Arletzia

Arletzia is a large trading city controlled by Emmerion but within the borders of Yannurrin. It sits on the eastern coast of Orlend, within a large cove, and is an important aspect of Emmerion's trade opportunities in the area.

Demographics

The vast majority of the city's residents are Cordaintine, mostly either Emmeri, Yannur, or with a combination of both among their ancestors. There is a significant population of Erdantines, mostly traders and their families.

Government

Arletzia is jointly run by three entities, each with differing powers and responsibilities:

• The Arletzian Guard - Not a guard in the traditional sense of law-enforcement, as is commonly used in nations such as the Kingdom of Erdantia (although they do fulfill that role as well), but as in a subdivision of an army. They are responsible for the maintenance of the city walls, managing law enforcement, collecting taxes, and some legislation.
• The Lord of Arletzia - The feudal ruler of Arletzia is responsible for the majority of passed legislation, as well as the budgeting of funds for anything not related to the Guard or the judicial system.
• The Courts - Responsible for hearing cases across the city and deciding on punishments, as well as holding the ability to create common law.

The Guard is granted authority by the Emmeri military, and exists as a smaller part of the military as a whole. The Lord of Arletzia reports to the Monarch of Emmerion through the bond of vassalage, while the Courts report to the Monarch of Emmerion through being employed by them. The Lord is the legal landowner of the city and surrounding area, while the Courts and Guard were created in the initial diplomatic document that granted Emmeri the City of Arletzia in the first place.

Defences

The City is surrounded by a stone wall, with a single gatee facing westwards. There is also a small navy of three battleships maintained, one of which is expected to travel to Drago to act as a messenger should the City be threatened (presumably by Yannurrin), after which Erdantia would respond with a much larger naval force to come to Artletzia's aid. Considering Arletzia's distance from Emmerion's main territory, and the fact that the entirety of the area between the two is controlled by Yannurrin, security is obviously a big concern, and the defence of Arletzia is almost entirely left to the City itself and to Erdantia.

Industry & Trade

The City sustains itself mainly on trade between the Kingdom of Erdantia, Emmerion, and Erdantia's Northern Colonies, which sit off the coast of Shadra. It is one of the two main trade links between Erdantia and Emmerion, the other being Landria, a condominium (jointly owned city) between the two nations that sits on the small land border they share. Arletzia offers an excellent stopping point for traders moving between the Northern Colonies (usually for the trade of Kakellium, which is almost exclusively found in and around Shadra) and the Erdantian capital of Drago. It connects to the rest of Emmerion via a road that stretches westwards through Yannurrin. While the road is not Emmeri territory, Emmeri citizens have the right to use the road without harassment under the same document that grants Emmerion the City. The road is maintained and paid for by Emmerion, as Yannurrin has little interest in its upkeep.

History

Arletzia was initially created by the Cordaint Empire in 965, in order to create a trade point that what is now Yannurrin could access. After the Empire lost control of the area in 1415, it fell to the nation of Yannurrin, which was formed by a Cordaintine military leader. Arletzia became an important trade point for trade with Erdantia and Shadra initially, but lost popularity as a result of rising tensions with Erdantia and increased isolationism from Shadra, leaving sea trade less and less relevant over time. Emmerion, however, had excellent relations with Erdantia, and was excited to expand it's trade influences eastwards to the other side of Orlend, already having established a successful maritime trade network in The Atloan Ocean. It granted Yannurrin increased support in border conflicts with certain Kelbrike nations, as well as a large sum of money and several dozens of horses, in exchange for both control of the city, and the right to use the road that led from the city into Emmerion without harassment or issue.
During the War of Eserae, in which tensionsbetween Erdantia and the Grand Kingdom of Gaen boiled over into conflict, Emmerion and Yannurrin found themselves on opposite sides of a war. Seeing as Arletzia was not easily accessible by the majority of Emmeri forces, Yannurrin quickly seized control of the city by establishing a naval blockade, as well as raiding anyone found on the Arletzia-Emmerion road. Arletzia was taken in a matter of weeks, and maintained under Yannurrin's control for the duration of the war. After the war was concluded, resulting in a victory for Erdantia (and by extension Emmerion), Yannurrin was forced to sign a treaty returning the city to Emmerion and allowing Emmerion to move soldiers across the road without issue or question. While the ability to use soldiers to protect the road was rarely used due to financial limiations, there are still concerns around safety of traders, and a business of escorts along the road was set up and continues to flourish today. At the same time, a desire to safeguard Arletzia from a second invasion meant that Erdantia formed a treaty with Emmerion promising to come to Arletzia's aid should the city fall again, paid for in exchange for more lucrative trading rights.

Type

Large city

Population

14000

Inhabitant Demonym

Arletzian

Location under

Orlend

Owning Organization

Emmerion