Caer Metium

"...Samson Ironhand survived the harsh waters of the Roldaeran Ocean. Samson Ironhand managed to outlive Yulne's curse when she plagued the city. Samson Ironhand entered the den of Uyrai the Forgotten, and came back with the dragon's tail. And yet when your crippled lord came charging at our battleline, the Ironhand ate lead and ball just as anyone else."

-Oswald, a marine of the Emerald Fleet after the Caer Metium defeat on the shores of the city. 1075 A.R.

Founded as a small fishing village off the north-west edge of the Sandsea where the mountains and desert meet the Roldaeran Ocean, the city of Caer Metium would quickly grow as a hub for commerce between Vahastria, Agromond, and Hyrondel. The community of humans and halflings take great pride in their late king's past exploits as the "Ironhand"--a surname he took upon losing his hand to Uyrai the Forgotten and then replacing it with a cold metal prosthetic.

A notable feature of Caer Metium include the fabled Red Swan Square, a beautiful courtyard commissioned in 851 A.R. by Hyrondel's master artisans as a gift. In the center of the square is a red and marble fountain of a swan gracefully stretching out its great wings. Festivals are held before the swan on a regular basis, as the city has an extravagent taste in parties and carnivals.

The People of Caer Metium
Lively and wild, the haflings and humans of Caer Metium are a rich and friendly people. Outsiders on occasion call them "foolish" and "spend-thrifts", but the locals prefer themselves as more "tasteful" and "stylish". Festivals are held on a weekly basis and the city's hunger for the latest fashions often has the streets lined with bright and strange clothes unseen in most marketplaces.

It is common knowledge that the city houses countless pirates, both of the air and sky variety, but government officials either do not care or are paid enough to look the other way. Overall, the economy of Caer Metium can be attributed both to trade and to some less-than honest business practices.

Not war-like by nature, when the city was attacked by Marn it had fallen quickly as its large but unorganized navy and air force failed to fight effectively against the combined arms of the Emerald and Ruby Fleets.

Balthazar's Bandits
Rumor has it that the legendary sky-pirates known as Baltazar, Caspar, and Melichior live in Caer Metium, but such rumors are oft tales spun by gossiping hags. Either way, it is not uncommon for tourists to ask about the infamous pirate and his motley crew.