Marked on many maps as Karadeen (which simply means ‘city walls’ in Elvish), the Free Cities form the center of commerce for the Storm Coast. The mouth of the North River is the crossing point for all of the communities on the Coast; and the river forms a line of communication and trade to the rest of the continent. To the introverted Elven Empire, Karadeen is synonymous with smuggling and piracy, and forms an unwanted barrier against direct trade with the North. It is considered the biggest external threat to the security and health of the Empire. The Free Cities, particularly Flamekeep, has a large community of Boreal Elves and imperial exiles the many of the Noble Houses believe act as spies.
The Free Cities originally grew from small communities of travelers who came from the North and settled where the river met the sea. In fact, though not a well known fact, the first communities were started by Halfling and Gnome Nomads from the lands known as ‘The Provinces,’ far to the north. The first walled settlement was actually the doomed city of Ekulon. These days, it is not uncommon for traders and explorers to arrive from the north coming downriver. Sailing ships can traverse the river for almost five hundred miles and then river barges and smaller boats can be used to transport people and cargo further. The river brings hundreds of travelers into the Storm Coast community every year. These traders very rarely head back up into the northern provinces. Commonly, such traders become very wealthy by selling their exotic goods and settle here.
The Free Cities are the most cosmopolitan places in the south. They have become centers of international trade by sea and by land. Most trade routes around the Storm Coast begin or end in one of the free cities. More exotic goods can then be transported north away from the Storm Coast for huge profits if an adventurous enough trader can be found. It is said that the lands in the north will pay exceedingly well for the weapons of the Three Kingdoms, the textiles of An’ia and Torqueshae, and any imperial Elven crafts. All that being said, traders heading north are far less common than traders coming out of the north. The journey is not an easy one and it is unusual for anyone to take the trip more than once in their lifetime.
Though the Free Cities are commonly lumped together as a political entity, they are actually a number of large self governed and competing mini-states. These city-states trade with local farmers, fishermen and tradesmen for food and resources. The locals are taxed by the city government and in return are provided protection and support against the growing danger of raiders. Much of the land around the cities is sparsely populated with small farming villages. The rest of the land is largely untamed. In some cities, recent increased taxation of trade goods exported and imported has been an unpopular move and has intensified smuggling activities along the river.
The Three Kingdoms have important economic ties with the Free Cities. The Kingdoms sell goods through the Free Cities and they also tax products crossing their borders on the way to the North River. These import/export taxes are highly unpopular amongst the merchant houses. More dangerous routes around the mountains and long voyages via the sea are often chosen to increase the profitability of trading goods. These ‘smuggling’ activities have increased tensions in the Three Kingdoms and trading caravans are often raided, not be independent criminals, but by organized militia from local Kingdoms towns. Such raids can lead to full border disputes and there is a fear that war between the Kingdoms is on the horizon.
The cities are in competition with each other for the best trade treaties and shipping agreements with local and not so local merchant houses. This competition can turn quite nasty. Agents from other cities are not uncommon on the streets of a competing town trying to undermine their economy or cause other troubles. The Merchant Houses hold a lot of sway in the Cities. The interaction between these Houses, the City State governments, mercenary and militia forces can become quite complex. It takes an insightful student to be able to navigate the economic, political and military relationships on the streets of the Cities as they ebb and flow. However, such a student can find numerous ways to become wealthy or dead!
Flamekeep
Most renowned of the Free Cities is Flamekeep. It is named for the large lighthouse that guides ships into port. The flame on the top of the lighthouse has not gone out in a century. The light of the flame is amplified using strange alchemies and arrangements of mirrors. Not surprisingly, there are many legends and tales surrounding its nature.
This city is governed by a council of Sorcerers. It is rumored that they can see into the future. The facts are that the choicest goods and services have passed through this city for decades. Activities of enemy spies continue in the city but are rarely overtly successful. However, several infamous agents are still at large and many of the trade agreements that Flamekeep maintains are considered the juiciest targets for local competing economies.
Across the river from Flamekeep lies Ekulon, City of the Dead and the Plague Lands that border An’ia. Ekulon used to be a sister city to Flamekeep. However, several generations ago, a blood plague broke out in the city that threatened to spread along the entire river. The Flamekeep Council quarantined Ekulon, damning all of the inhabitants to a painful death. Ekulon now stands as a reminder of the Council’s hard approach to problem solving. Ekulon and its environs are now plague free. However, the city is said to be haunted by the doomed inhabitants of the city and their dread descendants. There is no doubt that brave smugglers use the ports of the haunted town as a base for operations, and that the city also houses numerous exiles and wanted criminals.
Flamekeep has become the center of commerce for the Storm Coast. Agents of the city and its Merchant Houses are common in the royal houses of all of the other nations. Rumors that Flamekeep might try to bring all of Karadeen under its governership are very common, but no overt moves have been made in that direction. There is no doubt that Flamekeep’s relations with the other City States are strained because of its success and its growing influence in the outlying areas.
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