The Eastern Commonlands between the Desert of Ro and the Nektulos Forest, on the edge of the Ocean of Tears.
Sir Lucan D'Lere (contested)
Freeport was built on and around a rather larger hill right on the coast. It has a massive series of walls surrounding the entire exterior, and another newer built wall around the hill itself, sectioning off North Freeport. "The Hill" as many call it, is in fact the richest section of town, drawing most of the city's tourists. This area is where one can find fountains, grassy parkways, and some of the more exotic buildings, such as the Temple of Marr. The entire area is clean, neat, well policed, and the folk in this area reflect that.
This area is commonly known as the city proper. It includes the Academy of Arcane Science, many warehouses, and several mid-range shops. The public guilds, middle class housing, trade companies and several public buildings are located here. Most buildings are old, but well kept. The area is patrolled by the Militia, though the dark alleys can be dangerous at night.
Dockside is a row of tanneries, shipyards, fisheries, and the poorest residential area in the city. It includes the port authority, and docks. Though much commerce passes through this area, little money is left behind. There are a few quality shops, but these are rare and hard to locate. The area has turned into a slum, with cheap buildings, and old shacks dominating. The streets are poorly lit, and there are open sewers running through the area, their smell overcoming that of the fish. Many residents here are homeless laborers and beggars, and the entire area is ripe with thieves and other riff-raff. Crime here is the highest anywhere in the city, so bad that even the inns are not safe.
Almost exclusively Human, though visitors and traders from around the world can be seen here on any given day. Freeport boasts the largest population on Norrath. Its ranks generally hover around fifty to fifty-five thousand although this sometimes swells to nearly sixty thousand or more during major festivals and holidays.
Freeport started out in the Combine years when pirates found the deep port waters of use for their smuggling operations. At the time, only a few small towers stood, abandoned by the Teir'Dal. Over time, a small village named Weill appeared, but not much else is known, except that the Combine Empire had no interest in it. The pirates continued to maintain the illusion that no one lived there, by keeping Weill in a state of utter disrepair. After the Combine finally fell, thousands of people drifted, and the ranks of Weill swelled. It was during this time, a High Elven governor named Aataltaal landed in Weill. With him, came several by ships filled with laborers, and artisans. It is suspected that during Aataltaal's time in the Combine Empire, he had worked to hide Weill, which would explain the Combine's lack of involvement in the community. Aatataal was much loved in Weill and was in fact was their ruler, though not in name. He rebuilt Weill, and installed new piers and docks, built walls around the exterior, and not only did trade bloom, but the population grew. Aatataal had great vision, planned for the future, and the name of Weill slowly changed. Folks began to call it Landing.
As Landing grew, it began to attract the attention of the Dark Elves. Their rulers decided to end the threat and sent a force of necromancers, shadow knights, priests, warriors, and rogues to infiltrate and destroy the city. This group called itself the Divine Rage, because they felt they were the tools of Innoruk's wrath, intent only on destroying those of the city, and taking back their land. They succeeded to some extent, by helping Deathfist Orc raids, destroying crops, disrupting trade, and attacking Aataltaal's men. They generally caused havoc in every way possible. Aataltaal responded by putting together an army, and local wizards organized themselves and helped. The situation came to a head, and a battle erupted. This proved to be a turning point for Landing called The Long Night. By the time the battle was over, most of the leaders of the Divine Rage were captured or killed, and the Deathfist army was crushed. Some of the Divine Rage fled the city; what remained changed their name to the Dismal Rage and went underground. Unfortunately, Aataltaal himself disappeared, and over the years many rumors have arisen indicating that he may have headed to Neriak, to protect Landings future, and to ruin further Dark Elf plans. He's said to still be alive today. The wizards that had helped Aataltaal opened a school, today called the Academy of Arcane Science.
For five years after Aataltaal's disappearance, the city remained without leadership. Ordinary craftsman, traders, and merchants organized a group called the Coalition of Tradefolk. The Coalition regulated trade and commerce within the city. Not long after several less than reputable traders joined it, and in some ways these ruffians were good for the city, because they helped keep crime down, knowing that too much would be bad for business. They dealt very harshly with lawbreakers. A group called the Order of Marr's Fist took control. They began by cleaning out the Commonlands of the Orc threat, and started regular patrols. They established trade routes to High Keep and Faydwer. At this time the Orc raids grew more and more fierce. Mercenaries gathered together, and formed the Steel Warriors. The Hand of Marr's Fist started a wholesale crusade against the Deathfist Orcs, who had a tower near Landing called Befallen. The fighting was very fierce and lasted three days. The carnage was so great, that the earth around the Befallen was red for ten days.
A few days after, a holy man named Gynok Moltor was captured and held in the tower. Gynok had once been a guard in Qeynos, but now had either been summoned or possessed by an evil spirit. That night, he freed himself and slaughtered every cleric and paladin, turning it into a tower of death. He began raising those who had been slain during the battle of the Tower and for a day and a night, this evil horde ran amok through the Commons slaying all they met. Fortunately, the power of the evil force was limited, and by raising so many that had formerly been holy men, the power drained quickly. As suddenly as it started, the evil was withdrawn back to the bunker where Moltor's corpse now lay and was bound within it. Though it had created a tower of death, it now could no longer leave, and even must content itself with those few hardy adventurers brave enough to enter the tower.
After a few years of peaceful rule, the city changed its name to Freeport and thrived. The Priests and Paladins of Marr continued to have problems with various factions throughout the years, but this was a time of bravery and much heroism throughout the land. In 3150, the leaders of the Order of Marr's Fist had a vision that inspired a crusade to Faydwer. Several months passed, as ships were built, supplies stocked and men trained, and by the time they left, nearly the entire city was emptied of their presence. Sir Lucan D'Lere, a paladin in good standing, was left in charge along with a handful of priests and paladins. Lucan enjoyed his popularity and worked with enthusiasm, however his zeal for power grew, and the priests of Marr grew concerned. By this time, Lucan had employed numerous mercenaries to assure the walls of Freeport were manned properly. The priests decided one of their members would confront him and sent Sentry Dilius to Lucan, demanding he give up control of the city. Lucan killed Sentry Dilius in a fit of blind rage, and was stripped of his Paladin status forever. The Priests and Militia settled in for a siege, however without the support of the Steel Warriors or the Academy of Arcane Scientists or others, Lucan thought he was going to be ousted when the Hand of Marr returned. He made some secret arrangements with the Dismal Rage, who agreed to help him, though it is uncertain just what the cost of this was. When the Paladins finally arrived home, successful on their crusade, they were tired from the long journey and in no mood for more fighting. Though some sporadic fighting still broke out and was swiftly quelled, they retired peacefully to the Temple of Marr. The stalemate remains much the same today.
Since Freeport sits on a plain on the edge of the Desert of Ro, the area receives strong winds and little rain. The ground is acidic, and not good for growing agriculture nor raising cattle, though there are a few small farms scattered around the outskirts. Temperatures easily reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Centigrade) during the summer, but winter is relatively mild. Because of these factors, Freeport is strictly a trade town. They have always profited heavily from taxes on goods and ships arriving in the city. There is a small fishing fleet, but still most food is either imported or brought from in from nearby towns of Freefield and Fairfield. If Freeport were to be cut off from outside sources of food, its supplies would run out in about approximately a month. All merchants submit to searches by the Militia, and then are taxed appropriately.
In Freeport, social status relates directly to where you live. The higher you live, the higher you are on the social ladder. The lowest sections of the city house the destitute, poor, criminals, and unskilled. The worst area of the city is in the broken down, ramshackle buildings of Dockside. To the poor and homeless, it is a harsh environs ruled by criminals, dark organizations, and even darker religions. To the rich, it's a place to avoid at all costs. The areas near the main gates level with the Freeport plain are home to the working classes and craftsfolk. This is the heart of the city, with a wide variety of businesses, warehouses, and homes. Further north and atop the area known as the Hill are the elite homes and shops of the socially elevated. While it is unusual to rise in social status it's not unheard of, but in Freeport the life of a pauper is vastly different to that of a master craftsman.
Sir Lucan D'Lere's rule is contested by the Fist of Marr. Currently, Sir Lucan D'Lere and his Militia rule the main city, however this doesn't extend to the Hill (North Freeport), where Grand Marshall of Valor, Valeron Dushire, along with the priests and paladins of both Mithaniel and Erollisi Marr hold sway. There's not enough men in the Militia to take over North Freeport, yet neither are there enough paladins or priests to eliminate the Militia. In both cases, their numbers are too few, so the two are locked in stalemate. Occasionally, small feuds will break out in the streets, and this can occur nearly anywhere in town. Sir Lucan is very paranoid about the Hill, and currently is in the middle of several plots, each of them involving one or more of Freeport's guilds, to help eradicate the followers of Marr or at least to get them to leave. So far, none of the other guilds trust him or his schemes enough to follow through, and he dares not openly attack the Fist for fear one of the other guilds will be angered enough to take up arms against him. Each of the guilds seems to hold enough political power that he can force none of them to do his bidding.
The city's day to day activity is governed by a City Council; however all major decisions rest with Sir Lucan D'Lere. The Militia is responsible for keeping the city in line with the sole exception of North Freeport. There is no formal set of laws, and the Militia is rumored to be corrupt. The Militia does, however, enforce those laws that are severe in nature, such as murder. Murderers, for example, are either hanged or killed by sword right on the spot, with little or no ceremony. Otherwise, law may or may not be enforced based on how corrupt the individual guard is. The Militia keeps Orcs and other undesirables from entering the city, and do a reasonably good job of it.
In Northern Freeport, the Fist of Marr patrols constantly, and all laws are enforced fairly. Those lawbreakers who are captured are treated Humanely and tried. Punishments vary according to the severity of the incident. A murderer for example, might be hanged if found guilty at trial.
There is religious freedom in Freeport, and for the most part people are tolerant of others beliefs, as long as the Deity involved is a peaceful one. Worship of Bertoxxulous or Cazic-Thule has been outlawed since the days of the Combine.
Since Freeport has its share of thugs, smugglers, and thieves, it's not suprising that there is a following to Bristlebane. There are no major temples, but instead small hidden shines located in Dockside that are generally only found with the help of a member of the congregation. Some Freeport worshipers of Bristlebane think of themselves as a force for good. They help keep crime down, provide opportunities for the poor, and see to the needy. Some of the more law-abiding citizens though do not see things in quite the same light, though neither do they see Bristlebane as a force for true evil.
Once Innoruuk was considered as depraved a deity as Cazic-Thule, and worshippers were not allowed into the city. In the last few decades, the Church of the Dismal Rage has made great strides. This organization, though well hidden, is dedicated to spreading the worship of Innoruuk. Many Humans have been drawn to the cause and work openly in Dockside. In West Freeport, the religion is still seen as a perversion, but allowed as long as worship is done privately, or otherwise does not affect day-to-day business. On the Hill, anyone found worshipping Innoruuk is likely to be exiled, or possibly even executed.
Most people in the city worship either Mithaniel or Erollisi Marr or some combination of the two. This is due to the heavy influence and still remaining presence of the Fist of Marr and Priests of Erollisi. In North Freeport, there are two magnificent churches: the Temple of Truth and the Church of Marr. People flock to these two beautiful sites on holy days in droves to pay tribute, as the Militia helplessly stand by watching. There are also small shrines to each of these deities in the Gates and Markets districts for those of poor health to pay their respects.
The child goddess of peace is known well and accepted mainly because of the presence of the Ashen Order. Few beside the monks actually worship Quellious, but locals generally respect and support Quellious' ideals of peaceful self-knowledge, rather than other cities that consider Quellious' worshippers weak-willed pacifists. This is due to the quiet monks who can break rocks with merely an open bare hand and other astounding feats. Even thieves stand clear of a poor-looking person in a simple robe, for fear that the individual wearing it might actually be a Quellisite monk. There are no actual temples in Freeport but often worshippers gather on the lawn outside the Ashen Order to pray and discuss peace. Anyone is welcome at these gatherings.
There are two groups in Freeport who follow Rallos Zek. These include the most militant and fatalistic of the Steel Warriors, and the most bloodthirsty of the Militia. Neither of the two groups can stand one another. The Steel Warriors see Rallos Zek as being very harsh and unforgiving; they see conflict everywhere, and believe it's impossible to avoid. They strive to be the very best warriors they can, but don't believe weaker people are lesser beings to just be destroyed. This strange point of view angers the more traditional worshipers, but it allows the Steel Warrior to be hired by local merchants and townsfolk who appreciate and accept the Steel Warriors beliefs.
The Militia's beliefs are more traditionally minded. They believe only force of arms and the power that comes from it are of any value. Anyone who claims otherwise is weak and to be destroyed. At one point, Sir Lucan D'Lere actually had to take steps to prevent Militia guardsmen from seeking out Steel Warriors to provoke fights with them. Unfortunately some members of the Militia still bait the Steel Warrior with names like "stall warriors" and "sodden soldiers" and this leads to some dangerous street brawls.
These gods have no noteworthy followings, but what few worshipers there are are accepted and unlikely to be discriminated against. There are no chapels but some small shines in private homes do exist. At one time there were temples to Karana and Tunare however they lacked the members necessary to stay open.
Kaladim - Trade
Felwithe - Alliance with the Paladins of Truth & Priests of Marr
Neriak
Soldari, Sinbili
Caileth Woodcarver, Dareane Woodcarver, Rildris & Danlena Greystone, Hovard Warwing