Mistcliff

Humans make up the majority of Mistcliff's population, particularly in the clifftop districts where Harding's influence is strongest. A few elves, dwarves and other races live in these districts as well, though the majority of non-humans make their homes in the coastal slums, oppressed by Wymare and his city guard, led by the ruthless Lionel Giffain.

Wymare Harding rules Mistcliff from his opulent mansion, overlooking the rest of the city from the rocky outcrop housing his favoured few. He actively oppresses many of his people, especially elves and dwarves, using the town guard as his own personal army. All trade through the city pays a tithe to him, which he portions out to a handful of his most loyal followers to keep them loyal.

Mistcliff is organised into three distinct districts, with two sitting atop the lush cliffs that inspire half the city's name. The Spires district stands apart from the city across a huge stone bridge. This is where the viscount's mansion stands, surrounded by opulent buildings and expensive stores. Across the bridge, the central square and merchant district stands, known collectively as Marble Heights. Finally, at the base of the cliffs lie the docks and largest residential area in Mistcliff. Here, the fog lies heavy in the lowest parts almost perpetually, often rising to shroud much more of the lower city. This are is known as Murktown, both with respect to the foggy clouds and the shadows cast by the tall cliffs and towers of The Spires.

Mistcliff has a long-standing history of tension with the kingdom at large, with more than one attempted revolution in its past. In 347, the viscount declared the town an independent state, but was quashed within a few months by the Avalyran military marching on the town. Then, in 400, the populace overthrew the viscount, installing their own queen, Genevieve Lawson, and seceded once more. This lasted several years, until the queen was killed in mysterious circumstances in 411. Her son, Alexander, took the throne, and soon swore fealty to the kingdom once more. After a period of simmering tensions, another revolution took place in 559. During the funeral of the viscount Horace Mildenhall, who was assasinated during a speech in Murktown, the smallfolk rise up and install a descendent of Queen Genevieve, once again seceding from Avalyra. This period of independence lasted until 580, when the king of Avalyra personally travelled to the city, and spent a full week in negotiations. After a promise of additional economic and military support for Mistcliff, the town rejoins the Kingdom once more.   However, these promises were not fulfilled to the satisfaction of the viscount, Isaac Lawson. During the Tocurian Dynasty's expansion in 604 to 607, he contacted the advancing military, offering to confederate into the Dynasty and betray Avalyra. Less than a decade later, a combined force of Avalyran military and elves from Irlalion march on Mistcliff, retaking the city in the closing weeks of the River Battles. During the siege, the Avalyran king is killed, and his 14 year old son, Owyne Gaillard, takes the crown.