Raiden

**Free City-States of Raiden** is located in the north west of Lodoss, even at the start of its history the region has prospered as a group of rare autonomous city-states. The area around Raiden is surrounded by the sea to the north and west and mountains to the east and south. Therefore, it is not suitable for farming. Especially on the west side where the Standing Cliff continues endlessly. This cliff is a large cliff with a sheer white surface. It is said to be a trace of when Marfa separated Lodoss from the northern continent. Raiden is governed by influential people, not kings or aristocrats but a council of merchants responsible for the security and defence of Raiden. Mercenaries are hired in place of an army.

The council consists of ten standing councillors who handle the decision making with twenty non-executive councillors who oversee Raiden's policies. Not surprisingly, the councillors use their own concentrated wealth in order to take measures that are advantageous for their shops and companies. Raiden has a good natural harbour with frequent trade with the northern continent of Alecrast. As Raiden has monopolised trade with the continent, it’s profits are enormous. Raiden prospers as the second largest city on Lodoss after Alan. It is said that Raiden's top merchants are far wealthier than the kings of small nations.

**Raiden's Social System**

Raiden is run by a council system. Ten members decide and implement policies in line with the general consensus of the staging councillors. The chairman that governs the council is elected through a voting system and the twenty non-executive councillors are elected by recommendation or public election and are permanent. They assist and monitor the councillors. All members will be permanent unless retirement or death takes them. Then the vacancy is filled in the same manner, consensus, recommendation, public election, etc. Though hereditary successions are not uncommon. The councillor is an honorary position, and there is no remuneration for them. On the contrary, if a standing councillor of Raiden’s finances go into the red, they must make up for it with private property. They cannot refuse as in reality, if they are a councillor, they should be extremely effective at accumulating finances. They also enjoy the privileges of their influence such as being able to amend policies to bring benefits to their companies or stores. But there is little chance of councillors going bust with all the wealth Raiden is amassing.

It is the responsibility of the council to maintain the security of Raiden and defend it against foreign enemies. Due to their financial strength, the city hires a large number of mercenaries to retain its military power. This prospect attracts many skilled warriors and military personnel from around Lodoss, thus the army's foundation is solid. In the commercial city of Raiden, most of the citizens are involved in some kind of business. And if they have a talent for business, they will prosper in Raiden. On the contrary, those who do not have commercial talent, will lose to the competition and go broke in no time.

Because of this, parents are very enthusiastic about educating their children and also try to find the aptitude for their child as soon as possible. In Raiden, where there is no strict social division, and greetings such as bowing and kneeling are not common. Raiden's style of greeting each other is a warm physical embrace.

**Raiden Formation History**

In the northwest part of Lodoss, where Raiden is located, there are high white cliffs that continue along the coast, and inland the land is rugged, with features such as the brown Lulauza Mountains. Due to this the mountainous land is not suitable for trade or agriculture. For this reason many settlements were established along the coast. The small fishing village that would become the Free-city of Raiden itself, was one of these settlements. However, the waters on its coast were deep. Even large sea vessels could approach the land without trouble, therefore there were suitable conditions for a port. The sorcerers of the ancient kingdom also noticed the shape formed by the accumulation of earth and sand carried by the River of Fire and built a port town in the area. This port city prospered by trading with the northern continent of Alecrast. However, it was destroyed during the turbulent period after the collapse of the ancient kingdom.

Raiden was already flourishing as a trading city by this time, and had the foundation to be politically and productively independent. Therefore the city was saved by the wealth amassed by the maritime trade and it began to regain its former prosperity. Until eventually, due to its large growth, a king was crowned and the Kingdom of Raiden was established in the 168th year of the New Kingdom Calendar. This kingdom temporarily oppressed the small nations of Moss in the south. However, the kingdom collapsed in a form close to self-destruction due to the rebellion of Merchants who valued their independence, although they had expanded their power. Thus, in the 274th year of the New Kingdom Calendar, it was decided that a council would rule the city via a collegial system. Since its inception, Raiden has become the number one commercial city in Lodoss, and continues to prosper.

**The Free-City States of Raiden in the year 473 New Kingdom Calendar**

Before the Demon War, Raiden made a lot of money in trade with the continent and the region was on the rise. However, after the Demon King was released, one of the Demon Generals appeared in the area and led the demons against the trade ship off the coast of Raiden which suffered a great deal of damage. This Arch Demon was later defeated by the "Red-haired Mercenary" Beld. Due to the circumstances of the disaster of the Demons in Raiden, a speech by Aegis, who was the chairman of the council at the time, was called and a declaration was made to pay a bounty for every Demon’s head. It is common knowledge that this declaration triggered the emergence of "The Hundred Heroes" therefore Raiden was then known as the “Birthplace of the Brave”. Since then, Raiden has amassed abundant financial power as a bounty for exterminating the demons. By using their funds on their soldiers, they greatly contributed to the victory of the Demon War.

**The Free-City States of Raiden in the year 510 New Kingdom Calendar**

The free city states of Raiden are farthest north from Marmo Island and avoided much of the War of Heroes as they are located far from the main battlefield of Valis. Also if Marmo wanted to attack Raiden, they would have to move through Valis and Flaim, or they would have to subjugate the Confederation of Moss. Due to this, Raiden continued to prosper even in the midst of the savage war. However, they were affected by the increase of refugees fleeing from the Marmo Empire, and various rebellions igniting across the island. This resulted in a major impact on Raiden’s economic base.

**The Free-City States of Raiden in the years 512-515 New Kingdom Calendar**

Raiden was still a free city-state that flourished through trade with the northern continent. However, refugees who lost their place in the War of Heroes pushed up the inhabitants to far larger numbers. As a result, food shortages occurred in the city and security deteriorated. In addition, the Kingdom of Flaim was battling the "Fire Dragon" east of Raiden. By settling on the "Fire Dragon’s Hunting Ground", they had enraged the Demon Dragon Shooting Star which was attacking the people of Raiden relentlessly. In consideration of these two overlapping incidents, the free city-states of Raiden sacrificed its function to remain autonomous and was taken in by the Kingdom of Flaim. By doing so, they were able to avoid the collapse of urban functions. After that, the members of the council were welcomed as nobility of Flaim, and a governor of Raiden was selected by the king of Flaim.

**Raiden in the year 525 New Kingdom Calendar**

Raiden continued to thrive as part of Flaim and was responsible for the prosperity of the entire kingdom due to its continual monopolisation on trade with Alecrast.

Locations: Free-City of Raiden , Hishi , Honto , River of Fire , Laluza Mountains , Blue Dragon Isle