The Free Cities
The Free Cities are a collection of independent city-states most well known as a center of commerce. Many of the free cities are ports on the Western Sea, and their trade relations with nations far and wide are strong. The free cities begin about 100 miles to the west of Darktower.
Kharanos
Kharanos sits on the southern shore of Windmere Lake. It's the nearest of the free cities to the Alteran border, and sees a fair amount of trade traffic as merchants travel from the free cities on the coast to sell their wares in northern Alterac. Kharanos is also amongst the smallest of the free city-states, more of a large town than a city. It is surrounded by miles of farmland in either direction.
The residents of Kharanos are all military-trained and many are battle-hardened from years of skirmishes with the orcish clans to the north. The farmers to the north of the city are well known for being highly skilled warriors. Partly due to it's warrior heritage and the need to trust one's neighbors, Kharanos' culture revolves around honor and integrity. Duels over minor points of honor have become a central part of local culture, and keeps Kharanos' warrior-citizens' combat skills sharp.
Arcturus (The City of Sages)
Arcturus sits atop the 400' tall cliffs that jut out of the center of Windmere Lake. Access to the city is via a giant floating platform which travels every half hour or so from the city proper to the docks on the only shore below. Unsurprisingly, Arcturus has survived unmolested, despite being very close to orcish lands and the northern frontier, for many centuries. It's reputation for security has drawn many wizards and other intellectuals to it over the centuries. Now, the city is well-known for hundreds of miles in any direction as a hub of magical study. For the right price, practically any magic item can be found in Arcturus.
Arcturus is very strict about security. Entering the city involves going through a rigourous screening process. No weapons larger than a small knife are allowed into the city, and all magic items brought into the city must be registered. Those who cannot abide these rules must stay in the lower city. As a result, the lower city is the home of the city's shadier elements.
Windmere
Windmere is a small city (almost a large town) on the western shore of Windmere Lake. Of the free cities, it is easily the least prosperous, as most trade boats pass it by on the way to Kharanos, airships pass it by on the way to Arcturus, and it is several miles off of the roads leading from Kharanos to the coast to the west.
Windmere's primary industry is fishing. Agricultural income is irregular at best due to occasional onslaughts from the orcs to the north. Fortunately for the people of Windmere, the other free cities pay a small tax to Windmere for holding back the orcish horde. The extra income is what allows the city to survive despite its hardships.
Skullport
(to do)