The March Wardens

The City-State of Seareth

Description:	Seareth is a small City-State perched on the Western coast of the the Eastern Continent. The population includes a significant Elven contingent (mostly Searethan Elves, but occasionally Selarin or Kaelveranion will visit) and a fair few halflings and gnomes as well as a large number of humans. Renowned for its libraries, universities, and arcane colleges, Seareth is a well-run, wisely administered City-State with a highly-educated populace and an affinity for academics and for casters of magic of all stripes. The people are tolerant, liberal, and rational and have a high confidence in their leader's wisdom and in the power of the knowledge into which they invest so heavily. They have strong diplomatic ties with the Independent League Cities and with all those with whom their ships trade, including those from the Western Continent (including other Elves there).
Location(s):	West of Larboma, South by South-West of the Independent League. The Blackstone Mountains run Southward. To the West, the Niale de Seareth acts as an oceanic border. To the north, the Mistwood is encompassed in the land claimed by the City-State and acts as a Northern buffer. To the West, there is an open border with Larboma where skirmishes have been known to occur.
Races:	The majority of the population, about 55%, is human and another 25% are Elves (of which, approximately 75% are Searethan Elves, 20% Kaelveranion, and the remaining 5% a mix of others including Selarin, Celadrin, and others). The remaining 20% are a mix of other races including a fair contingent of Halflings, a few Gnomes and Centaurs.
Population:	The City-State of Seareth boasts a population of nearly 1.1 million sentients. The capital of Seareth has a permanent population of 57,200 with an unusual high percentage of scholars, academics, experts, and casters. Much of the population of the capital is support infrastructure for the universities, colleges, and libraries found there. During the spring and summer months, the transient student population numbers probably 8,000 to 10,000. In the winter months, this total often doubles to 16,000 to 20,000. The second largest city, Govonen ("Water's Meeting"), has a population of 21,300 and is located at the delta of the Merenduin ("Joyous River (long)") river. The third largest city, Ovorladen ("Abundant Cleared Land"), is located North by North-West of Seareth itself, amidst the fertile plains and has a population of 14,700. Approximately 12% of Seareth's total population lives in cities, large or medium sized towns with nearly half of that urban population in the famous capital.
Inspiration:	Italian City-States during the early rennaisance or Paris during the same early rennaisance period with a touch of Rivendel.
Naming:	Naming conventions would be Elvish/soft sounding, with perhaps French-sounding names as another option.
Prevalent Class(es):	Cleric (Magic, Seas and Oceans, Mind, Community), Fighter, Swashbuckler, Wizard, Hexblade, Duskblade, War Mage, Battle Sorceror, Rogue or Bard.
Prevalent Faith(s):	A mix of the more civilized human dieties, with one notable exception being the more primal ocean-related diety, and Elven dieties whose worship has been fostered and encouraged by the Elves. Religious tolerance (except for obviously Evil cults) is high here, but religious fervour is not. Most religious folk in Seareth come at their religion with a theoretical/rhetorical questioning and are well versed in theology and logic. The Kaelveranion are an exception to this, being profoundly Druidic and devoutly so in their traditions.
Attitudes:	The City-State of Seareth is a bastion of knowledge and power and is about as heavily arcane-driven as anywhere on the Eastern Continent. It keeps itself from being absorbed by Larboma or being overrun by humanoids from the mountains or sea-borne raiders by having good relations with the Seafairing Elves (and other maritime traders) and by having a heavy duty Wizards College with a lot of magical assistance for their not-so-large army. Searethans tend to be strong-willed free-speech types, as close to a freeport (but peaceful) as you'll find, maybe vaguely Libertarian in nature, but believing in a strong defence and strong magic as part of that. The Elven influence which is prevalent in their society tends to mean the average Searethan is educated and open-minded and possessed of a much more favourable view of arcane casters than is the norm around the Continent. Searethans are very much a live and let live sort, which is why their occasional clashes with Larbomans have left them with a leery eye for Larboman territorial desires. They get along well-enough with the Independent League and fight skirmishes with various threatening non-humans as required. A Searethan can be stubborn on matters of personal freedom, but they are generally a happy folks who enjoy many of the more civilized activities including theater and the arts, reading in their many libraries, or engaging in vigorous debates in their cafes.
Wealth:	Seareth is a wealthy City-State, but much of that wealth is channeled into having great libraries, a beautiful city, and an active and well turned-out defense force that can operate on land, sea, or air. Wealthy Searethans tend to display (and consume) their wealth sponsoring artisans, performing arts, and research. Their wealth tends to make other nations jealous, but those nations who want the Searethan economic success are often unwilling to take up its principles of freedom, enterprise, and knowledge.
Military Power:	The City-State of Seareth is small and has a small military. Their ability to project force far beyond their borders is very limited. However, their small military is very well equipped and trained and features a high percentage of arcane and divine casters. They have a small, but capable, navy which includes a number of Seafairing Elves and their ships and a small group of Winged Elves, Casters, and Pegasus Riders who give them an airborne capability none can match. Rumour has it that their may be several disguised Dragons living among them, due to their fascination with knowledge and magic, and possibly one or more working in support of the Searethan military. If they need scouts, they sometimes recruit some of the reclusive Kaelveranion Elves or the Mistwood Tallfellow Halflings. Their military intelligence capability is vastly augmented by divinatory magic which serves as a significant force multiplier.
Other Notes:	Seareth has one Achilles Heel in that it is a City-State that thrives on and is driven by (economically and knowledge wise) by trade. This is where other surrounding countries sometimes have influence, but Seareth's access to the sea and its capable merchant fleet (often backed up by weather-affecting or -divining casters) is one of their greatest assets to offset any problems with landward trade.