The Free City of Alcair

A Sovereign State

Thin splotches of clouds block minuscule parts of a brilliant blue sky that overlooks the free city of Alcair. Colorful plaster of red, orange, and yellow seem to glow as the river that runs through the city reflects the light of the sun giving most of the city a cheerful, sunny disposition. Alcair is unique amongst the High Plain's cities, as the Andryte religion holds little influence there.

"A century hence and Alcair still stands free. A bloody and violent conflict for the Andryte, an overwhelming victory for Alcairians"

- Hermant Bedault, Curator of The Museum of Alcair

The city's namesake, Alcairus Dartois, was a brilliant-minded tactician, politician, and negotiator. Once a candidate for high inquisitor within the Andryte religion, he was excommunicated after rumors spread that he had amorous relationships with a man within the clergy. Romantic relationships amongst the Andryte clergy were forbidden. Alcairus, knowing well his reputation was ruined, fled with his lover, Bernard Ashdon southerly to a humble town in a far reach to the southwest. With his charisma and Bernard's knowledge of mathematics, they quickly became well known amongst the common folk and even the elders that watched over the town and often sought their advice on important decisions. With time, the two became a part of the council of elders despite being quite young (only in their thirties). Under their guidance, they raised the nameless river town into a bustling berg and finally into a city of several thousand. The city quickly became known for the lack of Andryte influence within. Within a few years, the city would be called Alcair. A beacon and safe haven for those escaping the clutches of the Andrytes, the free city became a place of humanism and expression, pushing a portion of the High Plain into a renaissance era. Artisanry and craftsmanship quickly became very important to the common folk, as they believed that nobility and the clergy shouldn't be the only ones able to enjoy the finer things in life. Alcair, within a few decades, changed the very nature of the social ladder; the poorest of the poor could abandon farming or fishing for an apprenticeship with a painter, musician, or craftsman.

Encouraged Ingenuity

There are, of course, incredibly rich nobles who wanted even more. By abandoning their former city-states within the High Plain, they came to Alcair looking for an opportunity to capitalize further. Patronage was truly the backbone of the explosion within fine arts. The late Alcairus Dartois once said that "to give to the common folk is to plant the seeds of a greater tomorrow". The tower in which he and his husband, Bernard, lived was filled with oil paintings, music, and greenery. Now inhabited by the Murant family, they continue Dartois' legacy by bringing in new artworks and inventions. It is believed to be the most expensive edifice in the entirety of the High Plains. Painting and music were quite popular in the early Age of Alcairism, but recently people have been pouring money into inventors—those that have created the means of a better tomorrow.

Corruption, Deceit, Indifference

While Alcair appears to most as a place of great splendor, it has quietly become more and more obsessed with capital and greed. When the Murant family took power, it was finally confirmed that merchants were the ones that ran Alcair. Dartois had brought several merchants in to discuss how to better increase commerce within the city, but it was Calardus Murant who granted many merchants noble status by granting them property.

"I have reason to believe that the Andryte faith has once again invaded Alcair. No, they wear not their robes or colors, but you needn't symbology to strangle the masses. The Murants are a stain upon the legacy of Alcairus"

-Ivio de Blackbrooke, Famous Composer and Floutist

Calardus also angered much of the city with his decision to parley with the Andryte clergy, trying to restore peace between the two powers if only to increase profits. Acknowledging the public's outrage, he quietly made a deal with the Andrytes to pay taxes in exchange for their goods passing through the city once more. It is clear to many a political philosopher that the Murants tout their popular decisions through the city to disguise the incredibly unpopular ones.