The Oligarchy of Cressida was founded sixty years ago in the year 456. Some of the nobility displeased with Queen Zoe, of Aisha’s political decisions and laws decided to declare freedom and political sovereignty from the Kingdom of Aisha. They took an annexed territory from Aisha formerly known as Asha.
War with Aisha
From the year 456 to 472 Aisha and Cressida were locked in bitter war. Many innovations in warships, tools of war (such as powder muskets), and the arcane arts were made during this time. Both Aisha and Cressida suffered many losses, but it was Cressida that came out the overall victor, taking three additional cities from Aisha and many important trade routes.
Alliance and Peacetime
In the latter half of 472 Aisha and Cressida agreed to a cease fire. The alliance seemed to be secure, but it wasn’t long before the stability of this alliance was brought into question when it was found that Cressida was granting pirates pardons for acts of war and piracy against the nation of Aisha in 499. Although the alliance remains to this very day, it is the opinion of most scholars that it is only a matter of time before war breaks out among both nations.
Political System
The wealthiest twelve families in the capital city of Cressida, New Asha, can petition to gather the twelve families to rule on matters in the nation of Cressida with varying degrees of urgency. Families that fail to send a representative to weigh in on the matter waive their right to vote on issues presented during the council. As such most of the families keep several representatives on standby at all times to ensure their voice is heard. The richest family is afforded the right to veto a request to gather the twelve families to vote after delegates from each house have arrived at the requested time for a sizable payout to all families that sent a delegate to the council. They are also given the power to decide the vote should the council have no majority side.
Opening of the Cressidan Council
Once at least six of the twelve families have arrived at the designated meeting time different matters will be brought to attention. The number of items to be voted on usually depends on the the urgency of the meeting. Regardless the council will always follow the same order of steps.
- Item one of greatest importance is presented to the council by relevant authorities on the matter. Relevant authorities may state their opinion in the matter.
- Individuals or organizations who would like to lobby the council can now present their matter. Gold is shown, but it is presented at a later date at the nobles estate that voted in favor of the lobbyist.
- The council moves to voting. The nine lowest families must vote immediately and blindly. Finally Ashford casts their vote, followed by Grim-wood, and finally Windcrest casts their vote and wins ties.
- The proposed item is signed an enters into effect at a proposed date or immediately after the council concludes. The next item is then presented.
The Ruling Families of Cressida
The twelve ruling families of Cressida and their respective tendencies and personal histories.
The Windcrest Family
By far the most powerful family in Cressida and the only family to hold the right to veto a call for the council of families to meet. Their sole interest lies in how much gold lies in the house vault. If you meet someone from the Windcrest family, it’s probably best to avoid making them mad. Their current head, Cressida Windcrest, supports entering a war with the Kingdom of Aisha.
The Grim-wood Family
The Grim-wood family is the most underhanded of the families. It has been found on several occasions that they had been laundering money, hiring assassins from Lira to silence political opponents, and bribing other families to change their vote. They have recently been meeting a great deal with a delegate from The Obsidian Spires, Nation of Lira. Their founder and current head Vaeril Grim-Wood is rumored to have been cursed with an illness leading to poor health.
The Ashford Family
The Ashford family is the third most powerful family in Cressida. This most recent year, 512, has seen the passing of their previous head, Mithrindir Ashford. Some speculate that his death was not natural since the Ashford family was the most staunch opposition to the Grim-wood family, but no significant evidence has been brought to prove this. Inheriting the head seat is Urthelion Ashford son of Mithrindir Ashford. Unlike his father Urthelion supports going to war with Aisha.
The Blighte Family
Leywin Blighte is the head of the Blighte family. Leywin never supported the Cressidan Anti-monarchist party. He and his family were the vassal rulers over the city of Asha when they fell upon hard times after a particularly brutal storm season. The damages to the town nearly left them bankrupt and they were forced to sell many lands of Asha to other nobles. However Leywin Blighte found to his horror that the Cressidan nobles were the only buyers. Out of a sense of obligation to the people of Asha he resolved to stay and use his wealth to protect as many of them as possible.
The Svila Family
The Svila family is one of the ruling families to rise to power after Cressida declared independence. It remains neutral on most issues and is especially swayed by lobbyists. Just about the only thing they have an opinion on is anything that will affect their silk industry or territories owned in Salem. They previously voted to avoid going to war with the Kingdom of Aisha, likely because of a meeting with Mithrindir Ashford that took place shortly before the Cressidan Council that voted against war with Aisha.
The Other Families
- The Thoran Family
- The Eloi Family
- The Kaelani Family
- The Calimacil Family
- The Haldir Family
- The Willow Family
- The Ferris Family
Geography
The nation of Cressida is the second largest nation. it is spread out among four cities. Among the cities of Cressida, its capital, New Asha, does stand out.
New Asha
New Asha is the wealthiest of the four trade cities of Cressida. Skilled Shipwrights from Aisha travel to New Asha thanks to the higher demand for good ships and lower taxes. Thanks to this New Asha has a thriving and extremely competitive market for ships. If you want a good ship New Asha is the place to seek. The wealthiest families of Cressida also reside here in the capital city. Thanks to them and their political schemes, New Asha never sees a boring week. Regrettably I can’t afford to catalog these events as they are deserving of an entire book by itself.
The Slums of New Asha
Most people will never see anything other than the extremely rich sections of New Asha, but that does not mean the poor do not exist. Quite the contrary the difficulty in finding the poor speaks to the depths of poverty that can be found. Within New Asha proper you’ll have to search sewage systems to have a dash of hope in meeting those less fortunate. Outside the city lies a slum only a couple kilometers from New Asha itself.
The Three Captured Cities
During the war with the Kingdom of Aisha, Cressida managed to capture three additional cities other than New Asha itself. These have been instrumental in contributing to Cressida’s credibility as a legitimate nation. The cities are as follows.
- Salem: A prosperous silk town, which house Svila owns a great deal of territory in.
- Ironshade: The most northern city. It makes for a great first defense against Aisha because of its iron mine and skilled blacksmiths.
- Ashthorn: A poor coal mining city with no other major exports.
Historical Events
- 435: Nine noble families of Aisha form the Cressidan party plotting to fight Queen Zoe
- 456: Cressida declares freedom in Asha, a city jointly owned by the Cressidan party
- 472: Cressida is recognized as a nation by Aisha. War ends between Cressida and Aisha
- 488: Leywin Blighte is the target of a failed Grim-wood assassination attempt
- 498: Cressida votes to grant pardons to pirates who agree to hunt Aishan ships
- 499: Aisha taxes the goods exported from Cressida to Aisha. Cressida threatens war
- 500: Cressida votes seven against five to avoid going to war
- 512: Ashford family head dies. His only son takes his place as head of the family
- 513: Cressida calls for a vote to see about entering into war with Aisha