Mandjula
Located on the southern shore of Lake Iksamisaji, Mandjula is best known as the primary producer of salts in the Desert Coast Region, as well as being the only large permanent settlement in the Chozashi Desert. Surrounded by wide fields of pure white salt flats for many miles, Mandjula has often been called "the Pearl of the Desert" and the "Shining White City."
However, despite its pristine appearance at a distance, as one approaches the city, the signs of harsh mining show. The outer portions of Mandjula are filled with slums, tent towns, and garbage camps, where refuse lines the few passageways that count as "streets" and buildings may be literally built of trash. The salt miners and hard day laborers mostly live in these run-down areas.
This visual disparity is an apt metaphor for the people of Mandjula itself; the city-state is characterized by extreme class divides, from the exorbitantly wealthy elite who live in the center of town, to the destitute workers eking out a living in horrid conditions on the edges of society. But even the beauty of the nobles is tarnished by their corrupt core.
It is not true to say that Mandjula is a gang town plagued by organized crime. In point of fact, the vast majority of the rulership of the city is made up of cutthroat mob members, who make and break alliances on a whim, push the salt trade in dangerous levels, and are perfectly willing to kill (or at least have someone killed) to get ahead in the political and economic life of the city. Most who live in Mandjula are affiliated with one of these "noble" gang families, and those who aren't often long for the limited protection that the families offer even to their lowest lackeys.
Demographics
The primary species in Mandjula are kobolds, who make up approximately 45% of the population. Until his recent disappearance and/or death, Lord Patrician Tafili was a kobold, and there are several prominent kobold ruling families in the city. Because of this high kobold population, Mandjula is mostly considered a nocturnal city, with the vast majority of inhabitants choosing to sleep during the daytime.
After kobolds, humans and Dwarves are most common. Mandjula also has a thriving, though secretive, elf population, and is a popular spot for various Lanirieth troupes in the region.
Government
Mandjula is governed by the Lord/Lady/Liege Patrician, who is generally a member of whichever powerful merchant gang family was able to either bribe or intimidate the other families into acknowledging their rule.
The Patrician's most important responsibility is to step in and settle disputes between rival gang families that get out of hand, or to reign in a gang family that is interfering in the smooth economic function of the city. They are valued for their diplomacy, but must be capable of making rather physical threats of violence and defending themself from assassins. Some Patricians have employed loyal bodyguards in the past, but this does not usually end well.
If a Patrician retires they often work for years to establish a younger member of their own family as a powerful politician and fighter in their own right, and then give their blessing to that next leader, to help ease the transition. However, whenever there is a change in rulership, Mandjula is plagued with infighting, bloodshed, and murder throughout the upper levels of the gang families until a clear winner rises above the rest. Of course, Patricians are frequently assassinated long before a successor is established.
Unless the Patrician interferes, the gang families (also known as noble families) have total legal control over affiliated members, and generally rule them with an iron fist.
Single Combat
Single Combat between two champions of a pair of warring gang families is a fairly common method of settling disputes. Traditionally, the champion chosen is either the leader of the gang family or their intended heir. The Patrician usually oversees such battles. Generally, the rules of such a battle are a no-holds-barred competition until one opponent either surrenders or dies. Very few battles end in surrender. It is fairly usual for civilians and rivals for position within the gangs to use Single Combat as a method of solving grievances as well, although they tend to be overseen by the leader of their respective gang families. Outsiders accused of committing crimes against a gang family may be forced into a Trial by Single Combat whether they like it or not.Industry & Trade
Mandjula is the producer of various kinds of salt throughout the Desert Coast Region , and as such it draws in a great deal of wealth (most of which winds up in the hands of the rich and powerful gang families). Salt is mined from the Denghadi Salt Wastes or distilled from Lake Iksamisaji and exported throughout the region.
Mandjula also has a thriving night life, with prostitution, gambling, and alcohol all being legal and available in abundance.
Within the city, fresh water is one of the most valuable commodities. Most of it is purified from Lake Iksamisaji or drawn up from the deeper wells in the city, and ownership is hotly disputed. The price of a glass of water can be as much as ten times the same amount of ale.
Alternative Name(s)
The Pearl of the Desert, The Shining White City,
Type
Large city
Population
45,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Mandjulan
Location under
Included Locations
Characters in Location
Mandjula is often at odds with the rival city of Port Kashi, another major trade city that lies along the coast. Port Kashi's byzantine and draconic trade laws often clash badly with Mandjula's more laissez-faire, free-for-all approach. Although Lord Patrician Tafili was able to strike an accord with Port Kashi in the recent past, his disappearance threatens to destabilize the thirty-year era of peace he helped to found.
Comments