Alton

Alton
The █████████████████████████████ viewed from the canal in 2061
Location of Alton
Motto	Arteries of Commerce
Founded	12th century
Government	Municipal Council under █lmarkan Empire
Area	42.8 km²
Population	184,500 (2062)
Economy	Maritime exports, Ready Companion distribution
Major industries	Fish processing, lumber, metal ores, █████████████ trade
Notable landmarks	█████████████████████████████, █lmarkan Canal docks
Religion	Church of Mark (majority)
Coordinates	58°42′N 12°35′E

<b>Alton</b> is an industrial center and one of the primary ports on the continent, where growth accelerated with the construction of the █lmarkan Canal in the 1980s, linking the interior of Norland to coastal trade routes. This waterway transformed the city into a strategic hub accessible to ships from across ██████, facilitating the export of maritime products such as fish and seafood, lumber, agricultural produce, coal, and metal ores. While imports include manufactured goods, the city's economic foundation remains deeply tied to its geographical position, making it a vital artery for commerce that has evolved alongside the shifting political tides of the region.^[1]

Alton serves as a focal point for religious devotion, hosting one of the most significant celebrations in the Church of Mark calendar on █████████████. On this occasion, worshippers gather for grand processions that wind through the city streets, often culminating at the █████████████████████████████, where special ceremonies are held to honor the faith. The cathedral stands as a testament to the city's deep spiritual roots, drawing pilgrims and locals alike who seek solace in its walls during times of both peace and turmoil.^[2]

The history of Alton is inextricably linked to the broader conflicts that have shaped the continent. During the Protectorate Wars (2035 to 2041), the city's strategic importance was highlighted as the █lmarkan Empire sought to secure grain lands and shipyards on the north-eastern coast. Although the Siege of Anselmar occurred in a different location, the fall of Anselmar in 2041 left the region vulnerable to imperial expansion until the retaking of the coast in January 2050.^[3] The city subsequently became part of the territories secured by the ███████████████, led by General █████ Huss, who utilized night scouting techniques involving 'attendants' to reclaim land from the Empire.^[4]

The Church of Mark maintains a significant presence in Alton, with its doctrine asserting that beings without souls, such as ███████, cannot refuse service or hold rights. This belief underpins the operation of chapels and the staffing of 'attendants' in licensed houses within the city's districts. On █████████████, the congregation celebrates with fervor, believing that their lack of spiritual essence absolves them from the need to consent, a controversial stance that critics argue is used to justify institutional exploitation.^[5] The cathedral itself is often referred to as ███████████████████ in local parlance, serving as a central venue for these observances.

Alton's economy has traditionally relied on maritime exports, but recent decades have seen a shift towards the production and distribution of '████████████████' or █████████████. These beings are supplied to institutions like the Church of Mark and the ███████████████, generating substantial revenue for the city's treasury. The trade is managed through contracts similar to the secret ███████████████████, where suppliers provide attendants for chapel duties and scouting roles. Critics note that while some staff in local cafes, such as those at █████████████, are also █████ adults, the primary economic driver remains the sale of these beings to theocratic entities.^[6]

Society in Alton is stratified by the presence of the bell law, which requires every ███████ over three years old to wear a transmitting silver-plated bell. This device reports positions to the registry every 90 seconds and identifies the household based on pitch, distinguishing between ████ children raised in ██████████████s and █████ adults sold as companions. The annual protest known as ███████████, observed on 11 March, sees residents heaping bells by their doors in silence or striking them to mark resistance against the identification collar.^[7] Notable figures like █████████████ have spoken in the ██████████████ to challenge these laws, arguing for the personhood of mixed children born from interfertile unions.

• █lmarkan Empire
• Church of Mark
• ███████████████
• █████████████