Typical Port of Martapa

I speak of water travel a lot in my stories and the commerce of Martapa depends greatly on ships sailing the oceans blue.  So ports are an important part of life in Martapa.  Though most are attached to a House in Tridon, there are other ports that are simply important because they are a port.  A typical port of any kind will have berths for at least three deep sea going vessels at any one time, with some of the biggest having up to 20 berths.  Most of the docks are made from native woods, though the dwarves have some how enchanted steel somehow to float and have metal docks at their major ports.  There will always be a port master who takes the fees, directs the boats to the proper berth (via magic communication or flags, depending on the port), and helps to find storage facilities for traders who are off loading.

Ports are also an excellent place for a person to find work, either working on the docks or finding a ship that is willing to take them on as an extra deck hand.  There are small time merchants that wander the docks selling food, drink and small items that the crew may want after a long time at sea.  Young boys often come and offer to act as tour guides to crews who have never been to that port for a small fee.  There are usually guards on the docks themselves, not only to protect the merchandise being loaded and offloaded, but to keep the peace, as well.