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 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.

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.