Kinnaird

Kinnaird is the second most populous city in the Arcer Governorate of Moorden and the second largest city in the Confederated Provinces of Arcerion. It has a population of 4.1 million as of 2026, and has the fastest growing population in Arcerion, estimated to surpass Kurst by the late 2040s. It is the center of the Kinnaird Metropolitan Area, one of the most economically important municipalities in Arcerion, and contributes a large portion of Arcerion's non-industrial GDP, making it one of Arcerion's most important cities.

Kinnaird is located in the Northwest portion of Moorden Governorate, and West of the Aileach Mountains, situated along the Malentine Sea. It was founded in 1794 after an expedition by Ensign Francis Kinnaird established the town, the second attempt of its type as the first had been destroyed by A'awaskan tribesmen. It grew rapidly along with the rest of Moorden Governorate throughout the 1800s, and as of 1850 it had a population of over 200,000 citizens, placing it third behind Chester-on-Moore and Kurst. The population continued to grow with the end of the 19th century bringing in more migrants, with Kinnaird being settled by a majority of Ængle immigrants from Levantia. A significant boom occurred once the Arco National Railway Service had been created and a major railway station was built in Kinnaird. The railway junction became one of the main arteries feeding into the Southern portions of the Arcer Heartland, and the significant flow of money, material, and people through Kinnaird helped with the turn-of-the century boom.

Kinnaird also established one of the earliest financial centres in Arcerion and Crona, with the Kinnaird Stock Exchange's founding in 1822. This helped it grow into one of the most financially important centres in South Crona, and the headquarters of a dozen major banks currently operate in the city's financial district within the downtown core. The heavy investment of money and the architectural and engineering program at the Moorden Governorate College helped with the creation of some of Crona's first skyscrapers built with glass and steel in the 1940s.

Kinnaird remains an international hub for finance, commerce, industry, telecommunications and transportation. The KSX was the first institution in South Crona to issue stocks and bonds, with the creation of corporates shares for Arcerion Steel Corporation issued in 1848. Kinnaird generates 40% of all volume in stock and equities trading in Crona alone as of the mid-2020s. Francis Kinnaird International Airport is currently ranked as the busiest airport in South Crona, according to itnernational regulatory and oversight bodies. Kinnaird also is the site of a key highway junction of the national highway system, connecting the coastal Highway 1 with Highway 3, which leads through the Aileach Mountains and into the Arcer Heartland to Easthampton.

Kinnaird's economy and significant financial industry have given it the nickname 'Cashtown,' first coined by the Kinnaird Financial Times in the late 1800s. The Kinnaird Financial Times is the leading finance, industry, and fiscal reporting editorial in Crona, with an estimated circulation from Alstin to Urcea. The economy of Kinnaird is not overtly industrial, and is centered in the finance, equities, banking, and other white-collar associated industries. Kinnaird is home to a number of important banks and financial institutions, notably CronaBank and Royal Moorden Commercial Bank.

In addition to the strong economic basis, Kinnaird also boasts a significant number of tourist destinations. It has an annual tourist visa issuance of ~10 million, as the city draws a large number of modern music festivals, business conferences, and historical-related tourism for its preserved colonial buildings and museums.

The city's flag is derived from the original moneylending markets established shortly after the city's founding. It pictures a yellow field, representing the gold of the early Ardmori currency traded, with a black superimposed scale representing fairness in business dealings.

Both the Kinnaird Grenadiers and the Kinnaird Grenadier Guards have their Regimental headquarters located at the Songun Barracks in Kinnaird.