The Cloth Cities
Demographics
The Cloth Cities and their surrounding countrysides are second most populated region under Gallian control, after the Gallian Crownlands, with Bediz making up the largest segment of the population. The gender ratio is mostly even, with a slight favouring of females. The majority of the Bediz population is made up by farmers in the countryside around the cities themselves, followed by lower class workers in urban areas. A large mercantile population of middle-class merchants, scribes and accountants is notable in this region. The nobility makes up a slim minority, even when compared to the numbers of their neighbors.
The majority of the population are native Flandrezed, while Gallian and Arled make up the next largest groups. Norman and Anjevin traders and mercenaries follow distantly behind. However, the mercantile hub draws in individuals from throughout Alvez in smaller groups, leading to the urban centres of the Cloth Cities having a reputation for cosmopolitan populations.
Of the Fae peoples, Formorians make up a notable population demographic in the region, settling in coastal and riverland areas. The Formorians are notable as having achieved a greater level of cultural syncretism in the region compared to other areas, even rising to positions of civic power, such as the mayors of Rysel.
Of the Korrigan, the Teuz make up the most noteworthy population, living in small villages dotting the fields and plains of the region. The Holy Citadel of Montlug is notable as the first location in the Western Realms with a recorded colony of Gargoul, who resided in the stone towers of the holy district, having stowed away aboard a Flandrezed Windship returning from the Eastern Wyldes of Arle. The Gargoul thrived in the region, spreading further along the trade routes. With the rise of coal mining in the region, Kriores have migrated from neighboring areas in large numbers.
Few other Korrigan or Sidhe live in large native populations to the magically stable area, largely free of Bleed, although itinerant populations of merchants, adventurers and others have formed small communities or live as notable individuals.
Government
Prior the Gallian annexation and conquest of the region, the Cloth-Cities operated as a loose confederation of independent mercantile city states, each with its own political autonomy. Cities were run as limited republics, determined by the nobility, merchants and eligible voters within the urban centers. Each of these city-states then sent representatives to a central diet in Samarobriva to advise the Count of the Flandrez, a largely ceremonial position.
Following the War of the Golden Spurs, many of these organizations were forcibly disbanded by the Gallian Crown, and mass executions ordered by King Philippe Le Bel ended the reign of the Count and many republican supporters. In its place, a feudal system elevated the nobility to positions of power more in keeping with the Gallian norm, restructuring fiefs and distributing land and titles to Gallian sympathizers.
Following the death of Phillipe and chaos in the Gallian succession, forces arose advocating for the creation of an independent Flandrezed republic, as well as those seeking to maintain the status quo. Political power struggles between the two factions has led to some unease about the future of the region.
Under the Gallian system, the region is divided up into five administrative districts (Artois, Beauvais, Flandre, Ponthieu and Vermandois). These in turn, are made up of nominally equal fiefs within each region. Compared to other regions, the Cloth Cities are tightly controlled by Gallia, to the extent that they are often included with the Crownlands, Berry and Blaez under the umbrella of "the Kingdom of Gallia"
Artois is made up of the Counties of Artois, Bolougne, Guines, Hesdin, Lens, Santomer, and Santpol. This region is divided between Claw and Lillie factions.
Beauvais is made up of the Counties of Beauvais and Clermont. This region, historically a direct vassal of Gallia is dominated by the Lillies and sided with Gallia in the War of Golden Spurs.
Flandre is the strongest support of the Claw faction, and is made up of the Counties of Flandre, Tournai and Valenciennes, as well as the Lordship of Rysel and the Royal Holding of Aolst, the last of which is under the direct control of the Gallian Crown.
The County of Ponthieu largely administers itself, backed with strong support from Norman allies. It is traditionally a stronghold of the Lillies.
Vermandois includes the counties of Corbie, Samarobriva, Valois, and Vermandois. With Samarobriva as the traditional capital of the region, the adminstrative seat has been moved to Vermandois, a Lilly stronghold.
Defences
The region is largely defended on a local level, with numerous castles belonging to Royal and noble holders dominating the countryside and the cities guarded by stone walls and fortifications. Defense falls to the nobility and free companies in the employ of the cities, all reporting to Gallian control. The Crown has taken steps to ensure that the military of the region is staffed with Lillies and Gallian allies, as much defense against internal insurrection as foreign threats from the East.
Industry & Trade
As their name implies, the Cloth Cities are known for their textile manufacturing and weaving, producing great amounts of cloth and canvas to supply Gallia and its vassal states, as well as trading partners further afield. Flandrez Windships are known for their large cargo capacity and thick hulls, albeit with slow speeds and low maneuverability, and they lead Gallia in the production and development of these crafts for civilian routes, establishing trade into Arle and settlements in the Forest of the Erlking, as well as sea-routes with Logres. Windspires dominate the landscape outside of the cities, and aerial vessels are often seen floating in the skies above.
The region is also home to an agricultural powerhouse, producing large quantities of potatoes, endives and sprouts. Field crops and dairy production is also heavily developed in this region.
Coal mining is active in the region, drawing in Kriores and Formorian populations.
High winds coming off of the Mor Marv across this flat region allow for the production of windmills for agricultural and textile production and refinement beyond the banks of the rivers that constrain other regions.
Infrastructure
The Cloth Cities are politically dominated by several urban centers that formerly existed as autonomous city states. The most notable of these are Rysel, Samarobriva Montlug, Brugge, Gand, and Anvers. Many of these cities operate as trading hubs, connecting the riverways, seaways, windship routes and roads throughout Gallia and Arle, making the region central to the Gallian economy.
Each of these cities, and several smaller urban areas, is supported by a network of small towns and villages, in turn supported by agricultural hamlets, mines and quarries. The region is one of the most developed and populated in Letha, with very little in the way of remote areas.
The Ar Mor Marv, long prone to extreme and regular flooding, has been held back by a series of canals and dams that allow the land to be more regularly maintained and developed. Much of the Country of Flandre is made of this reclaimed territory.
Guilds and Factions
The political life of the Cloth Cities is dominated by two factions: the Claws and the Lillies
The Claws are the political successors to the unsuccessful alliance that resisted Gallian conquest in the War of the Golden Spurs. Founded in the city of Brugge by members of the powerful Weaver's Guild and other tradespeople, the group advocated for stronger independence and democratization of political power in the merchant cities, drawing from similar political structures found in the Golden Sea, a major trading partner. Officially outlawed and purged by Phillipe le Bel, the group's ideals continued into the present day, advocating for a break with Gallia. The Claws have made strong connections with like-minded associations in Normandi and Breizh. The organization is strongly supported in urban areas and draws from the merchant classes.
Opposing the Claws are the Lillies, who support stronger ties with the Gallian crown. Largely drawn from the nobility, this faction has the backing of the Gallian crown, using its connections and coffers to ensure continued primacy in local politics. To further the upstart region's connections with Gallia, many nobles seek to marry into Gallian lines, making political alliances with Akitainian and Anjevin families to further this goal.
A third faction, the Black Lillies, exists in significantly smaller numbers, typically nobles and merchants in favour of the feudal oligarchy who lost positions of power at the Gallian conquest. This faction seeks to preserve the feudal power structure, but instead seeks stronger ties with neighboring Arle. The group is notable for attracting some Formorian support, but has yet to achieve any mainstream success in the political sphere.
History
The Cloth Cities were established as part of the Gallian tribal federation following the War of the Erlking, where the Kingdom's predecessors' took advantage of the eastern power-vaccuum following the Imperial collapse and the Erlking's expansion to solidify its control largely uncontested, save for a few political conflicts with neighboring Arle. The Ar Mor Marv, harried by raiders from the Lost Peninsula and Forest of the Erlking, as well as frequent flooding from the sea, was largely left to its own devices. Around 180 SI, Clovis I, King of Gallia annexed the regions that would become the Cloth Cities into Gallia, aided by Church support and an influx of immigration from the South. The founding of the Bishoprics of Arras and Tournai allowed the previously disconnected region to be redistricted and administered to great effect, formally bringing in the most of the territory under Gallian control by the mid-400s SI. The region was formally made a vassal of Gallia in 540 SI.
Built as a bulwark against the Fae, the region, once a desolate and remote land, grew prosperous and strong. With this power, the local nobility and merchant class rose in power as well, establishing some independence from Gallia, then struggling against threats from Norman and Arled powers. Smaller regions came into and drifted out of Flandrez dominion until, driven by a rising mercantile class, the region came into formal conflict with Gallia.
While nominally part of Gallian power, the region had long been fully autonomous with the ascension of King Philippe Le Bel in 983 SI. Phillipe, seeking to unify Gallia and solidify his power, turned his attention to the East, where the wealthy cities ignored both the powers of the Crown and those of the rural aristocracy. Phillipe tightened his control over the region with an aggressive policy of taxation, leading to the Count of Flandrez seeking an Alliance with Kameled, via a marriage of his daughters with powerful Sidhe Lords. The mission was intercepted by Phillipe, who forced the Count to cede his power to the crown.
The Count and his Merchant allies attempted a series of alliances with Arle, Logres and the Erlking, but these collapsed as a result of Gallia's political maneuvering and the region was left to face Gallia alone. Despite a campaign of resistance and political maneuvering, Gallia seized control of Samarobriva, gradually taking out each city in turn. Satisfied with political control, Philippe turned his attentions elsewhere.
As Philippe left the region, the Cloth Cities erupted in full rebellion, backed not by the centralized armies of the ruling class but local militias and the trade guilds. In the city of Brugge, a rebellion against the oppressive Gallian governor led to a massacre of Gallian sympathizers, which spread to the other cities. Within a short time, Gallia's early victories had been swept away in a massive uprising, coordinated by the merchant class and driven by citizen armies. The nobility, supportive of their increased power under Gallian control, united to counter the rising threat, backed by Gallian forces. The resounding defeat of these forces shook Gallia to the core and earned the ire of the Iron King. Gallia launched a massive armada to blockade ports and rain destruction on the cities from windships. Philippe poured the entire treasury of Gallia into crushing the rebellion without mercy, blanketing the cities with alchemical poisons from above. The ruthlessness of the Gallian campaign against the rebellion quelled the insurrection from progressing any further, bringing the Cloth Cities fully into Gallian control.
Geography
Located in flat plains on the southern coast of the Mor Marv, the region is largely flat and fertile, making it ideal for the massive agricultural endeavors that powers the regional economy. The area has been heavily deforested and is now dominated by fields, pastures and extensive Bocage, giving the entire area the look of a patchwork quilt.
Alternative Name(s)
Flandria
Type
State
Inhabitant Demonym
Flandrezed
Included Locations
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
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