The Nine Tribes of the City (in 3419, when The Mortal Blade takes place)

There are nine distinct tribes inhabiting the City. Three were in the area from the beginning, and the other six were created in two waves of expansion.

The Original Three Tribes – Auldan (pop. 300 000) Auldan is the oldest part of the City. United by the Union Walls (completed in 1040), it combined the three original tribes and their towns, along with the shared town of Ooste, which houses the Royal Palace, where King Malik lives.

1. The Rosers – (their town is Tara, est. Yr. 1.) The first tribe to reach the peninsula where the City is located. Began farming there in the sunward regions, until attacks from the Reapers forced them into building the first walled town. Prince Michael ruled until his death in 3096. Queen Amalia governs the Rosers from Maeladh Palace in Tara.
2. The Gloamers – (their town is Dalrig, est. Yr. 40.) Arrived shortly after the Rosers, farming the iceward side of the peninsula. Like them, they fought with the Reapers, and built a walled town to stop their attacks. Prince Montieth rules from Greylin Palace in Dalrig.
3. The Reapers – (their town is Pella, est. Yr. 70.) Hunter/Gatherer tribe that arrived after the more sedentary Rosers and Gloamers. Settled in the plains between the other two tribes. More numerous than either the Rosers or the Gloamers, but are looked down on as more rustic. Prince Isra ruled until his death in 3078. Princess Khora now rules in his stead, but delegates to her son, Lord Salvor, who governs from Cuidrach Palace in Pella.

The Next Three Tribes – Medio (pop. 400 000) Originally called ‘New Town’, this part of the City was its first major expansion; and was settled from the completion of the Middle Walls (finished in 1697 and originally known as the Royal Walls). The name ‘Medio’ derives from the old Evader word for ‘Middle’.

4. The Icewarders – (their town is Icehaven, est. 1657.) Settlers from Dalrig originally founded a new colony at Icehaven to assist in the building of the Middle Walls, as the location was too cold and dark for the greenhides. After the wall’s completion, many settlers stayed, and a new tribe was founded. Separated from Icehaven by mountains, a large number of Icewarders also inhabit the central lowlands bordering the Circuit. Princess Niomi ruled until her death in 3089. Her daughter, Lady Yvona, now governs from Alkirk Palace in Icehaven.
5. The Sanders – (their town is Port Sanders, est. 1702.) When the Middle Walls were completed, a surplus population of Rosers and Reapers moved into the new area, and the tribe of the Sanders was founded, based around the port town on the Warm Sea. Related closely to the Rosers in terms of allegiance and culture. Princess Khora rules, but delegates to her daughter, Lady Lydia, who governs from the Tonetti Palace in Port Sanders.
6. The Evaders – (their town is the Circuit, est. 2133.) The only tribe ethnically unrelated to the others, the Evaders started out as refugees fleeing the greenhides, and they began arriving at the City c.1500. They were taken in, and then used to help build the Middle Walls. The largest tribe by population among the first six, though the other tribes of Auldan and Medio look down on them as illiterate savages. Princess Yendra ruled until her death in 3096. Lady Ikara rules from Redmarket Palace in the town’s centre.

The Final Three Tribes – The Bulwark (pop. 600 000) The Bulwark is the defensive buffer that protects the entire City from greenhide attack. Work commenced on the enormous Great Walls after the decisive Battle of the Children of the Gods in 2247, when the greenhides were annihilated and pushed back hundreds of miles. They were completed c.2300, and the new area of the City was settled.

7. The Blades – (est. 2300.) The military tribe of the City. The role of the Blades is to defend the Great Walls from the unceasing attacks by the Greenhides. Their service is hereditary, and the role of soldier passes from parent to child. Officials from the Blades also police and govern the other two tribes of the Bulwark. Their headquarters is the Fortress of the Lifegiver, the largest bastion on the Great Walls, where Duke Marcus is the commander.
8. The Hammers – (est. 2300.) The industrial proletariat of the Bulwark, the Hammers are effectively slaves, though that word is not used. They are forbidden to leave their tribal area, which produces much of the finished goods for the rest of the City.
9. The Scythes – (est. 2300.) The agricultural workers of the Bulwark, who produce all that the region requires. Slaves in all but name.