Prildan History

Founding and Purpose

Prildan, the first city of the Crystalline Expanse, was founded at the confluence of two significant rivers, the Eldar River and the Shimmering Stream, around 950 BC. The city's location was chosen for its strategic value, fertile lands, and access to abundant natural resources. The early settlers, primarily human and dwarven tribes, recognized the area's potential for agriculture, trade, and defense. Prildan was initially established as a trade hub, facilitating exchanges between the nomadic tribes of the Frostmire Tundra, the settlers of the Ironclad Valley, and the emerging communities along the Great Sea's coast.

Laws and Governance

Prildan's early governance was based on a council system, where representatives from each of the founding tribes had a voice. This council, known as the Eldar Assembly, was responsible for enacting laws, resolving disputes, and managing the city's resources. The city’s laws focused on trade regulation, property rights, and communal responsibilities. Trade was heavily monitored to ensure fairness, and property ownership was communal, with land distributed based on need rather than wealth. Over time, as the city grew, a system of guilds emerged, particularly among artisans, merchants, and farmers, which influenced both the economy and politics of Prildan.

Societal Structure

Prildan's society was initially egalitarian, with a strong emphasis on cooperation and mutual support. The city's founders believed that their survival in the harsh climate of the Crystalline Expanse depended on unity. Social status was determined by one's contribution to the community, whether through trade, craftsmanship, or leadership. However, as the city expanded and wealth accumulated, social stratification began to emerge. The merchant class gained influence, leading to tensions between the original egalitarian ideals and the realities of wealth and power. The city remained a melting pot of cultures, with humans, dwarves, and other races living together, though cultural divisions sometimes led to conflicts.