Kuste
Kuste is a bustling commercial free-city located on the eastern coast of Ishar, overlooking the vast ocean. The city is surrounded by high walls, with grand gates that welcome merchants and travelers from all corners of the empire. The architecture of Kuste is a blend of medieval stone structures and elegant merchant houses, with colorful banners fluttering in the sea breeze.
The cityscape of Kuste is full of bustling market squares filled with merchants hawking their wares, and ships docking at the busy port. The grand gates are adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of trade and prosperity, while the skyline is dominated by the towers of the four great houses.
Kuste is known for its thriving trade economy, with goods flowing in and out of the city from distant lands. The city's main resources include exotic spices, fine textiles, precious metals, and rare artifacts brought in by merchant ships. The port of Kuste is always busy with ships loading and unloading cargo, while the marketplaces are filled with a dizzying array of goods from all corners of the empire. and beyond.
The society of Kuste is a vibrant tapestry of different cultures and traditions, as merchants and travelers from all over the empire converge in the city. The four great houses are the pillars of society, each with its own distinct customs and practices. The people of Kuste are known for their love of art, music, and fine craftsmanship, with bustling marketplaces and lively taverns where stories and rumors are traded along with goods.
Kuste was founded millennia ago as a small fishing village, but it quickly grew into a major trading hub thanks to its strategic location and natural harbor. Over the years, the city has weathered wars, invasions, and political upheavals, but it has always remained a beacon of commerce and prosperity on the continent. The special trade agreement with Argo and the southern principality has helped Kuste become one of the wealthiest cities in the region.
Government
The political system of Kuste is unique, with power shared between the great mayor and the council of patriarchs from the four great houses. The mayor is elected from among the patriarchs every 10 years and wields limited powers that are defined by a constitution. The mayor is also part of the council that elects the prince-elector of the free cities. This system of governance ensures a delicate balance of power between the merchant elite and the ruling class, with checks and balances in place to prevent any one faction from becoming too powerful.
In Kuste there are two types of taxes federal empire taxes which are for every transaction plus a nominal tax per citizen and are used to maintain the imperial army, they change depending on needs such as wars but usually are between 2% and 5% of annual revenue and 3% for every transaction, and the trade tariffs which are controlled by the city itself and are 1% on internal trade, 7% on imports and 3% on exports.
