History
Background
Vel Anir is and always has been a city of blood and steel. Since its very founding day the method of just how the city would survive has been clear. The military comes first, no matter the expense, no matter the cost. This was a decision made by the first king, Cinira Anireth. The men and women who became the founders of Vel Anir came from the steppe, where brutality and war were not only a way of life, but the only possible way to survive.
Vel Anir was a way not to escape that, but the method by which it was honed into perfection. This was how the city came into being, this was its purpose. Conquest and supremacy were at the very heart of what Vel Anir hoped to achieve, and through the centuries it can be said they have more than met this goal.
The military of Vel Anir is easily one of the strongest and well trained in Arethil. Its army is large and well trained, its navy dominates the Cortosi Coast, and all those capable of magic born within the walls are trained for combat. This singular military drive has lead to dozens of conflicts over the centuries, and more than once Vel Anir nearly came to ruin.
Through it all however the city somehow managed to survive, and now it stands as one of humanity's greatest achievements.
Many of its neighbors still despise Vel Anir, forced to pay tribute to the city in the form of food and conscripts. Others see them as protectors or valuable military allies, taking advantage of their powerful armies and navies to better suit their own agenda.
For their own part, Vel Anir is hardly free of conflict from within. Though initially united, long ago the Royal Family of Anireth and the Seven Houses fell into great conflict. No one is entirely sure what happened, but it was during the deep of long winter that the Seven Houses banded together and formed a powerful alliance. Their retainers struck in the night, slaughtering the King's Guard and taking the then ruler of the city hostage.
Instead of deposing the King however the Houses made him their puppet, using the Royal Line as little more than a face of their power. It of course didn't take long for the Seven Houses to fall into contest with one another, their alliance breaking and competition beginning.
This game of Houses existed in Vel Anir for nearly two hundred years. Each House waxing and waning in power depending on shifting alliances, marriages, and other factors. Over the years, this bred resentment, anger, and hatred from citizens, Dreadlord's, and Vel Anir's own military.
Just over a year ago, some of these elements came together and held a great Revolution. Lead by the Anirian Guard, and backed up by a sizeable amount of Dreadlords, the Revolution succeeded in overthrowing the power of the Great Houses. Those who did not capitulate were either executed or imprisoned, and the powers who took hold established a Republic in the place of the old Government.
Many arguments were had over what was to be done with the Houses and the King himself, but eventually it was decided that a new system had to start off on the right foot. The nobility of Vel Anir was offered amnesty in return for cooperation. The King, the Great Houses, and all other nobles would retain the majority of their holdings and wealth, but would tithe a great percentage to the new Government.
This tithe was then used for the rebuilding of Vel Anir, funding the new Government, and various other necessary projects.
Though this new Republic has only been founded a short while ago, there is a general hope that things will improve and get better. Anirian lands are experiencing turmoil, but the city itself is beginning to rebuild and strive to be a better place.
Even if some still call for a return to the old ways.
Government
Once a monarchy, then an oligarchy, Vel Anir is now a Republic.
Ruled by the few who are elected by the many, Vel Anir's new government stands as one of the few democracies currently in Arethil. Not overly complex, the cities government is run by a High Council composed of elected officials from the city itself and all satellite territories that it controls.
Officials elected to the High Council are voted on by their respective districts. Generally this corresponds to simply a count of landholders and occupants within certain cities, towns, and of course boroughs of Vel Anir itself. These elections are overseen by the Anirian Guard, and take place every five years. Currently there are nearly a hundred members of the High Council.
The Council oversees everything in Anirian Territory and is lead by an executive system of ministers chosen from elected ranks by a vote of the Councilors themselves.
Of course, just because the new Republic stands in place, does not mean that vestiges of the old system don't still remain. During the Revolution, many of the Great Houses and most of the nobility capitulated to the rebels. Though some of their property and wealth was seized, most of it remained. Due to this, a great many Councilors in the Republic are those same wealthy people.
That is however not to say that the Council is made up entirely of Nobles. A great many positions in the new Government were filled by former Soldiers, Merchants, and even more ordinary folk. This of course has lead to the Council being very diverse in both opinion, and priority.
Despite this, the new Republic has proven itself to be quite effective.
Though debates rage for hours at a time, the Council has yet to be deadlocked, and in general has shown itself to reach a quick consensus when it matters. Despite some of the large disparaging opinions held by Councilors.
Lore
"I want him dead.
Who does he think he is? What does he think he is? That damned Niasin Urahil and his despicable, horse-faced little harpy of a wife. How dare they do this to me. How dare they cross
me. After everything I did for his father, after everything I did for that... that family.
The very thought disgusts me.
I brought them opportunity, I gave them a chance. All they needed to do was cast their vote for the war. All they needed to do was support this one measure in the Council Chambers but he just couldn't do it. The stupid bastard doomed us.
Now those fucking knife-ears are going to run wild in Falwood again. We won't be able to stop them. In a year's time they'll be at our doorstep, and then... then it'll be the end of this city.
All of our power, all of our might will just ebb away as those foul little creatures rush towards us. It disgusts me to think they still let them in the city, disgusts me to think that I must receive them in the Council Chamber.
I must do something about this. I have to make sure they never come here."
— Velkath Pirian, recent journal entry
By all accounts Vel Anir is a city of power and might, a display of just the majesty that Humanity is capable of when it truly comes to it's best. The world over most humans sing the praises of Vel Anir and it's King. For many it is seen as a place of progress.
Where once it was a war like state, the public perception within Arethil has mostly shifted to a more positive outlook. The current peace that the city practices is well liked, and Humans from all over the world flock to Vel Anir to begin their life anew. Few of course understand the true politics of the city, but most are hopeful that they can find their place.
Other species are more apprehensive about Vel Anir, their longer memories reaching back far enough to recall the massacres that had been conducted at the hands of the Anirian Guard. Still, most are willing to give the city a chance, and there is a general hope that the peace continues.
Some, however, are not as optimistic. Those who know the true story of Vel Anir over the recent centuries watch carefully, waiting for the lash.