Suzerainty of Bards Gate

The free city of Bard’s Gate exercises control over a vast swath of noncontinuous territory in the Gulf of Akados and Sinnar Coast regions as an economic suzerain. The government of these different areas varies from virtual autonomy with merely a light touch to ensure that lucrative trading partners and routes are secure to an actual military presence, with most lying somewhere between the two extremes.
In general the folk and territories lying within the city’s sphere of influence are happy in the exchange, because unlike with a colonial power where the colonized areas are at best exploited for resources and at worst totally subjugated, in the Bard’s Gate suzerainty vassal cities and regions receive both economic benefits and increased security from the presence of Bard’s Gate’s troops. And since Bard’s Gate boasts no single ethnic nor national allegiance, the peoples from all these different areas enjoy equal enfranchisement and opportunity. Other traditionalists see the expansion of their villages to be harmful, and believe the expansion of their homes will bring the attention of dark forces to their doors. Others. Others are fear that Bards Gate will one day turn into an empire, and the foreign bureaucracy will result in a loss of autonomy and eventual tyranny. Despite the skepticism, the treatise are usually beneficial and most sign them after some negotiation.
Some of the areas of the suzerainty are close neighbors, some are connected by trade roads or river routes, and some require a sea voyage to make the best time in reaching the far-flung outposts. In general the closer regions of the suzerainty provide raw materials and resources as well as trade route security and personnel for the city’s works, while the farther posts generally serve to protect some distant-yet-lucrative trade market or resource. Regardless, all who dwell within these areas outside of the city itself are given the option to be considered citizens of Bard’s Gate, though none are compelled to. Those who do must pay the regular city taxes and provide typical civic duties when called upon in addition to any tariffs or taxes that may apply to their particular locale, but they also enjoy the full benefits and rights of a citizen and may conduct their trade through the auspices of the vast Bard’s Gate trading network as well as call upon the courts of Bard’s Gate to intervene in any legal disputes. Those who choose to not become citizens of the city are not prohibited from trade or business activities, they just do not enjoy the benefits that come with it. Regardless of whether an individual is a citizen or not, all who fall within the suzerainty are subject to Bard’s Gate’s laws of suzerainty and the authority of its appointed administrators.
While the Council of Burghers has influence throughout the suzerainty in regards to the specific roles that the various guilds play — and indeed many of the guilds have powerful satellites throughout the lands — it is the High Burgher or High Burgess who presides over them. She governs these remote vassals through a system of administrators and, in some cases, military commanders where garrisons are present. In this way no single guild can gain a monopoly in any of the vassal territories, yet the Mayor of the Council can approach the High Burgess in regards to requests and appeals from the Burghers of the Council. In truth, the appointed administrators, the High Burgess’ advisers, and the legal courts of the city see to most of the administration of these locations which in all other ways largely govern themselves with the suzerain’s blessing.

Type

Alliance, Generic

Subsidiary Organizations

• The Stoneheart Valley Trading Company

Controlled Territories

• Darnagal

Other
Amrinbridge Fortress
Byrn
Cantyn Light
Derindin
Eastgate
Freegate