The Free City of Sogambrium has its earliest beginnings as a post-Firefall mixed Mantaten and Sapoy village in Warcinet, one of the countries in Bearclaw’s "Union" in the 1700s.
Its first set of walls were erected in 1869, and augmented both structurally and magically on many occasions since then. The city fell during the Yetdark to a great slaughter, but rose from its
own ashes as the capital of the Arsoshi Union. Sogambrium does not have the foremost location in the Plains, nor the greatest in natural resources,
and not even the closest proximity to suppliers or customers, but it has a little of all of that. It also has a huge population base, which creates an economic momentum of its own. Sogambrium
is best thought of as one huge open-air market (surrounded by towering black walls) where everyone’s mind is on the next big deal.
A Mayor who is elected by various guild-heads and wealthy families rules it for a five-year term, and is then ineligible for re-election for
the next two five-year terms. The current Mayor is Adamir Selfarain (12th level Bard, and she is in the 2nd year of her office).
Like the Drinen Federation, it has a parallel pattern of wealth equating to political power, but along with a Ruling Council of various Guild-heads and wealthy families, this "Lord Mayor" is
also elected. A small sample of these key families and their "insignia" are listed below. The tradition in Sogambrium is that the heir apparent in any family is called the "dean" (e.g. Atrus Corim (30 years
old, 1st level Mage, 3rd level Thief) is most likely to succeed his parents, and thus despite a desire to become an adventurer is known as "dean" Corim).
| FAMILY NAME |
INSIGNIA |
COMMENTS |
| Giften |
Hat (red felt "chef’s" style with small gold chains looped about) and Pennants (white with three black sailing ships on a wavy sea of red) |
Patriarch is 7th level Fighter. Cowards and bullies, they control the Locksmiths Guild, offer "security" services (protection rackets) and have links to the local Thieves Guild. Unallied. |
| Rockwell |
Vest (navy blue heavy cotton trimmed with black horse hair and ornamental stones ) and Belt (pale green cotton, "cummerbund"-like with secret pockets in pleats) |
Patriarch is 0 level Architect. Hangers on and opportunists, they control the Ostlers Guild and the Drovers Guild. They are effectively at war with family Riegel. Allied with family Cistur and several lesser families. |
| Pastore |
Robe (pure white knee-high felt) and Shoes (knee-high blue-green leather with a long pointy toe) |
Patriarch is 4th level Sage (local history). Coldly and entirely business, they own much land with Sogambrium’s walls, and control the Stonecutters & Masons Guild. Their chef, Geldee of Drinen, is the finest cook south of the Samarkand. Unallied. |
| Cistur |
Cape (long brick-red wool) and Belt (light green lizard skin with a black enameled clasp) |
Matriarch is 12th level Fighter. A newly rising family, their eldest daughter has just been named head of the Sogambrese Watch, and they control the Lexicographers Guild. Allied with family Rockwell. |
| Riegel |
Tabard (olive green cotton, with red grape clusters embroidered in each corner, and gold thread corkscrew stitched in the centre on front and back) |
Matriarch is 8th level Invoker. Perhaps the tightest knit and most shrewd family in the region, they control the Dyers Guild, the Innkeepers Guild, and the Vintners Guild. An exception, they are devout Ashnus worshippers. Unallied. |
Lord Mayor of Sogambrium
This is a role usually filled by someone most of the wealthy families and Guild Heads believe is weak enough to be unable to use the role as a stepping stone to greatness, but strong enough to keep the city functioning and resist the temptation to
ally with someone else’s Family. No candidate will get the role who is openly antagonistic (or strongly allied) with any one family, but loose coalitions usually form around several candidates at selection time.
The Lord Mayor’s role is to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of city services (fire, building, sanitation, etc.), collect city taxes, manage the City Watch and through them keep some sort of lid on the battles between the feuding families. However,
the City Guard and Militia are run by another individual, the Captain of the Guard, who reports only to the full Ruling Council (a well paid and lifetime role unless removed by the Ruling Council). Finally, the Sogambrese Mint is run by another individual
also elected by the Ruling Council (also a well paid and lifetime role unless removed by the Ruling Council).
The Lord Mayor is elected for a five year term, and other than the political considerations noted above, there are only three other prerequisites. First, any Lord Mayor is ineligible for re-election in the two subsequent terms of office. Second, they must willingly
submit to a variety of magical tests on a regular basis to ensure they are under no magical control or influence. Lastly, they must have a proven track record of leadership, results and integrity.
HOME