Iridan City
A sovereign imperial city surrounded by enemy lands.
The second son of current Emperor Jon, Prince Somebody is in charge of the fiefdom of Iridian, which is a sovereign city on foreign soil.
The Emperor only wants one thing as tribute from Iridan, Blue Vollonite, which is rare in Dukana. What money is taxed from Iridan residents is used to buy Blue Vollonite from Aguara. Due to the limits and restrictions the Prince of Iridan has sent soldiers and “aid” to fortify the mining facility. At first this was not seen as the manipulation it was, since Iridan was already providing military support in the war currently being wagged on Aguara’s southern border with Pryma. King Lester of Aguara has banned them from entering the mine itself, but he could not deny their “help” in Thressel the shipping town closest to the mine. The castle there was converted to a Fort, now named Fort Elderidge, and staffed almost exclusively by Iridan Guards.
The King finds this situation intolerable, but the Prince of Iridan finally feels secure in his shipment of crystals to the Emperor, and perhaps might gain his favour. The creation of the fort, and the need for new kinds of support for it’s inhabitants, has displaced many of the Thressel land owners who have complained to the king. The King and the Prince have entered into negotiations about it.
The Prince of Iridan has three sons and two daughters. The third son is Declan, who has spent most of his life acting as a spy for his father, traveling outside the borders of Iridan into the country side of Aguara.
The middle level is the merchant level, while some shops and merchants are located on the dock level, most live and work on the hill the climbs from the docks onto the plateau south of the cove where the docks are. Dock level and Middle level are called Lower Iridan together.
Upper Iridan is separated from lower Iridan by a wall, and entry is controlled. Upper Iridan is placed on the top of the ridge overlooking the docks to the north and spreading south onto the plateau. Massive buildings and castles have sprung up within upper Iridan, though most are modest homes of other residents.
The prince and his family live in Upper Iridan. Other permanent residents of Upper Iridan are:
The Emperor only wants one thing as tribute from Iridan, Blue Vollonite, which is rare in Dukana. What money is taxed from Iridan residents is used to buy Blue Vollonite from Aguara. Due to the limits and restrictions the Prince of Iridan has sent soldiers and “aid” to fortify the mining facility. At first this was not seen as the manipulation it was, since Iridan was already providing military support in the war currently being wagged on Aguara’s southern border with Pryma. King Lester of Aguara has banned them from entering the mine itself, but he could not deny their “help” in Thressel the shipping town closest to the mine. The castle there was converted to a Fort, now named Fort Elderidge, and staffed almost exclusively by Iridan Guards.
The King finds this situation intolerable, but the Prince of Iridan finally feels secure in his shipment of crystals to the Emperor, and perhaps might gain his favour. The creation of the fort, and the need for new kinds of support for it’s inhabitants, has displaced many of the Thressel land owners who have complained to the king. The King and the Prince have entered into negotiations about it.
The Prince of Iridan has three sons and two daughters. The third son is Declan, who has spent most of his life acting as a spy for his father, traveling outside the borders of Iridan into the country side of Aguara.
City Layout
The city is split into three levels, originally named on height from the ocean. The lowest level is on sea level, where you find the docks and most of the shipping related industries.The middle level is the merchant level, while some shops and merchants are located on the dock level, most live and work on the hill the climbs from the docks onto the plateau south of the cove where the docks are. Dock level and Middle level are called Lower Iridan together.
Upper Iridan is separated from lower Iridan by a wall, and entry is controlled. Upper Iridan is placed on the top of the ridge overlooking the docks to the north and spreading south onto the plateau. Massive buildings and castles have sprung up within upper Iridan, though most are modest homes of other residents.
The prince and his family live in Upper Iridan. Other permanent residents of Upper Iridan are:
- The Junior Ministers of the 6 ministries, their families and servants
- The Duke of Bo, cousins to the current royal family allowed an estate, their family and servants
- Further cousins are also allowed an estate , their family and servants
- Scholars, and those undertaking learning to become scholars.
- Royal appointed bakers, artisans and service folk allowed to live in Upper Iridan to serve
Demographics
While the city is mostly made up of Dukana immigrants and their descendants, there is a large portion of Aguara-Dukana mixed folks living and working in the lowest levels of the city. Without full traceable Dukana breeding, it is impossible to gain stature within the city. However, job opportunities abound for those willing to work under the strict shipping guidelines set out by the Empire. Most of these workers have become commonly known as Dockers - those who work the docks in Iridan and other Dukana shipping ports. They have also developed an odd slang language disdainful to the upper class.
Outside of these mixed-breeds, there are very few Aguarian's living within the city. They are commonly reported for minor transgressions, harassed by Guards or Constabulary, and are unlikely to find work.
Outside of these mixed-breeds, there are very few Aguarian's living within the city. They are commonly reported for minor transgressions, harassed by Guards or Constabulary, and are unlikely to find work.
Government
Under the Emperor's laws, every land is divided into Fiefdoms (sometimes called Provinces) ruled by Royality appointed by the current Emperor, then Districts headed by an Administrator, then Counties led by a Magistrate.
However, Iridan is the only land in the Western Continent owned by the Empire. Therefore, there is only one County, in One District, in One Province.
The Prince in charge of Iridan works closely with the Magistrate and Administrator daily.The Prince can take various actions without permission from the imperial court and has executive powers only during times of crisis, such as raising militias across the city to suppress a rebellion. Due to the close proximity to Aguara and it's military, the Prince can request upon the Emperor aid in any military campaign, however it would take anywhere from 6 months to a year for that aid to arrive.
The Administrator is the top civil and military leader of the city and handles defense, lawsuits, and recommendations of nominees for scholarly duties based on the testing system and submitted annually. Due to the lack of arable land given to them in the original agreement with Aguara, most food must be purchased from Aguara and the Administrator is responsible to ensure they not only have enough food for their population but that they get it for a good price. Negotiations are ongoing.
There are two magistrates. One for lower Iridan, including the docks, and one for upper Iridan. The magistrates maintain law and order in their section of the city. For crimes, upper Iridan utilizes the Guards and lower Iridan has the constabulary, which is made up of locals from within Lower Iridan. However, larger and more serious crimes committed in lower Iridan are deferred to the Guards. The Lower Magistrate also registers the populace for taxation, mobilizes commoners for annual labor duties, repairs schools and supervises public works. The Upper Magistrate registers all non-royal populace for taxation, mobilizes servants for communal labor duties, maintains the Scholar School, and organizes & supervises all public entertainment for royal consumption.
However, Iridan is the only land in the Western Continent owned by the Empire. Therefore, there is only one County, in One District, in One Province.
The Prince in charge of Iridan works closely with the Magistrate and Administrator daily.The Prince can take various actions without permission from the imperial court and has executive powers only during times of crisis, such as raising militias across the city to suppress a rebellion. Due to the close proximity to Aguara and it's military, the Prince can request upon the Emperor aid in any military campaign, however it would take anywhere from 6 months to a year for that aid to arrive.
The Administrator is the top civil and military leader of the city and handles defense, lawsuits, and recommendations of nominees for scholarly duties based on the testing system and submitted annually. Due to the lack of arable land given to them in the original agreement with Aguara, most food must be purchased from Aguara and the Administrator is responsible to ensure they not only have enough food for their population but that they get it for a good price. Negotiations are ongoing.
There are two magistrates. One for lower Iridan, including the docks, and one for upper Iridan. The magistrates maintain law and order in their section of the city. For crimes, upper Iridan utilizes the Guards and lower Iridan has the constabulary, which is made up of locals from within Lower Iridan. However, larger and more serious crimes committed in lower Iridan are deferred to the Guards. The Lower Magistrate also registers the populace for taxation, mobilizes commoners for annual labor duties, repairs schools and supervises public works. The Upper Magistrate registers all non-royal populace for taxation, mobilizes servants for communal labor duties, maintains the Scholar School, and organizes & supervises all public entertainment for royal consumption.
Defences
As much a defense as a cage, the city of Iridan is surrounded by walls. Guarded by both Aguarian Soldiers and Imperial Guards, all manner of people and goods are inspected before they leave or enter the city due to a mutual mistrust by both governments of each other.
Thanks to many Dukana citizens defecting and moving into the Aguarian countryside, the city is at a disadvantage since they can no longer tell who belongs to the Empire based on appearance alone.
Thanks to many Dukana citizens defecting and moving into the Aguarian countryside, the city is at a disadvantage since they can no longer tell who belongs to the Empire based on appearance alone.
Industry & Trade
The reason for Iridan's existence is the gathering, preparing and shipping of magic crystals back to the Empire's homeland.
History
Aguara was “discovered” long ago, however upon realizing the trade opportunity for Blue Vollonite, a more permanent settlement was created by Emperor Bo and named Iridan. The then King of Aguara was not impressed and sent soldiers to burn the permanent structures telling the Dukana that if they wanted to trade they would have to stay as visitors only.
The next ships to arrive were battle ships from Dukana and the ensuing battle was short lived.
After negotiations, an agreement was made that held the leaders of Dukana and Aguara as equal partners and sealed in a royal marriage alliance - Dukana Princess and a Prince from Aquara, who was in line for the throne. In this agreement, Dukana was allowed a permanent port in Aguara to facilitate trade and Dukana would regularly send tribute items such as silk clothes, money, and Red Vollonite to the King of Aguara. The princess from Dukana was found after the marriage to be unable to carry a child to term and while it was not in the agreement the King felt cheated. (The woman sent to Aguara was a cousin of Emperor Bo, who had no intention of giving up his only daughter.) This prejudice remains.
The next ships to arrive were battle ships from Dukana and the ensuing battle was short lived.
After negotiations, an agreement was made that held the leaders of Dukana and Aguara as equal partners and sealed in a royal marriage alliance - Dukana Princess and a Prince from Aquara, who was in line for the throne. In this agreement, Dukana was allowed a permanent port in Aguara to facilitate trade and Dukana would regularly send tribute items such as silk clothes, money, and Red Vollonite to the King of Aguara. The princess from Dukana was found after the marriage to be unable to carry a child to term and while it was not in the agreement the King felt cheated. (The woman sent to Aguara was a cousin of Emperor Bo, who had no intention of giving up his only daughter.) This prejudice remains.
Iridan City as viewed from the north
Fantasy Castle by Jeff Brown
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Author's Notes
Still working on this.