Freistadt

**Freistadt** is the capital city of the Republic of Fühlgart and the larger Republican alliance. It is located on the western shores of the Fühlgartian mainland. It has acted as the Fühlgartian capital since 1205 AW, replacing the former Monarchist capital of Kalzberg.

Freistadt has recently become a strategic objective in the ongoing Second Fühlgartian Civil War. A failed naval invasion by Monarchists exiles was repelled in 1228 AW, yet various rebel groups operate close to the city. This has led to Ulfric Luftschwert devoting most of the First Army under Falk Krech to defending the city. Fear of Monarchist infiltrators and saboteurs has led to a temporary curfew being implemented in the city.

## History

Freistadt was founded by Human Freemen in 190 AW, defying the Faerian Freehold of Syletas, which had increased taxes on non-Faerians in a bid to save their stagnant economy. The city rapidly grew from a humble settlement to a major tax haven, drawing the ire of the Freehold. In 212 AW, they launched a failed attack against the city in a bid to take control and seize the assets of its inhabitants. It was a humiliating defeat which would become a factor for the Freehold's decline and eventual fall in 488 AW.

Syletas fell to the Alliance of Fühlgart, a patchwork of a myriad of Human statelets in the area. Freistadt, at this point ruled over by a duchy bearing the same name, joined the Alliance in the same year. The reigning dukes under House Luftschwert became important figures in the Alliance, yet held no ambitions to obtain leadership over the Alliance, unlike some of the other powerful members. Instead, the area steadily developed over the coming years, becoming a decently sized commercial and naval hub, though it was somewhat overshadowed by the nearby trading cities of Kirchenstau and Whitecrest.

The Alliance centralised into the Kingdom of Fühlgart in 645 AW. Freistadt remained an important city within the new state, not as a trade hub, but as a naval one. Whereas Kirchenstau focused on trade, Freistadt became home to much of the Fühlgartian navy on the Western Ocean. It shared this position with Neuesfeld further to the north, as these two cities held significant docks and repair yards for the navy.

House Luftschwert became known for producing admirals and conquered both Frosthaven Island and the Sylvir Cluster from the Kingdom of Wyrsia during the Fifth Fühlgartian-Wyrsian War. This war ended in disaster with the Torstadt Crisis happening at home, yet House Luftschwert kept their new territories despite their general decline in the Crisis, with trade and supplies flowing between the islands and Freistadt regularly.

After the Torstadt Crisis, House von Kalzberg took the throne. Freistadt and House Luftschwert were written off somewhat, thanks to the feud between the two houses. However, besides a matter of prestige, this had no real effect on the city. In the early 13th century AW, with Jan Luftschwert plotting against the crown, Freistadt became the capital of the new Republican movement seeking to get rid of the Monarchists and establish a republic in Fühlgart.

Throughout the resulting Fühlgartian Civil War and beyond, Freistadt grew in importance. After the civil war ended in a Republican victory, the city became the capital of the modernRepublic of Fühlgart. With Kirchenstau, now an autonomous protectorate of the Republic, descending into civil war soon after, Freistadt became vastly more important as a trade hub, drawing wealth and prosperity to the city.

As the Republican alliance grew alongside Fühlgart's conquests, so too did Freistadt's wealth and importance. Yet, no golden age lasts forever. Jan Luftschwert died in 1227 AW, which caused an immediate succession struggle amongst the members of the Fühlgartian Senate. During the so-called Freistadt Crisis, the city was gripped by street fighting between various military units under the control of competing senators. Multiple parts of the city burned down in the chaos and there was widespread looting and rioting against the reigning anarchy. The Freistadt Crisis came to an end abruptly when Ulfric Luftschwert, younger brother of the late Jan, entered the city and restored order.

Under the militaristic Ulfric Luftschwert and his reformed senate of generals and jingoists, the city has been the subject of quasi-martial law, with a strict curfew having been imposed. The city never truly recovered from the Freistadt Crisis, with many parts still lying in ruin from the uncontrolled fires spreading throughout Freistadt. The recent outbreak of the Second Fühlgartian Civil War further damaged the city thanks to a doomed Monarchist naval assault on the city.

## Ownership

* Free City (190-239 AW)
* County of Freistadt (239-244 AW)
* Duchy of Freistadt (244-645 AW)
* Kingdom of Fühlgart (645-1203 AW)
* Republican Rebels (1203-1205 AW)
* Republic of Fühlgart (1205 AW-)

## Battles

* Battle of Freistadt (212 AW)
* Freistadt Crisis
* Battle of Freistadt (1228 AW)

## Buildings

* Assembly Hall
* Building Zero
* Northern Castle
* Senate Building
* Southern Castle