Ivantary

Ruler: Greater Lord Cassian Burchard, a reclusive yet shrewd noble appointed by King Benedict Awlmostead of Anmar. Lord Cassian is an enigmatic ruler whose plans for Ivantary remain a mystery. Some say he conspires to overthrow King Awlmostead, while others whisper that he makes secret peace talks with Dinmar.

Political Climate: Ivantary is both a stronghold and a trade gateway. Lord Burchard wields immense authority and is rumored to conduct clandestine diplomacy, espionage, and trade manipulations to gain leverage in The Uxor War against Dinmar.

Power Structure: Ivantary operates under a feudal aristocracy, where noble families and influential merchant guilds wield significant influence. The Ivantari Council, composed of noble houses, military officials, and leading merchants, serves as an advisory body, though final authority rests with Lord Burchard.

Internal Struggles: Political rivalries within the Ivantari Council create factions vying for power, with some nobles seeking independence from King Awlmostead, while others push for a stronger war effort.

Law & Order: The Azure Cloaks, Lord Burchard’s personal guard, act as enforcers of his will, dealing with political dissent and espionage threats.

Foreign Affairs: As Ivantary controls key trade routes, foreign envoys from Seradestina, Callor, and even Dinmar maintain a presence in the city, navigating precarious political waters. Secret treaties and covert deals are common, with Ivantary often playing a dangerous game of diplomacy between warring factions.

Main Industries:

• Fishing & Whaling: The city’s fleet harvests bountiful fish from the Medial Sea.

• Agriculture: Wheat, barley, apples, pears, and hops for brewing.

• Brewing: Ivantary is famous for its strong ales and fine beers, exported as far as Callor.

• Lumber & Carpentry: Timber from the northern forests fuels shipbuilding, housing, and furniture-making industries.

• Shipbuilding: Both merchant and warships are constructed in Ivantary’s docks, a key advantage in The Uxor War.

• Trade: Ivantary controls valuable sea routes, and its Ivantari Merchant Guilds negotiate trade deals, some legal—others not.

Ivantary is built along a natural incline, with the Azure Keep and High Quarters on a raised plateau overlooking the city and harbor. The lower city and docks sprawl toward the waterfront, creating a dense and lively urban environment filled with narrow streets, warehouses, and markets. A strong outer wall surrounds the main city, while smaller villages and farming communities exist beyond its borders.

The following districts make up the city:

• The High Quarters: Home to nobility, politicians, and wealthy merchants. Lavish mansions, private gardens, and Lord Burchard’s Azure Keep dominate the skyline.

• The Wharf District: A bustling, chaotic area filled with merchants, sailors, and smugglers. Docks, warehouses, and fish markets thrive here.

• The Artisan Ward: Famous for its breweries, carpentry workshops, and blacksmith forges. Ivantary’s finest goods come from this industrious sector.

• The Old Quarter: A maze of narrow streets, inns, and shops where crime and intrigue intertwine. Secret guilds and spies lurk here.

• The Outer Fields: Farmlands, orchards, and hunting lodges lay beyond the city walls, providing Ivantary with a steady food supply.

• The Ivantari Merchant Guilds: Powerful trade organizations controlling commerce; they may fund mercenary companies or influence city politics.

• The Azure Cloaks: Ivantary’s elite guard, sworn to protect Lord Burchard and uphold law—though some act as his personal enforcers.

• The Ember Masks: A shadowy spy network with ties to both Ivantary and Seradestina, known for blackmail, assassination, and smuggling.

• The Iron Mast Corsairs: A notorious pirate fleet that both plagues and profits from Ivantary’s trade routes. Some whisper they have an arrangement with Lord Burchard himself.

To the West: Fertile farmlands and sprawling orchards supply the city with grain, fruit, and hops for brewing. The land is dotted with estates, windmills, and small farming villages.

To the North: Dense pine and oak forests provide a rich source of lumber for shipbuilding and construction. The northern forests are also home to roaming bands of hunters, trappers, and rumored outlaw hideouts.

To the East: The vast Medial Sea extends beyond the city’s deepwater harbor, serving as a bustling trade route for merchants and explorers. The Ivantary Bay is a naturally protected harbor, shielding ships from the region’s sometimes violent storms.

To the South: Rolling hills and coastal cliffs line the shore, giving way to smaller fishing villages and naval outposts that protect the city from seaborne threats.

Ivantary experiences a seasonal continental climate, marked by hot summers, cold winters, and a vibrant autumn. Spring brings mild rains that nourish the farmland, while winter can be harsh with occasional snowstorms sweeping in from the inland plains.