Reddingfield
"Reddingfield? The Duke's garrison is locked in the Fortress fearing the townspeople, the townspeople's locked in the city, fearing the Count, and the Count's locked in his castle, fearing the Duke. Funny situation, unless you live nearby I guess."Reddingfield is the second largest city on the island of Ciello. The town is known as the site of one of the Barrier Fortresses which guard the island. While it is formally under the "protection" of the Duke of Ciello it is in reality fully inderpendent. Indeed, the duke and the city are on opposite sides in the Union War . The current city was founded on the ruins of an older Imperial settlement on the same site.
Structure
Reddingfield is controlled by its City Council, headed by a mayor elected by its members. The councilmembers consists of the various Guildmasters of the city, along with the Priests of the city's religious orders. A representative of the duke was present on the council until the outbreak of the Union War.
Culture
Reddingfield is renowned for its high culture. The city is proud of its artists, playwrights, and painters. Reddingfield is the wealthiest city on Ciello, and its citizens are proud of that fact. They are also proud of their freedoms. Although citizens of Reddingfield are far from equals, they are all protected by laws, and all enjoy certain rights. The people of Reddingfield sees themselves first and foremost as "freemen", citizens of the The "Free Cities" and not as Ciellans. Many in the city deride the peasantry that surround their city for their servility. Citizens place great emphasis on honesty, and despise subtlety. They enjoy overt gestures and grand displays in all things, from bussiness transactions, declarations of love, or conversations over the dinner table.
Public Agenda
The city seeks to maintain its inderpendence from the Duke and the Count . To do this the Council has aligned itself with the Union of Free Cities.
History
The Imperium built a settlement where Reddingfield stands today. The town became one of their main strongpoints on Ciello. They built a barrier fortress on the site, and anchored the Southern Fleet in its harbour.
With the fall of the Imperium the city was abandoned. It was re-founded in 370 by Narses ab Nebi, a decendant of King Nessumontu. Narses was attempting to build himself a base from which he could unify the Free Cities. However, he was assassinated by one of his lovers and all his plans fell to dust.
In its early days the city was taken by Amellianus Fabii "Rex" during his invasion. The elves constructed the city's famous lighthouse. The citizens rebelled against the elves in 485. They refused the aid of the lord of Aldershall in their siege of the barrier fortress. When lord Aldershall proclaimed himself king of Ciello in 489 Reddingfield refused to bow to him. The subsequent siege of Reddingfield proved disasterous for lord Aldershall. Eventually he raised the siege, and took the more humble title of Count.
Reddingfield grew over the following centuries. This made it a target. Duke Sylas Belaroth began a drive to take the northern half of Ciello in the middle of the 7th century. The duke managed to take the Barrier Fortress by bribing its garrison to his side. Without the fortress the city was unable to stand a siege. Instead of enduring a sack the city surrendered to the duke and recieved generous terms. The citizens kept their freedoms, but the fortress remained in the duke's hands.
Demography and Population
The city is fairly large. Its population number around 15.000. The inhabitants are mostly humans. There is also a fair number of halflings and gnomes. Due to the war the population has grown, with thousands of refugees flocking to the city to shelter beneath its walls.
Foreign Relations
Reddingfield is a member of the Union, and thus at war with The Alliance. Beyond that the city leaves foreign policy to the Union.
The lone light in a dark sea.
Maps
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Free City of Reddingfield
The Free City of Reddingfield. Ca. 1013.
Founding Date
370 IC
Type
Geopolitical, Free City
Predecessor Organization
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Corporatocracy
Power Structure
Dependent territory
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Imperial Standard Mark
Legislative Body
City Council
Judicial Body
City Council
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments