Sandala

Sandala is the largest city on Vlossenvarn. It has mild winters, but newcomers must acclimate to the heavy summer heat. It is stationed on a island on the west side of the Seagrave Straight. Its location has made it a stop for many traders from Cyrant.

History: It was founded as Volonvar by a Red Dragon named Volsturvar to gain control of trade between the two halves of Vlossenvarn. After the scar drove the dragons' northward, the ruler of Sandala used its forces to combat their influence in the area. During this struggle, a Artychusi High Elven Mercenary Company that was jilted by their former contractors, took advantage of this tense situation to storm the city in a surprise assault. While the Sea Spires around Sandala make it difficult for a fleet to amass against it, the mercenaries only had three damaged ships. While flying colors of mercenaries that were employed by the Volsturvar at that time, the ships approached in board daylight, towing a series of flotsam and debris that hid dozens of soldiers. They casted their own flag ship in flames and rammed the western wall, creating an distraction while the other ships landed at the port and quickly set fire to the other ships there. By the time the locals realize it was a ruse, the fighting had broken out in the streets. The mercenaries quickly armed and promised any Elven slave freedom that joined their cause. This order was mistranslated, causing many other slaves to join into the melee. The captain of the mercenaries and his elite quickly made for the Volsturvar's palace. Volsturvar fled, leaving his forces and treasures behind, not realizing the force was much smaller then the guards reported. With their master gone, the Red Dragonborn Captain Izan Firespeaker surrendered the city to newly crowned King Sandalar, becoming new Captain of the Palace Guard and keeping Firespeaker Clan in power. While the Elven King quickly freed all those of Elven blood and those that fought for him, only Elves and Dragonborn of the Firespeaker Clan permanently exempt from slavery service. The King renamed the city after himself. The King was quick to make favorable trade rights with Cyrantian Free Merchants in order to cement his claim to the throne, gain access to markets restricted to Artychus, and gain an avenue for quicker reinforcements since his homeland was much further away.

Government: King Sandalar rules with absolute authority. He is advised by his brother, who is the Treasurer, a mage representative from the Academy, and captain of the city guard, Izak Firespeaker. Each season, he spends two days holding public court to decide the issues of the city, but those that can afford an audience fee can have private court. For minor matters, he relies on the city watch to handle all issues. The merchant class can also have a city appointed arbiter to hear their case. The working class that cannot afford private litigation are able make a plea for the Temple of the Sun to conduct an investigation and arbitration of their case, though a donation to the city watch is expected. Whenever an arbiter is not afforded, the city watch uses a set of case laws to determine punishment. Most punishments can be deferred if a steep fine can be payed. The poor and guilty in this Draconic system are left with missing fingers for minor offenses, limbs for repeat offenders, and heads for those that commit a capital crime. One way to keep a limb without money at hand is to auction oneself as a debt slave to pay the fines. Since Elves and Dragonborn cannot be slaves, they must hold themselves to higher standard.

Locations: The city is broken up into twelve districts: The Academy District, The Bazaar, The Breach, Cliffside, The Deep Water Docks, Memorial Gardens, Municipal Grounds, Palace Grounds, Sail Branch, Sandhome, The Shallows, and Suncourt.