Port Lysander

The husks of many ships and sailors lie still beneath the waters of Lysander Bay.  It is all but impossible to sail directly to port Lysander with any vessel larger than a canoe.  This is because the waters of Lysander Bay are filled with a sprawling maze of coral reefs that surround the island in all directions. There is only one way, other than with great magic, to get a large vessel safely into the port, and it is with the help of the Lampetra Merfolk who live in the Bay of Lysander.  

Every vessel must first cautiously approach the tiny Isle of Jobin and dock at its port.  Once docked, a ship captain must then approach the tower lighthouse which looms over the water.  Hanging from the tower is a rope which descends deep into the water and is attached to two bells, one above and one below the water.  Ringing the bells will call an ambassador from the Lampetra Merfolk to the surface.  From there, it is said that the "Lampetra Man" will approve (or deny) a request to be guided through the waters of the bay to the docks.  The cost is gold.  No one knows how much, or, for that matter, why the Merfolk would have need of gold.   If the Lampetra agree, they will then attach ropes to all sides of the ship and direct the ship left, right, forward or backwards through a safe path to the docks.  The Merfolk grow and move the coral as they please, so the path is never the same from day to day, and, therefore, the Merfolk have complete control and autonomy over which vessels may and may not access the port.  Anyone wishing to explore the ruins of ancient temples or the remains of sunken ships in the bay must also approach and receive permission from the Lampetra Merfolk.  

The small government of Port Lysander has a long-standing arrangement with the Merfolk.  The Merfolk will continue to escort ships through the bay as long as they are left alone by the residents of Port Lysander.  

The residents of Port Lysander come in nearly all races and creeds.  Pirates, farmers, merchants, slave traders, dwarves, goblins, orcs, half-trolls, and even a few merfolk make their homes on the streets of Port Lysander.  The predominant economy of Port Lysander, in spite of the coral reefs, is trade.  Their primary exports are fish, coral, and other commodities, but the darker trade may involve slaves, particularly female slaves with magical abilities.  Within Port Lysander, the laws are lax by most city standards, but taxes on goods and trade laws are strictly enforced.