City State of Karna Political Overview
General overview of the major powers around the city state of Karna
Royalty: Varna family
Princess Hillope
Sir Fayyaad
Sir Qadir
Duchess Aurul, Duke Assam
Duchess Ghisla, Duke Jamis
Nobility:
House of Udzak:
Baroness Gwenty, Baron Nebbicannezar
House of Henenu:
Baroness Khemut, Baron Servius
Clan Reed Bird:
Baroness 3 Hand Snare, Baron 8 Low trap
House Mahuizoh:
Baroness Tlanexlti, Baron Namacuix
House Aailyah:
Baroness Farah, Baron Momoztli
House Djedefre:
Lady Merneith, Sir Rakim
Minor Lords:
Old Knights of the Soki Guard (133 unrelated former Soki Elders representing dozens of villages around the area)
Sodek Clan
Xipilli Clan
Hetepheres Clan
Structure
Karna is a city state organized around a single noble family, the Varna and a court of lords who help administrate. The noble title follows the female line, and the current monarch will be "Princess". A male heir will be Duke. The Princess serves for life or until unable to perform her duties. Lord General Khusebek Varna established that Ayorhah precedent would be followed and installed his daughter as Princess shortly after consolidating the city. He kept the title of lord general and established the captaincy.
Culture
The royal house is still fairly new to the role, only a few generations separate their nomadic history and being rulers of a city. Their core belief is they are better rulers and will bring order and sensible growth to the city. However, they are paranoid as they took this city by force, which sets one precedent for how to change the power structure. They have put a lot of resources into building walls around the city, and have placed their defense strategies around that.
The Lords of the city are like the royals, just descendants of officers of the Lord general. a few families are Soki and are now dependent on the other lords for survival. Each noble house has monopoly over some aspect of the city so they jealously guard that from each other.
For the commoner there has been little beyond the new walls to show for the change in power. The lords of the city live in the new quarter, a stream of Ayorhah newcomers have supplanted some of the older hierarchies in the guilds and Elders have lost almost all power. Elders are a powerful force in Soki culture, here individual families had to be given titles or stipends to keep them loyal.
Public Agenda
Princess Varna's goals are different from her predecessors. She wants to grow the culture of Karna, and to do that investments in music, festivals, artists and bards are needed. She has instituted citizen universal food, so every citizen is guaranteed one meal a day. This is common in other Ayorhah cities, something a lot of the newcomers have missed and lamented. The walls are complete so she is also looking to invest in learning and cleaning up the city.
Assets
Karna has 10 ships in it's navy, four Xerbec frigates and six Dhows which have been outfitted with cannons and guns. The ownership of these ships are by two noble houses; Udzak and Henenu. The city has the Defense Captaincy which is overseen by house Djedefre, consisting of 75 knights and 200 heavy footmen. There are 133 elders with the title of knight, but their force is the ability to conscript light irregulars from the surrounding villages, maybe up to 1000 fighters. As an auxiliary House Henenu can field 20 Knights and 120 light cavalry. In addition they have about 40 other knight irregulars who can also support the main force.
The city has two forts. One is operated by the War Savants and is not fitted out with cannons or other siege weapons but does have an arsenal for the city. The other fort has about a dozen cannons that can cover the harbor and repel any landing forces. The city has 7 towers and two strong gate houses. The city granaries should have enough food and water for 4 months siege.
Demography and Population
Karna has holds over lands and vassal villages for about 50 miles north and south of the city. The population of the city is around 26,000 persons. The surrounding lands have a population of around 80,000 spread around dozens of villages. most villages have between 500 and 1500 persons living in them. The vast majority (90%) are either agricultural or forestry workers. There maybe up to 10,000 nomads who ranch and heard creatures through the area.
Territories
Karna has true dominion over about 5000 square miles, and influence over another 25,000. They have only about a two dozen villages sworn to their banner, and another 50 or so that are friendly but have no formal agreement. Karna has no colonies.
The majority of Karna's territory is good farmland and range lands to the east. South they have extensive forests that are logged for timber that is cut outside the city. There are quarries for several kinds of stone within 100 miles.
Religion
The Noospheric philosophy has been dear to Princess Hillope Varna and she has studied there. She has donated for a school of music to be added. The city does not have an official philosophy.
Foreign Relations
Karna has neglected it's diplomatic ties and has not offered troops to aid any city, and as such has no allies for aid either. This effective neutrality has not served it well. They have focused mainly on the city state of Tinena where the Prince in Exile and his family have lived for generations as guests of the King of Tinena. Keeping an eye on them has been a high priority, but that city is a good 300 miles away so information travels slowly.
Founding Date
5888A
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Crowned Republic
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Palace economy
Currency
Karna mints silver coins and gold coins with the tower of Karna on one side and a dragon on the other. Karna will recognize the currency of other city states and considers a 1:1 exchange rate for gold coins. Copper coins are minted by the merchant guild and serve as change but are not accepted for taxes or fees to the city. Generally 10 copper coins will be worth a silver, but in more dire economic straights merchants may not accept copper at all.
Legislative Body
The lords for a sort of parliament but they can only help execute the laws and rules the princess decides to enact. The lords can suggest a law or change, but ultimately she is the only one that decides. There are not enough lords to build a really viable body, and the main lords are leery of sharing power too broadly.
Judicial Body
Minor law violations are seen to by the Captaincy and punishments are minor and immediate. These are typically fines of less than 5 gold pieces, a day in the stocks, hard labor or a caning. If you believe you have been unfairly treated by the Captaincy you can appeal to the magistrate who is appointed for a term of 5 years by the princess. maximum award is up to 10 gold pieces.
More more important matters they go before the princess herself for judgement with the aid of her lords on legal interpretation for crimes or contract disputes.
Location
Related Ethnicities
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