THE FREELANDS [LIGHT BLUE] Banner (Freelords) - Grey Keep on
a Hill on a Green Field; (Lanthor) - Black Hawk Holding a Gold
Circlet on a Lavender Field

FACTS IN BRIEF - A strange realm where the concept of nobility and hereditary rulership has given way to democracy and free-enterprise.  The Freelands are dominated by guilds and merchant alliances; their towns are ruled by Counselors
and Mayors.  Humans are prevalent but other species are here in sizable proportions (including Goblinesh).  Very economically diverse, although they must trade for most of their mineral resources.  Defended by the famous Freelords of Lone Keep.
     Role-playing Notes - The Freelands have actually developed the
concept of democracy and republican-style representation.  The
primary source of leadership comes from economic sectors; merchant
alliances and guilds.  This unique system allows for some
interesting storylines that could almost evoke modern corporate
espionage and intrigue tales set against a medieval fantasy
backdrop.

     The peninsula that makes up the southern-most region on the
main continent is known as the Freelands, and it is probably (by
most standards in this world) one of the strangest places in all of
Shaintar.  It is not a kingdom.  In fact, there is no central
ruling body, at least none that is recognizable as such by other
kingdoms' standards.  In fact, the only thing that establishes the
Freelands as a region at all is that it is recognized as such by
the Kingdom of Galea, the Elvish Nation, Mindoth's Tower, and most
other smaller governments.
     The Freelands are populated by people who long ago determined
that their rulers would be chosen by consensus; that democracy was
the means to govern fairly.  The Freelands are mostly populated by
people (of all races) that long ago escaped the bonds of the
Empire, long before the Great Exodus.  They consisted mostly of
escaped slaves and tribes fleeing the initial oppression of the
Warlords.  Individual villages and towns came together by mutual
consent, and mayors and other leaders stepped forward and led by
the consensus of their peers. Thus, early on in the history of the
Freelands, the concept of nobility was tossed out.  That is the
primary element of Freelander society that most astonishes other
lands.
     Over time, the various independent communities established
extensive trade relations.  The lack of a need for mutual defense
provided early emphasis on economic efforts.  There were very few
in the Freelands who sought to utilize aggressive policies; the
horror of the Empire left an indelible mark on the collective
psyche of the Freelanders.  In the few instances where robber
barons or would-be warlords rose up, the various communities sent
forth their best warriors and heroes to put the aggressors down
with ruthless dispatch; this practice led to the formation of the
Freelords of Lone Keep, as these heroes began to meet regularly at
Lone Keep to practice, share adventures, and work together for the
mutual benefit of the realm.
     Over time, as the trade relations amongst the various
communities grew into full-fledged guilds and associations, a kind
of de facto government formed to regulate merchant interactions and
establish fair practices for all.  Status became a matter of who
could best assert themsFae within the guilds and local
governments.  Political and economic savvy replaced noble birth as
the means for rule and influence.  Ultimately, many of the town
leaders and guildmasters met in Lanthor in 2734 to decide the
direction and goals of their people.  Out of that gathering came
the Freelands Autonomy Proclamation, a document stating the intent
of the people of the Freelands to maintain their democratic way of
life.
     Eventually forces from outside of the Freelands attempted
various raids and even full-scale invasions of the region.  The
Lanthorian Free Trade Council, an association of the leaders of the
most influential guild masters, sought to protect the sovereignty
of the Freelands by establishing the Freelords as the official
military of the Freelands.  To this day, Lone Keep enjoys
substantial subsidiaries from the Council to protect all of the
Freelands and act as a kind of constabulary.  However, the
Freelords are fully autonomous and will not bow to the wishes of
corrupt politicians.  They are believed to be one of the most
honorable establishments in all of Shaintar.
     The Lanthorian Free Trade Council is the closest thing to a
central government the Freelands have.  As stated, the leaders of
all the major guilds serve on the Council, as does a representative
from each of the major towns.  Each year, the Council has an
internal election to establish its Presidor, its Adjudicator, and
its Monitor (described in detail later).  The Council is centered
(naturally) Lanthor, which is the largest city in all of Shaintar
and is accepted as the capital of the Freelands.  Lanthor and its
surrounding area are, in fact, a city-state ruled by an Overlord. 
     The Overlord of Lanthor is the only hereditary position of
rulership in all of the Freelands, a convention of traditions from
so long ago that no one dares challenge it.  Besides, most
Freelanders recognize the need to have someone the rest of the
world will see as nobility to deal with.  Traditionally, the
Overlord has always been cognizant of his status being one of
mutual consent; Overlords have always conducted themsFae with
decorum and allowed more democratic processes to operate the
day-to-day operations of Lanthor.  The Overlord is more than a
figurehead, however.  He stands as the Guildmaster of the most
important business in Lanthor - the city itsFae.

     Socially, the Freelands are the most progressive of any
human-dominated land.  Although initially paternal in its makeup,
Freeland society has always recognized the value and importance of
women.  Most towns and villages have their unofficial matriarchal
establishments ("knitting circles" or "ladies' gatherings"). 
Because trade and commerce are the most important factors within
the Freeland governing structure, women and non-humans have as many
opportunities as anyone; it only takes the ability and the
determination.  The Freelords have no limits on species or gender
for service; one of their greatest Lord Commanders was Alesia
Corwin, who died valiantly in the Dragon Wars.

Titles and Ranks of the Freelands

The Overlord of Lanthor (His Excellency, Count Marcus Tremont) -
     Although the Presidor of the Free Trade Council is, in fact,
the most powerful and important position in the Freelands, the fact
that it may change from year to year leaves the Overlord as a more
recognized figure to the rest of Shaintar.  This is the only
hereditary title in all of the Freelands; the appellation of count
being a holdover from ages past.  The Overlord of Lanthor is also
the head of the most powerful and wealthy house in the Freelands.
     Marcus Tremont is a shrewd and respected businessman; he
forgoes most of the trappings of his station and attempts to deal
even-handedly with all trade associates.  He sees the rulership of
Lanthor as a management task, and he is at once efficient and
magnanimous, making him one of the most popular Overlords in many
years.

The Presidor of the Free Trade Council (High Master Barthos
Killian) -
     The Presidor is the ranking member of the Council.  He is the
Chairman of all council meetings and acts as the closest thing to
an actual Head of State that the Freelands have.  The main
responsibilities of the Presidor include ensuring that the autonomy
of the Freelands is preserved, the common defense of the lands is
provided for, and that public safety and well-being is looked
after.  While serving, the Presidor (as well as the holders of the
other two positions) must avoid all appearances of using his
position for personal or economic gain.  In almost all cases,
active roles in other trade and businesses are given over to others
while serving.
     Barthos Killian has served as Presidor for seven years, mainly
because he has led the Freelands to the most prosperous times they
have ever enjoyed.  He is a crafty trader who is not above a little
scheming and manipulation for greater gain.  However, his scruples
are impeccable when it comes to the Freelands and their autonomy.

The Adjudicator of the Free Trade Council (High Mistress Jenia
Arbora) - 
     The Adjudicator is the premiere arbitrator of all the
Freelands.  This office maintains a sizeable staff dedicated to
overseeing legal disputes of all kinds, as well as trying criminal
and civil cases.  The legal system of the Freelands is one of the
most complex and sophisticated in all of Shaintar, and the
Adjudicator oversees this process.
     Jenia Arbora is an Fae, hailing from the Sharlor Forest.  She
has served as Adjudicator for eleven years and has a reputation for
honesty, fairness, and incorruptibility.  She is also known to be
one of the most stubborn and immovable opponents in any negotiation
or debate ever known.

The Monitor of the Free Trade Council (High Master Graham Reese) -
The Monitor's almost sacred duty is to oversee all laws, trade
agreements, treaties, and other official actions and determine if
they are in keeping with the letter and the spirit of Freelands
Autonomy Proclamation. The Monitor also is intended to serve as the
conscious of the Council, considering the effects of all policies
on the populace at large.  An Observer (a special member of the
Monitor's staff) is expected to accompany all diplomatic and
trade-relation missions.
     Graham Reese has only served a year as Monitor; his
predecessor, Jacob Farston, was found to be corrupt and involved
with House Malakar in less-than-savory dealings.  So far, Graham
has done an excellent job, although his youth has him at a
disadvantage sometimes when dealing with more venerable
guildmasters.

The Lord Commander of Lone Keep (Commander Valen Erikart, Knight of
the White Shield) -
     Much of the military order that is the Freelords of Lone Keep
is still a mystery.  Heroes, mercenaries, and adventurers have
flocked to the lonely lakeside fortress to find their fortunes or
their souls for centuries.  Lone Keep has ever stood as the bastion
against outside forces who threatened the freedom of the Freelands.

There is known to be the Commander, a highly respected and
well-known leader, who commands the Freelords.  There are known to
be Captains and Group Leaders, but the order defies any
comprehensive study of its structure.  Nonetheless, it is one of
the most formidable forces in all of Shaintar; though it numbers
only a few thousand, it is believed the Freelords could stand
against the mightiest legions or kantors fielded.
     Valen Erikart has served as the Lord Commander for over twenty
years.  He is a member of the mysterious Order of the White Shield,
an body of knights that dates back to the blood bond of Vol
Al-daya.  He is a quiet man, given to thoughtful consideration of
all situations.  His honor is paramount to him, but it does not
blind him to his duties as Commander.