L'Madakka

"L'Madakka likes to claim it is the most beautiful city in the world - this is not terribly unusual. What is perhaps unusual is how this relatively small city managed to become a capital. A good tour guide will be able to spin any number of stories about the relationship with the Symposium, or the prime location on rich trade routes, or a strangely high percentage of magi in the population. These are romantic, dramatic, or at least sometimes believable tales.
The constant breeze rolling off the sea is a usually a blessing given the intense heat in the summer. The fact it carries the day's scents can also be a blessing- or an awful curse. Downwind from the series of market squares, the air is full of notes of warm leather, piles of spices, fresh fish, and imported perfumes. Down by the sea the sharp smell of salt water is pleasant enough. But move back into the true city itself, and the ancient sidestreets and back alleys begin to fester in the heat, becoming narrow openings to hold your breath and dart past."
The Life of L'Madakka, San Morense

Demographics

The population of L'Madakka is primarily human or human adjacent, at approximately 85%, but this is a sliding scale based upon wealth. The richer percentages tend to have more humans, and the poorer communities tend to include Groundless or Maritun citizens.
Unsurprisingly, this means that skilled trades or managerial positions are also usually filled by humans. In this city, at least, they consider themselves the default. They also are very proud of the city's trade history, often running 'authentic' market stalls and proclaiming their ancestors to be market traders. Historically, this is untrue. Most records show that the original markets were primarily Groundless or Maritun, as the wealthier human classes found bartering beneath them. The edges of the now trendy market squares have sturdy buildings that used to host the set price traders.
Many Groundless and Maritun citizens have been pushed out of prime market spots by humans embracing the trade, and despite once dominating this form of commerce a high percentage now find jobs in the service industry instead.

Government

Officially, L'Madakka has a representative in the Sianta National Goverment, where an elected official sits and votes upon rules that will apply to the entire country. There is also a city council that answers to this government, made up of further elected officials.
In practice, most of these officials are funded and pushed for election by the trade guilds. Their skill dealing with civil rights or civil works is secondary to their ability to keep business taxes and tarriffs low. Though unintentional, making life easier for the businesses of the city can have positive effects on the population. Roads must be maintained for transporting goods. Communication services should be cheap or free to allow for commerce from abroad. It is far from a perfect system, but the population is so used to it, for the most part, that little is done to change it.

Industry & Trade

Before becoming a trade hub, millenia ago, L'Madakka primarily produced fish and pearls. But the natural safe harbour of the coast line meant that very quickly it became a stopping point on the trade route between Mukasi and what is now modern day Lamara. These powerful ancient societies needed food and water for their journeys, as everyone does, or places to rest. From here came the early days of showing home crafts and food to passing merchants, which grew into trading the goods they left to new merchants.
Now trade is the city's business. While traditional stalls in the markets will show off goods made in Sianti, many larger, newer stalls show off wares from across the entire world.

Infrastructure

The docks of L'Madakka stretch far across the mouth of the river and along its throat. While far more trade is carried out via online methods these days, the goods still have to be transported somehow, and Transport Gates between countries are very expensive.
While the city is not known for building ships, it has a vast merchant fleet. There is a navy to protect it, but given the close relationship Sianta has with The Symposium, magic is just as commonly used in defence.
The second main feature of the city lies upon the island in the middle of the river. Here are the seemingly endless chains of market squares, each one offering a different attraction. The Fishmonger's Guild Square backs onto the river, allowing boats to pull up and unload in full view to show off their wares. The Spicehawker's Guild Square is found in the centre of the island, protected from the wind and where the heat of the city allows the air to become heavy with enticement.

Assets

The main asset to be found in L'Madakka is nothing so tangible as goods or wealth. L'Madakka's main asset is its location. Perched on the M'gembe Sea, most of the Eastern hemisphere's ships have to stop here to trade with the Symposium, or Mukasi City. Surrounded by the sea on three sides and The Creeping Forest on the Southern border of Sianti, it has historically always been a secure and bustling location. A safe space for international trade.
This reputation has done it more than any material wealth ever could.

Guilds and Factions

L'Madakka has an ancient and powerful guild system. Many small groups representing more modern industries have tried to set up official guilds, and have succeeded, however it is rare for a new guild to be granted recognised status by the consortium.
The true pillars of The Guild Council have remained almost unchanged in centuries, simply absorbing new industries and trades into broader headings. These guilds are:

• The Fishmonger's Guild: arguably the oldest of all of the guilds.

• The Spicehawker's Guild: traditionally the richest member of the consortium.

• The Butcher's Guild: the only member to have its headquarters on the mainland.

• The Clothier's Guild: previously known as the Weaver's Guild, but with the introduction of Tapestrism the name was changed to prevent confusion.

• The Skilled Trader's Guild: created to separate skilled traders such as carpenters and carpeters from unskilled labourers.

• The Magi's Guild: given Sianti's close relationship with the Symposium, membership requires at least one year of study there.

• The Artist's Guild: the least profitable member, but one of the oldest, this guild covers anything that could be considered creating art- painting, film, sculpture etc. It is the only guild that allows its members to join another guild, and the agreement is returned.

• The Farmer's Guild: Founded by a group of farmers to ensure that none of their product was being diluted by city traders. To this day, even cities with little agriculture have at least one representative.

History

L'Madakka is not the largest city in Sianta by any means, and how it came to be the capital is an often embellished story. The old capital city to the South, In-Kilina, stood as the country's centre for a dozen generations of Principes and Principessas. But Brinia the 3rd had a taste for gambling, and the story goes that her cousin, the Duchina of L'Madakka challenged her to predict the outcome of a series of races.
The sobriety of either participant is unknown, but the country's capital became part of the winnings. Duchina Markassa was the victor, correctly predicting the winners of seven of the ten races, compared to Brinia's three.
While the title was mostly in name, over the years new trade flocked to L'Madakka, and upon the abolition of the royal system the new government buildings were constructed in L'Madakka, cementing it as both titled and political capital.

Geography

L'Madakka lies on the Northern coast of the country of Sianti, touching the M'gembe Sea. The city is split in two by the river Nakka, and in the centre of the river sits Madakka Island. Here is where you can find the old city, the Duchin's Palace, the Endless Market, the government buildings, and most of the guild houses.

Type

Capital

Population

2,000,000