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[b]Name:[/b] Free City of Boston

[b]Location:[/b] Boston; Massachusetts
[url=https://i.imgur.com/JATxuBK.png]Free City of Boston Territory Map[/url]

[b]History:[/b]

The legions of Old America seized control of Boston two centuries ago, bringing the city under strict martial governance as a measure to deal with the scourge that had swept across the Old Empire. This period is characterized by Institute scholars as having been brutal though perhaps necessary to the survival of Boston. What had been at first an assignment became a permanent military state that maintained its power through force and executed those believed to carry the plague. It transformed eventually into a quasi-knightly order, splitting the city and the surrounding land into quadrants ruled by its officers on behalf of the Governor-General, or Lord Protector as it was later styled. Today, these quadrants are known as First Base, Second Base, Third Base and Home Base by the Red Clads, but otherwise by their civilian names. House Ressocks, the current ruling family of Boston, once served as Enseeos – a type of underling – for the knightly lords of First Base.

The Cambridge Institute came under the service of the military government almost immediately, as did the Harvard Academy, for the purposes of finding a cure to the Great Sickness, though no real progress was ever made. Military rule over the city began to decline upon the discovery of an Old World specter still haunting the city. Institute scholars put the date of the discovery at over one-hundred years ago, when excavations and demolitions by the military order – presumably for the purpose of reinforcement or land-clearing – were halted by an invisible force thought long-dead. Though not much is known about this phenomenon today, records made by the military order in the earliest days of their rule speak of an intelligence said to have been in control of much of the city before being destroyed – presumably – for unknown reasons. The reemergence of this phantom proved problematic, and marked the decline of the order's grasp on the city.

The Ghost of Boston is long gone now, but before its disappearance it wrecked havoc. For reasons unknown, by means unknown, it swept through the city, bringing things to life and forever ruining others. The mayhem it created for the ruling class then allowed for the rise of the House of Ressocks and House Moore, and for the academics of the city to free themselves from what had become indentured servitude. 

Spurred by the Professors of the Cambridge Institute and the Harvard Academy, Preston Ressocks, then head of the minor House of Ressocks, mounted a people's rebellion. Ressocks found unlikely support in Commodore Ryan Moore, the Naval commandant in charge of the cities port defence. The Commodore led his sailors to mutiny in support of Ressocks, culminating in the dissolution of the military order and the establishment of a Republic. For a short time, the specter lingered and aided the recovery of the city, but vanished violently shortly after, leaving an unfollowable trail of destruction. This post-military period of Boston proved difficult at first, but the city would ultimately blossom into a relatively prosperous society encouraging scientific pursuits and trade through its innumerable guilds, becoming a hub in the northeast.

The arrival of the Empire State on Boston's borders was unwelcome indeed and caused sever panic among the leadership at the time. Imperial officials made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that Boston had two choices, join the Empire through violence or surrender peacefully.

Bostonians had not been idle however and impressive fortresses guarded approaches to a city that was, in itself, a fortress. The old city had long been torn down or dismantled and the far smaller population brought within a mighty wall built in the style of ancient Lucca.

Emboldened by their impressive defences, but well aware they could not win a war with the Empire State, the Bostonians entered into negotiations with Imperial envoy. Boston was eventually guaranteed its existence, and Electoral positions, in exchange for swearing fealty to the Emperor. Many in Boston believe it was shrewd negotiating but those who personally sat through the long talks knew that it had eventually come down to Boston threatening to destroy everything it had. The Empire could either have a strong addition to its existence, or more burnt wasteland. 

As the modern age dawns and a young emperor sits on the throne, Boston sits magnificent and powerful on the edge of the Atlantic. House Ressock and House Moore still maintain their control over the city, alternating leadership of the city-state every four years. It is indeed politics within politics.

To be added:
House Ressocks info [@Pepperm1nts]
House Moore info [@TheWyrm]