Port Isabella
Harar is pretty far south. During the summer, it gets quite warm and humid. Anyone who knows cats knows they like it hot. But, after a while, even the hardiest feline wants a break from hot, humid conditions. The capital, Lake Felis, is located in the subtropical zone. Its ruler, Baron Nik, often treks to the mountains to get some relief from the heat. So does Harar’s ruler, Queen Vera. Vera has selected a lovely hilltop site in the southern foothills of the Schulmappalachian Mountains for her summer residence. The Harar court is itinerant and will follow the queen wherever she goes. Over the course of the year she may be found ruling from Lake Felis, The Wirdleplex, the Feline Quarter of Oak Ridge or her new summer residence, Clawmoral Castle.
To remain in close contact with her subjects and the outside world, her summer retreat has a Bureau of Feline Affairs-administered ferry port on the nearby coast. The small village of Port Isabella (named for the Countess of Tangaloor, Katherine II Isabella) sprouted up both to provide goods and services to the royal residence but also for traders and passengers arriving at the port. Some local residents have taken up catnip and silver vine cultivation to use in exchange with the non-domiciled population in the hinterland for game and other materials.
The BFA-operated ferry port is the town’s link to the outside world. Cobblestone streets run from the port in a loop around the main section of town. The town itself is surrounded by farmland and dense woodlands.
Some farmers cultivate catnip. Harar’s catnip is widely regarded as the finest in the feline realms.
Others grow silver vine, a potent herb cats use for incense and making tea
A few other crops are also grown here
Ike Godsey runs the general store here on the corner. He recently moved here from the mountains.
Across the street from the general store is the Bureau of Feline Affairs’ Feline Services Building. From here, the BFA offers a variety of services to the feline population, including education and health care as well as bureaucratic stuff and paper pushing (isn’t that what governments do best?).
Next door to the BFA complex is the town chapel
A sizable dairy barn offers both steaks and milk for saucers… though some milk will certainly go to the renowned ice cream maker Ben N. Jerry, who just moved into town from East Atkinos
Shops and homes are clustered close together. Nice weather has everyone out in the pasture trying to pounce on stuff. That’s a favorite pastime…
The red brick market hall also houses the town’s inn, the Furry Tuxedo Inn
Countess Katherine II Isabella came stayed at the inn after cutting the ribbon at the grand opening. As a tuxedo cat, she is quite pleased with the name of the inn. She enjoyed the room service. They bring you gourmet tuna, salmon, chicken, liver or beef right to your room.
The town’s restaurant, T. G. I. McScratchy’s Goodtime Funeatery, is just a short walk away
A path through the woods leads up the hill to where the queen’s summer residence sits