The Crafting of Worlds: The Free Cities of Bann, Pt. 1

[As some of you may know, I am currently working with Matt on creating the world on which our fall D&D4e campaign will occur. We're still roughly in the initial stages, but making excellent progress, and I would naturally like feedback when possible. However, given the semi-public nature of this blog, I can only post things that would be potentially be ok if the PCs saw. Hopefully you will enjoy what I do post though, and I'd love any kind of feedback you can give. 

The world is a tidal-locked, low magic world, more in the style of GRRM than Tolkien. There are 3 major countries, and 3 major religions (those three sets don't necessarily map onto one another). 

The following is two of the 5 major cities on the continent-state of Bann, known collectively as the Free Cities. As usual, any feedback is most welcome!]

Kalnidor

Patron God: Akath

Prime Exports: Metalworks, especially weapons and armor

Current Governor: Bailey

Current Free Council Rep: Dairo

Population Rank: 4th

Military Strength Rank: 2nd

Situated below the large, solitary mountain from which the city draws its name, Kalnidor exists mostly on the sloping plane from the ocean to the mountain, spilling forth from the large, main road called the Journeyman's Path. However, what particularly stands out is what is in the Mountain. Its history states that the mountain was once inhabited by the chief Dwarf clan in Alastia, before they were all but eliminated. Thus the side of the mountain facing the city is riddled with rooms, catacombs, and other features, and many speculate that the space inside the mountain is almost as large as the city without. Although the majority  of the space has been explored over the centuries, new spaces are still occasionally uncovered.

Towards the top of the inhabited mountain is the Governor's Palace, called the Kalnidor Redoubt. The natural stone and high location makes the Redoubt one of the most secure locations in the entire realm, and the Palace boasts enough space that much of the population can hide there in emergencies. Legend states during one war with Kalin the Redoubt held for 4 months before eventually surrendering due to lack of food. 

Kalnidor is located decently well for trade, but its main claim to fame is its smithies. The area around Kalnidor  and the mountains in the region are incredibly ore and mineral rich, which long ago caused many craftsmen to flock to the area. This remains true to this day, and the vast majority of journeymen will travel to Kalnidor for training. The best smiths can be found in the city, which is partially why it took Akath as its patron god. Kalnidor steel and armor carries a hefty price around the world, but no one questions that the quality isn't worth the price. 

The city is the 2nd smallest in Bann, and has a correspondingly small standing armed forces, but due to the high quality of its armaments and strong martial training the force is far stronger than the numbers would imply, as they are equipped with the finest weapons and armor the city can produce. 

Nyet

Patron God: Syna

Prime Exports: Practically everything that can fit on a boat

Current Governor: Naceae

Current Free Council Rep: Dao

Population Rank: 5th

Military Strength Rank: 3rd

Nyet holds the distinction of being the only city without a corresponding region, as it entirely occupies a large island in the middle of the Luciana Ocean. It has instead throughout the years built up an impressively large fleet, and claims the ocean as its region. The majority of ships sailing the ocean belong to Nyet and the rest often stop there on their travels and pay the appropriate taxes and tariffs. Its large number of merchant vessels are guarded and protected by squadrons of swift, highly armored battleships that carry contingents of soldiers who are experts in the close quarters fighting common when boarding ships. 

The city itself is home to the largest number of merchants and traders, as well as several prominent banks. Despite the physical constriction of the island's limited size, the city is surprisingly uncrowded since it spreads out to cover every available piece of land. The downside is that the city must import most of its food and water, although many families grow their own small gardens and some businesses specialize in storing clean water from rain and snow. However, the income from its brisk trade means the city can afford this downside, and the costs of living are not painfully higher than the mainland. Most citizens of Nyet will have served aboard a ship at one point in their life. 

Due to its location, Nyet is one of the more vulnerable cities in Bann. However, it is helped in part by one of the more prominent features, and that is the large number of icebergs floating near the island at any given time. Whether from natural causes or some ancient magic, icebergs from Kalin tend to float towards Nyet and surround it, and for this reason Nyet has taken Syna as its patron god. The locations and constantly shifting, requiring most vessels to rely on local guide ships to help them on the final approach. Normally this is only a minor hassle, but during potential invasions has made attacking the island surprisingly difficult. The navy is also adept at setting mines and traps around the waters, and their expert navigational ability combined with their fast ships has made blockades and sieges difficult to accomplish. 

Because of the frequent traveling its citizens take, and the multiculturalness of its ports, Nyet also boasts more than its fair share of diplomats and translators. 

As you would expect, Nyet does not provide barely any ground or air forces, and instead its contributions consist almost entirely of its navy. 

It's almost rather famous for its seafood.