The City-State of Aeneum

Several decades ago a group of warriors known as the Aenians sailed up the River Remes.  They established a town at the summit of a hill.  They were soon approached by the Sabi: a clan of warrior-women who were attacked by their envious and lustful neighbors.  The Sabi sought the aid of the Aenian King, for the newcomers had not yet wronged them.  Together the Aenian men and Sabi women routed the enemy, cementing a lasting alliance.  The two clans intermarried and became one, and the town of Aeneum began to grow.

The last Aeneum king was overthrown six months ago, and the city-state is now governed by the Senate.  Senators are drawn exclusively from the Patrician class: wealthy, landowning families descended from the original Aenian and Sabi settlers.  The main inhabitants who live and work inside of the city make up the Citizen class, and include artisans, merchants, craftsmen, scholars, and more.  Plebs make up the lower class and outrank only slaves in the social hierarchy, often living on the outskirts of the city in small communities.


In times of war Aeneum calls upon its Patrician and Citizen social classes.  The Patricians, naturally, can afford quality arms, armor, and mounts, and make up the cavalry, or equites.  The Citizen class make up the infantry, and are expected to wield a bronze helmet, breastplate, shinguards, shield, spear, and short-sword (xiphos).  Plebs are exempt from fighting, although emergency levies can be raised; it is not uncommon for Patricians and Citizens to personally equip Plebs with sufficient arms and armor to fight, however.

Aeneum serves as an important population center for the Pelonni Valley.  Natural resources are harvested and transported to the city, where they can be processed into other goods.  Trade ships carry the furnished products down the River Remes and to the ocean further south of the city, where they can be delivered to the world abroad.  This practice has made Aeneum a maritime trading center, despite being an inland city.  To the east and west of of the city are fertile, hilly plains, which can support the population.  To the north are the Pelonni Mountains, a natural barrier which also contains two springs that feed the River Remes.

The Aenians worship the gods and goddesses of the Aranosian Pantheon.  The chief deity of the Aenians is Tarasil, revered for his might and martial prowess.