Geldpont: Gateway of the Bay
Geldpont is the oldest and most storied deep-water harbor on Great Aranthaes. Rising from the rocky shores of Geldpont Bay, the town has grown from a humble fishing village into one of the principal maritime portals of the island, welcoming ships from across the world. It is here that countless pilgrims first set foot on Aranthaes, beginning their long journey toward Bim and the holy city itself. Proud and venerable, Geldpont never lets its younger rival New Haven forget that the bay bears its name.
Setting & First Impressions
Stone quays stretch into the deep waters of Geldpont Bay, crowded with merchant cogs, caravels, and pilgrim ships flying colorful pennants. The town climbs steeply from the harbor, its terraces layered with blonde stone and whitewashed houses and tiled roofs that catch the sun. Above all towers the grand Basilica of Lady Bune, its domes visible far out at sea, a beacon for arriving vessels. Narrow streets wind upward through markets scented with spices and salt air, bustling with traders and pilgrims alike.
The Pilgrim’s Port
For centuries, Geldpont has been the first step on the sacred journey to Aranthaes. Inns and hostels cater to pilgrims, offering meals of fish stew and barley bread before caravans set off northward. Processions regularly gather on the docks, where clergy bless incoming ships and lead the faithful toward the Highway. This spiritual role has lent Geldpont prestige, ensuring it remains more than just a trading town – it is a threshold of devotion.
Commerce & Rivalry
While faith fills its streets, Geldpont thrives equally on commerce. Exotic goods from distant ports – silks, wines, glass, and spices – change hands in the harbor markets. Merchant guilds wield power here, and landing tolls on the bay are a source of ongoing contention with New Haven, the younger port a mile to the west. Geldpont’s merchants speak proudly of tradition and reputation, dismissing their rivals as opportunists who owe everything to the new road. The rivalry adds edge to every trade deal, sometimes spilling into outright sabotage.
Notable Places
The Basilica of Lady Bune: an immense domed church overlooking the harbor, where pilgrims receive blessings before traveling inland.
The Old Quays: the oldest stone piers of the port, now reserved for foreign merchants and guild-licensed shipping.
The Pilgrim’s Way: the caravan road leading north toward Bim, always busy with travelers, pack animals, and vendors.
The Sea Gate: an arched gatehouse at the harbor’s edge, through which all ships’ manifests must pass.
Rhythms & Customs
Ships entering Geldpont Bay are expected to sound their bells three times before docking, a tradition said to honor the Mother’s ears. Pilgrims often bathe their hands in the bay before setting out on the road, believing it grants safe passage. Market days are loud and competitive, with guild criers shouting prices from balconies. Each autumn, the Blessing of the Bay sees hundreds of lanterns floated out into the water, guiding spirits home.
For the Storyteller
Geldpont is a city of contrasts: sacred and mercantile, ancient and bustling, proud yet wary of its rivals. Smugglers try to slip cargo past guild inspectors, rival agents from New Haven buy influence among caravan masters, and pilgrims may find themselves caught between spiritual fervor and worldly corruption. In Geldpont, every ship brings opportunity through the gateway of the bay.