RiverGate

A city found between two Rivers, spilling into two seas. The city was founded for merchants by merchants and strives every day to follow its missions to bring wealth and riches to all its noble citizens.

Settlement and Forge Period
The city was founded on August 3rd 2021 by the trader known as Rumpelstilskin. After spending time in the town of Averia serving a trader, which at the time was apart of the Ver-Ecrium region of The Forge, he had amassed a sizable sum of wealth. With it and a small following he had was driven to create his own settlement. He had a dream of finding a place where his trade could prosper and merchants from across Eldham could converge. He traveled east to a small string of land between two rivers. It was in the southern Azuma-Zi region at the time in the center of the The Forge. It seemed to be a perfect bit of land for the new settlement. He claimed the land and set down the first foundations of the town that would be known as Wildonia [The first page mentioning the settlement]. For the first few weeks of building the settlement attracted a few travelers and traders to join it. Soon the settlement became a town with its own walls, docks, government buildings, and farms. All was good, except for the fact the the town was technically a squatter settlement. The region of Azuma-Zi had not given Rumpel the right to build on the land. Luckily with some careful wording and smoothing over Rumpel managed to make a deal with Azuma-Zi and for a short time the town became offically apart of the region.

Wildonia's growth was rapid. Becuase of this the town was soon relabeled a city. It was at this time that the city was also recognized by the Forge. During this time in the Forge the RiverGate Trading Company was founded by Rumpel. The name was created early on to be used as a name for Rumpel's trading but it was at this time that the company was officiate. The approximate date is sometime around August 11th 2021. The company was fully integrated into the city's economy. Without it the city would lose much of it's income and job opportunities. The fall of the Forge on August 22nd 2021 created an opportunity for Wildonia. As the Nation disolved into it's individual regions Wildonia was of course held by Azuma-Zi. Mayor Rumpel recognized that Wildonia had a culture too different from it's host nation and a destiny separate from it as well. After some negotations and a sizable payment the city was granted it's independence through a month long transition period. This marked the beginning of the city state period.

City-State Period
This period began with the agreement Rumpel made with the leaders of Azuma-Zi. The initial agreement aranged for Wildonia's independence to occur through a month long transition. However due to some dealing behind closed doors the transition was hastened. Wildonia would be globally recognized as independent on August 26th 2021. It's offical lands included the small strip of land between the rivers up to the sands of the desert and a small fraction of land on the western side of the river. The land granted was small but accommodating for the size of the city at that point. It was declared at this time that the leader of the city-state would be known as the High Ruler. With the new burdens of nationhood High Ruler Rumpel new he would need to create a sustainable method of obtaining money for his city if it was to survive alone in Eldham. Empty coffers in Eldham only lead to collapse. To remedy this concern the RiverGate trading company, under Rumpel's guide, constructed the very frist merchant hall of Wildonia. It was a large square building with two stories, a court yard, and enough room for over 100 large chests. The hall was soon filled with shops selling any product that a citizen could possibly ever need to survive. The second part of the plan to ensure Wildonia's future was to aquire more territory to build houses and livestock land. Thus Rumpel intiated Wildonia's land purchasing campaign on August 27th. The campaign would continue till around September 5th, with Wildonia's borders unchanged.

With the lack of new land and being surrounded by much larger powers High Ruler Rumpel understood his land's position. He needed to gather friends to help strengthen Wildonia's authority if it was to maintain its independence. As a result it was announced on Septemeber 1st that Wildonia would be joining the Confederate States Under Sol as an offical member. This was the beginning of Wildonia's Alliance Period.

Alliance Period
With an offical bond formed and borders secured Wildonia was now secure. With the concern gone and higher leadership now left to the High Council of the CSS Rumpel, now called Councilor Rumpel, could take of more internal matters. The RiverGate trading company was stagnating at this time and needed to be fixed. The High Council also initiated a proclamation of devout whorship and recognition of the God King Sol as the true god of the land within the confederacy. On September 2nd the RiverGate Trading Company was offically restructured and it's faltering parts were removed. It was now that he company entered its second era which would test it's capabilties even more so than before. The introduction of the whorship of Sol was new and unique to Wildonia. The city had little experience with state religion and regulated whorship. The city did not adjust well to these new rules and they were not widely enforced within the city's territory. With careful maneuvering Rumpel was able to ensure Wildonia wouldn't be persecuted for this lack of faith. This stance would become a popular move of Rumpel's and would create a standard of religious tolerance in the city that still stand today. However this would be the last good thing to happen to Wildonia for awhile. As city would enter a period of stagnation and decline. The redesign of the RiverGate trading company didn't save it from an economic downturn and though the borders were secure the city began to lose it's power as citizens were left without work. Filled with sorrow and being exhuasted from seeing his fruitless efforts Rumpel retreated into his home in a state of depression. On September 6th, Rumpel would make his last public appearance. He would not be seen again, except for short appearances in the streets, for an extended period of time. [Rumpel was experience IRL troubles with his computer]

Wildonia's management was taken over by minor merchant leaders and Rumpels estate during Rumpel's absense. After years [In game years] of stong leadership the Confederate States under Sol began to fall, entering their own decline. But Wildonia would not stay to take part in this collapse. Instead the temporary government made an unanimous decision to leave the Confederacy on September 26th. It is believed that Rumpel had a hand in this decision as some say he would still send letters from his self-imposed exile. As a result of this separation the Merchant City-State of Wildonia was offically recreated. This period would marked with little advancement and few changes. Because of this its insignificance time has lost any history of this period. It is important to note though that during this time a certain federation was forming. On October 3rd the United Federation was formed and it would soon become an important piece of Wildonia's history.

The city streets where no longer filled with traders and the docks of the harbor no longer hosted foriegn vessels. Wildonia was quiet and was showing all the same signs of the decaying nations of old. But this path was not meant for this great city as it's fate belonged to the future. It was on October 8th that Rumpel emerged once more from his home. He greeted the quiet streets with the same ferver he had done in its youth. Those who roamed the cobblestone paths of the city looked in shock as their High Ruler walked with pride and purpose. It is said that Rumpel walked the city's streets three times that day and once he had amassed a large enough crowd he gave an empowering speech in the center of the city. The crowd cheered as Rumpel riled them up into a chant. "SHALL NOT SET!", they cried out. This was a saying that was rumored to exist as far back as Wildonia's founding and who said first will never be known. But it was a favorite of the workers in Wildonia. It conjured motivation to not give up, as if the sun does not set then the day does not end. The city celebrated the return of their leader with feasts, games, and dancing. It was truly a historic day for Wildonia. With new energy and purpose Wildonia repaired its fracturing government and entered the world stage once more. Wildonia leadership initiated a plan that was always thought to extreme to conduct. It was left in the dark for a long time but it was once more brought into the light. The leadership decided on October 9th that Wildonia would begin construction on a large artifical island off it's cost. The island would nearly double the size of Wildonia. Half of the government's attention was redirected to this project, and by October 11th the foundation of dirt and sand would be complete. The other half was focusing on a matter that had once again become an issue. During Rumpel's absense Wildonia had once again begun to be pressured by its much lagrer neighbors. Seeing this Rumpel reached out to contacts he still had and anyone who would offer aid to Wildonia. As a result of this on October 10th Wildonia became an offical member of the League of Vircon. It was a surprising alignment to many as Wildonia was far from the sphere of influence of the LoV. But the LoV had a code that would not agree with turning Wildonia away. Taking advantage of this the leadership of the city secured Wildonia's borders once more. It is unclear if this move was in preparation for a secret plan the leadership had in the works, simply buying time till they could act on it later, or if this was a genuine attempt to protect Wildonia. What comes next still perplexes historians till today. October 13th marked when Wildonia's plan would be initiated. This is the day when the League of Vircon experienced its first real test of independence. A member state had its independence threatened by a greated power. Quickly the government called to its people to prepared and mobalize if military action became neccesary. This was the start of the Lafros-Merconis Crisis. It was this situation which allowed Wildonia to inact it's plan. For awhile now behind closed doors Wildonia had been negotiating with its neighbors and other local alliances. It had formed a particularly close and freindly bond with its neighbor the Kingdom of Eleanor and the alliance known as the United Federation. With the crisis taking away attention in the north of Phoros Wildonia cut all ties with the League of Vircon. Thus escaping any mobalization tax or requirments of the League. On the very same day Wildonia joined the United Federation as an equal member nation. On the very next day just as news of Wildonia's separation reached the ears of Vircon leadership the United Federation Vice President Xand released a statement to all of Eldham that the alliance would be reorganized into an offical stately entity. Becoming a legitimate democratic federation with each member state maintaining a decent level of autonomy while any exterior projection would be conducted as a single entity. This sparked a change in Wildonian culture. For the first time in the diverse city-state's history a new method of interaction took root. With it's new allegiance it's land borders were given more attention and were open to more than just monetary trade. Wildonia began building paths between itself and its neighbor Eleanor. An exchange of beliefs and culture occured at the harbors and gates of Wildonia never seen before. Eleanor's cutlture and Eleanorian immigrants were quickly filling the streets of Wildonia. This influx would forever change Wildonia's destiny and would make it's next form certian.

With the introduction of Wildonia into the Federation with Eleanor the two nations had contact with each other that wasn't possible since before the Forge Fell. High Ruler Rumpel was even given a diplomat office and role in Eleanor. The two nations had never been closer. But this may have not been a naturally formed bond. Some say that High Ruler Rumpel once again went behind closed doors and made deals with King Dalton of Eleanor. Rumors persist that this growing friendship was all just a path towards what came next. As on October 16th King Dalton the I of Eleanor announced that Wildonia would be incorporated into Eleanor and it's government would be adapted into a provincial government. Thus began the Eleanorian Provincial Period of Wildonia.

Eleanor & Rumpel Province Period
Wildonia is still currently a province in Eleanor, but it 's name has sense changed and I will explain now. Wildonia went through many changes during this period. First wildonia was granted new lands as a gift for joining Eleanor. It would now own the northeastern penisula next to the city and a stretch of savanna forest to its east and southeast. This land grant trippled the size of the new province. The new lands were filled with ancient structures and ruins of time past. The land also came with new fertile farmable soil. This gift would come to be known as the fulfillment. A phrase calling back to the campaign taken to aquire more land that ended in failure in Wildonia' s past. It was also a relief for the populace who were desperate for more land as the project to build the artifical island had stalled and was left incomplete by this time. By including the new land Wildonia had to reorganize inorder to manage the additional hamlets and homes outside their walls. By doing so Wildonia was truly no longer a city-state. Becuase of this the Rumpel and his leadership had to think of what to call the new province. Wildonia was the name of the city and now that the lands included more than just Wildonia it would be too confusing to refer to the whole province as Wildonia. So Rumpel and provincial government took a few days to look over the options. It was during this time that the idea struck Rumpel to rename the city after the company that was so integral to its growth and pass the name of Wildonia onto the entire province. Everyone agreed and on October 18th Mayor Rumpel, his title had been changed for the merger, made it offical that Wildonia would no longer be the name of the city and instead the city would be name RiverGate. The Province would be known as Wildonia but becuase an overwhelming amount of the population lived within RiverGate the provincial name would fade into obscurity.

During this time the new city of RiverGate continued to grow. It was during this time that RiverGate's first walls were built. This construction of defenses attracted many in the province to leave their homes and live within the city. This make the rest of the province nearly abandoned. With the Eleanor's military keeping RiverGate safe the city could now focus once again inward. more roads were built in the city and a large tower was built in the city to watch over it's populace. There was nothing that could stop the city from improving itself now. The leadership of the city grew comfortable and Eleanor relaxed its watch on it's new province. Allowing for my diplomatic freedom when it pertained to trade. Mayor Rumpel was even allowed to server as Co-regent of the kingdom for a short period while the king was away on a trip. This may all have contributed to Rumpel's unfortunate demise as mayor of RiverGate.

Rumpel's Fall
On October 31st shock spread throughout the streets of RiverGate as it was announced that Mayor Rumpel was denounced by the king and would be exiled from the kingdom of Eleanor. Though the facts are kept somewhat secret and are some what unclear Rumpel was charged with aiding in an attempt to over throw the King of Eleanor. He had also received the additional charges of espionage and treason to his nation.

Though the plot is not well recorded apparently Rumpel was set up as a "fall guy" for the attempt and when the attempt failed he was the one who was charged and punished. It was later declared that his punishment would be execution and the stripping of all his family's titles within Eleanor. His execution date was set for November 16th and would be private. Following this there was a short period were the crown was managing RiverGate and its province directly. A small regional council was set in place to oversee the local issues of the land. It was in this uncertain time when a young noble and new arrival came to RiverGate's docks, on November 11th. This was George I Andrade, the man that would change everything for this old City. He was instructed by his grandfather King Dalton to live and learn from the people of RiverGate. For the Andrade house had a plan for George which led down the path of leadership. The provisional government was dissolved with King Dalton's appointment of his grandson George I Andrade to the position of Mayor and provincial leader of the lands. This was the start of the Andrade Period of RiverGate.

Andrade Period
With the official installment of George as the new leader, the city began to enter a new era. Time would show that this era truly improved and built up RiverGate into the metropolis it was meant to be. The beginning of this era is recognized as starting on November 17th after a period of adjustment for the city. On the day of George's installment as new lord of RiverGate and the governor of Wildonia he walked into the center of RiverGate's old market area gathering the people, much like Rumpel had done all those years ago upon his return from self exile. It is said that on that day the wind did not blow and the birds did not sing. As if the world was waiting to see what this new leader had to offer the city of RiverGate. When he reached the marker George climbed on top of a tradesmen's wagon as the people of the city gathered beneath him, filling the space of the market to its maximum. He waited a moment for whispers to fall silent with a stoic expression. When all was finally quiet and only the waves of the sea could be heard he spoke. His words would never be forgotten by the city of RiverGate and would embolden the city more than any speech given by its past leadership.

"Since the execution of Rumple, my grandfather the king of Eleanor Dalton Andrande has bequeathed unto me the lands of RiverGate. I will seek to bring prosperity and peace to RiverGate, and I vow that we will overcome the challenges that have come upon us. Citizens, know that I will be ever loyal to you and to the crown. My sole goal is to bring prosperity to our fledgling city. And in the days to come we will see a mighty change within not only our town but in the nation in Eleanor as a whole..." - George I Andrade the Pious, Prince of Wildonia, Traveler of the West, and Lord of RiverGate

Whether aware of it or not what George said did bring change and would indeed spread this change to all of Eleanor. The word had been given and the people heard. It was on the next day that work began on this new RiverGate. George began by restructuring RiverGate's government into a completely oligarcal council system. The populace was fairly accepting of this system as for a time a similar system was in place during the city state period of RiverGate. It is said that the style was inspired by the Confederate States under Sol's high council leadership system. The people were very receptive of this new form of leadership. Many felt that it finally gave the citizens more reason to aid the city's government rather than simply focusing on their own business while also creating quicker change in the society which was greatly needed.

George then enacted the second stage of his plan to which inovled filling his court and government with educated and passionate individuals. He knew he needed new citizens in the city that were not only unbias to the recent scandal of the old leadership but also had the ability to build up a better RiverGate. During the trial and eventual execution of Rumpel the city streets were left to mostly govern themselves. Order in RiverGate has always been a deal with a high price. Normally involving payments from Rumpel's pocket to secure stability in the city. George could not let this old method continue on and needed to instate a new form of respect into the citizens for their leaders that wasn't tied to the weight of their coin purse. With these requirements George began writing letters and purchasing ad space on message boards all across Eldham. These messages all carried a very simple message. "Come to RiverGate and be a leader of Tomorrow. Fill your coffers with not only money but respect from these lands." This message was heard by many but answered by few. But it was one man and his sibling who heard this message over the noise. Something about this call for citizenship was different to him. Perhaps he could see the opportunity or perhaps he was already certain of his future. This man was Cleon Olvinbran, now known as Cleon Bluewood councilor of RiverGate and official of the Eleanorian crown.

Cleon arrived in RiverGate on a RiverGate Trading Company Vessel on November 17th with his brother Raynog. It is notable that this vessel was one of the very last vessels the RiverGate Trading Company owned after much of its assets were liquidated by the Eleanorian Crown post Rumpel's execution. The ship's name was the Zuric and it now mainly rests within RiverGate's harbor. Now serving as a vessel to bring new citizens to the city. While Cleon entered the city to secure the siblings' citizenship, a process at this time which could take months due to the clean up of the bureaucracy still taking place, Raynog stayed on the Zuric working as a deckhand to pay off the rest of the money owed by the pair for the passage. Raynog would not be able to set foot in the city for some time due to the debt and final took his first steps in the city on November 19th.

City Structures
[WIP]

Works of Art & Literature
Below are works of Art and Literature made by citizens from RiverGate. Their copies and some originals can still be found within the city's library.