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− | + | '''Location and Description''' | |
− | + | Xadir is the largest city-state of Caulis, and perhaps the known world as well. It is a bustling port and important center for trade, and is at the crossroads of major land and sea trade routes. It sits on the Bay of Xaan, at the mouth of the River Caul. The waters of the bay are calm for most of the year and well-protected from pirates. The weather in and around Xadir is sunny and pleasant on average. Boats and caravans by the dozen, loaded with goods, enter and leave the city and its port every day. And adventurous souls from hundreds of miles around flock to the city in search of fame and fortune. Some find it; many find only danger and misery. | |
+ | According to legend, the city was founded by the mythical hero and explorer Xad. Depending on the version, he was led to the Bay of Xaan and the location where Xadir now sits by either a gigantic whale or a beautiful fish-woman. Xad found the region to be to his liking, and quite bountiful agriculturally, and so stayed and founded the city that bears his name. | ||
− | + | Residents of Xadir refer to themselves as Xadiri. The population of the city and the small towns and villages surrounding it is approximately 30,000, with 15% (4,500) of that made up by slaves, and another 10-15% (3,000-4,500) at any given time being foreigners in permanent or semi-permanent residence. Of the remainder, around 2,000 Caulisian residents of Xadir are citizens and have the appropriate rights (see Law below). Though the wealth of the city and surrounding area is quite considerable, it is concentrated in the hands of the 10% of the population that are citizens. | |
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− | + | '''Social Structure''' | |
− | + | The social structure of Xadir is made up of a small group of nobles (1%), a larger--but still relatively small--group of citizens (10%) consisting of landowners and wealthy merchants/traders, and commoners (approx. 90%). Commoners include tradespeople, sailors, shop owners, laborers, and so on. Soldiers, priests, bureaucrats, and scholars are generally included within the ranks of commoners, as individuals in those positions seldom possess any special rights or priveleges. | |
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− | + | ''Nobility'' -- The nobility are granted their status by the Archon, generally as a reward for enriching the Archon's coffers by a significant amount, or some other lavish gift. Great military victories or feats of heroism can secure noble status for a man, but such occurences are quite rare. As a result, the nobility remains securely under the Archon's thumb and wield no real power or influence beyond what they are given. There are no ranks or titles within the nobility, though those who have been granted noble status are referred to using the designation "seffut" (e.g. Seffut Hirmun of the House of Maranisu). and can be identified by a large, bronze crescent moon pendant given to them by the Archon. It is a crime for anyone other than a noble to posses or wear this pendant, though a nobleman's wives or children may wear a small replica to indicate their status as a member of a noble family. The status of noble is hereditary, and passes to a noble's firstborn son upon his death. If a noble has no sons, the status may pass to a suitable male relative, solely at the Archon's discretion. Noble houses generally take the name of the first man elevated to the nobility. | |
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− | ''Nobility'' -- The nobility are granted their status by the Archon, generally as a reward for enriching the Archon's coffers by a significant amount, or some other lavish gift. Great military victories or feats of heroism can secure noble status for a man, but such occurences are quite rare. As a result, the nobility remains securely under the Archon's thumb and wield no real power or influence beyond what they are given. There are no ranks or titles within the nobility, though those who have been granted noble status are referred to using the designation "seffut" (e.g. Seffut Hirmun of the House of | ||
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− | ''Commoners'' -- The ranks of commoners include everyone not noble or a citizen, and includes men and women from all levels of the social scale, from the poorest beggars to the wealthiest | + | ''Commoners'' -- The ranks of commoners include everyone not noble or a citizen, and includes men and women from all levels of the social scale, from the poorest beggars to the wealthiest merchants. Commoners are expected to pay one quarter of all they earn in taxes to the Archon (on penalty of death or enslavement) and have no legal rights whatsoever. However, given the right mix of ambition, skill, and luck, commoners can ascend the ranks of Xadiri social strucure at any time, as long as they can meet the criteria of citizenship or make a big enough splash in the Archon's court. There are many tales in Xadiri folklore of men from the lowliest levels of society rising to the highest heights of nobility. |
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− | + | '''Military''' | |
− | Xadir maintains a relatively small professional military (about | + | Xadir maintains a relatively small professional military (about 4,000 men). Soldiers enlist for life, but can be discharged after fulfilling 20 years of service, upon which time they are granted citizenship and a small plot of land somewhere on the outskirts of the city. The vast majority of men who enlist in the army (75%) come from the lowest levels of commoners--those who have no money and no prospect of a life better than grueling labor. Men who commit crimes not punishable by death are given the option of military service or enslavement, and always choose the army. Any man over the age of 14 can enlist, but must pass a physical test to be admitted, The Xadiri army is primarily for the defense of the city and almost never engages in military conquest. If necessary, any suitable man may be drafted or pressganged into service in the army for as long as necessary; citizens and nobles are exempt from such involuntary service. |
− | The Archon is the supreme commander of the military. He defers the day-to-day administration of the army to 4 generals (all nobles as well) who each command a legion of approximately | + | The Archon is the supreme commander of the military. He defers the day-to-day administration of the army to 4 generals (all nobles as well) who each command a legion of approximately 1000 men. Each legion is divided into 10 companies of 100 men, each led by a ''hattar'' (captain). A company is further subdivided into units of 10-20 soldiers, with a unit commander called a ''zattar'' (sergeant) that reports to the ''hattar''. Since the army does not engage in any significant regular combat, it is employed generally in patrolling the city streets, the areas surrounding the outskirts of the city, and the port. A soldier has the power to arrest any man, woman, or child on suspicion of having committed a crime. One unit is charged with guarding the main entrance to Xadir, and inspecting the goods or travellers who come into the city every day. Another unit is considered the Archon's personal guard and is permanently stationed at the palace on Xado Hill. If necessary, units of the army can be used to build or maintain roads, the city walls, or structures within the city. |
Xadiri soldiers are competent, though not particularly experienced or well trained. A typical soldier's equipment includes a short sword, spear, and medium-sized round leather shield. Armor consists of greaves, breastplate, and a helmet. The helmet of any soldier ranking higher than ''zattar'' includes a horsehair crest. About one-third of soldiers are trained as archers, and there are no significant horse-mounted units or charioteers. | Xadiri soldiers are competent, though not particularly experienced or well trained. A typical soldier's equipment includes a short sword, spear, and medium-sized round leather shield. Armor consists of greaves, breastplate, and a helmet. The helmet of any soldier ranking higher than ''zattar'' includes a horsehair crest. About one-third of soldiers are trained as archers, and there are no significant horse-mounted units or charioteers. | ||
− | The Xadiri navy (not considered a seperate entity from the army) is made up of 20 medium-sized galleys and a handful of smaller boats. The navy rarely sails out of the Bay of Xaan, but will occasionally escort an important shipment to a neighboring region, or accompany the Archon on state visits to major trade partners like | + | The Xadiri navy (not considered a seperate entity from the army) is made up of 20 medium-sized galleys and a handful of smaller boats. The navy rarely sails out of the Bay of Xaan, but will occasionally escort an important shipment to a neighboring region, or accompany the Archon on state visits to major trade partners like Hellianoptis or Lutia. The navy may comandeer any civilian vessel at any time and use it as long as is deemed necessary. |
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+ | '''Clothing''' | ||
− | + | The men of Xadir wear the traditional Caulisian light, thigh- or knee-length tunic known as the ''ona''. Sleeve length varies, usually based on occupation or social class. Tradesmen, common laborers, and slaves wear ona with no sleeves; merchants and the wealthy prefer elbow-length sleeves. Ona 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 wealthiest merchants and nobles like to wear colorful Hurkits imported from Ilkara (they are usually far too expensive an item for any but the richest men, and as such serve as a status symbol as well). Ona and Hurkits are secured around the waist by a leather or cloth belt. | |
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− | + | Women wear a lightweight garment similar to the ona, but ankle-length and sleeveless. Like the male counterpart, they tend to be rather plain and undyed. Like their men, well-to-do women prefer the colorful garments of Ilkara and acquire them whenever (and wherever) possible. Women are even more focused on ornamentation, and the wealthiest merchants' wives and noble ladies drape themselves with as many pieces of jewelry as they can afford and stand to wear at any given time. Women of more modest means will pass down items of jewelry from one generation to the next, or fashion for themselves tasteful decoration from cheap, semi-precious stones or seashells and such. | |
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− | Women wear a lightweight garment similar to the ona, but ankle-length and sleeveless. Like the male counterpart, they tend to be rather plain and undyed. Like their men, well-to-do women prefer the colorful garments of | ||
When the weather turns cool, Xadiri men and women wrap themselves in rough woolen cloaks known as ''niona''. | When the weather turns cool, Xadiri men and women wrap themselves in rough woolen cloaks known as ''niona''. | ||
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− | + | '''Hair Styles''' | |
Xadiri men of all social classes, like other Caulisians, wear their hair cropped short (hair that hangs down past the shoulders is considered effeminate). Beards, also well trimmed and maintained, are common. Soldiers prefer to shave their heads and faces, but are not required to do so. Xadiri women wear their hair long, but do not otherwise fuss over it much. Wealthy Xadiri women with an excess of free time enjoy elaborate hairstyles and braiding techniques. | Xadiri men of all social classes, like other Caulisians, wear their hair cropped short (hair that hangs down past the shoulders is considered effeminate). Beards, also well trimmed and maintained, are common. Soldiers prefer to shave their heads and faces, but are not required to do so. Xadiri women wear their hair long, but do not otherwise fuss over it much. Wealthy Xadiri women with an excess of free time enjoy elaborate hairstyles and braiding techniques. | ||
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'''Creator/s:''' count zero | '''Creator/s:''' count zero | ||
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