Bastholm

**Bastholm** is a City State in the Swedish Region of Europe, one of the first City States established

## Bastholm

**Economy:** The dominating market of the city state is Fishing and Oil coming in second having secured some drilling rights. The Abba Seafood Company has a monopoly within the city and Lundin Oil being the largest oil company

**Government:** The Government of the city is run by a Directory of 5 individuals who run the affairs of the city and are known as Directors. One of the Directors is known as the 1st Director. They are merely the first among equals but they can appoint Directors when a vacancy arises. If the 1st Director position becomes vacated one the remaining 4 members must be chosen by the city population. Once appointed, the new 1st Director can choose a 5th member.

**Climate:** Being in the Sweden Region, Bastholm is very close to the coast. It is considered a very temperate climate, with Precipitation dispersed evenly throughout the year with a warm Summer and a milder winter. Snowfall is not common in the city

**Armed Forces:** In accordance with the agreement with the Gold Empire, Bastholm has only a small standing army and a small navy and no air force. The city has what is known as the City Watch that can be called upon in time of war. City Watch members carry Magical suppression amulets to deal with law breaking Kemiyas and Witches

#### **History:**

**A Compromise from War**

After the establishment of the Gold Empire, many within the Swedish Region objected to its annexation. Maurice attempted to impose his rule upon the region and threatened Military action, but did not want to appear as a Tyrant or to risk fracturing the newly formed Empire before it even began. An agreement was made that a City State would be formed on the Nokoberg Peninsula neck. Several Kemiya even assisted with building the city itself and it did not take long. Those who did not wish to live under Kemiya rule entered the city. Some of the former country's leaders came together and created a Parliament.

**Getting Things Done**

At first, things looked stable. The people elected their leaders and the Parliament discussed issues. Unfortunately, these decisions took time to make and sometimes were taken too late. The Economy began to falter around 2046 until the First Minister managed to negotiate a deal with secure drilling rights in the North Sea. A Canal was built along the neck of the Nokoberg Peninsula to allow oil tankers to sail into the North Sea. This action stabilised the economy somewhat, but the next problem came the Transport system strike in 2051. Pay disputes went on for months until an agreement was finally made. The final straw came in 2058

**The Disbanded Parliament.**

In 2058, an investigation was launched into Parliament members finances and a shock was made. Some members of the Parliament were using City funds to fund their expenses. The people were outraged and took to the streets. The First Minister promised swift actions against those responsible but it emerged he was the worst offender. The First Minister was almost assassinated but was saved by the City Watch. Shots were fired at the crowds. It took sometime before the situation calmed down, but the First Minister resigned and was exiled from the city. A new minister was chosen, but with the backing of the City guard, this man, Walter Patt dissolved the Parliament, deeming it to have failed its people and established a new Government. A Directory

**More Effective Ruling**

Walter selected 4 other men to help him run the Government. The Directory met every week and made decisions quickly and effectively. As time passed the Fishing industry grew and Oil industry was still strong and a fledging Ship Building industry found itself competing with the neighbouring City State Brussa. Trade was established with the Silver Republic by Sea and the Bronze Kingdom by Rail. By 2100, Bastholm is a highly industrialised City State and a powerful one at that.