Mayoka
The largest city in Arpium and one of the largest in Tanoron as a whole, Mayoka has a long history as one of the most powerful independent city states in Arikanda. Now a member of the Helikan League, Mayoka is a city re-inventing itself after the near devastation of the Mayokan Civil War.
The city is a monarchy, led by Archon Isola Ellori. Politically the city is going through many changes, as the monarchy transitions to a more constitutional form and more nobles and even commons are invited to have a say in the city's governance.
The city is divided into several districts;
- The Plaza of the Founders; the major administrative centre of the city and the high town, built atop Mount Arpia.
- The Arpian District, around the foot of Mount Arpia, consisting of the homes and businesses of the nobility.
- The West Bank, built along the west coast of the River Tabris, made up of the oldest parts of the original settlement of Mayoka.
- The Riviera District, a long strip along the eastern banks of the Tabras, where many artisans and merchants operate.
- The Stone District, a broad quarter in the northeast of the city, home and place of business of many manual workers along with some artisans.
- The Spirit District in the southeast, a relatively newly developed district home to the various Elemental temples, along with monuments and plazas.
Demographics
The majority of the city's population are Tanorites who have called the city home for centuries. However in recent years, an influx of migrants have come from other Tanorite cities, and even Sapphran and a small Avadian population have come to call the city home. Like much of the rest of Tanoron, the faith of most residents is solidly Elementalist, although the Avadian gods also see a small community of faithful.
Government
Mayoka is making the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy, and is ruled by the reigning Archon of Mayoka. Originally the country was ruled by a King or Queen, however this was disrupted in the Mayokan Civil War where the monarch was replaced by a Grand Archon. As a response to this even after the victory of the Royalists, the title of Archon was kept, and the monarchy has become much more accessible to all classes rather than simply the nobility.
Defences
Mayoka is defended by thick stone walls around the city proper, protecting the city from the north, west and east. These walls are so broad that chariots can actually ride atop them, and this is often done for major chariot races. The south backs on to the Bay of Shokai and needs no serious defence.
Industry & Trade
Manual labour is by and large the main economic backbone of Mayoka, with farming and artisan work being the most common lines of work. However a burgeoning mercantile class is beginning to appear in recent years, and with the advent of widespread literacy Mayoka is also at the forefront of the arts and sciences.
Infrastructure
Like most Tanorite cities, Mayoka has an advanced piping and waste disposal system. Mayoka is also connected to the Tanorite highway system, with the highway running down the west bank of the Tabras. Various streets offshoot from the highway. Transport is still by and large on foot, however chariots and even single horses are used by the richer members of society. Ox-drawn wagons are popular for transporting cargo, and some enterprising drivers have been known to carry passengers.
History
Mayoka was founded in 1772 DoM, supposedly by the legendary hero Volkius. It was originally a small settlement of the Mayokati tribe, who moved to the area to farm olives, grapes and raise cattle. Over time the settlement swelled to become a city-state, led by a King or Queen who was selected by the Delthine priesthood.
During the rise of the Helikan League, Mayoka received several overtures to join the League. Unlike other, weaker nations, Mayoka had the means to repel a Helikan invasion, and they chose to maintain a sense of independence over the centuries.
Mayoka underwent a crisis in 440 TE, when the ambitious noble Vilio Komon staged a coup to assume absolute authority in the city, killing the original king and many of the nobles opposed to him. The next decade, Mayoka was plagued by a harsh and authoritarian rule, with Komon aided by a mysterious sorcerer. In 459, the war finally came to an end under the leadership of exiled Princess Isola, the daughter of the previous king, who was able to rally an army and take the city back.
Since that time, Mayoka remains a monarchy, however Isola has begun to implement reforms to make the city a fairer place and resolving the disparities that caused Komon to gain influence. Most controversially, the city has joined the Helikan League, owing to their assistance in the war.
Architecture
Most buildings in Mayoka are built in the classic Tanorite style; square stone buildings either single floor or built atop each other like terraces. They are usually constructed from mud-brick using stone foundations and painted over in whites and pastel colours.
The most prominent buildings in Mayoka are the Danthine Palace, a large square-shaped palace building made of limestone blocks and cylindrical pillar supports, and the newly built Council Hall, a torus-shaped limestone structure.
Geography
Mayoka is built on both sides of the Tabras River, on the flat coastal plain of southern Arpium. It is surrounded by a few smaller hills and one particularly large hill in Mount Arpia. The plain to the north of the city is broad and flat for several miles, allowing for visibility for some distance.
Natural Resources
Mayoka's proximity to the vineyards of southern Tanoron give it an abundance of olives and grapes. There are also copper mines in the hills to the north. Sheep can be found in the hills, while cattle are quite abundant in the plains.
Founding Date
1772 DoM
Type
Large city
Population
51000
Inhabitant Demonym
Mayokan
Included Locations
Owning Organization
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