Duchy of Newten

The Duchy of Newten is a city-state located on the southern coast of Ceretable Bay. A center of diplomacy and elite tourism, Newten boasts a high reputation, and a well preserved culture. To the south and east it is bordered by The Cliffs, and to the west, it is bordered by the State of Ceretable.

History
The area of the Duchy has been inhabited for millennia, having initially developed as a region built around the lumber industry. After the trees on the flat plains had been removed, the farming industry took over. However it was in the year 104 that Newten became a focus of attention, with emperor Basil I had his Summer Palace constructed. The palace brought the imperial court and many wealthy nobles to the city, where summer homes were built. To suit this seasonal influx, wheat fields were replaced with olive groves and vineyards, becoming a second capital of the Second Eastern Empire. Under the reign of Basil III, imperial funds were given to replacing slums, renovating the palace and building park-lands, in the clean-imperial style of architecture. Whilst transforming the city into a 'crown jewel of the empire", these projects built up resentment within the poorer citizens, who felt as though their culture had been replaced and prised out of their formerly comfortable lifestyle. In an attempt to reform these pressures, during the summer of 398, a mass movement of protesters marched on the Summer Palace. In response, the imperial army was deployed to block the protesters, eventually ending in violence where many died in an event known as the Red Night. After this, the protests ceased.

During the Fall of the Empire, Duke Arnold I proclaimed the city to be an independent duchy. It became the site of the Treaty of Newten, where the new framework of the Eastern Coast was dictated, including that an International Summit was to occur every year near the end of summer. With this new summit, the Duke preserved Newten's status as a quasi-capital and centre for elites.

Geography
The Duchy is centered on the city of Newten situated on the eastern bank of the Newten River, as it approaches the sea. Separating the city proper from the ocean is the Newten Beach Park, a vast garden stretching far down the coast. On the other side of the river is the Summer Palace Complex.

Further west of Newten, is an area populated by manor houses and farms, slowly becoming less dense as the border approaches. To the south, pastures, vineyards and olive groves are found interspersed with patches of woods. As the terrain approaches The Cliffs, forest cover increases. East of the city, is the Newten Forest, the formal royal hunting grounds, now a popular public hunting area, although old superstitions of requiring high birth to enter still hold on.

Government
The sole ruler of Newten is the Duke, whom all government officials report to. The Duke appoints a court of advisors, assisting their rule in specialized areas such as trade, garden management and law. The Duke is a hereditary position, with it typically being passed to the eldest child of the previous duke. If the ruler is female, the title "Duke" is still used. The Duke lives and rules from the Duke's Palace, in the center of the city.

The Duke directly controls the city guard, monitoring the parks and streets with large numbers ans enforcing the laws of the duchy. When criminals are caught, they are taken before the board of magistrates, personally appointed by the Duke, who decide the fates of those placed in front of them. If convicted, they are taken to the great dungeons, from which very few have ever left.

The government is often criticized for being brutal and oppressive by critics, but it maintains that the order gives its citizens greater happiness than other states.

Economy
The economy of Newten is dominated by tourism, with large catering and luxuries industries. Whist the tourism focuses largely on wealthy patrons, lower class tourism is coming to be more significant each year. Luxuries produced by Newten include olives, wine, cheese, meats, truffles and oysters. Each of these employ many people, specialized in their trade. These luxury goods are also exported, largely through the harbor, throughout the Eastern Coast, supporting a merchant sector.

Diplomacy brings in events drawing in important people from afar, most importantly the International Summit, involving leaders and dignitaries of many states. In addition, many industry conferences occur in Newten.

Manufacturing is limited in the duchy, as it is considered to be too loud, reducing the amenity of the city for tourists, although a specialized craft industry is successful.

Ethnicity
Newtenians are largely Ceratablite, with a few Melentinians.

Language
Coastian is spoken by all citizens in Newten, although some are trained in multiple languages to assist in serving foreigners in the tourism industry.

Religion
Newten is one of the more religious states in the North Coast Region, with Tarastacism being the state religion.

Culture
Newten has a culture based on hospitality, with residents being taught to be always positive and to keep face