Free City of Chevry

Located on the Isle of Chevry, and cut off from The Frontier by the Channel of Chevry, many believe that Chevry should have been the first and last place to stop during colonialism.
With more friendlier fauna, sparser forests, and an easily defensible position, Chevry exploded in wealth and expansion during the decades since its founding. There is more peace to be found here than anywhere else in the Frontier – and this strength allowed the settlers of Chevry to throw off their allegiance to the Red Veil Kingdom in 1030 alongside its ally Qorte.
Government: Stratocracy (Free Knights of Chevry), currently Artebrand Wintersson 
Status: Independent
Known Associated Regions: Isle of Chevry 
Known Associated Provinces: Chevry, Longear Woods
Known Friends: None
Known Enemies: Frontiersmen

Demographics

Most of the humans in Chevry descend from families from the Kingdom of Red Veil who settled there. Many fiercely identify as Frontier Folk and many believe the term to even have originated here.
There is also a significant beastfolk population, especially Lapine.

Government

Since the War of Northern Independence in 1030, the Free City has been ruled by the military installation that initially rebelled who now refer to themselves as the Knights of Winter.

History

Pre-Colonial Era (Before 1013AD)

The area which would become the city was unsettled before arrival. The Lapine natives burrowed closer to the centre of the isle where it was warmer, and the stretch of land that Chevry was built on was largely ignored.

Colonisation by the Kingdom of Red Veil (1013-1030)

In 1013 the Kingdom of Red Veil colonised the island at the same time as Qorte. The rulers of Red Veil thought very little of the cold, seemingly deserted island. The Governorship of the Colony went to a minor noble who the King wished to rid himself of but ultimately was forced to reward.
As the colony interacted with the lapine, it discovered more natural resources and began to expand. The King's interest in the colony had increased by 1020, and its flat spaces - and tough terrain and weather - proved a good spot to train knights. The Knights of Chevry were put in charge of training Knights for the king, while the King's actual forces were busy elsewhere in Kehl. Kavalyre Winters was assigned Knight-Captain and oversaw the training of new Veilan knights.
As the King's demands on the colony increased, the Knight's military power served to intimidate the Governor into doing their bidding. The colony expanded into a true town between 1020 and 1027, and most of the projects seemed advantageous to the Knights of Chevry. The King even publicly accused the governor of being the puppet of Kavalyre Winters.
In 1030, the King - jealous of Chevry's resources and annoyed with their being used on the colony rather than paying taxes - attempted to disband the Knights of Chevry and dismiss the governor all in one go. Expecting absolute loyalty, he would be mistaken - Knight Captain Kavalyre Winters refused to be disbanded, and with the public sentiment of Chevry on her side, declared independence.

War of Northern Independence (1030)

This short war was won due to Kavalyre Winters' knowledge of Kehl, as well as Chevry Isle, and her alliances. Kavalyre's strategy was to harass supply ships to Kehl while allowing the bull folk to do the war for her, which paid off.
By the end of the year, it was said Kehl was aflame six out of seven nights of the week as the bull folk nearly broke down the walls. Eventually the Kingdom of Red Veil thought of the war as too expensive, and were worried about losing their main foothold in Kehl. They sued for peace during winter 1030, granting Chevry its independence, but only freeing Qorte nominally. This was due to the Consorti Aquamutus' wanton poisoning and murders of high ranking officials that the King could not forgive.
Kavalyre and her knights renamed the Colony of Chevry to the Free City of Chevry, as well as themselves as the Free Knights of Chevry.

Kavalyre's Reign (1030-1050)

Kavalyre and her Knights abolished the governorship and codified their new knightly order under the tenets of loyalty to Chevry, fairness in peace, and honour in war. Kavalyre assumed the position of the governor, though never called herself this - she was always the Captain of the Knights. As the leader of a military order, Kavalyre accumulated sole power over the Knights and Chevry, always being the supreme commanders.
Kavalyre's reign saw Chevry expanded and defended, while also becoming more tolerant towards the magic-talented and non-humans. Lapine allies were welcomed as full citizens, and Kavalyre did a lot of civil rights. Kavalyre Winters died in 1050 fighting a frost wyrm at the age of 61 and was succeeded by her son, Artebrand Wintersson, who had become known as the Wyrmslayer and slew a winter dragon in her honour.

Modern Era (1050-1060)

Chevry has remained stable in the last decade. With the end to the wyrm attacks, Knight Captain Artebrand brought a new era of peace on the town. He renegotiated alliances with Qorte as their relationship frayed over time, as well as managed a visit from Capano Saranducci in which no fists or insults were thrown.

Architecture

Buildings are usually two or three stories, with large loft spaces used for the heat. The first level is usually made of stone in the Veilan style of townhouse, while upper floors are made of reinforced wood. Buildings are neatly built into rows with large, slanting roofs to drive off winter snows and spring rains.

Geography

City is surrounded by a sparse yet extensive snow forests of pine trees, lichen and cranberry bushes. The island is relatively flat, allowing for easier construction.
The biggest danger in Chevry is the cold weather, which frequently blankets the island in snows during the autumn and winter.

Natural Resources

• Pelts
• Meat
• Lumber
• Coal
• Iron
• Fish

Type

Large town

Population

20% Veilan; 20% Lapine; 60% Frontier Folk;

Related Ethnicities

• Frontier Folk
• Veilan

Location under

Isle of Chevry

Owner/Ruler

Artebrand Wintersson

Characters in Location

• Artebrand Wintersson