Caeris

The Free City of Caeris is a large port city in the eastern Gomuri Peninsula, mostly known for the Caerisian University of Medicine and Engineering. Caerisian law treats convicted criminals as non-citizens, making it legal for unpaid laborers to be purchased within the city's territory.

Demographics

Caeris is predominantly human, forming around 52% of the population. Dwarves and half-elves are the second and third most predominant race, with each forming around 10% of the population. The city also the largest portion of gnomes on Epeoris, at 8% of the population.

Government

The Caerisian parliament is the governing body of Caeris; it is led by the city's Premier, who is elected by the citizens of the city. The Premier is overseen by the President, who is elected by the political parties themselves and holds most of the executive power.
While the Premier is technically the head of state and oversees the Caerisian Parliament, most governmental affairs are handled by the President, who controls all executive decisions.

Defences

The defenses of Caeris, as well as its law enforcement, are carried out by various local mercenary guilds; this is mostly due to the influence of the Labourers of Caeris, one of the 4 major parties of the Caerisian Parliament. Law in Caeris is punitive, and those that breach the laws can expect hard labor, incarceration, fines, or, in some instances, public execution. Magic is not codified into the laws as anything specific, though the local guards would be more likely to treat it as a threat rather than not.

Industry & Trade

Trade in Caeris is regulated, with taxes and restrictions on what can be brought in and out of the city, leading to people living a modest existence, relatively speaking. The trade guilds enforces rules, with stiff penalties and trade bans for rule-breakers. Welfare is bad^[1]. Citizens can expect the bare minimum of healthcare services^[1]. Education is scarce^[1], despite the presence of a prominent university, very little youth education programs exists^[1], leaving most people unable to pass the minimum requirements for higher education.
^[1] - 1048 CFTLC report.

History

Caeris was formed by rebel slaves who rebelled against the Hobgoblin state of Selgok. The city used to be a slave port before its independence, with slavery still influencing its modern culture.

First Years

Most Caerisians were used for manual labor by the Selgok, and finding someone with the necessary skills to govern the city proved difficult. In 246, after nearly 200 years of inner conflicts, the political state of the city finally calmed and the Caerisian parliament was formed. The city quickly exploded in population with an influx of refugees from the remains of the Selgok nation, and its harbor reignited into life, this time with crafts and goods being traded rather than slaves.

The Shrieking Death

As the Shrieking Death pandemic of 282 was gripping the south of the continent, Caeris was not left unharmed. The city lost nearly a third of its population in less than 5 years since the plague arrived at its gates. The plague died down only after the archduke gave over the handling of martial law to mercenary companies who executed a no-tolerance approach to anyone who was not inside their homes. The mercenary groups later overthrew the archduke and disassembled the parliament, and ruled the city until it was conquered by the Second Empire of Ader.

Under Aderian Rule

As the Second Empire of Ader rose to power and continued expanding eastwards beyond Kavir, the Emperor of Ader offered to reinstate the archduke and parliament, oust the mercenaries, and rebuild the city using his own coffers, but demanded the citizens swear fealty to his throne. The Caerisians agreed and the city was soon under new rule.
However, due to the violence of the Kavirian War, an influx of half-orcs in 430-440 AB have led to increased tensions all around the city, with several incidents leading to large scale riots. When the empire collapsed, Caeris was quick to declare its independence.

The Academy

In 551, the ancient bronze dragon Chaloriophon visited the city to discuss with the Caerisi archduke about the engagement of pirates and the archduchy's forces near his lair in the free islands. Chaloriophon arrived at the city docks disguised as a kobold and was assaulted almost immediately by dockworkers. He killed 15 of them before the guards arrived. After the incident Chaloriophon asked why he was attacked without provocation, to which the archduke replied that the 'folks around there just didn't know any better'. Taking these words literally and to heart, the dragon purchased a large portion of the city with gold and artifacts from his lair, and ordered the building of a school for the people of Caeris so they would would become wiser and more educated.
The university finished construction in record time of three years and was opened in a lavish ceremony; Chaloriophon's likeness was also added to the city crest as an honor. This magnificent accomplishment, however, meant very little to most denizens of Caeris, who lacked even the proper elementary education that is required to enroll into the institution. The university has grown considerably since it was founded, and walls were built around it in the late 8th century.

A Free City

In 802, following the annexation of Krath, the populace began doubting the archduchy's ability to resist a similar move, and the archduke's motivation of resisting. The parliament saw this as opportunity to regain their independent status, and plead archduke Falin Vigos to abdicate. Much to the geopolitical actors' surprise the archduke agreed, provided that the city would join the Corgomuran Accord of 801 as an equal member of the free cities, and that a portion of the city would remain owned by the archduke's family.

Founding Date

61 AB

Type

Large city

Population

~62,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Caerisian

Location under

Gomuri Peninsula