Ragenport is the largest port in
Cambria and home to the realm's naval dockyards. It has an official population
of 40,000 although since its inns are packed in most seasons its actual population at any one time
may be much larger than that.
The population consists of roughly 60%
Southerners, 20%
Reets and 20% other races (representing citizens of all the realms
around the
Blue Sea). People are sometimes surprised to find that there is
a larger population of Elves in Ragenport than there is in
Pell's Hold forgetting that the Elves are a major seafaring nation
being one of the few races to build ships to brave the depths of the
Great Ocean.
Ragenport is also the most ancient city in Cambria and was certainly in existence before the founding
of Pell's Hold. Its citizens like to contend that it survived unsullied during the
Great Darkness but scholars dispute this despite
the fact that ancient stonework lies beneath much of the city. Most likely it was abandoned in the Great
Darkness but refounded as soon as the Sun returned by Southerners seeking independence from the
kingdoms in the South. It thus became one of the five great independent trading cities on the north side
of the Blue Sea that existed at the time of the founding of Cambria.
It is said that the relationship between the Dukes of Ragenport and the early rulers of Cambria was
always very cordial and that the idea of incorporating Ragenport into the realm was discussed from an early date based
on mutual self-interest. In any event in the year 173 Ragenport was formally joined with Cambria and the Duke
took the additional title of Lord of the Southern Marches, a new province of Cambria.
The Treaty that bound Ragenport to Cambria was cleverly crafted by the diplomats of both sides so that
Ragenport's unique culture should be preserved. In particular it gave authority to the Council of
Ragenport not to ratify the laws of Cambria if these were 'detrimental to the citizens of the City of Ragenport'.
In the Southern Marches therefore there is freedom of religion (or restrictions on who the Pelorean Church can
tithe) and many different religions have temples in the City. Also although members of other races cannot be citizens of
Cambria they can be citizens of Ragenport which effectively gives them rights throughout the Southern Marches (and by
the terms of the Treaty in the whole of Cambria). By recent amendments to the Treaty the Duke bears the cost of
providing the Navy but citizens of the Southern Marches are excused the King's new tax. The Duke has made up the gap
in his own finances by levying a trade tax. The King is annoyed by this as the Duke is if anything better off
under the new arrangement and even more popular with his own citizens.
Possibly the thing that most annoys the King about Ragenport, however, is that it has refused to ratify
any of the laws that underpin his crusade against magic. The Duke rightly points out that this
is down to the Council and the
Ragenport Merchants' Company, which holds major positions
on the Council, has for centuries had spell using Windcallers
on its ships. Further many of the non-Pelorean religions
use magic items in their rituals and it is thus politically impossible for him to support such
laws. Just to make the point Ragenport marines have been stopping
Geogoth units at the borders of the province. The King would dearly
love to replace the Duke but by the terms of the Treaty would need the support of the Council of Ragenport with
whom he has very little influence (despite the best efforts the
Red Asps it is said).
The Duke meanwhile is concerned not only with events in Cambria but in the other cities on the
coast of the Blue Sea. He is frequently away on trips to talk trade and other matters with the
the leaders of these cities and behaves as the King says 'as if he was King of his own little country'.
The Duke, however, points out that he is merely looking after the interests of his City as all
his forebears have done and all his actions are within the scope of the Treaty.