Editing Free Cities (section)

==Politics==
The Free Cities have had various shifting rivalries and alliances in the three centuries since the [[Century of Blood]] came to an end. In general, [[Myr]], [[Lys]], and [[Tyrosh]] frequently fight smaller wars over ownership of the [[Disputed Lands]] located between them.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}} [[Volantis]] is known to have involved itself in the struggles at least once.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Norvos]] and [[Qohor]] are usually allied with each other, despite the fact that the Norvoshi religious leaders consider the god of Qohor to be a [[demon]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}}

[[Lorath]], the poorest and most isolated of the nine cities, has little military power and prefers to trade with [[Norvos]] and [[Braavos]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Lorath}} Despite its isolation, however, Lorath joined Braavos and [[Pentos]] in an alliance to make an end to the [[Triarchy]], the "eternal alliance" between Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}

During the past two centuries, Pentos and Braavos have fought six wars against one another. The last war ended in {{Date|209}},<ref group="N">91 years prior to {{Date|300}} as per ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'', The Free Cities: Pentos</ref> leaving Braavos victorious. Braavos forced Pentos to agree to a peace which severely limited the size of its military, which has made Pentos notably less belligerent than Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys. Ever since, the Pentoshi rulers have been much more conciliatory towards the other Free Cities, as well as the [[Dothraki]] horselords, the latter of whom are bribed to prevent attacks.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Pentos}}

[[File:Coins of the Free Cities.png|thumb|350px|right|Coins of the Free Cities, as depicted by Nutchapol Thitinunthakorn in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'':<br>Top (''left to right''): [[Braavos]], [[Pentos]], [[Lys]], [[Myr]], [[Tyrosh]]<br>Bottom (''left to right''): [[Volantis]] (front and back), [[Norvos]], [[Qohor]], [[Lorath]].]]

Braavos and Volantis are both formidable powers, with the former's main strength being at sea, whilst the latter's greatest strength is upon the land.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Volantis}} Regardless, Braavos is now reckoned to likely be the most powerful of the Free Cities overall. It is home to one of the greatest ports in the world and houses one of the most powerful banks in the world.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}}

In most of the Free Cities money equals power. Lys and Myr are ruled by conclaves of [[magister]]s, chosen from amongst the wealthiest men of the city;{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}} The [[Archon of Tyrosh]] is elected by magisters in a similar council.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}} The [[Prince of Pentos]] and the three princes of Lorath have nominal rule, but in truth their cities are ruled by a council of magisters.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Pentos}} While the Prince of Pentos at least presides over the sessions of the Pentoshi magisters,{{Ref|ADWD|1}} the position of the Lorathi princes is purely ceremonial.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Lorath}} The situation is reversed in Norvos, which is nominally ruled by a council of magisters appointed by the [[bearded priests]], who hold the true power in the deeply-religious city.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Norvos}} 

Braavos is ruled by the [[Sealord]], who is chosen by magisters and [[keyholders]] through a convoluted process.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}} Volantis is ruled by three [[Triarch]]s, who serve a one-year term. These Triarchs are all from the noble families of Volantis who can prove unbroken descent from old Valyria. They are chosen through an annual election during which all freeborn landowners can vote.  Both male and female landowners can vote, and both men and women can run for triarch &ndash; though in practice there has not been a female triarch since the Century of Blood.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Volantis}}{{Ref|adwd|6}} 

Qohor's specific type of governance is currently unknown.