Jupaera Merchant Council

Structure

The Merchant Council of Jupaera has a total of fifteen seats, with thirteen of them being subject to a yearly buy-in of 100,000 gold pieces. The remaining two seats are permanently occupied by the Mercenary General and the Grand Treasurer. Currently, only six of the thirteen available seats are filled. Some merchant families choose to buy in only when they want to influence certain votes, knowing that their seat will not be reserved for them.
The Jupaeran Treasury is managed by the Grand Treasurer, who oversees the collection of the council's buy-ins, as well as the city's taxes and fines. Generally, the Grand Treasurer refrains from voting, except in cases where the outcome of a vote could significantly affect the city's finances.
Meanwhile, the Mercenary General serves as the commander of the mercenary army that currently governs the city, functioning as both a police force and a military for the city-state. In addition to providing security and defense for the city, the Mercenary General also advises the Merchant Council on matters of military strategy and tactics.

Public Agenda

The overall goal of the Merchant Council is to serve the interests of Jupaera as a whole, given that it is the trade capital of the continent. Nevertheless, each participating merchant family consistently pushes its own agenda.

Assets

The Merchant Council possesses a significant amount of wealth stored in the Grand Treasurer's vault. In addition, they are currently in possession of half of a 1,500-ton galleon, which is under construction and will be the first of the city-state's own fleet of trading vessels.

History

Prior to the establishment of the Merchant Council, Jupaera was ruled by a monarch. During the years preceding the formation of the Council, the city's trade economy was flourishing. However, the king sought to increase his own wealth by imposing heavy taxes on all trade activities in the city, including those at the docks. These taxes were not only harsh but also unsustainable and threatened to ruin the economy, leading to widespread bankruptcy. The wealthy merchant families, who were hit the hardest by the taxes, initially refused to pay them. In response, the king ordered his guards to seize the taxes by force.
And so, four of the wealthier merchant families met in secret and pooled together funds to hire an army of mercenaries. They led them into the city slowly over time, disguised as adventurers and bodyguards. Then, all at once, they took up arms and stormed the castle, delivering an ultimatum to the king's guard: "We only want the king. Side with him, die with him. Side with us, and we'll support your family." Very few guards turned down the offer, and even those who did were only incapacitated.
Without his guard to protect him, the king was captured and publicly beheaded. The mercenaries threw coins from the king's treasury to the people who witnessed the execution. The royal family was allowed to leave alive with only their horses and the clothes on their backs. The merchant families began to argue about who should be in charge now that the king was dead. The mercenary general intervened and convinced them to run the city cooperatively, just as they had worked together to remove the king. He also warned that they should keep him and his army around as the city would be undefended without them. Thus, the first Merchant Council was formed with the head of each of the four families alongside the mercenary general as its founding members.

Military

The city-state of Jupaera lacks its own military force and instead relies on hiring an army of mercenaries for defense. This arrangement is advantageous for both parties, as the mercenaries can earn more by serving the trading capital in the long run than working for a single lord. The mercenaries maintain their autonomy since their role is limited to defensive and peacekeeping duties within the city. They may occasionally dispatch battalions for external work, but never against Jupaera.

Trade & Transport

The location of Jupaera makes it easily accessible for the nations of Malon, Nagus, and Simperia to obtain goods. Additionally, it serves as a convenient layover spot for ships traveling to and from the eastern continents.

Founding Date

1473

Type

Geopolitical, Town Council

Government System

Plutocracy

Power Structure

Autonomous area

Economic System

Market economy

Legislative Body

Any of the council members may propose new laws or changes to existing ones, but the proposal needs a majority vote among the entire council to be enacted. The two permanent members of the council have veto power, but they can only use it in certain circumstances and must resign if their veto is successful.

Judicial Body

Any high-ranking mercenary officer can pass judgement. However, punishments in Jupaera are exclusively monetary.

Executive Body

The mercenary army enforces the laws within the city.