New-Santhala, Sangui Province, Southern Sarvonia

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The Great City of New-Santhala

Capital of the United Kingdom's of Santharia

Sangui Province, Southern Sarvonia

_" “But sir, you were going the opposite direction from New-Santhala,” Fox said.
Sordoc did not seem to hear her.
"Tell those talentless hacks at the New-Santhalan Society for the Literary Arts that Sordoc the Great
had given such a phenomenal performance at the Laughing Horse Tavern last night,
to which his inspiring songs and magnificent poetry and amazing arrangements
of interpreted dance caused Sordoc the Great to be ‘ooo’ed at with such high praise!
The crowd was so thankful that they even offered Sordoc the Great their ripe produce for his grand performance!” _"

Adventure of the Northern Shadow, Chapter II - Rayne Avalotus, Compendiumist

Overview

Within the vast capital of the United Kingdoms of Santharia lies the throne of their regent, the Santhran, and his guiding Council of the Linked Hands, a symbol of their unity. Once a small Eyelian town called Quia'antá, huddled against the murky banks of the Thaehelvil River, it was appointed as the capital of the nascent country by their first regent, Santhros the Wise, and renamed to New-Santhala some hundred years later by the Santhranna Sirthala I. New-Santhala is the home and haunt of many of Caelereth’s most illustrious celebrities and guilds, as well as a display of all the vibrant palettes of Southern Sarvonia’s most wondrous and enigmatic peoples, drawn from across the continents. Here can be found a true confluence of the cultural diversity of Santharia. Every shade is duly represented within the city’s all-encompassing walls…a world all unto itself.

Description

New-Santhala is an enormous metropolis of around 160,000 denizens, arguably the most populous city in all of Santharia, although it cannot claim to be the oldest. The city itself is built upon the banks of the Yellow Wanderer river (Tháeh'helvíl, in Styrash), which flows southwards through the western half of the city. The river supports a network of canals that spread throughout the city. Built in 356 a.S., they facilitate the transport of goods and help divide the city into manageable zones, as well as a complex sewer system. The eastern side of the city rises up upon a hill, officially (and rather laboriously) entitled 'The Seat of Great Harmony'; laconically nicknamed The Chair by the city’s youth. This upwards slope means the city’s canals only course through the lower quarters of the city, encircling the hill upon which the Palace stands.

The city is home to representatives from all the civilised races in Southern Sarvonia: humans, elves, dwarves, halflings and even brownies. The strong sense of brotherhood and unity felt by the people of Santharia means that the city has a largely homogeneous distribution of population demographics. Dwarves might toil in workshops beneath a family of wealthy Kyranians whilst an elven couple across the street sing a duet from their window, perhaps. Of course, economic divisions keep much of the city’s population confined to the considerably expansive Banner Districts contained in the lower, western and southern portions of the city, whilst the rich peer out from atop their Seat of Great Harmony. Any guild or organization worth their salt in Santharia have an office in New-Santhala, too, meaning the city experiences a high number of courier traffic with other large cities.

Canalisation has enabled the royal engineers to construct a convoluted, truly byzantine warren of sewers that honeycomb beneath the bustling streets, sluicing waste out from communal dumping wells (in the lower quarters) and stone leaden plumbing, draining out beneath the city walls, into the Yellow Wanderer. This pursuit of cleanliness has come at a cost, however. Aside from exorbitant maintenance costs, criminal gangs and other amoral individuals have been known to make nefarious use of the tunnels...

Key Locations

New-Santhala is formally divided into a number of districts, each uniquely identifiable, with their own traditions and quirks. Whilst they’re not all officially designated, for example the Rafters is classified simply as a residential zone included under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of the Banner Districts, any New-Santhalan knows that the Rafters is a very different place to the rest of the Banner Districts. Each officially recognized district is administrated by an appointed Mayor - or Lord Mayor for the Blue Towers and the Purple Fold district - and an assembly of Councilors that are sourced from figures of local repute, who are invited to assembly by the Mayor. Other administrative offices are mentioned under the Government & Organisation section. The districts are as follows:

Districts & Neighbourhoods

See full article here

The great city of New-Santhala is divided into a collection of neighbourhoods and districts, each indentifable by their unqiue character or service to the City. Many of the districts have their roots in both the more recent and the ancient history of the region. The premiers of the City have historically made use of these districts to organise the City into easily administered zones; this tradition has since been formalised and enshrined in the City's legal code and official management.

Location

New-Santhala is centrally situated within Rimmeran’s Ring, also called King’s Hollow; a long, circular range of mountains in central Sanguia, chosen for its neutral proximity and central location within the (then) newly formed Kingdom; the wondrous defensibility of the Ring; its location both to the arterial Yellow Wanderer River and the rich fertility of its delta at the Thaevelhil Estuary; and lastly its proximity to the sheltered Gulf of Maraya. The historical figure Santhros Salazath had anticipated the demand that New-Santhala, a city he knew would grow to immense sizes, would incur in terms of produce and resources. In this he chose wisely: New-Santhala enjoys the bounteous harvest of the Jyth Farmlands to the east and the Parish to the west, agrarian harvests from the Estuary join bounties shipped from across the Gulf to be sent upstream to the city.

New-Santhala dominates what is known as the Sarvonian Midlands, what is in essence most of the province of Sanguia. To the east of the city is the town of Jyth, once a sleepy and humble place, sitting lazily atop its fertile farmland, now a heaving, industrious settlement that works tirelessly to feed the hungry needy mouths of the west – the queer, high-stakes environment of Jyth has given rise to a number of ruthless homesteaders who call themselves the “Farmlords”, a bizarre yet ruthless bunch. To the southeast is the city of Onved, historical seat of the Duke of Huiscen in Manthria, and the mountain pass that leads to beyond Sanguia. The Thaehelvil enters from the northwestern mountains, beneath the Dark Hills, before running down through the city and out again into the southwest. Just west of New-Santhala, merging with the pastoral Parish district of the city, are the Royal Winelands and the Hinterhills, a steeply inclined bundle of hills. Lastly, just north of the city is the sprawling Giftlands, a flat expanse of grassland used almost exclusively for royal leisure: tourneys, festivals, races and other forms of royal revelry. It is also where the royal stables are kept.

There are numerous other interesting locations that populate the Ring, such as the allegedly cursed Scythe Grove to the north and sombre residents of the adjacent village of Thaak, the Warden towers and the nestled folds of the Hinterhills.

Government & Organisation

The Palace is the traditional seat of government of the United Kingdoms of Santharia, after the first regent Santhros Salazath the Wise moved the new capital to the humble Eyelian town of Quia'antá. The King, or Santhran, rules from the court of his throne room, known as the Ivory Gallery. Here he gathers the Royal Court: a collection of nobles and permitted attendants drawn from the people of the city, such as aristocrats, artisans and diplomatic parties. Those who seek an audience with the Santhran must present themselves before their liege and his court. Also present is the Council of the Linked Hands, seated in a crescent to the left-hand side of the throne, composed of the eight Thanes who rule the eight provinces of Santharia; the local Lord of the City, as well as the Avá'ránn, the leader of the High Elven Circle; the clan chieftains of the Theregrim; and lastly, representatives sent by the Halfling and Brownie tribes. It must be noted, however, that the Council is rarely present in its entirety. The importance and responsibilities of many of its members means that they usually cannot attend regular courts. Thus, the Council of the Linked Hands is more often a collection of appointed emissaries that maintain residence at the court. The responsibility of the Royal Court is to provide council for the Santhran. They are obliged to weigh in on the matters discussed during his audience, although they hold no special powers over the Santhran. The Council of the Linked Hands, however, do hold some sway: they may object to and veto the Santhran's fiat, and may conduct a Thanemoot to appoint a new Santhran when there is no heir apparent. The Council of the Linked Hands and the Santhran maintain a tenuous yet distinctive balance of power over the Kingdom.

Running the day-to-day intricacies of the Palace itself, as well as the greater Palace complex (the warehouses, stables, chamber quarters, servants quarters etc.) is the Royal Seneschal. He holds considerable sway over the daily life of the Palace and its resident court; deciding what they eat, their entertainment, their servants, attending to their schedules. As expected of someone in such a position, the Royal Seneschal is constantly aware of what happens inside the Palace walls, privy to the utmost detail. It is said that he has eyes upon the walls, that follow you with their gaze as you wander, oblivious. Less reputable rumors claim the Seneschal to be a clandestine mage, supposedly well versed in arts that aid him in his duties. Indeed, whenever the Seneschal is replaced, it has always been by someone previously unknown, a candidate drawn from beyond the city, appointed through an opaque decision process known only the Santhran and his Hands...

The city of New-Santhala is structured into a number of formal districts, each of which are placed under the administrative jurisdiction of an appointed Mayor or Lord Mayor. They are all present in some form at court, and report directly to the Lord of the City. The Lord of the City lives permanently in the Palace, where he directs its daily maintenance such as providing approval for major construction projects, adjudicating disputes between district officials, and receiving political guests in the absence of the Santhran. The Lord of the City holds the highest rank beneath the Santhran himself, equal to that of a Thane; in times of the Santhran's absence, he assumes much of the judicial duties at court. The Lord of the City is a historic title dating back to the Tharian Kingdom, drawn from the old families that had lead the Voldarian Council before the ascension of Santhros Salazath. The title had traditionally run within the Duke of Graeyerwýnn's family, passed down between second sons until around 982 a.S. when the old dynasty, the House of Ephea, abruptly ended as the result of a sudden outbreak of the Blood Death plague. They were succeeded by the middling House of Balthoram, a merchant family that had impressed the Santhran with their stoic and compassionate aid to the city during the outbreak. The House of Balthoram has held the office since, and now reside in New-Santhala.

The security of the city is handed over to three armed bodies. The first are the Militia, who are trained and armed within the city barracks. Drawn from the common crowd, they are given food and board in exchange for their service. Their power extends to arrests and peacekeeping. Violence between the Militia and the populace is frowned upon by the city's leaders. The Militia's primary purpose is to patrol the streets and maintain the presence of the Santhran's Peace, the rule of law in the city. These restrictions have lead to the Militia being a somewhat disregarded force, little more than muzzled dogs who can't do much more than bark for their masters to come investigate. They are armed with cudgels and billhooks for subduing aggressors, nothing more.

The city's enforcement thus falls primarily on the Silvershields. They are comprised of experienced soldiers drawn from campaign-seasoned men-at-arms from across the Kingdom, as well as long-serving militiamen. They are provided with steel, scaled armor and the icon silver-painted bucklers from which they get their name. The Silvershields, rather unlike the Militia, have a reputation for violence. They reside in their barracks in Bastion Ring, or can be found patrolling the Purple Fold and Blue Towers. They are summoned whenever the violence surmounts the power of the Militia; escalated bar fights, riots and ethnic violence will all receive a visit form the Silvershields. Many of these men also serve as a detectives, investigating any sordid activity across the city.

Lastly, the great walls of the city itself are manned by the Order of the Towers. These highly trained men and women are drawn from across the Kingdoms to serve. The Order is irreligious, unlike most others of its kind; they are a solely martial company who's only duty is the protection of New-Santhala. Their chapterhouse is situated in the Bastion Ring, and they maintain four independent outposts, the Four Wardens, at each of the four compass orientations.

Politics

Quote

"The growling, writhing form of New-Santhalan politics sets the standard for much of the realm. It's fitful outbursts are sorely felt amongst the far flung capitals, yet dozens of hopeful aristocrats flock to these principle courts each year, to participate in the grand game of New-Santhalan politicking. An art consuming many yet mastered by few; upon the sloping citrine gantries of the Royal Court one will find the atrophied mannequins of the long-serving courtiers. Behind the purple curtains turn a thousand sharp-toothed gears and concealed brass instruments, hunting for something soft and vulnerable."

- The Orchid of Santharia - Camerae of Voldar, published 908 a.S.

Much can be said of Santharian politics. The efforts of the Santhrans to maintain peace and eradicate ethnic tensions between the disparate peoples of the Kingdoms has been commendable, but not without cost. For every vibrant leaf that emerges in spring, the ascerbic, leaden tongue of an ancient court gremlin falls silent, punished by the impetuousness that sustains the heart of the realm. As Camerae of Voldar mentions in his short but expertly scathing critique of New-Santhalan politics, the Orchid of Santharia, despite the odiousness of the courts, the positive ripples of its machinations can truly be felt, if one is prescient enough to align the gale with the fluttering of the flutterby's wings. For example, in Voldar the squalid poor are considered a nuisance and a public sore, a pulsating boil that puts the proud city to shame; that is, of course, how the purple cloth of Voldar sees their people. It is no secret that the Erpheronians, a preoccupied people at the best of times, are not the most charitable demos of Santharia. And yet, as Camerae informs us, it is not the lofty hand of Voldar's elite that shelter and feed their poor, but the long stilted fingers of false-compassionate peers in New-Santhala, currying favour with the Santhran and the Hands. Grain, blankets and convoys of nurses all find their way into the city walls shortly before the turning crucible of winter each year.

The crown of the Royal Court is well defined: the Santhran, the Thanes and rulers that compose the Hands, and the various shapes of the city Mayors. Beneath then, however, is a tangle of minor and major land-owners, the stupendously rich and the outstandingly prestigious, heavy-bellied magnates hailing Quayside and leather-faced Farmlords from Jyth, and a hundred gaudy saplings in between. New-Santhala's status as the capital of the realm makes it an obvious magnet for those seeking power and wealth, but there are a multitude of attractions that draw fresh hopefuls. Culture, magnificence, education - each have their reasons. However, it must be said that for many the naive dreams of quick riches and the opulence of the court are soon dashed upon the Palace's alabaster walls. Beyond the crystalline calm of the Ivory Gallery is the swirling maelstrom of ambition, hatred and hunger, a fact that too many learn to late, deluded as they are by the tableau of rich colour and glittering golden smiles.

Perhaps what sets the political games of New-Santhala apart from the rest of the realm is the sheer confluence of power that passes through the nexus of the Court; it is only here that the eights Thanes, the most powerful men in the Kingdoms, all meet with any regularity, where their wills converge and inevitably conflict. Vast sums of moneys, burlap-wrapped chests hidden on nondescript barges, pass through the Yellow Wanderer each week. Exotic goods and contraband from Ximax, Nybelmar and R'unor find their way into the rickety warehouses along the Wharves, destined for the cellars of far-flung estates. However, despite the high stakes and terrific electricity of the Royal Court, every hidden pulled lever and clockwork agent adheres to a certain standard. Perhaps as a point of local pride, or maybe in favour of civility, but the politics of New-Santhala are noticeably cleaner than perhaps that of Marcogg or the brutal sprawl of Thalambath. Assassinations are rare, kinship is respected and a degree of respect is afforded the poor of the city. Camerae of Voldar suggests this is a part of Santhros the Wise's legacy; a virulent love for the common good that has survived even before the blinding light of the rivers of gold that flow like leylines into the city.

People

It’s sheer size and status as the Kingdom’s capital means that New-Santhala is a city full of people - all types of people. Most of the city’s denizens are humans, primarily of Erpheronian, Eyelian and Avennonorian heritage, but also with populated enclaves from the rest of the major human tribes. Mitharim, Tenthrum and Boltgrumms dwarves can all be found in relatively large numbers, congregated in their bustling clan halls in the Banner Districts and in small below-ground gatherings in the Parish. A remarkable result of New-Santhala’s magnetic attraction as the centre of Southern Sarvonia is the sheer variety of elves that one might find wandering its narrow streets - elves being famous for their particular elusiveness, of course.¹ Though they gather only in small numbers, one might see more than the simply egregious Quaelhoirhim, throngs of uncomfortable-looking Eophyrhim, or the more illustrious Aellenrhim from Bolder Forest. Small, diplomatic parties from the Ylfferhim and Tethinrhim elves can also be found within the luxurious apartments of the Purple Fold, the towering, opulent chambers of the Palace, or even tucked away in endless halls of the Blue Towers.

The rough nature of the Banner Districts makes it a relatively unsuitable place for the smaller races to live there, although the Theregrim that choose to settle in New-Santhala get by well enough. Gnomes typically choose to live in the Seller’s Quarter, where they are able to pursue their crafts free from unnecessary distractions. Their workshops stretch out behind their shopfronts, tightly packed and high-risen. There are only a few gnomes in New-Santhala, and most of them are traditional Daran gnomes who have migrated from across the continent, although the variety the city offers is a growing allure for any Gnorian gnome who seeks the unexplored for his work. From just south of New-Santhala, from the Shire of Elenveran, hobbits suffering from the first stages of Longstriding will often pass through the city – where they typically meet hobbits from other Shires who caught the urge – and some even opt to settle! These intrepid halflings are typically found in the markets, jovially enjoying the variety of foodstuffs that pass under their nose.

The banks of the Yellow Wanderer support the brusque, hectic eco-system of the Wharves, a string of docks and warehouse estates, sailor’s taverns and clubhouses and low-cost housing that are somewhat renowned for their ill repute. The pungently odorous Wharves are home to a unique cast of eccentric residents and travelers. Many of the continent’s strangest will at some time find themselves disembarking onto the mealy rotten piers long the east banks of the Thaehelvil. Orcs of many shades from Northern Sarvonia, bewildered Remusians, industrious Gondolwenmith from far Nybelmar, and prickly-looking Kasumarii can all fleetingly be seen in New-Santhala, although few stay long enough for their numbers to be counted.

New-Santhala has long since been the place of residence for many of Caelereth’s most illustrious and lauded celebrities, primarily because of the presence of the Sage and Compendiumist Artimidor Federkiel. Recently, hundreds of the world’s finest scholars have flocked to work by his side in development of the monolithic Compendium. Tales of their travels and achievements are commonplace in almost every house of gathering across the land, and New-Santhala is no different. Their multitudes are too numerous to discuss here, of course, but any discerning citizen of the realm will be well acquainted with such tales already, no doubt.

Guilds & Orders

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The royal will of the Santhran of The United Kingdoms is at times carried out by the Orders of Santharia, whose influence extend across much of Sarvonia. The Orders are collections of men and women who are sworn toward a cause they have deemed noble, in ultimate service of the Santhran. Not all Orders are recognised by the Santhran, nor are all righteous. In this we are only concerned with those Orders that have been awarded a Writ of Patronage by the Council of Linked Hands. Nor do all of the Orders of Santharia hold chapterhouses in New-Santhala, such as the Order of the Fallen, for example, and so will not be found here.

Furthermore, the citizens of Santharia are free to form collectives of their own that do not directly swear fealty to the Santhran. These are the Guilds of Santharia. They hold rigid the spine of much of the city's - and continent's - industry. Their pursuits are varied, and perhaps at times unsavoury. But all are sworn to the Guildhall, itself a company holding homage to the Santhran himself. It is to this elective that the numerous guilds of Santharia must answer to, in their conduct and fealty. All those that wish to do business under the protection of the Santhran's peace must register and bow before the Guildhall and the Santhran.

Coat of Arms

The city herald is a relic of the locale's Eyelian heritage. Although the colours are flown beneath the linked hands of the Kingdoms, it is no less recognisable to those who call New-Santhala home. The earliest written record of the sigil as it exists today can be found in the Gathu Dithering's Vexilla of Sarvonia:

Quote

"Upon a field parted per cross nor'sid and barsa, beneath a bold mantle of accented korwyn and nor'sid. Atop rests an Eyelian-styled crown of corded white, bearing a fluted crest of eagle feathers with mottling. As per the Eyelian tradition of sparsity and humbleness, the herald lacks the grandeur of the northern clans and the vibrancy of the pursuant south. Nevertheless, the herald of A'agna is exemplar of the Eyelian way. Influences of the midlander's tradition can be seen in roots of Caltharia and surrounding lands. Indeed, the resplendent feathers exhibited in crests typical of Quia'antá can too be found in the colours of certain Voldarian clans, such is their legacy."

Whilst archaic, Dithering's treatment of the old Eyelian banners gives us much insight into the current standard of New-Santhala, which is noticeably more extravagant. The colours have remained, but the heraldic achievement itself has been fused with a number of elements typical of both southern, midland and northern traditions, as well as according to modern fashion trends. The shield remains quartered, now between a deep nor'sidian black and crisp white; centered is a golden sphere encircled with black to reflect the Rimmeran's Ring. These colours are typically flown under the Santharian banner atop the Palace and city gatehouses, and also adorns the shields of the city militia. The heraldic achievement itself (the crest) includes a plated helm in the Erpheronian style, burnished steel and crowned with a corded wreath of nor'sidian black and white cloth. A bold plume of eagle feathers crest the helm and are all stridently gold; a heavy mantling flows from the helm, with the inside a creamy white and the outside black. Three charges flank the shield, consisting of a snarling grey wolf and golden eagle strident either side, and a looming bear behind the mantling, framing the crest in the very robust Voldarian fashion. The words Astride the Wanderer's Strength is often displayed upon a scroll beneath the shield, referring to the Yellow Wanderer that flows through the city, often considered one of the city's defining strengths.

The New-Santhalan coat of arms is revered by the people of New-Santhala, and many have taken the city's arms as influence for their own, typically incorporating the Eyelian social tradition of displaying the clan identities of eagle, bear and wolf into their own, according to either their heritage or the heritage of the land they claim ownership of. It is considered an offense to damage a flag or standard bearing the city colours, and the great heraldic achievements that adorn the city gates are regularly washed and repainted.

Climate

The city's weather is dictated mostly by the climatic temperament of the Ring. It is of great and serendipitous fortunate, then, that the Rimmerin's Ring serves to enshrine the jewel at the centre of the Kingdoms with year-round sunshine. Indeed: the buffering wall of the Ring keeps much of the unfavorable weather that blows in from the sea; just enough, so that the rains still fall in a timely fashion and the the sun shines prodigiously, year round. The outcome is the extraordinary pleasant periods of sunshine and warm rain that characterize the area. Many have stated that, in hindsight, upon leaving the city during their travels, they are left suffused with a glow that seems to tirelessly pursue their memories of the city. It is no surprise that paintings of the city, or much of the Ring in general, are typically depicted as illuminated by an almost celestial light. And, of course (as is the way of man), there is plenty of scholarly discussion on the historical intentions of Santhros and the Eyelian settlers that preceded him; as well as on the impact that Santhros' near-holy bequeathment has left on the minds of the city, as well as the spirit of the Kingdoms.².

Resources

New-Santhala isn’t known as a particularly industrious city. Its largest export is arguably (to the lawyer’s wit) legislature. However, it has its own certainly unique products. The Parish Winelands produce a number of expensive red wines such as Mandelbar’s Tharian Reserve, Purple Santh, and the extremely rare Vintner’s Sable.

   Jyth’s remarkable output is comprised mostly of wheat and bredden, sent directly to the warehouses within the city. There are numerous smaller vegetable fields and orchards scattered around the outskirts of the city; most of the land between the city and the foothills of the Rimmeran’s Ring is cultivated in one way or another.

   New-Santhala’s true strength in export comes from its luxury and craft goods. Wines and spirits are produced in large as a result of the Bottleworks and Royal Apothecary’s intense rivalry, resulting in a number of locally produced favourites that trickle down into the taverns, oftimes finding their way into the hulls of vessels bound for the Gulf. The famed Fymbel Association contributes significantly to the output of the city’s crafted goods.

   Books are one of New-Santhala’s premium exports. The presence of many of Caelereth’s finest scholars, and the Great Library in Blue Towers, means that a great variety of books can be found – indeed, in Blue Towers and Seller’s Quarters, there are numerous small bookshops tucked away, overlooking the canals or hidden within tight alleyways. A treasure trove of interesting books can be found here, and perhaps the largest collection of texts on magical matters outside of Ximax. A complementary trade to this is the abundance of educated scribes who provide the service of letter writing. Many of those who can afford their services, such as merchants in need of clerks, or administrative officials, will employ scribes to maintain their ledgers for them. The courier offices, or Letterhalls, of New-Santhala are some of the busiest in all of Caelereth, seeing a momentous amount of parchment through its doors daily. Because of this, some of the finest quillturners, those who fashion pens out of the feathers of the typical Arrowhead Goose, can be found residing in New-Santhala.

   Another, perhaps less tangible export is standardisation. Beneath the towering shadow of the Santhran’s Palace sits the Royal Mint, as well as the Sanguian Provincial Mint. From the Royal Mint, any changes to the standardised currency, introduced in 7 a.S. by Santhros the Wise, are first enacted. Likewise, the first official codifications of the Santharian measures and weights standard were written down by the scribes of the Royal Guildhall in 72 a.S., as decreed by Santhran Laenthris, shortly after the introduction of the completed Santharian Calendar.

Myths & Lore

Given the city's relative youth compared to much of Southern Sarvonia, the myth cycle of New-Santhala is less concerned with tales obscured by time. Instead, much of the city's lore exists in an oral tradition that enjoys considerabl historical legitimacy. There are, of course, many tales that defy investigation. The body of lore associated with the city's characters is considerable, therefore. This section will recant some of the better known tales that have their origins in the years after Santhros' ascension and the founding of New-Santhala.

The Dwyn Feuds. Perhaps the most famous incident involving the notorious Farmlords from Jyth, to the east of the city. The Dwyn Feuds were a series of events that lead to an all-out civil war between two the largest Farmlords, both members of the foremost Dwyn family that supplied almost a third of the city with its daily grain quota. Common agreements puts the start of the events in 710 a.S., after Gamon and Tarrot, the two eldest scions of the family at the time, fought over the inheritence of a palatial manor in the Parish. The feud escalated as Gamon Dwyn, far less scrupulous than his brother, sought to sabotage and stain Tarrot's name amongst the family and their clients in the city. In response, Tarrot took arms against his brother, leading to a number of altercations involving many farmhands, culminating in the Battle of Bridgeward, a pitched battle involving some 800 farmhands. As tensions escalated, men-at-arms looking for a fight flooded into Jyth, and the rest of the Farmlords found themselves in the growing conflict. Support generally leaned towards Tarrot, given he was the older son and more amicable towards his fellow farmers. Gamon had the good sense to bargain for the support of the city nobles, however, and soon the fight found its way into the city. Various brigand parties skirmished within the streets, resulting in numerous deaths, arrests and the fielding of the Silvershields. Gamon's death in 715 a.S. (of natural causes - he choked on a lamprey pie) only lowered the flames. Drisgruntled members of the servile clans continued the unrest at a slow burn for another 11 years, under Gamon's banner. Eventually, the Fued officially ended with the mass rounding-up and hanging of over a hundred dissidents in 726 a.S., from Jyth, the city and as far away as Marcogg. The Dwyn Feuds resulted in the widescale restructering of land-ownership in Jyth - however, the old system remained and Jyth retained its independance from the crown.

The Sunshine Riots & Amor dal Vanatha's Last Show

Secession of Ruse, Dermot and the Last Vermin King

History

See full article here

Footenotes:
[1] This entry to the Compendium has been written - as one might have already guessed - by a scholar bereft of elven heritage. Not that this is manifest in a lack of knowledge (far from it!), but perhaps certain passages allude to the traditional psyche of the more social races of Santharia. This footnote is, of course, a long-winded excuse for my allusion to popular Santharian stereotypes. To any readers of elven stock: iú glásáj

[2] The discussion around how the extraordinarily pleasant weather of the Rimmerin's Ring has worked to reduce conflict and strengthen the idyllic Santharian spirit of co-operation and humanity is quite interesting. Scholars, writing from historical, philosophical and theological standpoints have all sought to have their say. I will include an abstract of the academic oeuvre here, if only to indulge myself. Writing from Thalambath,Dazen Qaa (notoriously known for his pruned features, love for the baths at Norong'sorno, and lamentation for the isolationary practices of Thalambath) claimed that being so constantly gifted by the skies with agreeable, non-too-severe weather has lead to the people of New-Santhala being like sleepy hounds before a hearth; languid, unwilling to snarl at eachother, apathetic to their natural urges for roughhousing - he cites the strained atmosphere in Truban as a counterpoint; where the sun cooks the brain like eggs. [/list]