The Free City of Ismene

One might best sum up the City of Ismene is that if one were to throw a parade, it would likely take up to two weeks for one to get the form to request the request form for the parade. That and the fact that there are seven different forms for the murder of others, though five of them require the individual to show up for their execution within 12 hours. Needless to say, the City of Ink is somewhat of a complicated mess of bureaucracy that'll confuse almost anyone trying to figure it out. In fact, the City believes that its bureaucracy is the true will of the Heavens which hasn't helped to make it less complicated but has in fact made it even worse. The bureaucracy extends to every part of civilian life within the city, with the citizens being organized into tiers reflecting their station within the government. As any one person's position within the government, known also as the Secretariat, changes, so does their living situation. A mistaken report might cause one to drop down a few districts while decades of service will likely see one living in a mansion in the top most districts of the city.

Structure

The city is ruled by the Askretis who earn their rank based on competence and seniority. Under them is a myriad of tiers of which people shifts frequently as their ranking within the Secretariat shifts.

Culture

The culture of Ismene is one of strict adherence to the rules, which they see as the divine will of the Gods themselves. This means that they see the world as a confused mess while the world sees them as bureaucratic sticklers.

Public Agenda

To adhere to the laws of the Secretariat.

History

It is said that the city that would become Ismene started out as a single scriptorium located within a small church. The remote church would find civilians flocking to it and soon there was a need for laws to be written down as no large body controlled the area. Given that both the words of the Gods and the word of the law came from the same location the two would eventually mash together and become one. The city would see steady growth with the tiers of the city being built and the Secretariat eventually forming in truth. Little conflict has touched the city since, as trouble has a very hard time actually touching it in the first place. The abjuration magic of the Secretariat is only slightly less powerful than their quills and parchments yet still being more than a match for who should try to invade them.

Religion

There isn't truly that much religious activity within the city-state. This is given the fact that the people of Ismene believe the will of the Gods and the will of the Secretariat to be one and the same, and so following their laws is a form of worship in and of itself.

Foreign Relations

The city tends to try to be on the good side of most of the other foreign countries, having especially good relations with Lichan for decades. They are however as prone to the infighting and bickering of the League as any other member.

Education

The education of Ismene is fairly comprehensive for most students, with the most interesting thing being how orphans are regularly taken into schools where they can later become devoted civil servants.

Trust in Laws

Founding Date

175

Type

Geopolitical, City-state

Capital

Ismene

Alternative Names

City of Ink

Demonym

Ismen

Leader Title

Askretis

Government System

Meritocracy

Economic System

Command/Planned economy

Legislative Body

The legislative, judicial, and executive body of Ismene is known as the Secretariat. This organization is in truth rules the entirety of Ismene in what is effectively an iron grip. Not by any one person but instead by a complicated web of laws and bureaucracy.

Official State Religion

The Creed of the Major Gods

Parent Organization

The League of Free Cities

Location

Ismene

Official Languages