Port Zelia
Introduction
Port Zelia, The Sundered Marches only port on the Restful Sea, and one of the few cities who have managed to uphold some semblance of peace within it's borders. The city was founded in the late 10th century AR by the legendary Zelia "The Fearless", and she dubbed herself the First Portlady, later the city has come to take her name as their moniker, and her decendants, who still rule the city, also claim the title of Portlords or ladies, as well as the house name of Pereoth.
Though the whole of Sundermark is embroiled in conflict, and has been for well over two centuries, Port Zelia has managed to remain mostly intact and peaceful during this time. Only having been under siege a total of three times in the last two centuries, a very strong record in Sundermark during this era. In the present-day, savvy diplomacy has managed to secure the cities safety in large. With most Rynkowskian nobility seeing it as the only access point to the exotic goods of the Coast of Dunes. As such the city is largely left alone, and it has acted as neutral ground for many a years now.
But, all is not well in Port Zelia, with the current Portlord bedridden and sick, discontent grows, and as the leaders of the city are split into two factions, the neutrality of the city is threatened. Will Port Zelia continue down the path of peace and neutrality, or shall it enter the chaotic world of war in The Sundered Marches? Only with time will we come to know
Port Zelia acts as Sundermarks only real port into the Restful sea. Because of this, the town is an important trading settlement in the region. The town welcomes exotic goods from around the Restful Sea, and happily sells them onwards to the people Sundermark. Because of it's role as the only connection with the Restful Sea, the port has become almost like neutral ground in the region. Most Rynkowskian lords, knights, and kings respect the peace of the city, as it allows the richest of them to enjoy certain luxuries. It is well known that the port takes its name from Zelia "The Fearless", a brave knight who allegedly helped defend the city against a fleet of invaders during the Time of Kings
The city is caught, and has been for some time, in a strange situation where its leaders are divided loosely into two groups. One, primarily made up of the nobility of the city, who believes they have a good shot at expansion and trying to bring order and peace back to the land. A belief propelled by their idealistic view of war, knighthood, and honour. These nobles, who value honour, chivalry, and virtue nearly as much as the knights of old believe, hold the belief that the rest of the Rynkowskians do the same, and they are blind to what Sundermark has become.
On the other hand stands the Three Counselors who act as the cities rulers with the portlord bedridden. These counselors have the backing of the merchants and guilds in the city, as they stand against expansionism, preferring to remain as neutral as they can, and attempt to keep the peace in the city, as they see more of what Sundermark is truly.
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