Espada
The City of Fools
I don't think I was ready. I remember feeling my heart race as the expedition approached those high walls. At last, we had finally made it to The Freeholds. We were all happy to leave the horrors of The Black March behind. We were looking forward to not having to look under every rock and log for something that lurked, waiting to kill us in our sleep.
The smell of spice in the market hit us before we even saw the city. The smell was so rich, so complex even those with a more refined pallet had trouble picking out individual spices on the air. We were welcomed with open arms, the council even met us at the gate. The cobblestone roads covered the ground in near perfect, circular stones. The domed buildings stuck out from the angular rooftops we were used to seeing in Estoya. The further into the city you went, the more you could taste the scent on the air.
It was warmer here than back home, due to the heat from the Disean dessert flowing across the sea. The chatter of the people speaking a plethora of languages I've never heard made me smile. Merchants shouted at passers-by, desperate to make a sale. Customers answered those calls with talk of bartering, doing their best to negotiate a deal best for them. The children played in the gathered water on the street, what's left of the rainstorm that we were caught in just nights before. The inner walls of the city are covered in the most beautiful murals of art, I even found one of yours and added my own beside it, Simon insisted.
"An empty space beside your father's work and surrounded by the work of others?" Simon said, "Can you not tell it is a sign?" I can tell why you liked it here. It's not just the familiar sight of bards practicing their trade and cooperating in competition. This is a simple place. I imagine it eased your constantly racing mind. I can see evidence of your presence all around me. It's like I can feel you here. I'm not angry. I'm happy you found this place. I'm sorry I didn't come with you when you asked me to, all those years ago…
Espada is one of the three biggest The Freeholds in the world. It's territory spans nearly 2500 square km (965sqmiles), and is the smallest of the three. Despite its small size compared to The Freehold of Cordais and Vanheim, Espada is widely considered equal in terms of strength. Its sophisticated weaponry, unique understanding of modern military science, the sprawling economic control it has over the freeholds, and its ability to maintain these advantages due to its proximity to Lartasia, all contribute to this strength.
While Espada is considered its own Nation, it is a city-state. Despite its strengths, it could never hold the type of territory that Estoya The Provinces of Mhirriah hold. Its population range is just over 100,000 people, making it the densest population center in the Freeholds, but a third the size of the aforementioned nations. This fact should not make them seem like an easy target. Espada is more than capable of defending itself and has shown time and time again that It can withstand an assault on its own territory against forces vastly superior compared to its own.
This is primarily due to its incredible wealth and sophisticated military. Espada produces highly respectable weaponry, armor, and was the first to adopt firearms into their army. The nation has an abundance of resources, namely spices, precious stones and minerals, lumber, art, and other cultural works. Espada was the first freehold to propose trade routes with other freeholds and established trade routes across the entire region. Were it not for the Universal Maladies, particularly Universal Vertigo, they may have established trade the a;; over the world.
While Espada is considered its own Nation, it is a city-state. Despite its strengths, it could never hold the type of territory that Estoya The Provinces of Mhirriah hold. Its population range is just over 100,000 people, making it the densest population center in the Freeholds, but a third the size of the aforementioned nations. This fact should not make them seem like an easy target. Espada is more than capable of defending itself and has shown time and time again that It can withstand an assault on its own territory against forces vastly superior compared to its own.
This is primarily due to its incredible wealth and sophisticated military. Espada produces highly respectable weaponry, armor, and was the first to adopt firearms into their army. The nation has an abundance of resources, namely spices, precious stones and minerals, lumber, art, and other cultural works. Espada was the first freehold to propose trade routes with other freeholds and established trade routes across the entire region. Were it not for the Universal Maladies, particularly Universal Vertigo, they may have established trade the a;; over the world.
The birthplace of Bardic Lore
One cannot call themselves a bard unless they take the Husky Caravans North to visit Espada at least once in their life. Despite the dangers, and likely being a one way trip, the trip is usually rewarding in ways that cannot fully be expressed. The concept of a bard began in Espada, and due to this it has nearly twice the amount of Bardic Colleges compared to Estoya, and no other place in the world could rival either in the art of bardic lore.
Bards are considered the most prestigious profession one could enter and no matter how many people will do so, there is always high demand and plenty of individuals willing to supply. Espada is known for its artistic patronage. Some nobles have gone so far as to offer bards a large portion of their estate to work on, so they may work in privacy. This benefit is accompanied by a rather sizable income, free meals, and never ending chain of supplies needed to do their work.
It is for this reason that Espada is often referred to as "The City of Fools" by the other Freeholds. Their careless spending on frivolous activity is laughable to them. Espada's wealth is vast, and the money is certainly not missed. Vanheim is particularly critical of useless spending, believing that money should be primarily spent on Military Pursuits due to the dangers of the world in the present day.
Bards are considered the most prestigious profession one could enter and no matter how many people will do so, there is always high demand and plenty of individuals willing to supply. Espada is known for its artistic patronage. Some nobles have gone so far as to offer bards a large portion of their estate to work on, so they may work in privacy. This benefit is accompanied by a rather sizable income, free meals, and never ending chain of supplies needed to do their work.
It is for this reason that Espada is often referred to as "The City of Fools" by the other Freeholds. Their careless spending on frivolous activity is laughable to them. Espada's wealth is vast, and the money is certainly not missed. Vanheim is particularly critical of useless spending, believing that money should be primarily spent on Military Pursuits due to the dangers of the world in the present day.
The city
The city lies in the center of the territory it controls. The city sprawls over approximately 200 square km (77 sq miles) of the region. It is protected by an outer wall reaching nearly 65 feet in height. Keeps line a wall with archers and guards posted throughout. Within this wall is a ring around the city that serves as a residential district, and serve as guard houses used by law enforcement when patrolling throughout the entirety of the district.
The inner wall is smooth like a canvas, and is considered a work of art to the nobility. Bards travel from far and wide and each is encouraged to add their work, painting murals on the wall or playing music in the arts district found on the other side. The arts district it's also serves as a market district where merchants come and sell their wares. The nobility have established their estates within this district as well as the princes district at the center of the city, where the governing body of the city operates.
The inner wall is smooth like a canvas, and is considered a work of art to the nobility. Bards travel from far and wide and each is encouraged to add their work, painting murals on the wall or playing music in the arts district found on the other side. The arts district it's also serves as a market district where merchants come and sell their wares. The nobility have established their estates within this district as well as the princes district at the center of the city, where the governing body of the city operates.
The outer territories
Outside of the city's walls you still have approximately 800 square kilometers of territory ruled by the city state. It is here that the various orders of The Freehold Knights in Espada can be found. These knights live on their own Estates as quasi members of the council. Farmers work the land throughout this territory and several small settlements have sprung up as well, usually developing around a trading post or established to make a strategic location more defensible.
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"Most of the time they only join the fray when they're lands are threatened by the battle." it's supposed to be 'Their' "Espada also hire hedge Knights, knights who have no title or lands or found the armor and learned how to use it, acting as freelancers and sell swords." Now THAT'S a character idea. like a ronin, but more european. Especially if he has a penchant for the espadan saber.
ooo thank you. my proofread didn't see it. Ill fix it asap The bards are my favorite, but the freehold knights are a close second. essentially yeah, ronin make a great analogy. I never considered the ronin to be honest and it would fit perfectly with the hedge knights.