Port Caynn is a Tortallan city. In the middle of the third century of the Human Era Port Caynn is the largest port city in Tortall[1]. It is situated on the Eastern shore of the Emerald Ocean. The Olorun River flows through the city and allows travels and trade between the port and Tortall's capital Corus, wich is half a day's ride away. In Port Caynn many people from different nationalities can be found, more so even than in the capital[2]. Rebakah Cooper and Clara Goodwin go to Port Caynn in September of 247 HE to investigate the false coins comming from there. Because of its proximity to the sea many of Port Caynn's residents worshipped Oinomi Wavewalker. To statisfy her liking for pretty things they painted their houses with bright designs; which also helped to keep the wood from weathering[3].
Layout
In the third century of the Human Era the city was divided by a ridge, which was crowned by High Street, half on the southeastern shore of the sea harbor, half on the northeastern shore of the Olorun River. The better parts lay in the northern half, where wealthier people lived, among them the city's governor in his castle and Guards House,[4] and the harbor was deeper. There the big cargo ships and navy vessels docked. This part of the harbor was protected by breakwaters built around 187 HE by the grandfather of King Roger. River traffic--e. g. cargo barges, small boats and fishing smacks--took place in the southern shore. Where the river emptied into the sea it was spanned by two bridges, Sunrise Bridge and Sunset Bridge[5]. They were low enough that no seafaring vessel could pass through and constructed with the help of magic, making them an effective defense against raids from the sea.[6] Where the Olorun Road entered the city it became Kings Way. Upon leaving the city again Kings Way became the Tellerun Road.[2]
Provost's Guard
Responsible for the upholding of the law in the city was the Deputy Provost, Sir Lionel of Trebond. The city's guard districts are: Deep Water, Ladyslipper, Lowdown, Greenfields, Deep Harbor, Tradesmen's, Gauntlet, South Hills, Kings Town, Riverside and Shipping Roads Districts. In addition those districts the Deputy Provost also has the surrounding countryside to mind, with the same reach as the district governor, which means he also had to look after the areas north along the River Tellerun to opposite the city of Arenaver, east to the Great Road North, then south to the outskirts of Corus.[7]
Appearances
Port Caynn is mentioned in several books set in the Tortallan Universe. It is a major setting in Bloodhound. Alanna of Trebond and Olau also visits her friend George Cooper there at House Azik once in The Woman Who Rides Like a Man. The city is also mentioned in Alanna: The First Adventure, when the pages are talking about going to the market there, and in The Realms of the Gods, where the enemies lies at anchor off shore.