Wydmoor Free City

The City of Wydmoor has been an autonomously governed city-state since it was occupied in 701 FI by Ubrekti heretics during the disunity of the Third Interregnum, who cleared much of the swamp and quickly picked up productive agriculture. When besieged by the forces of Odriss Rockheart several years later, the city was already able to hold out the six years it took Rockheart and the heretics to truce. The leader of the heretics renounced the heresy and accepted the Hadriarchy of Wydmoor Free City.

The city is governed by a mayor, who is elected by a yearly popular vote attended by those citizens who can afford the 1 SP required to vote. The Hadriarch of Wydmoor is a powerful figure as well. The centuries long pilgrimage trade has financed the construction of a great cathedral and helps maintain the city's defense force, provided by the Bog Wraiths, a mercenary company that operates out of Castle Wydmoor. It also helps pay for the Town Magius, usually hired from one of the great Universities. Administrative positions are appointed by the mayor from a pool of 100, chosen by lot among those who paid to cast a ballot. (The political system of the Free City is actually quite complex)

The walled section of the city is about 8 square miles, along with another several miles of tightly regulated urban space outside of Wydmoor Castle and the river harbor. Another 15 miles to the north and south of the city are dedicated to intensive agriculture, most of which is retained by the government for a harvest cycle (in reserve for seige) before being dispersed among the citizens and sold for profit.

Since the swamp effectively prevents access to Alexia, and the Bloodmane hills make travel to Odessa difficult, Wydmoor Free City is primarily influenced by Ubrekt to the south. While it's autonomy assures an unusually diverse population, Ubrekti is by far the most common heritage, and at least three quarters claim current or ancestral Ubrekti ties.