Mandesore

Wealthiest of all states is the walled city of Mandesore. It rules over the twin rivers Maa and Aan and all the fertile lands around it. These lands are highly sought after. Its rulers are powerful, rich, and vain, and live off the backs of their many slaves. Foreigners are treated as welcome guests to be made money of, but never more than that.

Government
Type: Plutarchic Republic

The city is the seat of the Mandesorian Empire. Governed by a small council of wealthy and influentian merchants, the seats on this council are for sale. Those that cannot afford the yearly costs of maintaining their seat are pushed out of power. This plutarchy creates a perpetual power struggle between the ruling merchant families (who call themselves Pesar Ma'an, or "Sons of the Ma'an"), who try to suppress each other any outside influence in local politics.

Society
Mandesorian society is divided up into 3 classes:

On top, there are the Pesar Ma'an ("Sons of Ma'an", or "Sons"), ruling merchant families with a seat at the council table. The amount varies and goes up in conjunction with the general wealth in the city, but is usually around 3 to 6.

In the middle class, there are the Mandesorian Citizens. Craftsmen, merchants, scholars, military officers and other land owners. Usually rich enough to own a slave, they lead comfortable lives. and generate vast wealth for the state in the form of taxes.

On the bottom, there are the slaves. Grossly outnumbering the higher classes, they are the lifeblood of the state. Most are uneducated and used as labourers or farmhands. However, useful slaves usually find their way into posts like teachers, apprentices or overseers, and are treated well enough. Their freedom, as all things in Mandesore, can be bought, and on rare occassions, freed slaves are granted Citizenship.

Design
Colorful and intricate designs, coming from the rich noble heritage the merchants princes have developed.

Military
Strong slave military with siege weapons, aimed at conquest. Conscripted and armed by the state, the Mandesorian army needs micromanagement by commanders and slave drivers to avoid falling apart.