the expedition to Port Mahon near the beginnings of his reign in an attempt to gather Hellenic artifacts, and to harvest kern pods. Prior to the Imperial presence, Port Mahon was nothing more than a watering stop for ships, the safe port for the occasional buccaneer, and an often harried trading post with the Great Orcs.

The Post at Port Mahon was established in October of 1095 IR. The two understrength companies (about 60 soldiers) of the 24th Gemarnian Regiment are responsible for an area that would be excessive for a regiment. The town is still relatively safe, but those who venture beyond it are soon in the wilderness. In the town itself, Military Law is only sporadically enforced; as long as things are quiet, the Army is happy.

Port Mahon is commanded by an Imperial Commander (roughly equivalent to a regimental Colonel), his deputy (a Captain, and the two Company Commanders both of whom are also Captains. The Soldiers are often gone exploring, escorting vital supplies, or on punitive raids against the smaller and more irritating monsters. At the moment the town boasts only four structures. The first is the Imperial barracks, which also doubles as a warehouse. The second building contains an Inn run by the Light Philosophers, while the third contains the two shops owned by Crane's Import/Export. Finally, there is a wooden dock. These buildings are always open, and, if not staffed, can be opened by any marshal. A monthly packet sails to the Empire and back between game days except during December, January and February.

The land around Port Mahon was originally settled by a race of Humans called the Hellenes who vanished or died out several centuries before the current game begins. Judging by the artifacts they left behind, they were the technological equals of the Pragmatic Empire. They must have collapsed very swiftly, for huge amounts of wealth and magic were left behind, some of which has found its way into the hands of the varied and prolific local monster population. Numerous ruins and mounds dot the landscape, ripe for plunder by the bold. Currently no other civilized areas are within walking distance.

When players enter the game they begin the game on the docks, stepping off the Packet. There (we hope) they will be greeted with open arms by the existing players and introduced to the peculiarities of Magic Horizons. The garrison Commander and the Shop owners may have a number of small tasks they can hire out for at the start if players want to jump right into the game.

Resources and Territories Around Port Mahon

The most valuable resource that Port Mahon exports is the kern pod. Kern pods grow on peculiar vines, which seem to produce crops of them every Mad Moon or so. Kern pods are very delicate, and require a great deal of skill (Woodcraft, Rank 5) to harvest. Back in the Empire, kern pods are are much desired for their edible, medicinal, and Alchemetical properties. Selling to the Imperial garrison, Kern pods fetch a price of 1 silver shilling each. Smugglers will pay more, but be wary of getting caught.

Port Mahon is also situated among a number of non-human communities, including Goblins, Orcs, Great Orcs and Dragon Folk. Rumour abounds of Trolls and Ogres in the vicinity, although nobody in living memory recalls having met on. Other features near Port Mahon include the highly magical Black Forest, which appears to be tainted with Death Philosophies of unusual power.

Port Mahon is home to wide variety of crafters; many more so than one might think, given its population. This seems to be a function of the kern pod boom, and attendant flood of adventurers out to exploit it.

Many of the Empire's more restless souls have made their way to Port Mahon, as the Empire is thoroughly civilized, legalized and dull. People from places farther away than the Empire are not uncommon.

Port Mahon, like most boom towns, has also accrued more than its share of thieves, scam artists and lunatics, so be wary of strangers who come in from out of town.

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