Pelervar/Ardaene

Ardaene Tier Free City · Regional Capital Region Free Cities Government Merchant oligarchy Ruling body Council of Trade Princes Seat of power The High Counting House Population ~70% human, remainder mixed peoples On Zahari Passage

Ardaene Population: 320,000 (Search +3) Physical and Magical Environment Terrain: Plains Appearance: Attractive (+1) Hygiene: 0 Normal Mana (Common Enchantment) Culture and Economy Language: Common Literacy: Native TL: 3/4 Wealth: Comfortable (x2) Status: -1 to 5 Political Environment Government: Representative Democracy, Free City CR: 3 (Corruption -1) Military Resources: $ Defense Bonus: +4 Notes The population of Ardaene is ~70% Human, the remainder mixed races.

Ardaene is the regional capital of the Free Cities and the wealthiest and most influential city in the region, set on the Zahari Passage where its harbours command the sea-lanes. It is a merchant oligarchy: real authority rests with the Council of Trade Princes, who govern from the High Counting House, while local magistrates keep the law.

It is also where the Council of the Free Cities convenes, which makes Ardaene the political centre of the confederation as well as its commercial one. The city keeps order with its City Watch, harbour guard, and local militia, hiring mercenary companies when it needs more, and it is one of the two great patrons — with Port Arenhold — of the fleets that patrol the Passage.

Ardaene is known for wealth, diplomacy, and the influence of its guilds and temples, and for the endless manoeuvring of rival trade families. It is, in the end, a city ruled by coin, law, and negotiation — and, if the harbour gossip is to be believed, by a good many bargains struck well out of public sight.

Dependencies

Galvorn and Brindle are dependent towns under Ardaene.

City Stats

Do not confuse Ardaene's Council of Trade Princes (this city's own government) with the Council of the Free Cities (the confederation's body). They meet in the same city and share little else.