The Free City of Vanuunder - NPC

Nestled on the coastline of the Kingdom of Galatheon rests one of the bustling ‘Free Cities’ that can be found across the world. Ruled over by the Oberburgermeister, who heads up the Council of Burgers - otherwise known as the Alderman of the City, it is a Free Trading settlement and an economic powerhouse within the Kingdom.


Government

Founded by an ancient Writ, signed by the former Galatheon House Imperial Holder, the City Vaanunder has been run in the same way since its initiation, with a collection of oligarchic rulers holding power. Run by a Council of Burgers, or Aldermen with a set number of seats, the Aldermen are elected per three yeas by the group they represent. Presently these seats are split between the five main Guilds of the City, the seven shipping families, the dye and wool traders and the three market squares.

From this council is chosen a Grand Mayor, or Oberburgermeister - who acts as the ‘Lord’ of the City, although holds no pretensions to nobility. This Grand Mayor acts as the Councils voice, as well as the Commander of the various ‘Ordinances of the City’ such as its Guard, Civic Officers, and the appointer of its ‘Great Admiral’ who oversees the wellbeing of its ships.

A major player within the political landscape of the City remains the 'Worshipful Company of Vanuunder' a large shipping and trade concern that deals in the mass transportation of goods and raw resources across Trevast and beyond. This Company has grown fat in recent years off the profits of war, and its warehouses and transport ships are a common sight around the land.


Economy

It is ultimately the economy that makes the City of Vaanunder what it is today. Built on the backs of trade and commerce, it is the Vaanunders docks and network of canal trading that has enabled it to thrive, with a blend of port tariffs, market squares and canal/shipping routes across the Kingdom of Galatheon and then the wider nation of Trevast.

In many ways the City and its Council drives forward commercial interests above and beyond anything else, meaning that the state boasts low taxes and a wealthy middle class. The City is known for its wide collection of 'Cafes' which house numerous dens for vice and excess, such as the consumption of opiates and th solicitation of women. Key areas of the economy include shipping brokerages, metal assaying, gambling, finance and ship construction.

Much of the economic activity within the city is focused around the following areas. Much of the City is built around the waterways and canals which it dominates, enabling the Guilds to collect fees for those wishin passage through its waters. Alongside this, much of the City is elevated on bridges and stilts above the Water - with many markets to be found hanging from the bridges and over boats in the water.


The Dye Mills

Found on the outskirts of the City, backed up against its walls, the Dye Mills are to be found. It is here the the Guilds of Dye Traders oversee the production of Dyed cloth to be transported across the world. Such is the pride that they take in their work that the Traders of Vaanunder send prize cuts of dyed cloth to the Queen, Aelin of Galatheon each year.

The Docks
One of the largest parts of the City, the Docks service vast numbers of canal boats, barges and transoceanic trading vessels, all to be unloaded by the stevedores of the Vaanunder. It is here that goods of all manner and description are sent across the continent. The docks are looked after by the Market Guard, who inspect incoming goods and ensure that tariffs and fees are paid.
This area is home to the Worshipful Company of Vanuunder.

The Markets
Also policed by the Market Guard are the three central trading areas in the City, the Food and Livestock Market, the Cloth and Trade Market, and the Spices Market (one of the largest in Trevast). Owned by the City itself, the Markets dominate trade in the area, and many of the local commoners have their livelihoods dependant on its workings.

The Gambling Quarter
One of the few areas in Trevast in which games of Chance, of the Card and Dice, are deemed legal, this section of the City can be found on three bridges across the river. Houses of Card and Dice can be seen hanging from the Side of the Bridges, as precariously as the legality of the activities carried out within. The Government of the City has a policy to allow the bridges to self-police, thanks to the income they bring to the Cities coffers - and in so long as their issues do not flow over into the rest of the City, they are left alone.

The Luskan Quarter
So known thanks to its large population of Luskan immigrants, the Luskan Quarter is famed for its Cafes - which are oft surrounded by opiate haze - as well as its 'Societies' which are little more than groups of Luskans from certain counties and regions of the country who band together and form Community Societies, often with Gang Like Control over certain streets and buildings in the Quarter.

The Town Hall
Resting at the very heart of the City lies the Town Hall, and it is here that the large scale trade deals with other nations are struck. Coming together as one body to negotiate with other nations and cities, the Town Hall and its body of Alderman have been known to negotiate massive deals on behalf of the City, or the wider state itself. The Hall is also home to the Lord Mayor of the Settlement and is protected by liveried marines.


Status & Privilege

As part of the formulation of the City, it has been afforded certain rights which enable it to continue to operate, these are as follows:

• You can levy your own taxes on your city and its surrounding populace. You will pay a portion of your income (20%) to the crown.
  
  
• You have the right to your own armed forces which may not exceed 15,000 men.
  
  
• You get to decide whether or not you will answer a call to arms, but be warned, refusal may have varying results.
  
  
• You get to sit on both the Council of Burgers and the Assembly of Mayors.
  
  
• You are only answerable to Her/His Majesty the Queen.

Armed Forces

Like all Free Cities, the Free City of Vaanunder has a military upon which it can call in times of need. Split between the Navy (upon which it places greater importance) and the Army (numbering 10,000.00 standing men) it relies extensively on mercenaries should it be required to call a muster, so that its standing army can remain in the protection of the City.

Navy

The most important element of the City's defenses and its power projection is its Navy, and this Navy is made up of several vessels split into the ‘Heavy’ and ‘Light’ Class. On the right can be shown one of the Cities ten Carracks, a sail vessel of the heavy class, used for acts of Privateering and Security in times of war, and without.

The rest of the Navy comes in the form of forty barges, river and coastal vessels capable of carrying large numbers of troops and supplies. They are used to track down and police criminals and warmongers on the rivers and canals of Galatheon, and can be powered by sail, or by the strength of oar.

Army

The Company of Pikemen form the bulk of the armed forces of the city, numbering at 3,500.00 men, supported by 1,000.00 halberdiers and 500.00 crossbowmen. Outsie of wartime, the Pikemen carry ‘Bills’ with them when on patrol, and form a detail made up of 10 men, one of which armed with a crossbow, 7 with bills and 2 with halberds.

Outside of this group can be found the 1,000.00 man strong ‘Merchant Guard’  who form a light infantry and foot force, armed with staves and swords to protect the market squares and the council itself.

The Marines force however is one feared outside of the City, and are often found on the ships of the Free City. Equipped with light coifs, and bardiche, swords and halberds, they are well trained and form a prestigious force on the rivers and seas of trevast.

During times of war, the army is known to hire large numbers of Mercenaries, and it is not uncommon for only the Merchant Guard and Marines to be deployed outside of the City confines. When in battle, the Merchant Guard normally take to their horses and form a mix of shock troopers and guards for the Mayor, while the Marines take to their ships.

Culture

Commerce, haggling and trade are the very lifeblood of the City of Vaanunder, and the Culture of the City shows this in all its splendour. Regular feast days take place, and a great many of the merchants in the City place a huge pride on their appearance, and the showmanship of their homes - all the better to display their wealth and success. Jewels are common on both men and women, as are fine clothes and perfumes - with foods and spices commonplace on the table, more as a show of wealth than a requirement of nourishment.