Honestas
Pronunciation: ohn-EST-ahs
The seat of Cactsian power, Honestas is the place that the culture of Cactsia seeps out of. It is the most extreme, for better and worse. Almost all who live within the city have some amount of notoriety, whether that comes from a family who has served honorably for generations, a solon (governmental officer), or some other honor that has been granted to the family or individual by the benevolent empire, it is the place that those whose names are known across the land make their homes.
Most of the population of Honestas are kept in comfortable lifestyles (18% wealthy, 15% comfortable, and 30% modest) by the Cactsian military's large salaries - especially those who have multiple children to take up commissions.
Those who have dishonored their families through cowardice, embezzlement (overcharging for goods or substituting in cheaper materials on the down low) are generally shunned by the community, and make up the lower 30% of the income bracket (20% poor, 10% squalid, 5% wretched).
There are hardly any families that can be considered aristocratic - only 2% of the populace.
Government
Honestums are heavily taxed - a 40% rate on all non-military incomes. It keeps the government funded, and it's seen as part of your civic pride to keep the government in good condition.
Unfortunately, the The Cactsian Expansion War has left the treasury in tatters, and on the verge of economic collapse. Everything is being kept under wraps.
This is somewhat helped by the prisoners-of-war-turned-slaves and criminals that help keep the city in order. Normally, the Cactsians believe that you can simply crush the rebellion out of a servant, but in the case of certain crimes they will turn to magical means, placing a geas on the perpetrator to ensure that they "serve the empire" well during their sentence.
Industry & Trade
Trade between Honestas and the other cities in the empire is freeflowing, but their trade relations with the other countries of Mercuria is tenuous at best.
It does not make much itself when it comes to goods. As the seat of the empire, it imports in most of what it needs.
It does, however, have large wheat fields, apple orchards, and vineyards surrounding the walls of the city that helped it grow into the monolith of power it is today.
Architecture
Most families in Honestas live in two story homes with an atrium/roofed courtyard as the entryway, with all bedrooms located on the second floor. They, traditionally, all have private balconies overlooking the courtyard.
Mostly made out of concrete, the buildings of Honestas are roofed with reddish brown tiles. They are usually carved with intricate stone reliefs and/or statues - even the poorest buildings are usually flanked by a small pair of stone lions.
Because it's located on the coast, many buildings will also have exterior storm walls to protect from Nerovae's winds.
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