Name: Ravnglade
Leaders: The Ravnglade Council
Type: Free City
Location: Northern coast of the Mainlands
Monetary unit: Common Standard
Ethnicity/Race: Principally human
Language: Common
Religion: Varied
Climate: Four seasons on the warmer side
Resources: Fishing
Flora and Fauna: As Ravnglade is simply a city along the Northern Coast of the Mainlands, most of the surrounding land belongs to Haven and to the Nation to the East. But in the lands and water immediately surrounding the city, one can find a variety of life.
Plantlife is a direct reflection of the wide range of temperatures that the temperate coastal city experiences within a year. Plants are hardy enough to experience the hot, swampy summers and the snowy, chilly winters. Three of the most affluent trees are pine, cypress, and maple.
The distribution of animals is even more diverse because Ravnglade’s history includes the continuous influx of races. This resulted in an extremely complex migration of animals from all corners of the world.
In the city itself, animal life has learned to thrive. From the common alley cat and sewer rat to more unique animals like the Tanuki, a type of raccoon dog, and the poisonous yellow throated lizard. Migratory birds like the Vakia Duck visit year after year.
In the outskirts of town, the indigenous wild animals make more of an appearance; including the crested serpent eagle, the flying fox, and white-tailed deer.
Within the waters off Ravnglade, Brightly colored tropical coral fish, turtles, and sea snakes flourish. The dark waters are also home to the black finless porpoise, which can be seen chasing the wake of the numerous trade ships that frequent the bay. Further out to sea are colonies of sea lions, frilled shark, and beaked whales.
History: Ravnglade is a unique type of city, its a free port, but with only a small amount of surrounding lands and a councillorship as a ruling body. It is not a kingdom and not really a nation, so it is hard to qualify. Its owned by none and yet by all. For dwarf, elf, halfling and even the darker races like drow and ogre can all be found within its walls. Primarily, it is a marketplace, and it is that marketplace that made the city what it is today.
Centuries ago, the area now known as Haven was the northernmost edge of the elven nation of Arirum Nyefel. They lived as secluded neighbors with the barbarian plainsmen of Elshallen and the two people managed a respectful truce. Across the sea, however, the imperialistic Principality of Proudglaive had conquered all within its continent. The isolated people of the Mainland feared the greedy Prince would soon seek additional lands across the sea. An alliance was drawn up between Elshallen and Arirum Nyefel. And in a desperate attempt to still off war, a trade route was opened up between the Mainlands and Proudglaive. The hope was that mutual commerce and peace were better for everyone than conquest and war. Fortunately, it worked.
At the start, the Market was open the first weekend of every month. But quickly reworked its schedule to remain open year around. The neutral land between the three nations drew not only men from nearby nations but world wide. As bickering started between the tradesmen over problems both big and small, small arguments broke out and those quickly became fights. It was obvious the city needed a governing body. In 2805 vin the first Ravnglade Council gathered: three elves, three Elshallen and two members from other parts of the world.
Only a hundred years later, Arirum Nyefel fell under the Vampyre War, and Elshallen was torn apart by the untimely death of its entire ruling family. But by this time, Ravnglade was more than a marketplace, it was a city. The arena had been constructed, and regular events were held there. The Iron Citadel was the stronghold in the city, housing the Ravnguards and the Dark Watch. The port was finished and the Highway south was underway. Ravnglade, the free port and independent city-state was active.
Plantlife is a direct reflection of the wide range of temperatures that the temperate coastal city experiences within a year. Plants are hardy enough to experience the hot, swampy summers and the snowy, chilly winters. Three of the most affluent trees are pine, cypress, and maple.
The distribution of animals is even more diverse because Ravnglade’s history includes the continuous influx of races. This resulted in an extremely complex migration of animals from all corners of the world.
In the city itself, animal life has learned to thrive. From the common alley cat and sewer rat to more unique animals like the Tanuki, a type of raccoon dog, and the poisonous yellow throated lizard. Migratory birds like the Vakia Duck visit year after year.
In the outskirts of town, the indigenous wild animals make more of an appearance; including the crested serpent eagle, the flying fox, and white-tailed deer.
Within the waters off Ravnglade, Brightly colored tropical coral fish, turtles, and sea snakes flourish. The dark waters are also home to the black finless porpoise, which can be seen chasing the wake of the numerous trade ships that frequent the bay. Further out to sea are colonies of sea lions, frilled shark, and beaked whales.
History: Ravnglade is a unique type of city, its a free port, but with only a small amount of surrounding lands and a councillorship as a ruling body. It is not a kingdom and not really a nation, so it is hard to qualify. Its owned by none and yet by all. For dwarf, elf, halfling and even the darker races like drow and ogre can all be found within its walls. Primarily, it is a marketplace, and it is that marketplace that made the city what it is today.
Centuries ago, the area now known as Haven was the northernmost edge of the elven nation of Arirum Nyefel. They lived as secluded neighbors with the barbarian plainsmen of Elshallen and the two people managed a respectful truce. Across the sea, however, the imperialistic Principality of Proudglaive had conquered all within its continent. The isolated people of the Mainland feared the greedy Prince would soon seek additional lands across the sea. An alliance was drawn up between Elshallen and Arirum Nyefel. And in a desperate attempt to still off war, a trade route was opened up between the Mainlands and Proudglaive. The hope was that mutual commerce and peace were better for everyone than conquest and war. Fortunately, it worked.
At the start, the Market was open the first weekend of every month. But quickly reworked its schedule to remain open year around. The neutral land between the three nations drew not only men from nearby nations but world wide. As bickering started between the tradesmen over problems both big and small, small arguments broke out and those quickly became fights. It was obvious the city needed a governing body. In 2805 vin the first Ravnglade Council gathered: three elves, three Elshallen and two members from other parts of the world.
Only a hundred years later, Arirum Nyefel fell under the Vampyre War, and Elshallen was torn apart by the untimely death of its entire ruling family. But by this time, Ravnglade was more than a marketplace, it was a city. The arena had been constructed, and regular events were held there. The Iron Citadel was the stronghold in the city, housing the Ravnguards and the Dark Watch. The port was finished and the Highway south was underway. Ravnglade, the free port and independent city-state was active.
Notable & Notorious Individuals
