Sataren
The ancient city of Sataren is one of the great cities in the Broken Bay of Preica. In a time long since passed, it was called Sataica the Vigilant, a watchful guardian of the Preic people. Long did it watch over its people, but when an alliance was forged with the neighbouring republic of Assaen, they were betrayed and subjugated. When Assaen was, in turn, conquered by the much larger Merchant Republic of Callaern, Sataica became Sataren.
At the height of the Preic city-states, Sataica the Vigilant was one of the most influential cities in the Broken Bay, only rivalled by Pereui the Radiant and Pifor the Great. But only one city could be the greatest of them all, and it was Pifor that subjugated the other city-states, one by one. Eventually, Pifor's oppression paved the way for the League Against Pifor, an alliance of Preic cities that rose up in rebellion against Pifor. The civil war lasted 24 years, from 926 AP to 950 AP.
Early on, Pifor appeared undefeatable, and Sataica was sieged and captured. Pifor would not tolerate any form of rebellion, and much of the city was burned down. After the Sacking of Sataica in 944 AP, the northern republic of Assaen joined the League Against Pifor. The combined forces of the Preic rebels and the Assaeni mercenaries were able to drive back Pifor's armies. One by one, the Preic cities were liberated, with a republic garrison left behind to protect them.
When Pifor fell in 950 AP, Assaeni mercenaries occupied many settlements in the Broken Bay. Sataica had been under Assaeni command for half a decade. Generals and administrators from Assaen had started to introduce their own policies, and their command structure was firmly embedded in the local government. By the time the war was over, many of the city-states were effectively vassals of Assaen. Assaen helped rebuild the new cities, and over time Assaeni architecture replaced the ancient Preic architecture.
For a while, Sataica retained some form of autonomy, but when the Merchant Republic of Callaern subjugated Assaen, the Preic territories were incorporated into the republic, and Magistrates were appointed as their rulers. Many of them were renamed after Callaeran tradition, and Sataica was renamed Sataren.
The scars of the Preic Civil War can still be seen in Sataren; where the urban sprawl once extended all the way to the city walls and beyond, much of the land within the city walls is now empty and barren. Ruins have been picked apart to provide the stone needed for Assaeni and Callaeran churches and manors. The city now serves as the capital of the Province of Sathraeum and one of the many trade ports of the Callaeran merchants. It was called Sataica the Vigilant, but in the end proved not vigilant enough.
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