Even out on the steppes Sharoban is not immune to the machinations of politics and intrigue. The city suffers from both internal plots and upheavals, and the shifting steps of the Great Dance between nations. This time we will consider the city's relation with the kingdoms of the west.
As Sharoban has become more affluent, it has attracted more and more attention from the western kingdoms. The city has been seen as both a boon and a curse, a place for ideas to take shape and alliances forged without the problems of domestic politics getting in the way. The fact that a good number of these treaties were thrashed out in the inns and taverns in the city was part of the appeal as was the anonymity Sharoban allowed. It was only after a number of rebellions were found to have originated in Sharoban's inns that the western kingdoms started to be more cautious and heading east became a sign for spy rings and assassins to make sure malcontents were caught, captured or killed. The city has become seen as something of a problem as a result.
The coup in Allreyda is perhaps the best way to demonstrate this. Allreyda is a nation that sits in the south of the continent, with its southern border along the shore of the Silver Sea and its eastern edge running along the steppe. To the north and west it is hemmed in by the Greycap Mountains. Twenty years ago a coup took place, killing the king and driving his family into exile, with the exception of the crown prince, Markov, who was held at the capital, Nebyezod. The coup's leader, Anders the Black, the boy's uncle declared himself regent, though most people suspect that this is a fiction designed to appease the peasants; the boy has not been seen in public for more than ten years.
How does this relate to Sharoban?
The conspirators had used Sharoban as a base for their plotting, even going so far to purchase weapons, armour and mercenaries in the city before launching their assault. The financial side of the coup also originated in the city, a number of the backers were merchants and guild leaders who saw a chance and took it. Many of the city's people did very well out of it, the financial backers were paid large dividends, mercenaries were given positions of power. Trade was bolstered too, contracts were signed with the new regent and as his banner fluttered above the palace at Nebeyezod barrels of dye, packs of eastern spices and bales of steppe hay trundled their way to the Allreydan border. In addition, as trade was pushed in the Allreydan ports Sharoban's merchants discovered that they made good money from access to a wider market. Money flowed back to the city, to the extent that there was talk of the Crimson Knights establishing a chapter house in Sharoban.
The fallout of the coup was immense in political terms. Various nations imposed blockades and refused to buy Allreydan goods.The Jorvin Empire went so far as to provide assistance to groups opposed to the new regent, though many observers felt this was simply a way to extend their influence southward in an effort to gain a foothold on the Silver Sea.
Allreyda became isolated.
Sharoban was their only friend and that only extended to the line of credit the merchants and guild masters had extended to the new regent. The Council remained resolutely neutral, despite the rumours that one of their number Feydor Shadow Sword, argued passionately in favour of Anders' cause. Despite this, there was a notable reluctance to close off relations with the Anders. It was only after the Jorvin Empire decided to expand eastward at a place called Merida's Mill, which would serve as a good place to disrupt trade and to mount an attack from, that the city quietly disengaged from Allreyda's political affairs. Trade was not disrupted but quietly discouraged nonetheless. In the meantime, the camp at Merida's Mill suffered a series of quiet acts of sabotage that eventually led to the camp being pulled back 100 miles towards the Imperial border. The culprits were never found and Sharoban has never commented on the campaign of dirty tricks, but it has been noted that a series of Wind Striker patrols swept through the area during the next few months and at least one skirmish was fought.
This encapsulates the issue that Sharoban presents to the west, it is technically part of their world but, at the same time the city sits wild and ungoverned out on the steppes; half in and out of even the Jorvin sphere of influence. As a result, Sharoban is feted for the assistance it can provide, even if that is mostly economic, and hated because it is a law unto itself and has a veneer of independence that allows it to get away with a lot more than other political entities. Sitting alone on the steppes, it is beyond the reach of most armies and the natural environment acts as a deterrent to even the toughest of the Jorvin commanders. Even if one can avoid the winter, one must deal with biting winds, ground that can turn into a sea of mud under the spring rain storms and the general lawlessness of the tribes and other denizens (an army can attract giants and hobgoblins like nobody's business) by the time Sharoban's walls are in sight troops are likely to be demoralised, tired, cold and hungry with little will to fight. Even threatening the city from afar is a delicate strategy, with no guarantee of success.
However, things may be changing. Sharoban can stand alone for the moment, but the Empire has learned to take it seriously and is slowly expanding eastward, under the name of 'living space' and the need for more land to feed the population. A new city, complete with a large temple is being built at Schwarzhugel, under the wolf banner. The southern nations have closed their borders, fearing the consequences of meddling too far. If the trend continues at the current pace, Sharoban will have the Empire as a close neighbour in the next fifty years.
Next time, we'll look how the city dances the Great Dance.
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