Post by ShikMyPants (GM) on Aug 19, 2015 20:38:02 GMT 8
Welcome to Stark, the unofficial jewel in the crown of the Empire. Or at least that is what the Imperial government would like you to think. Aeris (the city of brass) is the true capital of the Empire, with its great brass spire stretching towards the heavens, it is full of stuffy buerecrats and overprivelaged aristocrats. Stark however is the trading, cultural and scientific centre of the known world. Hundreds of airship make berth at Starks great docks, the largest ever built. Almost every major scientific advancement in the previous century has come from its artisan district and every major religion has their headquarters in the majestic temples district. Stark is a melting pot of people from all over the Empire and skies beyond. Among its seven million inhabitants at least two millon are transient, coming and going with work, trade or pilgrimage.
The Empire declares that Stark is within its territory but Stark has been legally and culturally seperated from them for more than six centuries. The city is a country unto itself, ruled by its own governmental council made up of nine of the most powerful and wealthy people within its walls.
The council of the nine as it is know is the one true power in Stark and all matters no matter how trivial can be settled on the councils whim. Matters are brought before them at a weekly tribunal held in the council chambers within the presidium disctrict, usually this is trade disputes and such. Places on the council are highly contested and are awarded on the basis of personal wealth. Every three months a revised count is made and the council members list is updated, this is known as the Gilmaine Accord. The council members do not have a say in whether they are members or not, to live in Stark is to be bound by the accord.
The council appeases the Empire by allowing them to keep a small garrison of navy marines in Stark, albeit for a fee. The deal and the recieving party of this fee is the lead council member Raivin Thule. The money he recieves from the empire plus his own conciderable wealth makes him the richest man in Stark and perhaps the world. This has given rise to an odd situation where the Empire puppets Thule to persuade the council to make decisions in their favour giving some semblance of control in the day to day workings of Stark.
The people of Stark are numerous and varied, and you are one of these Starkites. You may have grown up in its alleys and streets, you may have moved here to pursue a dream. You may have even just found yourself stranded here after a bet gone wrong. But whatever the reason you are now in the busiest most interesting city on Gai and your story begins now!
The Empire declares that Stark is within its territory but Stark has been legally and culturally seperated from them for more than six centuries. The city is a country unto itself, ruled by its own governmental council made up of nine of the most powerful and wealthy people within its walls.
The council of the nine as it is know is the one true power in Stark and all matters no matter how trivial can be settled on the councils whim. Matters are brought before them at a weekly tribunal held in the council chambers within the presidium disctrict, usually this is trade disputes and such. Places on the council are highly contested and are awarded on the basis of personal wealth. Every three months a revised count is made and the council members list is updated, this is known as the Gilmaine Accord. The council members do not have a say in whether they are members or not, to live in Stark is to be bound by the accord.
The council appeases the Empire by allowing them to keep a small garrison of navy marines in Stark, albeit for a fee. The deal and the recieving party of this fee is the lead council member Raivin Thule. The money he recieves from the empire plus his own conciderable wealth makes him the richest man in Stark and perhaps the world. This has given rise to an odd situation where the Empire puppets Thule to persuade the council to make decisions in their favour giving some semblance of control in the day to day workings of Stark.
The people of Stark are numerous and varied, and you are one of these Starkites. You may have grown up in its alleys and streets, you may have moved here to pursue a dream. You may have even just found yourself stranded here after a bet gone wrong. But whatever the reason you are now in the busiest most interesting city on Gai and your story begins now!