The Red City

Ruler: Bradley Hannington, The 42nd Great Raiser

Loftin is a moderate sized wood and stone city to the north of Fernshire. Built on the top of a large, red, stone outcropping with a series of walls and towers, Loftin is in an excellent defensive position.

Despite this however the people of Loftin have no interest in waging war or taking advantage of their excellent defensive capabilities. During the second Great War it is said that the city of Loftin was greatly contested, by who has been lost to time and is often debated. During the last battle for Loftin so much blood was spilled that the stones of Loftin were stained red. The legend says that Ariante was so grieved by the incredible loss of life and the extent of the fighting that she cursed Loftin. Any attempts to use the land for war would forever more fail and peace would, like it or not, prevail in Loftin for all time.

In the last few hundred years Loftin has finally been reclaimed by an alliance of particular tribes. A consortium of bakers has taken over Loftin and uses its fertile surroundings to grow what is arguably the best wheat and grain in Cantillia. This crop is carted and shipped all over Cantillia and some of their ware even makes it beyond, to the Gorgelands or to the Woeful Woods. Surrounding the outcrop that Loftin sits upon is a massive expanse of fields and farms. Loftin worries not for their safety however as, over the years, any attempt at violence towards Loftin has inexplicably failed.

Even more prized is Loftins bread. Over 1,000 kinds are produced by their bakeries (or so they say) and the smell of rising dough can be smelt for several kilometres. Many hardier varieties are sent to the wider reaches of Ianis as a kind of delicacy and softer loaves are sent around Cantillia. How exactly the bakers of Loftin keep the bread so fresh is a closely guarded secret.

Presiding over the literal breadbasket of Cantillia is Bradley Hannington, The 42nd Great Raiser. After a line of unsuccessful and unpopular kings, Loftin collectively agreed to elect their rulers. Deciding that voting was a waste of time, baking contests are held every 4 years and the winner is decreed to be ruler. With the winner usually also the owner and operator of multiple farms, bakeries and shipping networks this has (on the whole) worked out in Loftins favour.

Bradely is regarded a sensible, if somewhat slow ruler. He regards a careful decision as a good one and will happily take several days to reach a decision should he feel it appropriate. He is, like most Great Raisers, of a business mind and as such has no issue with any race as long as their coin is good. He regards the Lord-doms as a beneficial alliance, though only so long as it benefits Loftin.

Art by Jon Pintar
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