Free City of Askenhart

Askenhart was once the furthest flung colony of the Ithorylion Empire. When Ithorylion's first attempt to found colonies in Kordania proper was rebuffed by the minotaurs and centaurs of the Dales, Ithorylion sent a second expeditionary force to found a base of operations on the northern coast of Guedovan, across the sea from Kordania. This fledgling colony was to be the launch point for a new expedition to Kordania, but this time as an invasion force.
However, to the elven elite of Askenhart such a posting was in effect a form of political exile from the empire. The few elven governors and nobles posted in Askenhart were those who had fallen out of favour or run afoul of the political intrigue rife within the imperial court. Begrudgingly they saw to the raising of their city, using whatever local resources they found, along with the trickle of supplies sent to them from the imperial heartlands, making ready for the planned invasion.
Such an invasion never materialised however as total war erupted between Ithorylion and it's rival empires, Nezvied and Xetlan. The Askenhart colonies were instead forced to defend their meager holdings from the Nezviedans, surviving only due to its lack of great tactical significance. Essentially abandoned by their empire and left to their own devices, discontent swelled among the ruling class of Askenhart, many of whom had long nurtured a growing resentment towards the corrupt and rotting empire to the south. After the Collapse, with Nezvied devastated and Ithorylion obliterated by it's own hubris, Askenhart now found itself truly alone and independent, surrounded by hostile neighbours and with no true allies to call upon. Naming itself a Free City, the first act of the ruling class was to bring an official end to the owning of slaves, either as servants or soldiers. The practice had long been considered distasteful and cruel by the Askenhart elves, persisting only due to lingering ties to the imperial practices of old. Surprisingly, while a good number of the freed peoples abandoned the young city, heading to Langharad across the sea or into the wilderness of Guedovan, most in fact chose to remain for they had built lives there and were unwilling to cast their futures to the wind.
Since then, Askenhart has undergone a drastic, though not un-painful, cultural change. Eager to distance themselves as much as possible from the sins of the past, governance of the city was opened up to become more egalitarian, to a degree. The Spiral Chamber was created, a council where matters of state were discussed by representatives of the people, both elven and otherwise. The elves remained firmly the social elite however, hardly ever performing menial labour and the heads of the Spiral Chamber, the Archministers are always members of an elven noble family. Alas, the passing of centuries have not fully eliminated old prejudices and bigotries. A number of elven families in Askenhart still view themselves as inherently superior, and the other races of the city still nurture the old resentments and grievances. Social unrest perpetually simmers within Askenhart, and the city walks a razor-edge to maintain order while a few radical elven commentators try and institute more impactful change.

Goals

The principal interest of Askenhart is to further secure and strengthen its position and power on the world stage. Most importantly, Askenhart is desperate for allies with which to secure its immediate borders. It was to serve this interest that Askenhart sent soldiers to aid Aldwin Dawnwell in defeating Mordred Rannasland. The aid of the elven mages and soldiers was pivotal to Langharad's victory, and did much towards building bridges between the two ancestral enemies. While few in Langharad will have much good to say about Askenhart, there are more and more Dalean folk who are coming to see the benefits of extending the hand of friendship and trade.
In recent years, Askenhart has also taken an interest in expanding its domain to help strength itself. The lands of northern Guedovan are largely uninhabited, wild and dangerous, covered in dense arboreal forests and rocky mountains. The new settlement of Honclaidh has been founded on the northern peninsular, a gateway for Askenhart to pursue its destiny.
A more pressing issue for Askenhart in recent times however is the rise of the Julaenian Empire to the south. Aggressive, expansionist, and populated by the vengeful survivors of the battles between Ithorylion and Nezvied, the Julaenian Empire has come to learn of the existence of an Ithorylion colony. Troubling news has reached Askenhart that Julaenia is potentially making plans to send troops to conquer or eradicate them. If this news is true, Askenhart will need every friend they can make and seize every advantage.

Relationships

For many centuries, Askenart stood alone and despised by most of its neighbours. Langharad was still growing as a nation to pose much of a threat to the Free City, but it wanted nothing to do with those who had once enslaved them, and all emissaries were rebuffed. Only in recent years have things begun to take a turn, and Askenhart is desperate to keep improving the relationship through trade and a promise of aid.
Askenhart has a complicated relationship with Rilga. Askenhart has long cultivated the study of magic, and boasts a number of expert mages among its elite citizenry, and the two nations have a cordial if sharp rivalry. The Skeinwynd Institute remains grateful for the Askenhart mages assistance in breaking Mordred's power, and have opened up positions for Askenhart to send promising individuals to study in Somiochr. Still, Askenhart remains outside of the Institute's influence and Askenhart point-blank refuses to officially abide by any of the strictures and laws of magic that the Skeinwynd demands, instead operating under their own philosophy.
At present, the Spiral Chamber is focusing fresh efforts in establishing diplomatic relationships with Blodhalle and Ferronis, desperate for allies as the lion of Julaenia stirs.

Figures of Interest

Archminister Aranis Galanodel
Male high elf
Aranis Galanodel has held the position of archminister for close to three hundred years, succeeding his late father. He was personally present at the Battle of Cavaelan Fields.
Archminister Talia Galanodel
Female high elf
Talia Galaondel, along with her husband Aranis, is one of the most respected and prominent archministers in the Spiral Chamber. It is her astute mind and glib tongue that has steered many decisions within the chamber.
Charlon Pivoir
Male orc
A member of the Spiral Chamber and popular with the commonfolk of Askenhart. Blunt and to the point, but honest.

Symbol

A white spire with a shining sun behind it and waves before it

Type

Geopolitical, City-state

Neighboring Nations

• The Kingdom of Langharad

Related Historical Events

• 114 ca.
  The Council of Trinastoer
• Circa 95 - 106 ca.
  The War for the Dales
• Circa 520 ia.
  Founding of Askenhart