Friholm

Friholm is a port town, currently an independent city-state.

Etymology
The name Friholm is Swedish, and directly translates to "Free Peninsula".

This is to signify the sovereignty and independence of Friholm. It also describes Friholm's standing as a port due to its geological situation, while emphasizing the focus of Friholm's free market.

Additionally, the name reflects Friholm's in-lore history. as its people moved to the location and established the town as a bid for economic and diplomatic freedom from their original lands.

History
Friholm was founded on 23 May 2021 by Profilman and AgentL00.

Initially, it was a member of the United Kingdoms of West Sparwood, however, following The West Sparwood Crisis, Friholm broke from the Nation, becoming an independent city-state, and declared neutrality.

Friholm was started as a purely oligarchic state, however, after the initial town was set up and the collapse of the UK, a council was formed. This council comprised of 6 members; 3 of which were voted into power in a public election, with the remaining 3 each representing a guild.

Founding
"Our fore-fathers were merchants who settled down in what is now Friholm in an attempt to avoid a fear that trade regulations might grow in Rathnir. Their flotillas of trading ships were disassembled, and the timber was used to found the first settlement in Friholm."

Initially the town was set up with each family as equals, the autocracy was abolished as the founding of a new settlement acted as an equalizer, and a rudimentary parliamentary system was set up. Profilman's ancestors quickly rose to power in parliament, gaining a fast majority, allowing the family to pursue a military coup. The family consolidated power quickly and established themselves as the new monarchy. It is the system they created that presides in Friholm to this day.

Politics
Friholm's Government is a Constitutional Oligarchic Monarchy, with Profilman acting as the current monarch or "Doge", and AgentL00 acting as the current Consul.

Most of the decisions are made by an elected council. Currently there are 6 members on the council; the first 3 places in the council are reserved for guild leaders, while the remaining 3 are for elected council members. The first council election took place on the 24th of July 2021, with the electoral time period spanning from the 23rd to the 25th. On the first day of this period, the prospective council members took part in an official debate concerning the running of Friholm moving forward.

The results of the first election determined that Draco Furno, Wassel, and Vandoro would be the new council members.

Most of Friholm's politics is inspired in part by, and is based on, renaissance Venice.

Religion
Currently, there is no main religion followed by the majority of the citizens of Friholm.

Geography
A flat cityscape, with a slight hill and incline to the west, surrounded by water. There it a small tributary that divides the city in-two; with the port on one side, and the wealthier market on the other.

Location
Friholm is located in southeastern Rathnir, in the western portion of the continent of Sparwood. The nation is bordered by Tortuga to the south and west, Kringal to the north, and the Independant State of Leythe to the east.

Alliances
currently, Friholm is allied with the Free States of Tortuga

The military alliance was signed by Ezlioth, the Captain of Blackrock; and Profilman, the Doge of Friholm. The military alliance saw both sovereignties pledging military aid in times of need, and promising not to attack or betray the other, upon a condition of a one time delivery of bread to Tortuga from Friholm.