Free Cities
History
Life in the Free Cities
Though the populations of the Free Cities are predominantly Svaald, Human, and High Elf, the Free Cities have served as a racial melting-pot and half-breeds are considered fairly commonplace. The largest svaaldi populations are in the two most northern cities, Isenroth and Avemroth. Due to having the shared history of being descended from slaves, there is very little prejudice between the elven, human, and svaaldi residents of the Free Cities, and these races live and work well together.
Uncomfortable in a society built by the Faerie, manny Wild Elves fled south to the Divided Lands and formed tribes with which they staked a claim and built their livelihoods according to their Old Ways. They occasionally interact and trade with the Free Cities. Their Elari masters, however, are especially feared and loathed in the Free Cities. Though very rarely are they seen, and are often killed on sight.
Faerie, on the other hand, hold high positions of influence, many having their own towers within the cities. Draeken are also fairly prevalent in the Cities and surrounding areas, and are not as reclusive as in other parts of the world. While not revered as Drakes, they are highly respected throughout the Cities.
Dragons, while not common (certainly not as common as they were once rumored to be), can occasionally be found within the borders of the cities' territories. They are revered and never hunted. Often, small towns and villages will leave offerings to dragons if they are spotted. Dragonscale armor is very rare in the cities, and unless the wearer is a member of the Guild of Scales, owning such armor may lead to arrest or even death, as wearing the scales of a dragon that were not freely given is considered akin to blasphemy.
Guilds
Almost every profession in the Free Cities is monitored or directly controlled by the Guilds of the Free Cities. No merchant may conduct business within the Free Cities without membership or sanctioning by of one of the many mercantile guilds, the mages' guild, or the sorcerers' guild.