Society
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 themselves 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 itself.
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.