Enmalin

Banner of Enmalin

Enmalin is a port city on the western coast of Conder Isle, known for being a trading hub between the Democracy and the rest of the world.

History

Not much is known about the ancient days of Enmalin, experts estimate it has been founded in 2993 BC. The oldest remaining document mentioning the city is a population count from the year 9 BC, in which Enmalin is said to have a population of approximately 500 citizens. The first known ruling family is the family Xilvaris.

The Open Market Period (45 - 342)

In the year 45 trading started to flourish again. During this time, it was so easy to make money, as demands all around the world could be satisfied again. Many unknown families were able to gain power fast by this, and the rule over the city switched between them quite often. The ruling family was basically chosen by how many jobs they provide for the city and how much money the can make for the city. It wasn’t a good time for foreigners and animal lovers, as many unethical practices have been passed into law during this period. Racism was very common, but not out of hate, but out of necessity, every race wanted to win the race to old glory themselves.

Some of the most notable families whom shared control over the city during this period: Xilvaris, Wrandi, Patoris, Cailee, Kelmys, Valynn, Enwarin

The Peak Period (343 - 850)

After the thirst for goods was dried out around the world the race to the top settled itself. Enmalin was able to regain its old glory and significance as a trading hub, with a new population of 4120 citizens. Many people from around the region moved into the city in search for wealth, many travellers and traders stayed longer than the elves would have liked.

During this period many of the previously established laws were dropped, and dwarves and gnomes were welcome again. In the year 447 Vimme Vivaldi built a bank in Enmalin, the first in all of Conder Isle, which boosted the local trades even more, as now people were able to conveniently get more funds. The good financial situation in which Enmalin found itself allowed the Vivaldi family to even take over control of the city for some years (452 - 463), which makes them the first dwarven family to be elected by an elven city.

On the other hand, many of the families who gained a lot of wealth during the Open Market Period started to crumble now, as the skills to actually keep trading with an acceptable revenue even in harder times seemed unnecessary to many as they were living lavish lifestyles.

Some of the most notable families whom shared control over the city during this period: Xilvaris, Vivaldi, Wrandi, Kelmys, Enwarin, Omaven, Loraris

The Downfall Period (851 - 853)

On the 1. February 851 a trader who lived in Enmalin for his whole life went to the council and complained that foreign traders were ruining his business. He wanted a better separation between citizens of Enmalin and foreigners. This sparked a hefty discussion and in no time different opinions established themselves. Some were sure the best thing for the city would be to keep open trading laws, others thought that citizens should have an advantage. This gave grounds for many extremely racist views, which only hardened over time as the council could not find a solution to please everyone.

In 852 one of the worst openly racist families, the Kelmys, took over the council from the Loraris with their hateful rhetoric, promising a prompt and simple solution for the problem. Their first action in office was to ban all human from the city. Many supported this decision, as it was the first real solution which was presented, others argued that humans are too stupid to be better traders than elves anyways, why should they be banned? Many humans got the hint and travelled back to their homelands, others resisted by hiring elves and dwarves to go into the city and buy stuff for them.

Three months later the ban was lifted by command of the Democracy, as a ban can only be set up against all non-elves. This upset the Kelmys and many other nobles, and a series of murders of humans started during the following weeks. People of all races started striking out of compassion for their murdered brethren. All this lead to a small civil war between nationalist elven and socialist elves, dwarves and even some gnomes, which lasted for more than four weeks, and had to be stopped by the elven army.

Afterwards the army mediated between the citizens of Enmalin, and they came to a compromise where the length of the stay of any foreign trader was limited, as well as lower taxes for citizens of the city. The Kelmys were proven to be involved with the killings, some of them were imprisoned, the rest was forbidden from politics for a lengthy time. The Xilvaris took back the control until the next elections.

Some of the most notable families whom shared control over the city during this period: Xilvaris, Kelmys, Loraris

The Peaceful Period (854 - 1403)

During the peaceful period nothing noteworthy happened. The trades flourished as the population reached its peak of 8196 during this time. Tolerance seemed to grow with every day, and with a fair foreign trading policy in place nobody had much to complain about. During this period many people lived their lives as always, but some clever ones found ways to enrichen themselves illegally. The city guard had to handle many unknown situations in which they didn’t know who was trying to scam who. The legal system for fraud and forgery really grew during those days.

Some of the most notable families whom shared control over the city during this period: Xilvaris, Loraris, Wrandi, Enwarin, Elaydark

The Current Period (1404 - now)

The Current Period started in 1404, with the death of Arun Xilvaris one of the most highly respected elves from Enmalin. Nobody knows how it happened, but most are convinced that political motivations must have been behind it. The Xilvaris were always known for their rational thinking and fair compromises, and were one of the longest existing ruling families in Enmalin, so such an assassination came as a shock to many.

The sons of Arun Xilvaris weren’t sure on how their father imagined his heritage to be taken care of, and none of them had much experience in politics, as his passing came as a surprise to many. It was even questionable if the Xilvaris were ever able to catch themselves, as much of the family knowledge died with their father. Without the Xilvaris to hold the left and the right together around one table, the nobility was split in two again.

Many families started racing for the absolute majority to push their agendas, others hope to be able to take over the unofficial role the Xilvaris had held for so long. So far no one really achieved anything, for most families are afraid to let the others have too much power, leading to themselves losing some.

Some of the most notable families so far during this period: Loraris, Kelmys, Enwarin, Elaydark

Important buildings

University for Nature

The University for Nature is a part of the Elvish Academy and consists of the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Zoology. They have a botanic garden on the northern city border, and a small zoo on the campus with common animals form around the region. Due to the nature of their research many rangers are occupied at the university to take care of the animals or lead expeditions into the unknown.

Vivaldi Bank

The Vivaldi Bank is claimed to be one of the safest banks in the world. Many citizens of Enmalin didn’t believe their eyes as Vimme Vivaldi arrived at the harbour with a ship full of dwarven granite, one of the strongest materials a bank could ever be built of.

The bank is located near the centre of the village and is not known to be the friendliest one towards armed customers.