The Town

The Town of Puerto Dorado is the largest and only permanent human settlement on Isla de Oro. Its history is rather tumultuous, with stability and prosperity being a rare thing before the pirate rule. It is a testament to the pirate's way of life, to freedom, ingenuity and perseverance. Located in the eastern part of the island, Puerto Dorado lies on an incredibly defensible natural harbour, northeast of the Sunken Mines. It is a relatively small town, initially being built around the harbour and mines before growing more inland, towards the Wilderness. After the pirates took over, only a handful of buildings are still in use.

Early Years (1522-1660)
Founded in 1522 by the Spanish during their expansion in the Americas, the town was built to capitalize on the gold mines and other resources on the island, earning it the name "The Gilded Port." The town flourished until a freak tsunami hit it in 1583, flooding the mines and crippling the town's economy. As the Spanish monopoly on the New World ended, the Town declined. During this period, it is believed that pirates first started using the town and its port.

British Rule (1660-1703)
Gained in the Anglo-Spanish War of 1654-60, Puerto Dorado's 43 years of British Dominion began with a purging of pirates, with most of them who had used the port and town fleeing or being hanged. In 1662, the Royal Navy established the Fort north of the town to enforce control. The town's defensible harbour quickly became an asset for the Navy in the Caribbean, the town being in better condition than under the Spanish rule, but with their freedom taken away due to the belief they had supported the pirates and their harassment of British ships.

Freedom (1703-Present)
[To be written.]

The Harbour
The most important of the remaining districts, the Harbour is located by the coast, housing several warehouses, Thatch’s Tavern, various inns, the pier and the beach. It’s also home to the Harbourmaster's office and Shipwright’s workshops. The district was massively enlarged by the British to support their more naval oriented use of the Island.



Nova Villa District
Built by the British to house colonists, the Nova Villa district contains a large part of the population of Puerto. It was built near the Fort in order to be better defended. It is one of the few districts built entirely by the British, marking their largest addition to Puerto Dorado. It is home to most rich merchants, sailors, and fishermen due to its proximity to the harbour.



Crown Park District
Built entirely from the ground up by the British, the Crown Park District was designed to exude a sense of power and control. Its main features were the Fort, and the Regula Fortis Tower, from where day to day administrative business was conducted. This district was also home to the Council Estates where the Governor of Puerto Dorado, his councillors, and foreign ambassadors would reside. A large part of the district is in ruins, except for the Fort, which has become the administrative centre of the town.



The Comerico District
Built by the Spanish to accommodate shops and the influx of trade in Puerto, the British simply restored the district to its former glory. It is home to the High Street, merchants’ stalls, and a few workshops of specialist craftsmen. Any ware one may want can be found here, for the right price of course.



Silver Town District
After the Spanish mostly abandoned Puerto, the local Governor decided to build a new residential district closer to the river and the farms. It held most of the population of the town’s former miners turned farmers until the British took over and built the Nova Villa District. It still is home to most of Puerto’s residents who are not involved in matters of the Dockyards, such as farmers and craftsmen.



The Regal Plaza
Once dominated by rich merchants, nobles and government officials, the Regal Plaza was a symbol of decadence. Large manors with sprawling plantations, now mostly run over by the Wilderness, were used by the Spanish and later the British, although the areas run over by the Wilderness were never reclaimed. The district is now mostly deserted, a few hunting lodges and woodcutters living in a few of the smaller buildings that dotted the plantations.



Gran Residencia District
The oldest of the residential districts, Gran Residencia was home to the first colonists and miners who came to the Isle to take its riches. After the mines were flooded and rendered inoperable, the district was abandoned as most moved to the Silver Town District. It was later repopulated by the poorest of the poor, turning into a slum that the British did nothing to improve, leaving the decrepit district to its own devices.



Regent Square
The heart of the town, all streets converge at Regent Square, which once had a statue of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain at the time Puerto Dorado was established. The British replaced it with the Orange Memorial Fountain, made of marble and sandstone to commemorate the crowning of William the III. The Square is a hub for all sorts of people due to being the natural convergence point of the town, and the fountain is a local favorite for places to rest a bit and chat.

The Beach
The beaches of Puerto Dorado are a breathtaking sight to behold. The sound of the ocean waves lapping at the silvery-white shore is punctuated by the chatter of pirates and citizens strolling about, enjoying drinks from the Beach Bar and a meal by the seaside. Milkturtles can be found burrowing in the sands, always happy to share their glass of milk with people. A few fishing boats are regularly patrolling the area for the plentiful fish that swim in the deep blue waters, and merchant ships are always approaching and departing from the nearby harbour.



Crossbones Casino
Crossbones Casino is a building filled with people blinded by greed, who place their fortunes on bets and force innocent chickens to fight to the death. The establishment is alive with the sounds of cards being dealt, cheering pirates, and the spinning wheels of Saltybot. The robot is similar to Yarr, but instead of serving drinks, it's programmed to cheat the desperate gamblers out of their money. Few pirates leave the premises without tales of the crafty robot and holes in their pockets.



Darkwater Alley
With three lefts from the town square fountain, ten steps north, a passage through a false wall, and then about one Dutchman's log of slinking between dirty alleys, one will find themselves in Puerto Dorado's infamous Darkwater Alley. In the legendary den of debauchery, a pirate can speak of insanity, academics, or simply scream into the void and be met in kind. The Alley contains a safe space for pirates to talk about their feelings, as well as the Wishing Well, which is rumoured to be used by the Council of Bones to listen to the denizens' worries.



The Farms
No matter how crude or sophisticated, every civilisation needs a food supply, and Isla de Oro is no exception. Along the Silver River that flows from the Silver Lake to the bay are the farms, which are comprised of plentiful fields filled with grain, livestock, and orchards that grow on the rich volcanic soil from Mount Oro. Nearby is the old watermill, used to process foods. The farms are often bustling with activity as people tend to the crops and cattle, and more hands are always welcome to feed the plethora of mouths in Puerto Dorado.



The Fort
Built by the British to better defend their ships standing in the harbour, this behemoth of stone lies on a hill just north of the town. The British flag was soon torn down and replaced by the black flag, and it became the home of the Council of Bones. Inside the near-impenetrable fortress, they discuss matters of administration, safety, and war. Rumours say that the Fort can hold all of Puerto Dorado in times of need and that there's a tunnel system underneath it that connects to other parts of the Isla, but they have never been proven.



The Guildhall
Housed in one of the old manors of the Regal Plaza, the Guildhall is the home of the various guilds of the city. Its whitened stone exteriors and patinated roof are an iconic sight of the only major active building in its district. The building itself has been drastically enlarged compared to its original state, with an additional floor and enlargement by adding the south wing, giving it its iconic T shape. Every corner of the grande and beautiful structure belongs to a different guild, of which there are currently seven.



The High Street
With a graceful curve, the High Street runs from end to end through the Commercio District. It's the heart of local commerce, with stalls selling everything from guns to artwork. Most general stores avoid it, with the street being intended for more specialized goods. It was founded by the Spanish, although it fell out of favour until the arrival of pirates to the isle, who initiated its revival as the centre of crafts in the town. Beware of the street's notorious pickpockets, though, for they will pinch gold from unsuspecting shoppers.



The Lighthouse of Mist
The shape in the fog that was originally assumed to be a myth made up by drunken pirates turned out to be an abandoned lighthouse, later dubbed the Lighthouse of Mist. It sits atop a patch of land in the Boneyard, and despite its disrepair, a luring light glows on top. It seeps through the Boneyard's mist, driving mad those that approach and making a home for haunting spirits. No sane person should explore it, but pirates have never been known for their sanity, and tales tell of riches inside the decrepit building.



Mount Bronce Inn
Overlooking the harbour is a stately four-storey building with a bronze sign proudly declaring it to be Mount Bronce Inn. It's built from the same white stone as the rest of Puerto Dorado, with wooden floors inside. The inn offers a warm bed and a hearty meal for weary travellers, sailors, castaways, and crewless pirates. It's relatively affordable for those who help with cooking, cleaning, and generally maintaining the inn, making it the perfect place to stay for new arrivals.



The Pier
[To be written]

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The Old Watermill
[To be written]

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Thatch's Tavern
Thatche's Tavern is practically the centre of civilisation on the isle. The merry and chaotic place is filled with all manner of pirates, cutthroats, outcasts, or any individuals who are forced to or dare to live outside the law. It’s not too uncommon to find this house-sized wooden shack packed to the brim with people, whether they’re telling tales, drinking their fill, or tearing the bloody place apart. It’s been rebuilt many times due to the blatant lack of care for the safety of its rowdy occupants. Come on in, for the rum is as free as the Isla's inhabitants.

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The Theatre
[To be written]

Categories: Setting