The City of Saira:Main Page

Imagine the city, a cross of ancient Rome and Beijing. A few noble families, or clans actually control most of the city, each have their own districts that are more or less fortified and almost like small villages of themselves. Their wealth is based on the large farms outside the city. Trade is generally looked down upon, but new clans have become rich as foreign trade has increased over the last few generation. But they have no direct political power, but a lot of indirect influence due to their wealth. A typical situation of old landed families contra the Noveau Riche. Then there are the plebs whose lot is hard.

It is a noisy, dirty place. Full of people from many lands, begging ex-soldiers, prostitutes, farmhands missing hands for petty thievery, day labourers, anyone you can imagine. Colours, smells and sounds all clash. The narrow streets and alleys are dangerous, full of vermin, half-wild dogs and cats, biting insects, and desperate people. On the hills surrounding the bowl of the central city, through which the loess-heavy river runs slowly, the rich live behind fortified enclaves, small communities unto themselves. Some of their women never leave these enclaves during their lives. Some do it once, to enter that of their husband. This is the center of the world.

The highest political offices lie within the Council, reserved for old families but there are lesser offices that are open to anyone with enough influence or money. There are no laws written down, no constitution but a lot of tradition. But traditions change.

Religion is based on the veneration of your ancestors, household gods and various genii loci. Think of Japanese kami more than the Greek/Roman gods. These can also grant you favours if you perform the proper rituals correctly, they can get annoyed if you do them wrong. Certain public cults have semi-professional priesthoods, membership can be based on a certain family, sometimes it's an office granted by the council.

Your duty is to your father, then to the head of the clan. Unless you're a woman, then you also have to contend with brothers, including younger ones, uncles and so on. Still, women do have some powers. Some can seek a life as a priestess in a cult, by tradition this cannot be refused them. They have the run of the household, and being good at that can bring a measure of prestige. A few other options may also exist, but this is a man's world. But it is not automatically easy for men either, they are also expected to obey the pater familias, marry who he has arranged for you, and to occupy yourself in ways he sees fit. Failure can bring shame on the whole family and is a sign the spirits are offended.

15 years ago there was rioting and an attempt at revolution. It ended bloodily for all involved. The popular politician, Bar tek Cior of the merchant class was running for a magistrate office, one of the highest one not of noble birth could attain. This office is appointed by vote and is expected to represent the plebians. He called for reforms, won a landslide victory only to be found floating in the river the next morning. The Council Guard eventually put down the resulting riots, but a lot of people died. My character, young and idealistic had taken tek Cior's side in and was banished. Others were executed brutally, though few were from the Noble Families.