Union of Free Cities
Considered the origin of ‘civilization’ on Perradin, the Free Cities were originally founded as a part of an empire whose name and people have long been forgotten. The cities, allegedly, rose up against their ruler and destroyed them, but all the details of the conflict and its enemy are lost. After the uprising, all the cities decentralized and agreed to be independent. The current global dating system is centered around the mythical first city rising up. Nearly every city on the continent claims to be the first city of legend. War between the Free Cities was regular, but there was an understood and practiced rule of engagement that no one city could ever conquer and rule another.
Individuality is tremendously valued in the Free Cities. It is said that in a room of four Free Cities citizens, there are 12 opinions. This has led to a culture of clashing idealism, which in itself is held up with pride by the people.
Modern archaeology has determined that the oldest cities lie in the east of the continent. The diversity of the region fostered great advances in culture and science. However, with the rise of the Diocese of Fen, these cities have changed drastically. They were the first to convert and unify under the Fen, and the culture and science vacuum has been massively felt across the continent.
The western cities were far more focused on manufacturing and maritime industries. With the fall of the cultural east, the western cities have risen to the challenge to hold back the advancement of the Fen. The city of Hi Ba has quickly become the business capital of the region. The Harwick Trade Company operates out of the city and has established a trade network in the western half of the subcontinent of Plentius. Harwick Trade alone has driven innovation for the last century and shows no signs of stopping. However, their mercenary companies are far more interested in retaking Plentius instead of mainland Pillarin, much to the dismay of the rest of the Free Cities.
The mountain range of the northwest are the Great Dwarf Free Cities. They are very strong militarily and have provided the armaments for the Free Cities for centuries. Each City has a functional name regarding its purpose. Because of their importance to Free City warfare, no other free city has dared to declare war on any of them. The most recent push by the Fen has resulted in The Anvil being sacked by Fen forces. The anxiety at this turn of events has shaken the remaining Free Cities.
In 9032, the Free Cities not yet under The Fen “unified” to jointly push back against The Fen in their minor wars of conquest rather than fend for themselves individually. Since the union, their victory tally has actually decreased. City leaders have been quick to point fingers at one another as The Fen continually encroach upon them year after year. Representatives meet regularly in a randomly-selected city every 5 months to attempt to discuss the war effort in an attempt to throw off the Fen in a group commonly called the [n# of occasion] [city name] Convention. Hi Ba has been a Convention seat 19 out of 32 times. Despite the altruistic nature of Conventions, the representatives have never achieved a majority vote on any issue except on the motion to form the Union. The Convention is headed by the First Convener; the current First Convener is Luna Nestron-Harwick of Cabrone, of a branch family member of the Hi Ba Harwick by marriage.
In Dying Light 9047 and Rekindling 9048, following the chaos created by the Circlecrash, the Union led a counter offensive along the entire eastern border. The counter offensive resulted in the recapture of many Free Cities, and the full recapture of the Thax Horseshoe. The cities, almost fully abandoned in the wake of a Fen retreat, have since begun repopulating with displaced refugees.
Together, we will endure.
Maps
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Regions of Pillarin
The largest regions of shared geography and culture on the continent of Pillarin.
Founding Date
33 Rekindling 9032
Alternative Names
Free Cities
Leader
Ruling Organization
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Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Myths
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