Free Cities of Nyair

**Free Cities of Nyair** - The free cities are a collection of independant city-states allied in order to protect one another from foreign powers but otherwise acting as they see fit. Each of the major cities have their own governments from the council of noble houses of Adretan to the trade-run land of Ulden. Each city has a small number of towns and villages that they oversee and protect in order to feed their people. The free cities have a long standing treaty with the border kings. Any warrior who serves 25 years on the wall are allowed to retire and given a parcel of land in the free cities paid for by their king. This allows for a positive working relationship between the two lands, resulting in the free cities having some political clout despite being made up of so many independants. Oturgal serves as the makeshift capital of the realm and each city has a delegation staying in the so called "city of the gods" so as to have a voice in political matters beyond their borders.

Notable Cities:

Vare - The open plains of the region surrounding Vare allows for the mass farming of wheat and other grains. The city itself is run by a mayor elected by the heads of each district in the city every 5 years. The mayor answers to this town council but is responsible for making the day to day decisions for the state. They have a close relationship with the border kings, selling the majority of their crop to feed the warriors of the great wall.

Adretan - The grand duchy of Adretan is ruled by a duke and council of lesser nobles. The duke comes from one of three major houses and is chosen by the council on the death of the previous duke. The lesser nobles are each responsible for a town or village including a few along the edge of the Kuldrak Mountains and the Shrouded Vale, allowing for mining and foresting operations.

Oturgal - The City of the Gods, Oturgal, is a theocracy made up of the highest ranking priest of each religion. The Archbishop is chosen from among these leaders and serves as the head of state, cycling to another religion's head at the end of each year. Only the Churches of the Ci'el are represented in Oturgal and they take a stanch stance against the threats of magic and invasions from the Blasted Lands. Many priests are trained in the churches of Oturgal and then return to their homeland.

Jyntal – Jyntal is ruled by a simple heriditary monarchy tracing the same family line back to the founding of the city. Located on the Sea of Stars, Jyntal is a major trade hub for relations between the Free Cities and lands of southern Nyair, housing many trade guilds and shipping companies.

Ulden – The city of Ulden is ruled by a council of the seven most influential noble houses of the city, dealing with heavy trade among the other Free Cities and the lands of Tordan, Talvir and Imria. Due to current political issues there is a trade embargo on the warmongering empire of Kairvalla.

Netal - The newest city, Netal used to be a simple fishing town but grew due to fleeing refugees from the wars in southern Nyair. As a result Netal is a bit of a mixing pot of multiple cultures. As such the city's construction is a hodgepodge of several styles and is somewhat jarring to the eye. Netal is run by a republic of appointed representatives from each neighborhood in a model of the Republic of Xevain.