Free Cities of Dallaall
 The Banner of the Free Cities | ||
| Free Cities of Dallaall | ||
| Demonym | Freeman/Freewoman | |
| Capital City | Dallaall | |
| Ruler | Magnate Osten Ventari | |
| Population | Approx 40,000 | |
| Location | Southern Windman Continent | |
Location
The Free Cities are a confederation of independent city-states, made up of Dallaall, Cormerant, Allep, Theras, and Kalamata. They are tightly packed together in the extreme southern tip of the Windman Continent. They share a border with the Frantan Confederation to the south, and with the no-man's land of Riverkeil to the north, and parts of the Canton Kingdom to the north east and east.
History
During the Greater Races War, the city of Dallaall was near the landing point of Hayze's initial armies, Jagger Burrell led a mostly-civilian force in fortifying and holding off the tide of foul creatures. Large sections of farm land were destroyed, but the city remained intact, a bristling porcupine too dangerous (and frankly, too insignificant in the grand scheme of Hayze's plans of conquest) to try to conquer.
After the War
During the time after the war, the power hungry Duchess in Riverkeil sought to annex Dallaall, and time and time again, the expert archers and fortifications would keep the Duchess' armies from crossing the river that separated the two. This was mostly credited to Burrell's tenacity and planning.
About ten years after the war, the cities decided to unite and present a strong, unified front to the advances of Riverkeil. Seamouth, Yarik, and Karik couldn't negotiate what they felt were agreeable terms with the other five, preferring a strong central government. These three cities formed the Frantan Confederation. As the meetings were held in city of Dallaall, the other five formed the Free Cities of Dallaall, and elected Jagger Burrell, now a renowned war-hero, their Magnate.
Politics
Dallaall itself is democracy with laws voted on by the citizens. Day to day affairs are handled by an elected council, but all major decisions are decided by the people. Free thought is highly valued. The monied "middle class" makes up the largest economic group in Dallaall; Merchants, shop keepers and the like. The cities each elect a representative, who meet yearly, sometimes monthly in times of crisis, to settle disputes (legal or otherwise) between the cities and set policy. The Magnate is elected yearly to enforce those decisions and lead the combined military (if needed). Other then that, the Free Cities governments remain independent of each other.
Dallaall City
The city is filled with coffee houses and they are usually full of groups of citizens discussing things; events, philosophy, etc. These discussions tend to spill out onto the streets. All in all, it's a rather busy place, and a great deal more peaceful since the destruction of Riverkeil.