city states

The City States.

Kastelios (pop. 25,000):

One of the more accessible cities on Davania, Kastelios is rapidly opening up to the traders of the Known World, such as those from Minrothad, Ierendi, and occasionally Thyatis. This port city of the former Milenian Empire has experienced a renaissance as both eager traders and tourists flock to its harbours, to what has been dubbed "The Gateway to the South", in search of adventure and profit. The city itself has undergone considerable expansion in recent years as explorers and settlers arrive in a steadily growing trickle, slowly overwhelming the meagre port facilities. Kastelios' strategic position between the Amoros and Vasilios river systems, and its commanding view of the Serpent Strait, has attracted the attention of Thyatis, ever eager to strengthen its foothold on the continent. Meanwhile, Minrothaddan traders have been attempting to buy out the local trading houses, in order to create a captive market for their goods. Between these two outside powers, and conflicts with other city-states on the Meghala Kimata Plains, there is no shortage of intrigue in Kastelios. Behind closed doors and in dark alleyways, people gather to foment their plans, whether they are pro-Thyatian annexationists, would-be despots, or those who would rebuild the Milenian Empire. Players may become involved in these plans unwittingly, and soon find themselves the targets o f street gangs or secret societies. Players can find just about any kind of work here, and Kastelios is an excellent staging point to introduce them to the wonders of Davania.

Mivosia (pop. 21,000):

Mivosia was, and still is, one of the most powerful city-states along the Meghalo Fithi river system. Its elite corps of soldiers have managed to subjugate the surrounding villages, and its leaders are determined to bring order to the region. If any inland Davanian cities have any hope of resurrecting the Milenian Empire, Mivosia would be among those most likely to be able to do it, if its leaders could present a united front. Order is maintained here only by the iron-fisted rule of the governing elite, which ties the peasants to their land, and keeps the citizenry in their place. Mivosia is not an inviting place to travellers.

Garganin (pop. 20,000):

Formerly a colony of Hule, Garganin lost contact with its motherland over 150 years ago, and has not regained it since. Due to this longer period of isolation, the inhabitants of this city do not share many of the beliefs of their compatriots in Hule. They do not have expansionistic drives, and the worship of Bozdogan is not nearly as prevalent. In fact, immersion in a foreign environment has seen them adop t many of the Immortals worshipped in other city-states, such as Zirchev, Halav, Petra, Asterius, and others. As such, the inhabitants of Garganin no longer consider themselves Huleans, and wish to be left alone to deal with their own problems, such as frequent humanoid raids. Players may find employment here as bandit hunters (a big problem here), or guards. They may also wish to settle down here, as the city's ruler is always eager to obtain protection for his citizens, and is not above granting land to do it. Unlike its neighbour, Kastelios, Garganin does not have a reputation for welcoming newcomers, and in fact tries to have as little to do with them as possible.

Ilioloosti (pop. 18,700):

Ilioloosti is the sister-city of Mivosia, which, although lacking the same smug pride of that city, still manages to dominate the villages in its area. Its government has managed to maintain some semblance of Milenian democracy, albeit a corrupted version. Perhaps the greatest attraction of this city is its famous (at least, by local standards) Academy of the Arts, where philosophers, artists, and writers hone their skills under the tutelage of acknowledged masters, and some surviving documents of the Milenian Empire are known to exist. It is also at the Academy where revolutionary ideas, such as the full restoration of Milenian democracy, are being discussed. For passers-by, Ilioloosti is an island of relative peace in a veritable sea of chaos and uncertainty, where it is possible to obtain employment as caravan guards, explorers, or spies (the rivalry with Mivosia is deeply entrenched).