The City of Darby

The City of Darby was founded in the year 387 and over the past several centuries has grown into one of the largest cities on the continent of Krat, which is itself the largest continent in all of Hethren.  Now, in the year 742, Darby is wealthy and powerful, and rules itself as an independent city state.  There are over a hundred thousand people in the city.  The city is enormous, by far the largest city in the region.  Of all the cities in the Empire of Ralo, Monarchy of Kune, and Republic of Dwarn, only the Imperial City of the Empire of Ralo is even marginally larger.  It has made a massive fortune by being the only place in the entire region where Imperial, Royal, and Republican traders and diplomats can gather and exchange goods and information.  Additionally, the many rebel groups that live in the Barrows also maintain embassies in Darby.

The City of Darby keeps a large and well equipped land army that mans the city's walls.  There are three thousand professional soldiers inside the city walls, though nearly every adult is armed in some way.  The city's merchants employ few guards, as the city guard is well aware that Darby's existence depends on the safety and prosperity of the merchants.  Magic users of every stripe are represented within the city's walls.  Even the druids maintain a presence within Darby's network of public parks.

Nearly every race is represented within Darby.  While no race has a majority or even a plurality within the city, Darby was founded by humans.  This means that the Empire of Ralo considers the City of Darby part of their rightful domain.  Were it not for the incredible wealth generated for their traders and the incredible opportunities generated for their spies and diplomats by the city's connections, they would have already attempted to directly conquer it.  In reality, humans account for only twenty percent of the city's population, while elves account for an equal percentage and halflings account for roughly fifteen percent.  All races are welcomes in the city, including the savage races from beyond the borders of the great nations and supposed civilization.

Darby is ruled by a council of nobles.  The first three noble families were created when the city was founded, and are thus human.  But there are now nine noble families on the council.  Four are human, three are elves, one is halfling, and one is gnomish.  The council makes all decisions that concern the city.  There is no executive or lower level of government.

The magic users of the city are mostly organized into different universities and temples, with several powerful magic users enlisted in the military as well.  Arcane magic use is not as developed or as common as in the Monarchy of Kune or the Empire of Ralo.  Darby's true strength is economic, not magical.