Nueva Libertad

## Introduction

Located in Eastern Rivain, coast-side of the mountain peninsula that stretches along the majority of the country Nueva Libertad lies in a valley, amongst the foothills of the mountain range. It began as a small town of settlers but in the past fifteen years alone has become a small city which is connected by way of road to a harbour. Run by the terrorist mage and leader of the Resolutionists, Furia, it is a haven for those who also believe in the Resolutionist cause as well as neutral ground for criminals and the persecuted peoples of Thedas who seek a new life, a new world.

## Origins and Development

The coast of eastern Rivain is dotted with fishing villages and harbour towns. However, the further north one goes to more perilous the seas become. There was one particular village which a certain elf came across in his travels that held no more than about a dozen buildings and a tiny dock. Those who moored there rarely went any further north, dangerous as it was, this small village being marked as the furthest most would sail. Upon exploration a settlement of apostates, runaway slaves, wayfarers and refugees was discovered high in the mountains close to the shore. Wary as they were it took some time for this group to move down the mountain and make a home of the place now known as Nueva Libertad. The city’s beginnings were innocuous enough, a Dalish elf inspiring the creation of the community and the building which started off as a few simple abodes became a free and open city.

There never were any boundaries to Nueva, it is not a traditional community nor a familiar layout for such a city. What began as a challenge to help a young family and group in need became an endeavour of compassion. A new society was created, built on the foundations of bringing together those that wished for freedom and peace, working together to create and maintain a free city. Though the community of settlers and the area further down the mountain was named before the inception of the city the truth of that name remains. Nueva Libertad – new freedom.

The skills of all were employed in the building of the city, the white stone manipulated by the mages to create structures for all. The dwarves and kossith came together to mine the quarry and all races bound together to build what has become an unusual and wonderful city. It is spreading each and every day, with new people and new structures manifesting every day. One of the keys of this city is progress and this is seen in the way the city has developed over the years it has existed. Those who leave Nueva Libertad and come back even a year later note how much has been added and how the city has developed.

The story of the settlers and the Mill Family is one oft repeated, though for some of the governors of the city there are sad memories too. Process often demands sacrifice and Nueva Libertad is no exception.

## Founders

* Furia
* Besten
* Inara
* Samuel Miller (only survivor of the Miller Family)
* Jorad (surname unknown, possibly a noble. Dwarf and the best friend of Samuel)
* Letty (apostate human – original settler)

## Structure and use

The city is made up of a number of sections, the first to see being the entrance of the city, which is open; there is no gate or wall but instead the road which comes from near the coast opens up to a piece of land that is paved with stone and free to use for all and any. Most often it is where impromptu markets are established on any given day, especially for trade that comes by boat but there are also stables and pools of water and even a few open air bars and dining establishments.

The largest section is the winding rows of streets where most of the population chooses to live. The streets wind around before opening up to what is known as [i]el lugar de todas las personas[/i]\*, a massive circular platform of stone where the denizens of Nueva Libertad gather on occasion as one - most often these are celebrations.

Another section is the upper, most narrow area of the city where the white hall stands. Within is a massive hall that has a window covering an entire wall, a dozen pillars set evenly throughout and a stone table at the very centre. The white hall is built into the mountain itself and other than the main hall is an anteroom in which first there is a stairwell which leads up through a tower which becomes thinner as it rises through the air and second is the only entrance to a courtyard that stretches out in the manner of a balcony and is made of pure white stone.

The other part of the upper section is a stone grand house which leads onto the huge forest that runs along the hills and touches the mountains. This is the property of Tavius and base of the Nueda.

The centre of the city is dominated by towering arcs of stone, which form an irregular dome over a platform of the same stone as "el lugar de todas las personas" (the place for all people). It is here that governance occurs, where any citizen can call a leader of the city to answer questions or bring about debate and discussion over any facet of city life.

Leading from the central area is los muchos dioses (the road of all faiths), a wide road which runs straight between a collection of places of worship. It is a parade where all are free to worship as they wish and more buildings and statues are built with each passing year.

## Hierarchy and governance

The leaders of Nueva Libertad are democrats and believe is adhering to the voice of the people. Anyone can speak to the Governors and voice their thoughts and hopes and misgivings, but as with any progressive society somebody must actually lead and make the decisions – though the philosophy of these leaders is not something one might understand or even agree with for it is a new concept in Thedas and very much an experiment. Perhaps in a few generations the society will have become used to such changes, but for some coming from the Qun or Tevinter it may be a hard adjustment. Saying that, religious freedom is of course encouraged, but oppression and indoctrination is outlawed.

There are always ten governors on the city council, but no single person who rules all. Every one has an equally weighted vote and all are elected officials. There must be a unanimous decision for something to be instituted. There are no veto’s either. Of the original founders of the city six of them are elected to the council. The four remaining officials represent each race of Thedas.

These four Governors (in addition to the Founders of course) are:

* Ketang – kossith representative
* Odele – human representative
* Frieda – dwarf representative
* Trinity – elf representative

## Laws of the City

* Murder is punished by the victim’s family deciding what the fate of the murderer is. This is deemed as fair.
* Thieves are banished.
* Disorder is frowned upon, but since those who create such an atmosphere are ostracised the culture of the city often weeds out such behaviour.
* Criminals are all brought before the city, shame often being the best deterrent.
* Law and order is evolving, the system fluid and flexible.

## Education

As is typical of this city, the education therein is flexible and adaptive. Each denizen of Nueva Libertad with a skill which can be taught is free to pass along that knowledge – and they have the full support of the city and are encouraged to use its resources.

Those who volunteer themselves to educate their fellow residents have a symbol denoting their area of expertise engraved upon their lintel. Anyone who sees such a symbol above the door of the teachers’ residence may inquire about being taught. The teacher has the right to refuse anyone but it is extremely rare for such to occur.

The teaching can take place anywhere, but more commonly it occurs in the home or workplace of the teacher or the “Teaching Platform” and practice area. This is a popular area, located on the third level of the city. The white stone here is a flat platform that can be manipulated to any use. The teachers can ask one of the mages to create anything for them. Be it a classroom, a ring, tables and chairs or even a forge! There is much ingenuity and energy here and something is always being taught, be it combat classes in the morning or astronomy at night, mage or non-mage, kossith or elf, all are welcome here.

## Status within Thedas

Trade is plentiful thanks to the location of the city - it is far enough from what Qunari are left in Rivain to not suffer at their hands but also farther away from the other powers of Thedas than any other port. Thus Nueva Libertad has developed trade ties with both the Qunari from the north and the free lands to the south. Ever since the ceasefire agreement of 9:47 trade has boomed more than ever.

It is thanks to a combination of the power of the Resolutionists and the sheer numbers of people who seek out the city on a yearly basis that it stands strong against the will of the leaders of the Chantry-aligned countries and other forces. Even within Rivain the city is seen as beneficiary to the country as a whole and so is listed as both a protected territory under similar terms of that in the Llomerryn Accords and is given favourable trade terms with the various regions of the country.