Aberddu

The People

Aberddu is a true melting-pot city, filled with people from all over the world, from all walks of life. There are people from every culture, nation, race and class to be found in the city, if you know where to look. People that choose to live in Aberddu are particularly hardy and resilient in times of crisis, they are unflappable to most every day problems as the city is home to any manner of strange and dangerous happenings. World ending events are considered business as usual. If a building gets damaged, they will build a new one from the rubble. They are also extremely resourceful. 

There is a significant wealth disparity in Aberddu, with the higher class displaying their wealth in architecture and clothing. While it is possible to tell the poor districts from the smell, the people can be warm and friendly, if given the right incentive. 

Rich or poor the people of the city have a strange and ever shifting attitude to the Aberddu Adventures Guild. The people often view them as heroes and savers of the world but this reverence is mixed with a healthy dose of mistrust and caution as the AAG has a wild past and at times are seen as to be causing trouble as often as they end it.

Popular Clothing 

There is no one identifiable style in the city of Aberddu, with most people who live there choosing to keep parts of their previous cultures, or their family’s culture as part of their outfits. It is the most diverse place in the world in terms of dress and the tailors of Aberddu have their work cut out to learn the styles of all other cultures to provide to their clients. 

One thing is certain, the weather is mild but wet, and regardless of what else people bring with them or have made for them, they will need to be prepared for the damp sea air and regular rainfall. Sturdy boots and hoods are everywhere. Knowing where to get the good quality ones- that’s a sign that you’re really at home in the city.

Culture and Customs 

As with dress, there is a lot of crossover with cultures from all over the world. A diverse population means a diverse set of customs and all people are welcome to follow their own customs- there will be little push-back, unless the custom is actively harming people. 

Celebrations are commonplace within the city, they will celebrate holy days for all the Gods and other holidays are widely regarded as fun and community building. Any excuse to get together and party. They love to celebrate their freedom so much that they have two independence days, one claiming independence from Noria (3rd March) and the other independence from Liberata (24th January). These days don’t necessarily reflect when Independence was gained, as the history has been so turbulent. 

The people of Aberddu have developed their own customs, mostly surrounding the Guilder (the official currency) as they are very economically minded people. It is common for residents to throw a coin into the ocean before a boat journey, to ensure safe passage, or for them to place a coin under the floorboards of a new home to try and ensure wealth comes through the door. Similarly, they will place a coin in the crib of a new baby to ensure the child will grow up wealthy and some families even have their wedding rings forged from melted down guilders.

History

Once nothing more than a small fishing village in the kingdom of Baclaria, Aberddu has been through many iterations. Its placement made it an ideal location for a port and it developed quickly into a trading port, expanding rapidly. This expansion was noted by Noria and the settlement was turned into a military stronghold, holding both garrison and navy. It was controlled in this manner for hundreds of years. 

A struggle for leadership saw Liberata take over temporarily, but they were fought back and Aberddu was once again occupied by Noria until in 1096AC the Adventurer’s Guild, amongst others managed to wrest the city from control of Noria. 

Aberddu was declared an independent city state and has continued to prosper as such, despite countless almost world-ending events, sieges and occupations. It is a world superpower of trade, it is the trading magnate. The city has become so important in the last 30 years that their currency - the guilder - has become the most common form of currency in the world. 

Following the War of 1125AC, Aberddu was given, as reparations for the occupation, some land to the south of the city. The rulers of Aberddu also offered their protection to the newly formed Jade Wetlands, offering to help oversee their rebuilding efforts.

Leadership

Aberddu was previously controlled by a Council of rulers who never left their palace on the Summer Isle, keeping themselves sequestered and living in the lap of luxury, regardless of what happened to the city outside. These rulers were overthrown in 1108AC. The Summer Palace remains, but the rulers do not. 

There is, instead, a Council of Guilds and a Council of Faiths who rule together under the watch of the High Council of Aberddu- positions on the High Council are completely secret, all involved hide their true identities from the public as their position is a dangerous one.

Religious Beliefs 

Aberddu is a city of many things and religion is no different, Aberddu is one of the only cities in the world to have a temple dedicated to each and every God. No religion is standout as the ‘official’ or ‘most widely practiced’. The worship of all gods is practiced in Aberddu, with religion being a part of every day life. People are free to practice as they choose, so long as they are practicing within the laws of the city. 

It is common for all religion holidays to be celebrated, with all holy days, fetes and festivities spilling out onto the streets of the temple district and beyond. 

Each temple is run by a High Cleric based within the city, these High Clerics form the Council of Faiths. While there may be other High Clerics in other places around the world, the ones in Aberddu are the ones recognised by the High Council. 

While all faiths are currently openly practiced and legal, there is always a chance that they can be outlawed. It is possible for the actions of followers in the City or around the world to result in a religion being banned. This has most notably happened to Keesoth and the now-dead god, Chaos.