Rel Astra

Overview

Rel Astra, literally “City of the Heavens” in Old Oeridian, rests on the Solnor Coast and is by some accounts the Flanaess’s greatest metropolis, though Dyvers and Greyhawk are certain to disagree. For centuries, Rel Astra was viewed by many as a shining beacon. Ship crews crossing the Spindrift Sound even now see the glow of majestic Rel Astra and take comfort, knowing that its vast shipyards offer safe harbor. In its expansive markets are displayed half the wonders of the world, and its streets are trodden daily by dark-skinned folk of Hepmonaland , golden Baklunish in flowing cloaks, and pale, gruff barbarians of the far north. At any time, a great chaotic fleet of ships chokes its harbor, bearing the flags of numerous states, but dominated by those of the Sea Barons and the city itself.

Rel Astra has been essentially independent for nearly a century and a half, since the end of the Turmoil Between Crowns, when it gained palatinate status from the Malachite Throne. For most of that time, it controlled a large swath of the Solnor coast in a great arc extending over 30 leagues from the city’s walls in all directions. This border begins in the north and includes nearly all of the Lone Heath to the town of Ernhand, proceeding west into the vast expanses of the Grandwood, and south to the border of Medegia at the town of Strinken. While the city of Ountsy is largely independent of Rel Astra, its lord has been subject to the latter for a large part of its history.

Rel Astra is currently ruled by Lord (actually Prince) Drax of House Garasteth, who has held sway over the city since 557 CY. Lord Drax styles himself an enlightened despot. By most accounts, he lives up to his reputation, as he can be harsh but also practical, intelligent, and controlled. He even has a dry sense of humor. He commands a large standing army and a navy the equal of any city’s on the coast. He rules with austerity and wisdom, but also with a tight fist; he has little opposition within his realm.

City of the Heavens — Capital of the Kingdom of Aerdy

When the Aerdi completed their drive to the eastern coast of the Flanaess nearly a millennium ago, it became clear to most of them that their journey had finally come to an end at the shore of the Solnor. Their first permanent settlements were soon founded along the coast of the Aerdi Sea, between Pontylver at the mouth of the Flanmi and the Gull Cliffs in the north. After decades of battle with the native Flan and treacherous Suel, the Aerdi noble houses sought a place to call their own, and these places included settlements at Roland, Ountsy, and the largest of all at Rel Astra, the site of a small abandoned Suel settlement. In 428 OR (–216 CY), these small states finally united under a single banner, and the kingdom of Aerdy was born. Rel Astra was chosen as its capital. The scion of Garasteth was the grand prince of the Aerdi at the time, and he set about building an impressive seat of government. A grand palace was constructed in the heart of the city and heavy walls were erected to enclose what is known today as the Old City. A large keep adjacent to the shore housed the admiralty of the kingdom, though the interest of the Aerdy turned decidedly west over the next few centuries.

Sometime after the defeat of Nyrond in –109 CY, when that realm was absorbed into the growing kingdom, the position of grand prince passed to the scion of House Cranden, who had originally come from Ahlissa. This monarch decided to build a new capital more central to his ever-expanding lands. He therefore founded Rauxes above the fork of the Imeda and Flanmi rivers, eschewing the royal palace in Rel Astra. The Crandens were interested in making a monument to rival the Crown of the Solnor Coast. Rel Astra had been dubbed the first of three nearly equidistant “Cities of Enlightenment” founded by the Aerdi to span their empire, eventually including Rel Deven and Rel Mord in the west. Control of the city remained with House Garasteth, which ruled it as a principality, a fief subject directly to the crown. For centuries it continued to grow, remaining the grandest city in the Great Kingdom, if no longer its most prestigious as the focus of the empire moved west.

Rel Astra — City of Enlightenment

By 437 CY, tensions within the Great Kingdom threatened to tear it apart. House Naelax delivered the sundering blow by assassinating all rivals in House Rax, after which nearly a decade of civil war ensued. Ivid I finally secured the Malachite Throne after Prince Malchim III of House Garasteth, lord mayor of Rel Astra, sided with House Naelax and negotiated palatinate status for the major provinces of the Great Kingdom, including his own. Thereafter, Rel Astra guided its own course. Rel Astra became the primary destination for those who fell out of favor in the Great Kingdom, a trend that continues as political refugees arrive from the Sea Barons and North Province.