Southbay
Southbay is the most southern of the large coastal cities in the kingdom of Rota. It is about 50 miles south of Engin and about 50 miles west of Roundtree.
Southbay is a Large City with an adult population of 14,000 and a gold piece limit of 20,000 (DMG, p.137). Note: The GP Limit is lower than a normal Large City due to the poor economy throughout southern Rota.
Entry to the city requires a toll of 2 coppers. Merchants who intend to do business within the city are also required to pay a “Hawking Tax” of 10% of their merchandise on entry.
Until recently, the city's major industry was shipbuilding. However, when the magic changed in 1108 and the magical sailing apparatuses failed, the orders dried up and hundreds of people lost their jobs. By the time the shipwright wizards adjusted their spells, most of the customers had moved on to the larger shipyards of Baydun.
The major road down from the city of Rota branches away from the coast to head overland to Roundtree about 15 miles north of Southbay. This means that there is no “through traffic”, which has had a dampening effect on the local economy.
Along the coast to the west of the city there are a number of small fishing villages. To the north, on the coast, is the newly expanded city of Saltmarsh, which has successfully adapted to the large number of refugees displaced by the recent wars. Meanwhile, along the river up to Roundtree are mostly farming communities.
There is very little mining activity in Southern Rota and so Southbay and the other cities rely on trade with Northern Rota, the Gnomes in Flandjil, and the Dwarves in Clangdun to complete their economy.
South of the city is the Mosamor Marsh, home to a large number of Lizardfolk, as well as several tribes of Kobolds. A peace treaty with the Lizardfolk has held up well since it was negotiated over a century ago. However, a major drought in the year 1110 pushed more Humans into Lizard territory, threatening the peace.
Farther inland, closer to Roundtree is the Elder Woods, home to a large number of Fey. While there is no specific treaty with these forest creatures, Humans (for the most part) remain well away from this forest. There are, however, a number of resourceful villages on the edge of the forest – some of whom have irregular dealings with the forest folk.
The leader of the city is Erver of Clan Reidar, who has pledged fealty to King Galin in Rota. However, most locals resent the presence of foreign refugees that Rota has sent to settle here – believing they are being dumped here without just compensation.