### **Mivon – The City of Exiled Swords** #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Mivon - **Type:** Independent City-State - **Region:** **Southern River Kingdoms, bordering Brevoy and the Stolen Lands** - **Scale & Population:** **Moderate-sized city (~12,000 people)**, with numerous smaller **satellite villages and outposts**. - **Primary Inhabitants:** - **Humans (Majority, Rostlandic Exiles and Riverfolk)** – Many are descendants of Aldori Swordlords who fled Brevoy. - **Elves & Half-Elves** – Often scholars, duelists, or merchants. - **Halflings & Other Minorities** – Integrated into trade and local politics. - **Climate & Terrain:** - **Wet, temperate climate**, with warm summers and **mild but rainy winters**. - **Swampy lowlands, river-fed forests, and rolling hills** create natural barriers. #### **Geography & Layout** - **Key Features & Landmarks:** - **[[The Duelist’s Court]]:** The **center of Mivon’s political system**, where disputes are settled through formal duels rather than endless negotiations. - **[[The High Council Chambers]]:** The ruling seat of **[[Mivon’s Council of Nine]]**, composed of powerful swordlords and merchants. - **[[The Old Aldori Manor]]:** The ancient estate of the **Aldori exiles**, preserved as a **symbol of defiance against Brevoy**. - **[[The Drowned Quarter]]:** A partially flooded district **abandoned after an old war**, now a haven for criminals and outcasts. - **[[The Riverlord’s Market]]:** A vast trade hub, where **smugglers, mercenaries, and merchants** barter for weapons, magic, and illicit goods. - **[[The Fangwood Outpost]]:** A military **fortification along the northern border**, watching for threats from **Brevoy and Pitax**. - **Notable Cities & Settlements:** - **[[Mivon]] (The Capital):** A bustling city known for **its strict dueling laws and cutthroat politics**. - **[[Jovvox]]:** A **smaller settlement controlled by gnomes**, specializing in clockwork and alchemical goods. - **[[Lesser Mivon]]:** A collection of **far-flung villages**, often used as **training camps for Aldori duelists**. - **Connections & Accessibility:** - **Strong River Trade:** Mivon dominates the **southern trade routes**, connecting the River Kingdoms, Brevoy, and Galt. - **Secret Paths & Smuggling Routes:** Numerous **hidden trails and boat channels** make it difficult for outsiders to **control the flow of goods and people**. - **Hostile to Brevoy:** Mivon **rejects [[House Surtova]]’s rule**, and its leadership **still dreams of returning to Rostland**. #### **Culture & Society** - **Local Governance:** - **Ruled by [[Mivon’s Council of Nine]]**, a council of **powerful Aldori exiles, merchants, and military commanders**. - **The strongest duelists hold the most political power**, with the city’s **Swordlord Hierarchy determined by skill in battle**. - **Honor is Everything:** Mivonese politics are brutal, but **outright assassination is considered dishonorable**—duels solve most disputes. - **Economy & Trade:** - **Weapons & Mercenaries:** Mivon **produces some of the finest swordsmen-for-hire**, often sought by nobles across the River Kingdoms. - **Fishing & River Trade:** Control over **the Sellen River allows Mivon to tax merchants and smugglers alike**. - **Espionage & Smuggling:** Many **Restovian and Brevic nobles use Mivon as a neutral ground for illicit deals**. - **Religion & Beliefs:** - **Gorum (War & Strength)** is the dominant faith, worshiped by duelists and mercenaries. - **Abadar (Trade & Law)** is followed by merchants and city administrators. - **Desna (Luck & Travel)** is common among river traders and wanderers. - **Laws & Customs:** - **The Duelist’s Code:** Political and legal disputes are settled **through honorable duels**, not drawn-out debates. - **Mercenary Companies Hold Power:** The city’s **wealthiest families maintain private armies**, constantly shifting allegiances. - **Disloyalty is Unforgivable:** Any **Aldori exile who sides with Brevoy is permanently exiled or executed**. - **Languages Spoken:** - **Common, Taldane (Rostlandic Dialect), River Speech (used by traders), Elven (spoken among scholars and duelists).** #### **History & Lore** - **Origins & Founding:** - Mivon was founded centuries ago by **Aldori Swordlords who refused to submit to Choral the Conqueror**. - The city has since **thrived as a haven for outcasts, skilled warriors, and exiled nobles**. - **Its ultimate goal remains the retaking of Rostland**, though **not all Mivonese believe war is the answer**. - **Major Historical Events:** - **The Flight from Rostland:** When Brevoy was conquered, the Aldori elite **fled south and established Mivon**. - **The Pitax-Mivon Standoff:** Tensions **between Mivon and [[Pitax]] have flared multiple times**, with each city seeking dominance over the region. - **The Swordlords’ Betrayal:** Some Mivonese **have secretly begun negotiations with Brevoy**, leading to **internal divisions**. - **Current Conflicts or Issues:** - **Rivalry with Pitax:** [[Castruccio Irovetti]] seeks to **undermine Mivon**, using spies and diplomatic sabotage. - **Restov’s Uncertainty:** Mivonese leaders wonder if **Restov will rise against Brevoy, or submit to [[House Surtova]]**. - **Aldori Fracturing:** Younger swordlords are **questioning whether their endless exile is worth the bloodshed**. - **Rumors & Mysteries:** - **The Lost Rostlandic Relics:** Some believe **powerful Aldori heirlooms were hidden before the fall of Rostland**. - **A Secret Alliance:** Whispers suggest that **certain Mivonese lords are in secret talks with [[House Surtova]]**. - **The Duelist’s Gambit:** A mysterious swordmaster has begun **challenging and defeating top Aldori duelists**, but no one knows their true allegiance. #### **Notable NPCs & Factions** - **Key Figures:** - **[[Rulov Aldori]]:** The **unofficial leader of [[Mivon’s Council of Nine]]**, a swordlord still dreaming of retaking Rostland. - **[[Character Cards/Gnomes/Marcela Vassari]]:** A **merchant-lord who controls Mivon’s river trade**, rumored to fund both **mercenaries and spies**. - **[[Felisia d’Rocca]]:** A powerful **duelist and enforcer**, handling **Mivon’s internal disputes** with ruthless efficiency. - **[[Character Cards/Humans/Captain Vassik Redblade]]:** A former pirate turned **mercenary leader**, now a key player in Mivonese politics. - **Factions or Power Groups:** - **[[Mivon’s Council of Nine]]** – The ruling body of Aldori exiles, merchants, and generals. - **[[The River Kings’ Compact]]** – A loose alliance of **smugglers, traders, and mercenary companies**. - **[[The Blades of Exile]]** – A militant **faction of young Aldori duelists** who demand immediate war with Brevoy. - **[[The Hidden Pact]]** – A **secret cabal rumored to be negotiating peace with [[House Surtova]]**.