Ardran
Ardran, officially The Free Cities of Ardran, is a collective of semi-independent cities encircling Lake Hearthreed and the surrounding rivers in central Eletheros, which, over time, unified into a coalition of city-states ruled by a council of elected officials. Known primarily for their importance in Eletherosean trade as the centerpoint between the central and western portions of the continent separated by the Bhaldish Mountains, the "River Cities" pride themselves on the diversity of cultures found throughout their population, their studious history of both scientific and supernatural research, and the safety within their borders.
Up until recently, the collective of cities had remained as more or less an independent state, though soon after the establishment of the Durranian Port Yale in 1447 on the shoreline of the Green Sea the empire declared ownership over Ardran in a vaguely-disguised threat of war, attempting to coerce the cities into surrendering power unto imperial rule under the promise that they would be able to remain mostly self-governing with the stipulation of affording the crown taxation and, should the need arise, levies for war. The council nearly unanimously declined this demand, and tensions between the river cities and Durrania have been ramping up as time continues, with many on both ends believing that the two are headed for a bloody war.
Autonomous Cities and Holds
Selby
Perhaps the most well known of Ardran's bustling cities by name alone, Selby is the southernmost territory of the River Cities and is located just north of East Haversham along the River Acre. The city is home to the prolific Selby University, the largest academic institution in the southern Eletherean continent and home to all manner of studious minds. Abram Oldridge is the current Warden of Selby.Wayford
Wayford is the sister-city of Selby located near upriver from its smaller sibling. A bustling center of trade, Wayford is the northern hub for any merchants connected by the River Acre and others to which it is tributary. Wayford was the first meeting-place between officiated members of both Durranian and Ardranian governance on the topic of the former's conquest of the latter, which had up until that point been suggested without any direct statement of intent by the Durranian crown. Two years later the city also played host to the now-infamous 1466 Slaughter at Havenbridge, during which a local group of dissenting civilians began attempting to drive a small cohort of imperial guards away from the city by pelting them with bricks and stones. When one of the guards was killed via a blow to the head, the remainder of his cohort attempted to drive off the gathering crowds by firing upon them with crossbows and muskets, killing twenty-one in the process. Thurstan Drummond is the current Warden of Wayford.Brimmingshire
Brimmingshire is a hold along the southern shore of Lake Hearthreed and western bank of the River Acre. Its territory includes the large cities Brimmings and Acreford, either of which could constitute as the largest of the Free Cities by nature of population number or density. Both cities feature a great number of buildings, constructions, and monuments both historic and contemporary in origin, with Acreford in particular featuring three defensible encircling walls spread out from its center. Historically, Acreford served as the capitol city of the Kingdom of Ardran from which the region and peoples still draw their name. In the modern era, many of the once-populous buildings sit empty and in ill-repair, former first and second-era manors repurposed as mass living spaces for beggars and cottars alike. Blacksmithing and metallurgy are the dual cities' greatest sources of income, but the majority of the holds sustenance comes from the surrounding areas. Despite its lack of economic power, the hold's caretaking of society's lowest classes has afforded it a fiercely loyal citizenship. Jonathan Whitegrove is the current Warden of Brimmingshire.Quilton
Quilton is the westernmost hold of Ardran, its namesake city settled on the shores of Lake Hearthreed and the remainder of its territory scattered through various towns and hamlets across the surrounding forests – most found near the banks of the Motte, the northwest-flowing of the Hearthreed's bifurcating rivers. Formerly, the hold was considered to stretch southward enough to reach the Purple Channel, though such benefits have been restricted following the establishment of Durrania's Port Yale. The deliberate blockade has dramatically stifled Ardranian access to overseas trade which, coupled with the lack of direct imperial interference or occupation with regards to Quilton's territories, has left more than a few of its occupants questioning whether willing subjugation to Durrania might be within their better interests. Agnes Perot is the current Warden of Quilton.Kendalshire
Kendalshire is a hold along the eastern shore of Lake Hearthreed, the majority of its population found across the banks of the River Troye or concentrated within its two largest cities, Kendal and Denanway. Arthur Drisdayne is the current Warden of Kendalshire.Galenshire
Galenshire is a hold composed of the northernmost settlements, its twin grand cities of Atron and Galen sitting on either side of Hearthreed's northern inlet. Judeth Dagworth is the current Warden of Galenshire.Structure
The Council of Ardran is a collection of representative leaders chosen from each of the semi-independent cities and holds of Ardran which serve to ensure agreeable representation of each city's population and negotiate disagreements between one another so that no one city overpowers or rules over the other eight.
While each city is allowed to create their own methods of installing a representative - referred to as 'wardens' through terms borrowed from the traditions of Yalish and Ludian peoples to the southwest - the council may may elect to revoke the position of any member through a unanimous vote.
Type
Governmental, Ministry
Alternative Names
The River Cities, The Heartlands, West Durrania
Demonym
Ardranic
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Market economy
Official Languages
Notable Members
Comments