The Free Merchant City of Frelsi

"Frelsi is a city ripe with opportunity for those willing to seize it.

Follow the rules, or at least don't get caught, and you can go far."

- Guild Master Otto Houlding

History
The history of Frelsi is a long and storied one, a series of epics that could not hope to fit upon a single page. Suffice to say, the city is one of the oldest in the land, and has been a staunch ally of the capital since its foundation. It has stood as a beacon of commerce and a safe haven for countless years.

The city actually began as a dwarven settlement in the mountain it currently resides on. They believed there were precious gems, and so, as dwarves were prone to do, they built a town at the entrance of the mine. There were actually gems present in the mountain, much to their jubilation, and soon the town became prosperous as they sold their wares to travelling merchants. It wasn't long before some of those merchants decided to settle down to form their own businesses in the local.

The immigration continued as more and more people were attracted to both the beautiful environment and the prospect of riches. Soon there were more citizens of other races than dwarves, and there was tension between them about who would have the most authority over the mine. Seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the leaders of each race chose to form a coalition of the merchant guilds that had gathered on this hotspot of commerce. The leader would be elected democratically from among them, and membership on this guild council required that particular guild to have a certain amount of wealth, whether that be in coin or in assets. This was agreeable to all involved, as all of them believed themselves capable of earning the required funds and the respect of their peers.

This tradition became the basis for the existing government of the city. The current leader is the most successful guild master in the city's history, and the city continues to grow under his shrewd leadership. People of nearly any race walk the streets, which are always full of peddlers selling their wares. The more significant businesses have dedicated buildings within the walls of the city, and the most important companies have large swathes to call their own. Profit earned through successful business practices is how a person's place in society was determined. To this day, the merchant guild council is the ruling body over the city, and the wealthiest guild leader holds the coveted position of Guild Master.

Geography
The mountain that the dwarves settled was originally entered through a cave accessed from the nearby plains. They had no idea that the other side of the mountain opened up to a gorge, or the awe inspiring waterfalls beyond. The gorge is thousands of feet deep, and has yet to be fully explored. The waterfalls on the far side of the gorge come from the meeting of three different rivers. Over the centuries, the small mining town has been slowly carved into the solid stone around it as more and more people desired to live there. This has resulted in much of the inside of the city being surrounded by massive stone pillars that keep the mountain from collapsing on itself in the unlikely event of an earthquake.

Inhabitants
The original dwarven settlers and their families are still there, featured prominently in the oldest parts of the city. Humans came after that, filling the second 'ring' of development. They are the most populous race. Elves began to join the city once the waterfalls were discovered, admiring the natural beauty of the place. They live in the outermost 'ring' on the gorge side, and are responsible for much of the grandiose architecture visible from the outside. These three races collaborated together to build the memorial 'gate' over the waterfalls to commemorate their union. Half-elves became common shortly thereafter. The last of the main racial groups to inhabit the city were the Gnomes, and they came to assist in harvesting gemstones. Their lithe, small builds, ability to see in the dark, inquisitive nature, and natural proclivity to living underground made them excellent candidates for expanding the city downward without requiring large open spaces the other races often demanded, and therefore did not weaken the structural integrity of the city.

Religion
The dwarven population largely worships Torag, and have his divine symbols and small shrines all over their portion of the city. As the first line of defense against most attackers, the worship of Torag has encouraged them to heavily fortify the entrance towards the plains. The human merchants brought with them the worship of Abadar, and the strictures of that faith helped design their well organized and utilitarian portion of the city. There were also a few families who were members of the cult of Mammon, fueled by greed, though this was done in private. The elves that decided to join the city permanently worshipped Erastil, choosing to make their religious art more natural and blending in with the environment rather than change the environment to suit themselves.

Magic
Magic is welcome within the city walls, especially crafting magics, as the trade for wondrous items is flourishing in Frelsi. However, the use of explosive or quake causing magics within city limits is punishable by banishment, as risking collapse is not tolerable behavior. Necromancy is also forbidden in the city for fear of something going awry and poisoning the confined airs within.

Technology
Thanks to the large numbers of travelling peoples passing through Fresli, they have gained fragments of knowledge from nearly every other land in the kingdom. The technology that they developed from this knowledge has mostly been repurposed for mining and architectural enhancement, as those are the most pressing needs for the city.

Law & Crime
See the Law & Crime section of the Kingdom of Uldia.

People & Places of Interest

 * The Dwarven Ring - The part of the city that was first constructed, and the closest to the main gates of the mountain on the plains side. Torag is prominently featured here as the primary deity of worship, and his symbols have been placed on many of the public buildings, as well as the majority of the dwarven smithies or mining machines. This is the first thing most visitors to the city will see on their way through the markets. Crime is very uncommon, and everything is clean here.
 * The Human Ring - Home to the largest market places in the city, this section is always bustling with activity well into the morning hours. You can find most anything being sold here from all over the kingdom and beyond. Even some illegal items have been known to appear, if you can find the right people to ask without getting caught by the city guard. The portal connecting the city to the capital of Uldia, Aetha, is located within the market here so that people can more conveniently spend their coins.
 * The Elven Ring - The portion of the city facing the waterfalls, it also has the least restricted view of the sky. The architecture here is modeled to be more open, and to mimic the rise and fall of the stone it was carved from. It is a place of art and cultural development. Countless artisans hone their craft in front of the jaw-dropping natural beauty around them.
 * The Merchant's Council Chambers - Located in the middle of the Human Ring, this is where the wealthiest merchant guilds have their head quarters, and where decisions governing the city and its people are made. There are public chambers where laymen can come to file complaints or give suggestions. They run the city like a business, so despite being a council, their bureaucratic method is efficient, and they are capable of making decisions quick enough to keep up with an ever changing market environment. This is also the dwelling place of Guild Master Otto Houlding and his family. The complex is very large, and is evident as soon as you enter the Human Ring.
 * The Glinnlire Bardic College - Found in the Elven Ring, the Glinnlire College is the premiere school for all things relating to art and music in the city. The elvish settlers found it as a way to bring peace and culture to their shorter lived neighbors, but soon people of all races started to attend. They produce songs, plays, poems, and works of art that transcend cultural barriers by using experiences from all. While there are plenty of people who are not receptive to their work, the college has stood for hundreds of years doing what it does, and shows no sign of stopping. The Headmaster is an older elven woman named Haela Leandros.
 * The Gnomish Quarters - Sequestered under ground, the gnomes of the city have built a hive of activity for themselves. They actively experiment with alchemy and machines, while also examining and testing precious gems. Their portion of the city is below the other three, and very small and narrow to the point that few humans or elves ever venture through it.