Solehythe

Solehythe is a provincial city that rests on the Red Coast of the Crimson Cliffs.

= Government =

Hythan Pentad
The city-state of Solehythe has a unique system of governance in which a council of five men, called the Pentad, share control of the city, each commanding separate duties and powers and convening to make decisions pertaining to the whole. The Pentad is seated by the five heads of the five great families of Solehythe: Havail, Reilev, Talim, Gouldin, and Veyrus. An unofficial sixth seat belongs to the head of the Maxim family.

House Havail
One of the three ancient families, tracing their lineage back to Old Whitecrest, the Havails are a large, powerful clan. Mantieres IV is the current head of House Havail, and he commands the Hythan Guard and controls the goings-on of Fort Solehythe.

House Reilev
House Reilev is descended of the slaves of Jason Reilev, Champion of Akwal. As such, they trace their lineage to Old Whitecrest as well, making them the second of the three ancient houses. Aleksandr Reilev is the current patriarch, and he commands the docks, handling all shipping in and out of Solehythe, as well as providing food for the city through fishing.

House Talim
The final of the three ancient families, House Talim trace their lineage back to Old Whitecrest as well. Traditionally, the Talim's were great woodsmen and carpenters. While some still are, the clan now claims the farmland West of the city, providing the majority of Solehythe's food through their cultivation of wheat and carrots. Additionally, many server as gardeners, caring for the trees, bushes, and flowers that survive within the city's claims.

House Gouldin
A family with a dubious history, the Gouldin clan trace their lineage back to the Deserman city of Oasis, from which many refugees fled during the War of Fools. Their name comes from the bandit-kings some say caused that war. Rather than banditry, House Gouldin has carved a name for themselves in Solehythe as merchants and administrators. They work closely with House Reilev and also manage land-caravans that travel across Templehelm.

House Veyrus
Tracing their lineage back to the Kingdom of Aren, House Veyrus is the youngest of the five families. Above all the others, however, House Veyrus is known for their magic and wisdom. They maintain Solehythe's libraries and also manage the local mage's college.

= History = Solehythe is a relatively young metropolis, founded in the 10th Wolf-Lamb.

Humble Beginnings
Solehythe grew naturally around "Fort Solehythe", which still houses the city's guard. This fort was created by a single man, Sir Laith of the Painted Knights. After a long and troubled history in Templehelm, Laith had found himself alone. Some say with immense hope - others say lost in grief - he toiled for years building Fort Solehythe brick by brick. As it neared completion, an Order sprung up around him, and the Painted Knights were born.

From Fort to Village
As the Painted Knights grew in membership and fame, many came to Fort Solehythe seeking fortune and safety.

Sir Faeryn the Smith
The first man to join Sir Laith's Painted Knights was Sir Faeryn, a drow blacksmith. He and his kin built the golem forge and other facilities that now make up the industrial district of Holhythe. Their presence provided the Painted Knights with fine weapons and armor and quick repairing services, and warriors from across Templehelm came to commission weapons from the Master Smith, Faeryn.

Protection of Blighthold
Early on in the formation of the Painted Knights, drakes had beset the land and were terrorizing the countryside. Lady Tokk Aru of Blighthollow requested protection and the Painted Knights obliged, making regular patrols across the entirety of Blighthold, including both Blighthollow, the Abbey, and the surrounding countryside. This brought new travellers, traders, and faith to Fort Solehythe early on.

Sir Dan and the Docks
An old friend of Sir Laith, Sir Dan was an Akawhale who'd served in the respective navies of Tranquility, Whitecrest, and the Kingdom of Aren. When he arrived at Fort Solehythe, a dock was quickly built to moor several vessels of his own creation. This change, especially, allowed for Fort Solehythe to grow into a hub of commerce and a seafarer's gateway to the East.

Liberation of the White Coast
North of the Crimson Cliffs sits the White Coast, a long stretch of savannah where the city of Whitecrest originally stood. During the height of the Curse of the Waking Dream, the ruins of Whitecrest reappeared and hordes of violent apparitions ravaged the coast from the old city. Eventually, the Painted Knights and their allies drove off the spirits and cleansed the city, claiming it as their own. Though reconstruction stalled, many of the impoverished and provincial folk who'd been displaced by the attack wound up at Fort Solehythe, making camp where the Strathythe District sits today.

Agriculture & Alchemy
Lady Luthien O'Hafton came to Fort Solehythe early on, seeking a home where she could be happy and safe. Though a young girl, her contributions to the city were immeasurable, from her focus on the Wildaven faith to her creation of the farms that help to feed the masses. Though many of these things began small, the lush, prosperous city owes its greenery and its health to one, young Wildling girl.

The Free City
The founding of Solehythe as a free city, independent of the old kingdoms of Templehelm.

Decline of the Painted Knights
The Curse of the Waking Dream was heavy on the Painted Knights. Some men disappeared. Others found themselves waking after months gone by. A plague of madness, betrayal, and paranoia swept across the land, and at the end of it the damage was done. Sir Faeryn had died. Lady Luthien and Sir James had run off together. Sir Dan, Sir Briar, and Sir Tomas had all disappeared. Sir Laith found himself alone again and decided it was time to move on. He left the fort in the nominal care of Sir Vale, Mayor of Heathrest, before heading East.

The Council
After Laith's departure, and the de facto end of the Painted Knights, Fort Solehythe was facing a dire situation. Mayor Vale of Heathrest had his hands tied dealing with Verdict, the Crow, and there was no one else to turn to for leadership or protection. Out of this chaos rose the Hythan Council, which still governs the city today. One man from each outer district - Holhythe, Strathythe, Lowhythe - and two from the city center met, combining their resources and manpower to bring order and prosperity to the city of Solehythe once and for all.