The Free City of Endmere

The City of Endmere was first founded over four thousand years ago - about eighteen hundred years before the Great Strife. When founded, it was the seat of power for the duke that oversaw the eastern marches of the old First Kingdom. During the Great Strife, its population was decimated and much of its splendor destroyed. The duke and the armies of the First Kingdom abandoned the city after a prolonged siege by the forces of the Dark Gods , leaving the population to fend for itself. Shortly after, the city was invaded, sacked, and burned.

The Rebirth of the City

After the fall of Endmere, though, the tides of war turned in favor of the Armies of Light. The Great Strife ended with the Dark Armies defeated and the gods deemed most responsible Imprisoned. Endmere at this time was little more than a blasted rubble - mere hundreds remained where once there were tens of thousands. Four leaders stepped forth to organize the few survivors and the rebuilding of the city began. They were shrewd, focusing first on restoring the seaport, building or rebuilding ships, and securing control of the sea trade through Icefell Bay. They knew this business well - two were ship captains - one of the Cliffport Seafarer heritage, two were merchant traders.

As time passed, the sons and daughters of these leaders carried on as their elders died off, and by the time Endmere was restored to a size that required an actual government, the Four Families had already become that. The people did not complain when this arrangement was formalized by the establishment of the Ruling Council, ostensibly made up of the hereditary heads of the Four Families.

In the years since the Strife, the city has not only been completely rebuilt, it is more splendorous than ever. The chokehold on trade results in great wealth being amassed within the city, despite the fact that very little is actually produced here. It is a city built on trade.

The one commodity that Endmere may be said to produce is knowledge. The Four Families like to display their wealth and power by building grand structures, and grand structures attract intellectuals. The Hall of Trade - essentially the palace of Endmere - is the grandest building in all the city, built by Dwarven masters of the finest materials. There are four great basilicas gracing Temple Hill dedicated to the Alevar, Duagnar, Humanar, and even Goblinar who were among the The Gods of Light. Across the river, the The University of Arcane Arts attracts students who can afford to attend from all over Cartyrion. The Grand Bazaar market region surrounds the Arena, which is the largest gladiatorial combat site on Cartyrion.

Only a few of the ruins of the original city remain; these are preserved to remind the citizenry what happens when they depend on people not of the city to keep them safe.