[ Added 09/13/22 ]
As one would expect of a Royal Capital, Thermes is a bustling city and the largest in Sandail with a population of over 50,000.
Favorably located facing Thermes Bay and close to the Motte River, Thermes prospers from both domestic and foreign trade. It has been said to be the richest city not only in the Kingdom, but in the whole world.
The port in Thermes Bay is used to facilitate trade with other countries. Meanwhile, the Motte River connects to both the Sude and Au Rouge rivers, leading to the development of domestic trade. Both supplies and people travelled along these water routes, of course.
Thermes is located in the delta of the Motte River and benefits from produce grown in the rich soil. However, early records say that the city’s founder Gustave I (Gustave Eugene) and his successors had difficulty dealing with the river’s flooding. Work was carried out over several generations and in the era of Gustave VIII, flood control management around Thermes was finally complete. Afterwards, House Eugene was able to accomplish great feats.
Not just the city, but the entirety of Finney Kingdom is located within a temperate zone. The southern parts close to the Lordless Land are more subtropical, however, and summers are burning hot. Sometimes nobles travel south to cities like Nanami to wait out the winter weather.
The lion is a symbol of the monarchy, so very few noble houses are able to feature the design on their emblem. The first Gustave of House Eugene designated this lion emblem for Berth Principality when he acquired the territory. Interestingly, this later became the emblem for the Kingdom of Finney. Did each successive generation of House Eugene imagine himself as King upon seeing the lion on the emblem?
According to family legend, the emblem originally only featured the lion in the center. When Gustave VIII became King of Finney, however, it is said that he added the sun and crown. Obtaining the crown certainly was the dawn of a new era for House Eugene.
Originally under direct control of the Hahn Empire, Finney Island is located just east of the Merchmin Region. Though within hailing distance of Paas, it is usually thought of as independent territory separate from Berth Principality. The island is subject to frequent volcanic activity and unsuitable for habitation. However, it has been a source of Quells containing Flame Anima ever since the days of the Hahn Empire. Berth Principality has been vigilant in fortifying Finney Island and Paas, essentially blocking off the Paas Strait. Naturally, the other three Principalities were wary and have taken every opportunity to hinder their plans.
There is another reason why the Four Principalities are so concerned about Finney Island. According to history, the Island was used by the Han Empire as a stronghold for conquering the rest of the Eastern Continent. In other words, whoever possesses Finney Island can be thought of as successor to Hahn and thus holds legitimate claims to lands of the former Empire.
Finney Island was acquired in the time of Gustave VIII. Ownership of the Island was unclear after the fall of the Hahn Empire, so Gustave stationed his troops there and was successful in claiming it for himself. This is when he discovered the Firebrand. With Quell in hand, he united Berth Principality and Finney Island under the Kingdom of Finney and crowned himself King.
If prosperity thanks to the leadership of Gustave VIII and his successors is the light side of Thermes, the ever increasing numbers of the poor can be viewed as the shadowy counterpart. There has been a large influx of the poorer classes to cities and villages within Finney, with the exception of Thermes. These are people who gathered in the hopes of sharing in the prosperity of Thermes. The majority of the poor are “Ungifted,” people who cannot use Spells. Those who can use Spells are able to stake their claim in Thermes, but this was an unachievable dream for the Ungifted, who were chased from their hometowns because of their inability to use Spells. Quite a few former residents of Thermes can be counted among the poor.
For the most part, the poor barely make a living on odd jobs and are not seen as a threat by the general public. However, their continued oppression would most likely lead to some sort of rebellion in the near future. As Thermes continues to expand, the issue of what to do with the slums around its borders would also have to be addressed. Queen Sophie of Finney has not been as harsh as other countries in terms of relief efforts for the poor, yet ironically, it could be said that this only led to an increase in their numbers.
Many foreign and domestic goods can be found at the port and markets within Thermes. One product of note is timber from nearby Wallonie Forest, locally known as just the “Large Forest”, which stretches across the border between Nohl and Otto. This timber is not transported from Nohl ports, but instead carried across the Magny-Cours Plains, then down the Sude River to Thermes. The main reason for this is that it would be terribly inefficient to send ships from Nohl northwest around Cape Atreyu. Another reason is that their largest port is in Seraybourg, which borders Otto territory. Nohl and Otto are nemeses which have feuded for generations (see the entry for Seraybourg for more information), so there is far less risk sending trade goods through allied Berth Principality (i.e. Finney Kingdom).
Incidentally, Nohl and Otto have fought for ownership of Wallonie Forest and its resources for many years. This has been just one of the many reasons for conflict between the two Principalities (refer to the entries for Seraybourg and Tura for more information).
If one were to name the local specialty from Thermes, it would definitely be barley. The Motte River basin is a large grain producing region that supplies not only Finney Kingdom, but also the Southern Continent. Nothing at all is exported to the rivaling Principalities of Otto and Sude, however.
Though not technically produced in Thermes itself, mineral resources from Finney Island are exported to the Southern Continent for the manufacturing of Tools.
This is the town where Gustave’s Scenario begins, of course. He was born and spent his early childhood here. The city then plays a major role later on during Gustave’s wars.
Barley, the staple grain harvested from the land, is eaten locally and exported to other countries. The Country of Na is the principal export partner of not just Thermes, but other major cities in the Merchmin Region. In return, Na sends Tools crafted in Vogelang.
Recently, bracelets and hair ornaments made of coral have become popular, purchased by nobles and wealthy commoners alike. Another product that suddenly became popular is dried horse mackerel. Though brought to Thermes from a faraway town, it is renowned for its flavor.
