Austeris

The city-state of Austeris is the largest city in the Realm of Manicae. Housing roughly half a million people inside its walls alone, Austeris is the dominant political center of the realm. The city rests on the east coast of Attollendum, and it is the only coastal city in the realm. Built on agriculture, trade, and honor, the city has thrived by cooperating with its neighbors and maintaining peaceful relations.

The current leader of Austeris is King Unferth II, who recently inherited rule from his elderly father   Unferth I. The sigil of Austeris is sailing ship built out of the curved silver blade of a scythe, known as the Farmer's Ship of Austeris.

History
Austeris was founded many centuries ago by traveling merchants and farmers descended from the people of Garum. Early settlers built wharves and farms along the rich coastline, and over time the docks became a town and the town became a city. While settlers quickly learned the dangers of straying too far into the Caebus Sea, sailors soon began bringing in boatloads of goods. The area quickly became a hub of trade as agricultural goods poured in from land and sea. Even today the city reaps a huge bounty from the sea; everything from fish to whales to crab can be found in the seaside markets of Austeris. Rich soil, fed from subterranean rivers of mountain runoff, allow numerous crops to easily grow around the city as well. As time went on and the city grew, its people were never idle. The city continuously evolved and changed as rulers came and went. Buildings rose, fell and were replaced until the city reached its current state.

Overall, Austeris has a respectable but lackluster history. It has held peaceful relations with neighboring towns of Garum to the southwest, Procerus to the northwest across the Crimson Mountains, and Palatine to the south across the Fusus River. Although reasonably large, Austeris managed to remain peaceful for as long as anyone could remember until roughly 40 years ago.

The Langolier War
It was at this time when a mysterious and powerful fleet from an unknown land attacked the coast to the south of Austeris. These forces, nicknamed Langoliers after the legendary monsters, included many necrotic warriors as well as dark wizards and mages, which were seldom seen before the attack. Because of this dark magical presence, most areas in and around Austeris are very cautious and nervous regarding non-religious magic practice.

After seeing the mutual threat, Austeris amassed a powerful force and allied itself with the remnants of the beleaguered Palatinians. After constructing rudimentary defenses and holding out for nearly 3 months (now known as the 90 days of darkness), the Langoliers were finally pushed back and defeated at the Battle of Asphodel. The allied forces were able to eliminate thousands of the attacking Langoliers, with the rest escaping onto their ships and returning to the ocean.

Since the war, Austeris has become increasingly militaristic and protective of itself and its allies, maintaining a sizeable standing army and a city guard full-time.

Inter-City Politics
Although Austeris has always held peaceful relations with their three neighbors, some tensions have come and gone over the years between the cities. In addition, Austeris, along with the other three cities, has almost no contact with the other major realms in Attollendum. While news will sometimes reach the lands of Manicae, the four cities do not typically worry about the goings-on in the rest of the world.

Austeris and Palatine
Austeris has always been close allies and trade partners with this inland city, and neither have forgotten the war they fought together. After the war, Palatine was left in ruins. Austeris put forth a huge effort into rebuilding the city, and it has thrived as a cultural, artistic, and academic haven in the few decades since it has been rebuilt. Austeris is given the free use of the creations of Palatine, while promising protection for the nearly indefensible city.

Austeris and Garum
Austeris maintains simple but positive relations with the small city of Garum, but interaction has slowed in the past few decades. Austeris was pleased with Garum’s small but dedicated assistance in the past war, but it currently maintains contact for the sole purpose of trade, either with the town’s ore reserves or as a trade route through the Crimson Mountains, with the pass through Garum being orders of magnitude less harrowing than the mysterious Pass of Abendur.

Austeris and Procerus
After their apparent lack of interest in the great war with the Langoliers, the relationship between Procerus and Austeris has been stretched thin. Very little news comes from the secluded and self-isolated mountain city due to the near impassable mountain range between them. Isolated rumors of magic practice following the war has not helped to ease tensions, and many Procerians are immediately regarded with suspicion in areas around Austeris for that reason.

Leadership: Unferth II's Court
King Unferth II - Ruler of Austeris. Unferth II is a 28 year old king who recently took over leadership. He is smart and strong, but is prone to make rash decisions on the fly. He is vehemently anti-magic and almost paranoid of the practice due to the teachings of his now-deceased mother, who lost most of her family in the Langolier War.

Unferth I - The previous king and father of Unferth II. He is wise and well respected among his loyal subjects even during his apparent old age. As the PC's learned, he appears to be nearly 90 years old.

Ser Claudius Walton - First Knight of the Austerian guard. Ser Claudius is a strong knight who has served the city for decades. He is experienced, powerful, and just.

Lady Mira - Priestess of Bahamut and Caretaker of the Austerian Cathedral. Unbeknownst to the public, she is also the head of Austeris' secret attempt to learn magic in private. She is 39 years old with long, brown hair.

Thorn Jormunder - Master of Spies. Thorn is a skilled Elven Rogue and leader of the Shadowknights.

Oaken Bellington - Caretaker of the Realm. Oaken is a small halfling.

Jerold Bush - Master of Coin. Fat man, one of the wealthiest in Austeris.

Miscellaneous Info

 * While Austeris has a relatively militaristic government, their judicial system is reasonably fair. Those accused of breaking the law are given a public trial in the courthouse before being found guilty or innocent. These trials are all held on Sunday, and they often draw large crowds of spectators who come to see the sentencing of particularly heinous criminals.