Free Cities
The Free Cities are confederation of three city-states joined together under a council occupying the peninsula along the very northeastern point of the continent of Zalas. They are ruled by a council of three with each city electing a representative and each cities representative taking turns as the High Counciler. The people of the nation are known to be fiercely independent although extremely welcoming to outsiders and the nation has become a melting pot of different peoples looking to escape their own countries for whatever reason. The nation is probably the most diverse in the world with the main species making it up being Goblins, Half-Elves, Halflings, High Elves, Humans, Sea Elves, and Triton. Worship of nearly every god is common in the nation although worship of Ibris and Ularsil are particularly common. The Cities are known for their three main port cities which are said to be massive in size, its large central forest of the Phale Woods, and for its extremely large lighthouse Cliffpoint Light in the very southeast of the nation.
Structure
The Free Cities are a collection of three city-states that have banded together in a confederation. They each have a seat on the council that rules over the three cities and take turns leading as high councilor.
Culture
The nation's people are known to be very free-spirited and independent. They are known for their weird mash of different cultures as their citizens are made up of a enormous amount of species from all over the world of Zalastor. This fusion of different cultures had led to interesting blends and to the nation adopting pieces of different cultures from all over. It's citizens are known to value their independence from other nations fiercely and resist any outside nations attempts to influence them. However, this does not make the nation's people unfriendly and in fact the people are known to be very welcoming of outsiders and friendly to strangers. This is thought to be in part because of the nations founding as an escape from the various species own societies.
History
The Free Cities were founded in the year 1158 AC after a large scale revolt was successful in breaking away from the control of the Abasid Caliphate. This revolt was organized and led by three men each from one of the main cities of the modern nation and this led to the current structure of the Cities where each stands equal to the next. The nation has had to endure many hardships especially attacks by the Abasid Caliphate over the centuries to try to reclaim their lost land. The nation has served as a hub for lost souls and people trying to find a better life than the one they have in their old countries. This influx of different species and peoples has led the nation to have the reputation of being a place of acceptance. Around one hundred and fifty years ago the three cities decided to build what is now known as the Bastion to try to better defend themselves from the Caliphate. The Bastion is a series of large stoneworks littered with watch towers and gates built north to south along the western border to block entry from the west. In more recent times especially since the Bastions construction relations between the two nations has cooled off some which has allowed the Free Cities to focus on trade and business and the nations wealth and population have swelled as a result.
Demography and Population
The Free Cities population like most of the world is centered around the cities. The big three as their known hold nearly eighty percent of the total population of the nation due to being coastal port cities with easier access to other lands. The rest of the population lives within the mostly small towns and villages that dot the countryside. The numerous different species that make up the nation make it one of the most diverse places in the world. The main species of the nation include High Elves, Sea Elves, Half-Elves, Triton, Humans, Halflings, and Goblins. The various elven sub-species make up around thirty-five percent of the population, Humans make up around twenty percent, Triton and Goblins each around ten percent, and Halflings around fifteen percent of the population. The remaining ten percent is made up of various other species in smaller numbers.
Territories
The Free Cities control all of the land of the peninsula along the very northeastern tip of the continent of Zalas including the Phale Woods. It ranges from The Bastion in the west to Cliffpoint Light in the southeast.
Religion
The nation is one of multi-religious background due to the melting pot of species to be found there. Every god and goddess of the world can be found to be worshipped among its peoples essentially. Worship of Ularsil and Ibris is particularly strong however due to the coastal nature of the nation and its culture of trading.
Foreign Relations
The Free Cities mostly maintain active trading partnerships with other nations and prefer to stick to that level of relationship rather than engage themselves into actual alliances.
Their relationship with the Abasid Caliphate is most fraught due to their nature as a breakaway state from the Caliphate. Their successful rebellion in the year 1158 AC has made relations between the two nations tense and hostile at the best of times. There have been many border conflicts and smaller skirmishes between the two nations in the years since then but there has never been a full scale war. Relations in current time remain as strained as they ever have been besides when they were actively rebelling.
The Cities maintain an active and fruitful trading partnership with the Golden Khanate, the Listuroni Sultanate, The Dread Lords, the Tangir Sultanate, and the Kingdom of Sildra-Tor. Trade prospers between the nations as the cities retain neutrality in all affairs except for their relations with the Abasid Caliphate.
Relations between the Cities and the Ashiri Empire are essentially nonexistent due to the empires extreme isolationist tendencies.
Always Free Together
Maps
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Free Cities
Map of the Free Cities
Founding Date
1158 AC
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Alternative Names
The Citiy States, The Cities
Predecessor Organization
Training Level
Levy
Veterancy Level
Trained
Leader Title
Government System
Electocracy
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Mixed economy
Gazetteer
Ardgow, Cliffpoint Light, Lence, Lightmere, Lophis, Millrest, Summermere, The Bastion, Thornhaven, Timberpoint
Currency
Shilling, in denominations of copper, silver, gold, and platinum.
Legislative Body
The Free Congress is the organization that meets to propose bills and laws, change existing laws, and abolish established laws. They are made up of elected representatives from every district of which there are ten. One for each city, town, or other important location.
Judicial Body
The High Court of Ardgow, the High Court of Lence, and the High Court of Lophis. Each major city has their own high court where they adjudicate the law and dole out punishments to criminals. Each court position is an elected one elected by the local populace of the city they reside within.
Executive Body
The Council of Three is the main executive branch for the nation. It is a council of three individuals, one from each city. They are elected in a general election and serve nine year terms each. They are led by a high councilor who is one of the three individuals. They rotate every three years which cities' councilor from the three is the high councilor. They are responsible for enforcing the laws of the nation as well as governance. Actual day to day enforcement of the law is carried out by the local city guards and town watches.
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
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