⚠️ Stub — basic pass only. Supersedes former `goblin-trade-networks` entry.
Overview
Goblin-governed city-states distributed across urban nodes along all major routes. Not a political confederation — they do not answer to each other — but they share civic norms, mutual recognition of Free City status, and the practical understanding that their value lies in being genuinely neutral ground. Markets operate under Free City rules; disputes adjudicate under Free City procedures; travelers of any faction can do business without that business being reported to whoever they are avoiding.
Structure & Governance
[TODO — stub]
Relationship to Power
Visible face
[TODO — stub] Hidden influence: [TODO — stub] Leverage: [TODO — stub]
Cultural Character
[TODO — stub]
Key Tensions
- [TODO — stub]
Narrative Hooks
[TODO — stub]
Relationships
| faction | relationship | notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peoples of the Nine Roads | rival | Competition for the neutral-ground / private-network role; the Free Cities operate in public, the Peoples in private |
| Merchant Guilds | transactional | The Cities' markets are the Guilds' primary neutral operating venues |
DM Notes
[TODO — stub]
References
- Index: world/factions/_category
- Note: supersedes former `goblin-trade-networks` entry per _category.md