Cypress

City Description

Population: ~2300

Founded: 2120 (270 years ago)

The oldest city on the Unguis Isle, Cypress has its roots in the shipwreck of the Fernweh, a ship carrying hundreds on a pilgrimage beyond the western shores of the known world. The settlement that resulted focused on rebuilding their beloved vessel, though they were never able to fully repair it. Those first years were full of hardship for the people of Cypress. The Unguis Jungle was and is a dangerous place and most did not survive the first seasons. Those shipwrecked knew their salvation lay in getting off the island and back home, and so they built ships. They found the timber of the island unsuitable for the task, or at least for their methods. Over the years the methods had to change, the practice of ship building had to change. The settlement grew. The people made peace with their surroundings, trading with the Tabaxi and learning to fight the Lizardfolk. By the time the people of Cypress mastered building ships from the island, they no longer had need to leave it.

The Cypress of today carries on the traditions of their ancestors, but they have perfected the craft. There are no finer shipwrights in all of Vault than those of Cypress. To own a ship from the city is an incredible expense, and many who boast of wealth buy them for just such a reason. With the cost comes quality, however. Speed, finesse, grace, and trustworthiness are all attributes Cypress values. For good reason, they dislike the mammoth ships of old, far preferring personal vessels fit for single individuals or small crews. And they have no qualms about to whom they sell. It's this relationship with the pirates of the Arrowhead Isles that keeps them safe.

But that's not all that keeps them safe. The Filotimo Gates surround the waters outside Cypress and create a barrier which has never been breached. Within those walls, the waters of Cypress are kept safe and secure. The Tidal Guard, though originally of Trine, have a presence in Cypress as well. They and their Quetzals patrol the Gossamer Sea but are welcome within the Filotimo Gates.

To enter Cypress, one must produce "papers of populace." Difficult to obtain in Core Vandal and the Arrowhead Isles, most other countries of Vault supply their citizens with the means to prove their trustworthiness. Most consider it worth the trouble though with Cypress being one of the most organized, well-kept, and industrious cities in the Isles.

City Landmarks

The Filotimo Gates - these massive gates are part of a wall that surrounds all of Cypress and extends out into the sea off the coast. The gates themselves allow traffic to be controlled in and out of the city, making entering or leaving without permission difficult. Atop the gates are two statues standing vigil over Cypress, the original captain of the Fernweh, Vallitrix Tremontaigne, and the great shipwright who first mastered the jungle wood, Artie Bug. 

The Fernweh - the original shipwreck of the Fernweh is still sitting at the center of Cypress, lovingly preserved to remind the people of where they came from. While the inside of blocked off to ensure its preservation, the exterior is as massive, and as damaged, as the day it was wrecked. It acts as a symbol for the people of Cypress, a testament to what they can endure, and what they can overcome.

Bruttington and Co. Shipwrights - the largest and most popular ship builders in Cypress, Bruttington and Company has it's roots in the city but has expanded to other parts of Vault as well. They have grown beyond specialization and now build ships of every shape, size, and type. While their origin was in building fishing boats for underfunded fishers, they grew rapidly, and some say mysteriously. While the quality of their ships isn't what it used to be, they make up for it with quantity.

Zapoi Rum Distributors - while no one would argue Zapoi's competes with First Mate Rum out of Topside, there's no arguing with the variety of product they put out. Something of an oddity, a guilty pleasure, and a daring adventure, Zapoi boasts such exotic flavors of rum as chocolate, seaweed, coconut, blueberry, bacon, cheddar, and the ever popular "spice" just to name a few. The distillery itself is a maze of colorful rooms and strange spectacles meant to astound, excite, and befuddle. Getting a tour of the facility is considered quite the treat.

Reef and Rudder Racing - if one is looking for the fastest ships in the Gossamer Sea, one need look no further than Reef and Rudder. These shipwrights have honed the craft of speed over the years, focused solely on outdoing themselves with every new advancement. Their single-mindedness has resulted in poor profits as they've fallen behind in marketing their brand and following trends. They don't seem to care, however, and continue to produce ships for their sole purpose.

Hildi's Shipcraft Emporium - anything a seafarer could ever want can be found at Hildi's. Every type of rope, barrel, sail, oar, winch, wheel, or flag is sold within its walls. A behemoth of a warehouse, the emporium has a workforce of fairies from the feywilds who keep everything stocked and looking tidy. Hildi never forgets a face, and loves meeting new people.

Ol' Bug's Ships - Artie Bug is the most celebrated shipwright in the history of Cypress, but his family didn't fare as well through the years. With the success of Bruttington, the Bug family rode their name as far as it would take them, but at the end of the day, they were just too small, staffed too few people, and didn't build what the market demanded. Some say they are still the most brilliant boat minds in Cypress, but one would have to swim through a sea of booze to even check to see.

Dolly and Daughters Shipwrights - the only real competition to Bruttington in Cypress, Dolly and her daughters are the new kids in town. Word is they were pirates who wanted to retire after hitting it big, and figured they should stick to what they knew. Most pirates in the Arrowheads buy from Dolly, and she and her daughters have a knack for making vessels for smuggling.

Madam Cicero's - an antique store with curious curios and more junk than anything of use, run by the insatiable Madam Cicero and her butler, Enrico

Old Boy's Club - a cigar and whisky hangout for distinguished members of the community, they have a collection of old books in the basement

People of Note

Ezekiel Abayomi: Male Human, current mayor, militant and protective of Cypress's reputation with the rest of Vault

Sandy Bug: Non-Binary Human, granddaughter of Artie Bug, famous drunk, and default owner of Ol' Bug's Ships

Dolly Pearl: Female Half-Elf, owner of Dolly and Daughters, conniving and quick to make a gold piece - daughters: Dee, Dori, and Dash

Lestindifillus Zapoi: Male Tiefling, owner of Zapoi Rum, and crazed madman who delights in confusing and confounding others

Zig and Zag Shoreshine: Male and Female Halflings, twins who own Reef and Rudder, anti-social and introverted, disparage any form of communicating with others

Kurt Bruttington: Male Human, owner of Bruttington and Co., high-class socialite with an ego to match

Harbormaster Kilkelly: Female Human, watcher of the harbor, in charge of who comes and goes through the gates