Ah, Artume! A lovely subject. It is a city that sings a different tune than most of its neighbors in the River Kingdoms. While others plot and scheme and sharpen their blades, the people of Artume sharpen their minds and their tongues.
I have often found a moment of peace there on my journeys, for it is a peculiar place to find in such a lawless land. You see, while many cities in the River Kingdoms are founded on a warlord's whim or a merchant's greed, Artume was built upon an ideal. It is the so-called "City of the Poets," a place where philosophers debate the nature of truth, where bards perfect their craft, and where a duel is far more likely to be a battle of wits and words than of steel and spell.
The city is nestled on a fertile island within the Hyrantum River, not far from its confluence with the Sellen. Its location, surrounded by flowing water, seems to reflect the fluidity of thought that the city holds dear. Its buildings are elegant, often carved with intricate designs that tell stories of ancient heroes and forgotten fables. Unlike the grimy, functional architecture of a place like Avendale, Artume feels more like a place of gentle contemplation.
The city's founding is a tale of a group of scholars and artists who, weary of the constant warfare of the River Kingdoms, simply... left. They found this secluded island and declared it a sanctuary, a place where the mind held more sway than the sword. And for the most part, their ideal has held true. They do not have a standing army, per se, but they are protected by a very clever and surprisingly effective network of alliances. The people of Mivon, for instance, may see Artume's soft-spoken nature as a sign of weakness, but they have learned that a city full of brilliant tacticians and sharp-witted spies is a difficult nut to crack. I once heard of a particularly boorish warlord who tried to lay siege to the city, only to find his troops' morale ruined by a series of cleverly-written satirical songs. He retreated in a huff, a perfect example of the pen being mightier than the sword!
Their government is a peculiar one, a council of poets and philosophers, known as the Saga-Makers, who are elected by their peers based on their wisdom and eloquence. They rule with a light touch, concerned more with the welfare of their libraries and academies than with the expansion of their borders. They trade in knowledge and art, not in goods or mercenaries. A merchant might come to Artume not to sell weapons, but to commission a magnificent tapestry or to hire a bard for a royal feast.