The Free City of Foxdale

Demographics

The majority of the populace of Foxdale are humans – primarily Northern Dausian and Western Dausian, with some Southern Dausian, Ocilan, Murgothi, and Awiri. There is also a large population of dwarves arising from the close trade relations Foxdale has with Awira as well as small communities of elves, half-elves, and halflings. Other races and ethnic groups are found, but their numbers are small enough that no communities have formed.

Government

The laws and most major decisions are made by The High Council of Foxdale, a group of ten politicians made up of representatives of the major organizations of the city. Currently, the guilds that make up the council are:

• Amethyst Trade Bloc – 3 members
• Fist of Tempus – 3 members
• Foxdale Bankers and Financiers Association – 2 members
• Union of Shipwrights – 2 members

Since the High Council's establishment in 294 OA, the laws of the city have evolved to benefit the organizations the members represent, and the overall establishment of a strong guild system in general. The most basic law that affect the inhabitants of the city is that each person must either be a dues paying member of a registered guild, or a registered guild must provide a stamp of contractual work on the entry or residency papers on a monthly basis. Failure to comply with this law can result in fines, imprisonment, or banishment from the city. In practice, this can be a difficult law to enforce and is more often than not used by the guilds to coerce people into doing work they otherwise would not do.

Defences

Thirty-foot high stone walls surround Foxdale. The Valefort, a castle once owned by the Fox family, is attached to the north-eastern portion of the wall. Quarion Fox's Blue Rose guards in charge of the general defense and policing of the city. Should more soldiers be needed, the Fist of Tempus will offer their service, usually for a steep price. In a true emergency, mages from the College of Foxdale will join the defense. The bay is patrolled by warships built by the Union of Shipwrights and owned and controlled by the Amethyst Trade Bloc.

Industry & Trade

Located along The Great Western Road, Foxdale is an important stop for merchant caravans travelling between southern Dausus and the Murgoth Desert. Similarly, merchant vessels traveling between Awira, southern Dausus, and the realms beyond usually stop here to resupply or offload and purchase goods.

Black Market

Not all goods and services can be found in the town center. The sale, import, or even posession of some items within the city is illegal. That doesn't mean they aren't available for purchase; you'll just need to know where to look and who to trust. Marketplaces run by the various criminal syndicates of Foxdale are hidden away in the Docks Ward and Old Foxdale, out of sight of the Blue Rose. Prices here are inflated anywhere from 10% to 50% above what one would expect to pay for it had the item been legal.

Assets

Town Center

Anyone entering the city will inevitibly find themselves walking through the town center in order get where they are going. A pair of massive cobblestone courtyards is separated by a complex of administrative buildings. They are bustling with activity whenever the sun is up and are filled with temporary and semi-permanent merchant stalls. Most of what a person needs to get by day-to-day can be found by spending some time wandering between the various merchants. Stores selling high-end goods and services are found within the building bordering the two sqares.

The Docks

In modern times, import and export of goods is what primarily drives the economy and keeps the guilds' coffers overflowing.

Guilds and Factions

The High Council

Amethyst Trade Bloc

Fist of Tempus

Foxdale Bankers and Financiers Association

Union of Shipwrights

The Blue Rose

Other Guilds

Duncree Engineers Guild

Criminal Organizations

Children of Avarice

The Claw

The Claw is the largest criminal organization in Foxdale and runs several black markets out of Old Foxdale. Their power has been waning in recent years as the Children of Avarice have been waging an effective secret war against them.

History

While small fishing villages had existed in the area for several centuries before, Foxdale gained it's name when Koren Fox declared himself lord of the region in 58 BK. After the Blackwoods entered Dausus and established the Kingdom of Ocila, relations were initially warm and resulted in a joint project to construct The Great Western Road. Not long after its completion conflicts started to arise as Ocila tried to expand into Foxdale County. Foxdale was able to resist their efforts for 30 years, but in 162 OA, Gaelyn Fox swore fealty to King Marcus Blackwood I.
In 276 OA, the war with Murgoth began in earnest and Lord Gavyn Fox heavily committed forces and coin, going heavily into debt, to the war effort, making the bet that Ocila would emerge victorious and his contributions would be rewarded. After the destruction of the Royal Army in 291 OA and the subsequent collapse of Ocila it became clear he would be unable to pay off his family's debts. In 294 OA, he sold ownership of the city to the Amethyst Trade Bloc, the Fist of Tempus, Foxdale Bankers and Financiers Association, and the Union of Shipwrights which were the four organizations that largely funded his contributions to the war.

Geography

Foxdale is located on the northern bank of the Foxdale River where it flows into Foxdale Bay.

Natural Resources

Nearby farming villages bring their food to the marketplace on a daily basis. The forrest along the Foxdale River provides ample sources of lumber, which is used for most of the construction of the city. Fishermen and large fishing ships in the bay provide the city with an abundant supply of protein. Copper and iron mines dot the hills of the surrounding area.

Maps

• 

  The Free City of Foxdale

Alternative Name(s)

Avarice, Foxdale

Type

Large city

Population

32,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Foxdelians

Location under

Foxdale County

Related Plots

• 1. A Deadly Parle