The History of Cathain

The city originally grew as the first major bridge over the river and the first kings built their fortress on the isle of Caer Gellan. From this position they held sway over the crossing and also occupied a good defensive position. The original keep was strong and the first bridges were of wood and could be raised to prevent access to the isle and opposing bank.
A toll was charged for northern merchants to cross into the southern part of the kingdom. As a result, a settlement grew as trade flourished on the northern side of the river as merchants became unwilling to pay the toll. The settlement grew and with riches came a relaxation of trade and life within the kingdom. Docks were also built to fully utilize the river as a means of transport.
Some 500 years ago, the king (Percival II) decided, with the increased peace of the first stages of alliance, to leave the fortress on Caer Gellan and to build a new palace on the northern bank. This was completed in his lifetime and is still known as Percival Palace. Also during this time, many wealthy northern merchants and nobles, made rich from trade licenses, also built large dwellings near this new palace. The city grew through wealth and planning, not poverty and chaos. This has meant that the average dwelling in the city is much grander than other capitals in the kingdoms. Similarly, life was good and all the population benefited from the kingdom's wealth.
When the troubles with Catharzon started, the city took it worse than most. Many of the best houses in the city had relations in Catharzon to the north and those that did not saw that direction as the source of their wealth. Demand for the Cathu Adamantite was at its height and the decision to cut links with the north was not a popular one. The general populous could not, and would not, understand that it was in the kingdom's best interests. Cathar counter-intelligence played down rumors of atrocities in the destruction of Malik. The result was civil unrest. Agitators stirred up an already angry people to near rebellion.
The local armed forces were reluctant to act against their own people and the situation worsened. The city was ravaged, and for a time its pleasant gardens and houses were set on fire as mobs, whipped into a frenzy by Cathar agitators, tried to storm the palace. The king and his family were forced to move to Caer Gellan and request formal help from the Alliance. Mages from the Star Guild prevented damage to the palace but noted that magic was also at work amongst the mobs, not normal for a city population.
A combination of troops from Dalsu, the Cathunian Knights, and a legion for the Argent empire put down the rebellion. The ring leaders were found and interrogated. It soon became clear that Catharzon was deeply involved and a simple cessation of trade was not enough. Anyone involved or implicated in the uprising was expelled back to Catharzon in the north. This was a difficult time as many high officials and merchants were removed, as well as many of Cathar descent. Many good people were also expelled in an unfortunate attempt to make sure no sympathizers were left. The kingdom and city braced itself for a reprisal from Catharzon.
That reprisal never came.
The city, like the kingdom, was left with many houses empty. It took an influx of refugees from Malik and slow growth for the city to repair itself. Reduced trade lead to an inevitable reduction in wealth for the city and it is now a shadow of itself in its glory. The areas to the southwest and the docks to the east that were severely damaged in the uprising were slowly rebuilt in a normal kingdom style rather than the flamboyant Cathunian style.