The City

Aberddu

Original Map by Zeke Wentworth and Toni Payne

Geography and History

Aberddu is situated on the west coast of a large continent, between the political giants of Frisia and Albion. The city state is composed of the large walled city of Aberddu with its melting pot of population and religion, and the surrounding woodlands populated in all directions by communities of peasants. To the north of the city between Aberddu and Frisia are the legendary Pass Fort and the void corrupted area know as the Ba’an Hills. Originally part of the Kingdom of Baclaria, one of the former middle Kingdoms, Aberddu grew from a fishing village into a major trading port over a period of several hundred years following the cataclysm. In it’s turbulent history, it has been part of Albion for generations, and also for substantially less time part of Frisia. It's expansion is largely due to its use as an Albion garrison town, and military port. It is only in recent years that Aberddu has achieved its independence as a city state, sliding from the grip of Albion during a period of civil and global unrest in 1095-1096AC. The timing ensured that there was little conflict involved. The Aberddu Adventurers Guild took on an important diplomatic role in this, persuading a number of Albion nobles and Queen Freya herself to hand over the state in return for a number of discrete quests and missions. It quickly established itself as a significant trading power, it’s new currency, the Guilder, becoming a common currency of trade. 


Politics

A strong, vibrant city that has rebuilt itself continually over the centuries, Aberddu has a spirit that cannot be broken. What is destroyed and turned to rubble is simple sifted and reused, becoming new and improved houses, shops, temples and warehouses. Previously the City was ruled by a city council, a body of ’laissez - faire’ rulers who sat in their headquarters at the once illustrious Summer Palace, and left the day to day organisation of the City to the Guilds, Temples and other concerned notable citizens, who form the High Council. In 1108ac, Solomon Tyrell lead a people’s revolution, overthrew the City Council and was appointed City Governor. Just before his untimely death in the first half of 1109ac he set up a new ruling system for Aberddu. The city is now run by the Council of Guilds and the Council of Faiths whose activities are monitored and tempered by the High Council of Aberddu, who are a body of wealthy and connected individuals, who keep their position on the Council as a closely guarded secret due to the cities prevalence of assassinations, kidnaps, magical afflictions and other unfortunately events that often befall it's notable members.

The Guilds are bodies of professional interest and the list includes:


The city itself is divided into many different quarters that perform different functions. The Trade District and Merchants Quarter are the economic area of Aberddu, bustling with trade of every description. The busy harbour sees ships from around the world come in and out bringing all manner of cargo. The market sells every possible delicacy and trinket, as well as all the necessities of an easy life. Business is normally good. The Guild District houses the majority of the professional guilds where clients can seeks out their skills. They are often uneasy neighbours, especially those guilds who were once next door to the now defunct Alchemists’ Guild. The city has a Temple dedicated to every major God, the majority of which are in the Temple District. This small space on the North side of the river Ddu is the spiritual home of Aberddu. The conflicting interests of the many inhabitants ensure that it is normally a lively and interesting place to be. Those seeking peace and quiet would be better to pray at a shrine in the woods. The Docks, also on the Northside, are an area of transport, manufacture and warehouses and also home to many of the City’s less reputable bars and entertainment establishments. 

The political home of Aberddu is on the Summer Island. In the middle of the Ddu Delta is an island, on which the great Summer Palace stands. Once the summer seat of the Albion Monarchy, the Palace and its surroundings are now home to the High Council and Embassies from just about every nation in the World such is the importance of this little upstart nation.