Loften

Loften is a city comprised of many airships and other flying devices. It is primarly focused around trade as it lacks agricultural land. Formed initally from the Wind Tribe, the city gradually became more metropolitan leading to its current, guild run system.

## History

Loften was origionally constructed by the Wind Tribe, who constructed the Sky Mother in an attempt to flee the Dwarven hordes that forced unbearble tithes upon them and regularly raided their lands. With no other choice, the Wind Tribe turned to trade which proved incredibly lucrative. This attracted sponsers and other traders causing the city to rapidly develop and grow as the Wind Tribe shared the secerts to airship construction. The cost of this was the erasure of the Wind Tribes culture, transforming it into a culture based on wealth and profiteering, although maintaing some core values such as the importance of the well being of the city as a whole.

50 years from present, Loften embarked on a expidition to locate theorised other contients and open lines of communication and trade. The trip across the Ice Wastes proved costly in terms of life and ships and upon reaching a second contient a brief exchange was had with the promise of renewed relations when a means of avoiding the creatures of the Ice Wastes could be found. At present Loften has recovered from this disaster although its shadow can still be felt in a diminished fleet and withered sense of pride.

## Culture

From an outside perspective, Loften seems to be a city driven by the pursiut of capital, splender and little else. This idea is fed by the view of some citizens of city states that Loften only really consumes grain and gold, without providing much in return. In reality Loften does manufacture goods spends as much gold as they earn (usually ostentatiously). The people of Loften are concerned for the wellbeing of the city and its granduar which private citizens donating to public works, although this cynically could be viewed as a way of moving through the guild and gaining public favour. Citzens that hold onto large amounts of wealth are frequently frowned upon by other residents.

There is still a large wealth divide between the rich and the poor within Loften that is created by the euntreperal culture. The relience on maintence for the airships to stay afloat prevents this divide from growing too large and the poorest being neglected which is legally enforeced through taxes and wellfair programs. Private donations do provide the bulk of wellfair programs funding however, a position that has been critisised as procerious by some.

Traders, taxis and craftsmen comprise the bulk of Loftens population. Craftsmen in Loften are more focused towards artistic expression in their works rather than bulk producing practical wares. Many craftsmen in Loften are painters, frequently drawn to the city for its stunning views and air of prestige. It is for this reason that the city earned its knick name as "Shelyn's Jewl"

### Merchants Guild

The centeral government is comprised of the merchant guild and is divided into two divisions, officals and lords. Officals are those who pass examinations and are responsible for the adminstration of the city while lords are titled nobles of the guild. The position of the lords provide significantly less power than those of officals but can be purchased directly through capital. Titles are a way of showing wealth and generosity/vanity since they directly fund the guild officals and public works.

The head of the Merchants Guild is the Grand Barron, who must be a high ranking offical and win the title in a bid. Ownership of the title lasts for 10 years afterwhich point it is placed on auction again. The duties of the Grand Barron are mostly cermonial although they do have the power to veto laws, sidestep verdicts and impeach officals without trial. These powers are only used once every 30 years due to the association with underminig the cities wellbeing and powerplays.

### Mother

The largest and most prominent airship in Loften. It is formed from the most venerable and sacred peices of old Wind Tribe airship and one of the last rements of their culture. By remaining practisioners of Wind Tribe customs, the ship is known by its origional name of the Sky Mother and there are regulations in place in order to maintain it as a sanctury for members of the Wind Tribe, and Areomancy rituals are still conducted there. It also functions as the head of operations for the Guild Barron.

### Religion

The natural patron of Abadar Plutus alongside Torag Artis and Shelyn Artis. The city is also home to the Iomadean Rest, where paladins of Iomadae smelt their weapons and armour down upon reteriment to be reforged into blades for a new generations, having shed the impurities of a life time of violence.