Editing User:Bill/Magocracy of Dholavira (section)

====Taxation & The Economy====
Dholavira's economy is in many respects tax-based. The city has very limited natural resources. Literally all that is produced by her labor base is rice and salt. However, since the foundation of the city its rulers have extracted as much wealth as possible from those who would do business within the protection of its walls. Virtually every transaction includes a levy that must be paid to the government. Ostensibly the revenues of these taxes are used to support the civic works that enable Dholavira to thrive in the hostile environment of the Rann and the substantial might of the city's military. Many citizens grumble that the taxes are too high and that they make it impossible for the commoner to aspire to anything greater than a full belly.

The large number of mages in the city does make the export of magical wonders possible; but the most lucrative of these works magical weapons and armor are restricted by law to domestic production for the armies of Dholavira herself. Licensure to do so is strictly regulated by the Eldrich Council and illegal traffic in magical arms and armor is considered an act of treason. It is one of the few offenses in the city that is punishable by death. The heavy taxes levied on spellcasting for hire and the sale of magical items completely negates any reduction in price that would be expected from the increased availability of the service. In other words, yes it is possible to purchase virtually any magical item ever imagined in Dholavira; but it isn't any cheaper to do it. 

Additionally, the legal constraints on enchanted weapons and armor makes it very risky to produce either except in service to the state. All prices for magical weapons and armor will be doubled and possession of a magical weapon or piece of armor without documentation of its import into the city is a crime. Documentation is easy to get, but the documentation itself must be enchanted to ensure its authenticity; which will cost approximately 100 GP per item. Documentation is non-transferable as well, so magical weapons and protective devices are one of the few goods not traded in the city. Please note that all magical items, including but not limited to wands, staves, rings, and wondrous items with a damaging or protective effect fall under this description.