Editing Thritai

Thritai is the southernmost city-state of [[Caulis]] and a major trade hub. It is located in the extreme south of Caulis, on the banks of the Deynar River and west of the Zaendtan Mts. It has a fairly sizable population (14,000) but is not as wealthy as the other major Caulisian trade centers of [[Xadir]] and [[Kalrax]]. It is famous for its leather goods, and is seen by many as a perilous and anarchic place, constantly harassed by barbarians of the Vaal Grasslands to the west.

Thritai is the southernmost city-state of [[Caulis]] and a major trade hub. It is located in the extreme south of Caulis, on the banks of the Deynar River and west of the Zaendtan Mts. It has a fairly sizable population (14,000) but is not as wealthy as the other major Caulisian trade centers of [[Xadir]] and [[Kalrax]]. It is famous for its leather goods, and is seen by many as a perilous and anarchic place, constantly harassed by barbarians of the Vaal Grasslands to the west.

The ruling monarch of Thritai and the surrounding area is known as the ''Archon''; residents of the city also refer to the Archon as ''Haetahn'', a Samredan word meaning either "tribal leader" or "warlord." The Archon is undisputed master of Thritai and the surrounding towns and villages, and it is his responsibility (by Thritan law) to protect the area from barbarians. He is supreme commander of the Thritan military, and makes the law for the area, handing out judgement on those under his dominion. Since Thritai is such a hardscrabble place, the Archon is not as rich as his counterparts in such city-states as Xadir or Kalrax. Most of the tax revenue brought in is from traders and merchants passing through.

The ruling monarch of Thritai and the surrounding area is known as the ''Archon''; residents of the city also refer to the Archon as ''Haetahn'', a Samredan word meaning either "tribal leader" or "warlord." The Archon is undisputed master of Thritai and the surrounding towns and villages, and it is his responsibility (by Thritan law) to protect the area from barbarians. He is supreme commander of the Thritan military, and makes the law for the area, handing out judgement on those under his dominion. Since Thritai is such a hardscrabble place, the Archon is not as rich as his counterparts in such city-states as Xadir or Kalrax. Most of the tax revenue brought in is from traders and merchants passing through.

The Archon and his dukes are content to let their people do as they like (for the most part), and this has led many in other parts of Caulis see Thritai as a lawless hive of criminals and miscreants; others look to Thritai as a sanctuary of freedom from oppression.

The Archon and his dukes are content to let their people do as they like (for the most part), and this has led many in other parts of Caulis see Thritai as a lawless hive of criminals and miscreants; others look to Thritai as a sanctuary of freedom from oppression.

Settlers from northern Caulis brought the gods of their pantheon with them to Thritai, and the native Thrit gradually adopted their worship. In addition, the original god of the Thrit, Yuul (or Yuulashaar), is still worshipped by those descended from the remnants of the original Thrit tribe. Yuul is a god of war and conquest, and is commonly depicted as a large, muscular, brown-skinned man with a bull's head and tail. Thritans believe Yuul protects their city from barbarian attacks, and they invoke his influence and protection before important battles by sacrificing the largest bull available. The temple of Yuul in Thritai rivals that of the temple of Eldraad, and the festival dedicated to him takes place in the late summer.

Settlers from northern Caulis brought the gods of their pantheon with them to Thritai, and the native Thrit gradually adopted their worship. In addition, the original god of the Thrit, Yuul (or Yuulashaar), is still worshipped by those descended from the remnants of the original Thrit tribe. Yuul is a god of war and conquest, and is commonly depicted as a large, muscular, brown-skinned man with a bull's head and tail. Thritans believe Yuul protects their city from barbarian attacks, and they invoke his influence and protection before important battles by sacrificing the largest bull available. The temple of Yuul in Thritai rivals that of the temple of Eldraad, and the festival dedicated to him takes place in the late summer.

The social structure of Thritai is not as rigid or class oriented as other city-states of Caulis, perhaps even radically so when compared with the coastal cities of the north. Every free man is considered a citizen and has the right to own land and move around the city and surrounding area as he wishes. A citizen has the right to a trial should he be accused of a crime, and may own slaves. He may engage in whatever sort of business pursuit he likes, as long as he pays what taxes the Archon requires, and does not commit any crimes in the course of such business (what constitutes a "crime" is a bit more nebulous than in northern Caulis, and is subject to the interpretation of the Archon and his dukes). Citizenship comes with its duties, however. All able-bodied citizens between the ages of 14 and 40 are expected to serve in the military whenever called upon to do so by the Archon or any of his dukes (see '''Military''' below).  

The social structure of Thritai is not as rigid or class oriented as other city-states of Caulis, perhaps even radically so when compared with the coastal cities of the north. Every free man is considered a citizen and has the right to own land and move around the city and surrounding area as he wishes. A citizen has the right to a trial should he be accused of a crime, and may own slaves. He may engage in whatever sort of business pursuit he likes, as long as he pays what taxes the Archon requires, and does not commit any crimes in the course of such business (what constitutes a "crime" is a bit more nebulous than in northern Caulis, and is subject to the interpretation of the Archon and his dukes). Citizenship comes with its duties, however. All able-bodied citizens between the ages of 14 and 40 are expected to serve in the military whenever called upon to do so by the Archon or any of his dukes (see '''Military''' below).  

The status of haedar or duke is hereditary and passes to the firstborn son upon the death of a duke. Dukedom is given or taken away at the whim of the Archon and is typically only given as a result of some great accomplishment (military victories, for the most part). Likewise, dukes are only stripped of the title for making the most boneheaded of blunders or massive incompetence. It is considered disgraceful for dukes to flaunt their status or wealth. They are expected to serve as examples of bravery and honor to the men they govern on the Archon's behalf. They have adopted the custom of other Caulisian nobles of taking the name of the first man of the family elevated to the nobility--e.g. Duke Ramsun of the House of Namimut.

The status of haedar or duke is hereditary and passes to the firstborn son upon the death of a duke. Dukedom is given or taken away at the whim of the Archon and is typically only given as a result of some great accomplishment (military victories, for the most part). Likewise, dukes are only stripped of the title for making the most boneheaded of blunders or massive incompetence. It is considered disgraceful for dukes to flaunt their status or wealth. They are expected to serve as examples of bravery and honor to the men they govern on the Archon's behalf. They have adopted the custom of other Caulisian nobles of taking the name of the first man of the family elevated to the nobility--e.g. Duke Ramsun of the House of Namimut.

Slaves are not uncommon in Thritai, and are generally criminals or former barbarians of the Vaal Grasslands. They are usually treated as well as in any other city-state. The laws of Thritai state that a slave-owner may beat a slave as often as he likes, but not to the point that it endangers the slave's life. It is considered a crime--punishable by fine--to kill a slave for any reason. A slave may be freed only with the permission of the Archon or one of his dukes. Slaves are put to use working the fields, and the typical extended Thritan family has 4 or 5 household slaves. When there are more slaves than work, the excess are taken to Xadir and sold in the slave markets.

Slaves are not uncommon in Thritai, and are generally criminals or former barbarians of the Vaal Grasslands. They are usually treated as well as in any other city-state. The laws of Thritai state that a slave-owner may beat a slave as often as he likes, but not to the point that it endangers the slave's life. It is considered a crime--punishable by fine--to kill a slave for any reason. A slave may be freed only with the permission of the Archon or one of his dukes. Slaves are put to use working the fields, and the typical extended Thritan family has 4 or 5 household slaves. When there are more slaves than work, the excess are taken to Xadir and sold in the slave markets.

All able-bodied citizens between the ages of 14 and 40 are expected to serve in the military whenever called upon to do so by the Archon or any of his dukes. Those citizens of military age are also expected to keep their arms and armor in good working order and spend at least 2 or 3 days a month training (dukes often make their full-time soldiers available to assist with this). Dukes are expected to organize, equip, train, and maintain the militia for the districts they govern. Many use a portion of the taxes they collect to buy armor and weapons. If absolutely necessary, slaves who are capable will be armed and fight alongside free men.

All able-bodied citizens between the ages of 14 and 40 are expected to serve in the military whenever called upon to do so by the Archon or any of his dukes. Those citizens of military age are also expected to keep their arms and armor in good working order and spend at least 2 or 3 days a month training (dukes often make their full-time soldiers available to assist with this). Dukes are expected to organize, equip, train, and maintain the militia for the districts they govern. Many use a portion of the taxes they collect to buy armor and weapons. If absolutely necessary, slaves who are capable will be armed and fight alongside free men.

The economy of Thritai relies heavily on cattle. The fields around the city are covered in fast-growing grass called ''gokkai'', and the herds of Thritan cattle graze year round. Thritans use nearly every part of the cow, and export about 60% of the leather they produce. A good portion moves overland to [[Xaros]], and down the River Caul from there to the markets of Xadir and to the rest of the known world. Half of the leather is made into durable goods before export. Thritan leather goods are durable and artfully made. Meat does not travel nearly as well as leather, but jerky made from Thritan beef can be found as far away as [[Zhosur]] and [[Sarmania]].

The economy of Thritai relies heavily on cattle. The fields around the city are covered in fast-growing grass called ''gokkai'', and the herds of Thritan cattle graze year round. Thritans use nearly every part of the cow, and export about 60% of the leather they produce. A good portion moves overland to [[Xaros]], and down the River Caul from there to the markets of Xadir and to the rest of the known world. Half of the leather is made into durable goods before export. Thritan leather goods are durable and artfully made. Meat does not travel nearly as well as leather, but jerky made from Thritan beef can be found as far away as [[Zhosur]] and [[Sarmania]].

Thritai has no official currency. Coins from all areas of Caulis--and, indeed, the rest of the known world--are generally accepted as payment. The economy of Thritai relies more heavily on barter and the any other city-state of Caulis. It is expected that most transactions will consist entirely of goods or services. Workers may be paid for a day or week's work with fresh fish or pound of chickpeas; likewise, a shipment of cotton from [[Jherakeen]] might be paid for with an agreed-upon amount of Thritan leather.

Thritai has no official currency. Coins from all areas of Caulis--and, indeed, the rest of the known world--are generally accepted as payment. The economy of Thritai relies more heavily on barter and the any other city-state of Caulis. It is expected that most transactions will consist entirely of goods or services. Workers may be paid for a day or week's work with fresh fish or pound of chickpeas; likewise, a shipment of cotton from [[Jherakeen]] might be paid for with an agreed-upon amount of Thritan leather.

The men of Thritai wear light, thigh-length tunics known locally as ''notah'' (''ona'' in Caulisian). Sleeve length varies, usually based on occupation or social class. Tradesmen, common laborers, and slaves wear notah with no sleeves; merchants and the wealthy prefer elbow-length sleeves. Notah in general tend to be rather plain, undyed, and without any but the most basic of decoration. Those men for whom appearance is more than a rudimentary concern tend to set themselves apart through ornamentation--rings, necklaces, armbands, etc. Slaves are prohibited from wearing ornamentation of any kind.  

The men of Thritai wear light, thigh-length tunics known locally as ''notah'' (''ona'' in Caulisian). Sleeve length varies, usually based on occupation or social class. Tradesmen, common laborers, and slaves wear notah with no sleeves; merchants and the wealthy prefer elbow-length sleeves. Notah in general tend to be rather plain, undyed, and without any but the most basic of decoration. Those men for whom appearance is more than a rudimentary concern tend to set themselves apart through ornamentation--rings, necklaces, armbands, etc. Slaves are prohibited from wearing ornamentation of any kind.  

Thritan men descended from settlers wear their hair cropped short, as is the style in the rest of Caulis. Those men descended from the original, barbarian Thrit prefer shoulder-length or longer hair, as well as long moustaches or beards. Thritan women wear their hair long, and often tie it back in ponytails or simple braids.

Thritan men descended from settlers wear their hair cropped short, as is the style in the rest of Caulis. Those men descended from the original, barbarian Thrit prefer shoulder-length or longer hair, as well as long moustaches or beards. Thritan women wear their hair long, and often tie it back in ponytails or simple braids.

There is no Thritai-wide system of education. Fathers are responsible for educating their sons in whatever way they deem appropriate, and rarely delve too deeply into academic subjects. The education of Thritan boys generally consists of the handling and butchering of cattle, animal husbandry, simple leather working, horsemanship, and fighting. Mothers teach their daughters household tasks such as cooking, sewing, and simple farming techniques. Residents of Thritai are, by and large, the least formally educated of Caulisians, and are often viewed as country bumpkins. They are not stupid however, and are very adaptable and clever.

There is no Thritai-wide system of education. Fathers are responsible for educating their sons in whatever way they deem appropriate, and rarely delve too deeply into academic subjects. The education of Thritan boys generally consists of the handling and butchering of cattle, animal husbandry, simple leather working, horsemanship, and fighting. Mothers teach their daughters household tasks such as cooking, sewing, and simple farming techniques. Residents of Thritai are, by and large, the least formally educated of Caulisians, and are often viewed as country bumpkins. They are not stupid however, and are very adaptable and clever.

Thritans will brawl at the drop of a hat, and typically over the most inconsequential things. They rarely back down from a fight, but also value honor and fair play. It is no surprise then that Thritans favor physical sports like boxing, wrestling, and gladitorial matches. They also like dancing, drinking, and the telling of tall tales.

Thritans will brawl at the drop of a hat, and typically over the most inconsequential things. They rarely back down from a fight, but also value honor and fair play. It is no surprise then that Thritans favor physical sports like boxing, wrestling, and gladitorial matches. They also like dancing, drinking, and the telling of tall tales.