Argo

"By Old Port of Argo," Francois D'Argo CE 976

## Historic Sigil

"Old swift-wings," a gold eagle backed by red or purple. Note that it is unrelated to the emblem of Aquimella

## Demographics

### Population

~ 100,000

**Argo**, known formally by Illyrians as **Argotagnaneux**, is the capitol of Flannings and its largest city. It is the largest city not within the Walls of Mithra, and has historically acted as a defensive harbor for *Illyria* on its sea-facing coast. It is also one of the main ports-of-call for seaward vessels sailing along the Arborean coast.

A majority of the trade in *Illyria* either passes through Argo or occurs in Argo itself. Built upon the coast of Flannings built around the White Lagoon, the city is enormous: it encompasses nearly 100 square miles and has one of the largest populations in a single city, though in Illyria this is not especially notable.

The name of Argotagnaneux is inherited from a lost Elvish name of considerable length; it is alleged to have been named "Lagoon of Swift Winds." However, the origin of the name as well as what is name actually was has been long lost.

Marseille is an important Arborean trading centre and remains the
main commercial port of *Illyria*, even surpassing Lindemith. Argo is the largest city on the Tomyrian coast and the largest port for commerce, freight and military installations. It is home to one of the most prestigious universities in Arborea, the Argon Letters House.

## Geography

Of contiguous metropolitan areas, Argo is one of the largest, and the second-largest outside of the Wall of Mithra (and White Harbor). In its east is a rugged coastal area interspersed with small fjord-like inlets. Farther east still is the Beauman mountain ridge rising from a forest of deciduous trees, overlooking the Martines. To the south of Argo is the Sinapine mountain range. To the west of Argo is the former artists' colony of Spiral Grove; farther west is White Lagoon, the Blue Coast, and the Sinapine mountain range. And finally, to its immediate north is the Wall of Mithra, separating it from Wagstaff-and-Buford.

The city's main thoroughfare, Hashessa, stretches eastward from the Old Port to the Ochre. Two large forts flank the entrance to the Old Port—the smaller Fort Musquatch on the south side and the much larger DuPagne castle on the north. Farther out near the White Lagoon is the island of Jorif. The main commercial center of the city intersects with the Hashessa at Lanernessa, its largest and most well-fortified castle. Closer to the Ochre are new constructions that border the Wall of Mithra, and field on the opposite side of of the White Lagoon.

Harsh winds from the Tomyrian Sea make Argo a cool, temperate locale well known to "blow the hats off foreign merchants," as put by Charles D'Ochre, its Thane.

## History

Argo was originally founded by wood elves Preliturgy, and acted as a settlement that thrived primarily from fishing in the White Lagoon. Most of the wood elves here eventually were enslaved by the Sasceri, leaving its many buildings abandoned for a short time before being inhabited by the descendants of Tomyra the Great. The remaining wood elves were sold at this time, though for reasons unknown, the conquerors retained the name of the settlement. The locals came to be known as *flecheners*, or "arrow-people" since they produced fine arrows and masterwork arrow heads. Fort Musquatch was built during this time by the coast to dissuade pirates. However, it was excluded when the Wall of Mithra was built due to its small size and non-Illyrian occupants.

During the Illyrian Crisis of the Second Perthic War, the Sagatae prince Oleg distinguished himself in service of Mithradates; as a result, the Illyrian king presented him with the slightly rebellious kingdom of Flechen to the prince in return for his service. In addition, to keep with Sagatae tradition, the ruler of Flechen would be permitted to keep the title of Prince and settle disputes "the old way" in single combat. It was mostly independent during this short period.

Flechen remained in Illyrian hands until Black Cato settled Illyrian disoloyalty to the Dinamid Republic once and for all. Flechen remained *Illyria*'s most loyal state until it too fell under Black Cato's heel. The city lost most of its independence and became a Dinamid State. They would later side with Gaius Olivius and *Illyria* when the Olivian Army arrived in the province, and for this reason they were granted high levels of autonomy. In addition, Flechen was restored and its ruler was permitted to take the ancient title of Thane.

Flechen as a whole continued to prosper, but Argo especially grew, no longer a mere fishing village but being fortified by Gaius Olivius with the Lanernessa, a citadel that would later grow in size to become among the largest castles in Arborea. The Cult of Mithra flourished here, and Argo maintained its position as a premier maritime trading hub, though Goodfellow rule hindered it tremendously. In CE 499, the Falians conquered *Illyria* and Flechen as a result.

After being liberated from its Falian captors, Flechen (now referred to as *Flannings* in Illyrian Common) remained an important nation-state that helped defend against Ascani incursions. More importantly, Argo experienced a complete assimilation into *Illyria* as its Thanes married Illyrian wives, and Oleginus heritage was harder to distinguish over time.

Argo was sacked by the Auber during the Eleventh Era and subsequently allied with Robaerigon during the Saturnite Wars. Its Thane at the time, Alichard, was one of the Twelve Peers. From Alichard's appointment by Robaerigon, the House of Allister became the dominant noble family of Argo. The city's fortunes rebounded with the ambitious building projects of the Allister family and Illyrian subsidies, who strengthened the city's fortifications during
the mid-Twelfth Era. Argo was fortified and modernized to the point that its amenities and infrastructure rival "core" *Illyria*.

Its University was built in the Thirteenth Era with increased Merovian presence, with modern sailing vessels occupying its harbors to defend the less populous easten coastline of *Illyria*.