Stillwater

A distant view of Stillwater.

One of Arcadia's free cities, and often cited as the most significant, Stillwater is a thriving trade and mercantile center at the edge of the Forsaken Peninsula. Currently, Stillwater is ruled by Counselor Velen and the Wightguard, a once-mercenary organization that serves as the city guard. Thanks to a unique blend of cultures introduced along the Arcadian Ocean and the Saendel river, the city is host to a thriving mixture of cultures, peoples, religions, and trades.

Like Pendragon, another free city, Stillwater was founded by the hero Mantel during the Age of Heroes.

## Description

Originally a small trading post for the scattered villages of the Peninsula, Stillwater grew slowly over time, fueled by trade and mercantile growth. When the hero and tradesman Mantel found Stillwater centuries before the Gate Invasion, he brought riches and a trade route crossing from Stillwater to Midland and everywhere in between; thanks to him, the trading post became a booming city. Mantel named the city "Stillwater" in appreciation for the calm waters that surround the peninsula.

By the time of the first Gate Invasion, Stillwater housed over 3,500 people in and around its walls.

## Geography

The Forsaken Peninsula is a massive, flat peninsula with Stillwater near its edge; a handful of rocky mountains dot the landscape, providing some instrumental defense for the city. The major roads out of the city spiderweb into a dozen little villages and hamlets around the peninsula, and the major road out of the city crosses the Elmaren Desert. The roads are mostly paved and well-maintained, although the further one ventures from Stillwater the rougher the roads become.

Stillwater sits at the conclusion of the Midway, the massive trading route that draws a line across the entirety of Arcadia.

## Government

The four Free Cities are governed by the Free Council, an elected body with one representative from each city. The representatives are voted on by the cities themselves, and the Council's bureaucratic wing operates and controls such elections. Though each free city is largely free to make its own laws and govern itself, the Free Council exists to protect the Cities as a whole from outside influence. Currently, Counselor Velen is the elected representative of Stillwater.

Besides the Free Council, Stillwater is operated in large part by the Wightguard. Though the Wightguard operated as a band of undead-hunting mercenaries at its inception, they found a home in Stillwater and became a more organized cadre of guardsmen. The Wightguard's loose leadership and militaristic organization offer Stillwater a small army, although not significant enough to fend off a true army.

### Crime

Rumors about the underground crime syndicate in Stillwater abound, but are mostly unsubstantiated; "The Syndicate," as its nicknamed, has been dismissed as an urban legend with no real grounding. Most of the crime Stillwater faces is petty, more of an occasional mugging than murder. Still, it's been known that the Wightguard willingly takes bribes from criminal elements, and Stillwater's busy port has attracted less-than-wholesome characters before.

## Culture

Stillwater has its history of maritime trade to thank for a rich blend of cultures and peoples. Though Stillwater houses mostly humans, the elder races have been seen on its streets, including dwarves, tieflings, and even the rare elf. Stillwardians are often open-minded, warm, and happy to help, though the port attracts rougher types with a penchant for trade and gold. Natives to the city can be reclusive and elitist, but they're vastly outnumbered by the kind-hearted travelers who find their way to the Free Cities. Like all citizens of the Free Cities, Stillwardians pride themselves on freedom and independence more than anything else. The thought of enslavement, be it themselves or other cultures, is revolting to the average Stillwardian, as is any sort of oppressive government force. Imperial powers, such as the Nerish Empire to the East, shock and appall most inhabitants of the Free Cities.

Though Stillwater is mostly a center for foreign trade, they have a few domestic exports of their own; the Stillwater Meadery is famous across all of Arcadia, the mead produced by enchanted bees from the nearby Honeyed Forest. Likewise, the Saendal river is a popular fishing destination, although the constant boat traffic has made fish a less and less common sight.

### Religion

Stillwater houses one major Deific Temple, that being the Church of Common Gods; this temple houses statues and prayer altars to the eight "Common Gods," as well as an unspecified altar to the minor deities of Arcadia. Though the eight Common Gods each have their followers, two of these eight take particular attention in Stillwater:

* Marileth, the Goddess of Winds and Trade
	+ Sailors, tradesmen, and travelers often stop and offer a quick prayer to the Winged Goddess, and in return she blesses them with strong winds and good fortunes. The Free Cities all emphasize Marileth's worship, because they depend on strong trade for their freedom.
* Termalon, the God of Earth and Safety
	+ Soldiers, travelers, and commoners alike pray to Termalon, a God who blesses his followers with safekeeping and reliable footing. Termalon is often seen as the god-husband to Marileth, as they both provide safety in travel (and they compliment one another-- Marileth is typically associated with the sea, while Termalon the land).