The South

Life in the South is far more varied than in the North. Radical cultural differences separate the various leagues and even regions within them. The AST counts scientist-philosophers, wealthy emirs, slaves, merchant princes, soldiers, industrial workers and many more as citizens. With the notable exception of the Humanist Alliance, the southern states generally leave their citizens free to choose their beliefs and act as they will. Personal freedom is appreciated, and short of harming anyone, most Southerners may do as they please. The one taboo area is political expression, especially in the Southern Republic. The media and the individuals may discuss any topic they choose, but criticizing or opposing the government is extremely dangerous. The Republican government has eyes everywhere and dissidents have been known to vanish overnight without a trace. Southerners in general (and again, especially in the Republic) have a very supremacist attitude and openly express great pride in their society and in their achievements. They tend to despise the Northerners’ repressed attitude, in particular their religious zeal. The official language of the Southern Republic is Universal French , a derivative of French, Italian and Spanish, although Anglic is also taught in schools and used for international affairs. By force of absorption, the smaller leagues have also adopted some Universal French, but the Eastern Sun Emirates still cling to their original Mandanese . In the Humanist Alliance, the majority of people speak Intralingua , a “constructed” language which is extremely easy to learn and is spoken here and there over the world. The currency in the South is the dinar, which is worth about the same thing as a mark in the North. Despite occasional fluctuations, the two currencies have remained fairly comparable ever since they were established. Dinar notes have different size but are invariably deep red. Northerners often refer to it as “blood money.” As a habit, most southerners keep their larger bills on the outside of the smaller ones to give the impression of wealth. While perhaps more repressive than the North in many respects, the South is host to several cultural wonders which do not find their equivalent in the northern hemisphere. For instance, the Yang Dancers from Atsi in the Mekong Dominion never cease to amaze their audiences, regardless of their origins. Body sculpting, also an art form originating from Atsi, combines plastic surgery and esoteric aesthetic concepts, using the body as a canvas and sometimes resulting in alien-looking humans. The alternative shock music bars of Newton feature erotic and exotic performances which would seriously disturb any Northerner. In the Eastern Sun Emirates, the excesses of the Patriarchs may have trampled the human rights of their citizens, but they have also led to wondrous constructions and architectural feats. Without a doubt, being a Southerner often means having been in touch with the most colorful cultures of Terra Nova.

SO U T H E R N C I T I E S 3.3 - AQUITAINE Although originally founded in TN 1533 by rover Darvon d’Aquitan, it wasn’t until after TN 1544 that Aquitaine grew into a proper city. That year, thirteen soldiers of the Southern Republic who were part of a long range expeditionary force into the Great Southern Plain supposedly came into the small town and wrecked havoc, ultimately crashing a vehicle into the barn of town founder Darvon d’Aquitan after an evening of excessive drinking. The aging Badlander promptly rounded up a few of his neighbors to physically expel the soldiers from his property. The ensuing firefight went badly for the intoxicated Republicans, who fled as d’Aquitan called on all of his Badlands friends to aid him in the defense of his home. Twenty-two hours later, the entire 17th Battailon of the 4th Brigade surrounded Aquitaine and carried out a punitive raid. Although the Aquitain defenders stood up as best they could, they were soundly defeated and d’Aquitan himself was killed. The Republican troops then withdrew, confident they had taught the Badlanders a lesson. They were wrong. The story of the battle became a legend of Badlanders standing up to the new Republic and attracted people to the region. The citystate grew in leaps and bounds and, by the time of the Second Unification Campaign, was ready to face their attackers. Aquitaine sent troops to defend Timbuktu in TN 1589, but despite valiant efforts, the city fell. Fifteen cycles later, Aquitaine itself finally came under fire again and the city was reduced to ruin in a vicious battle. It took over 60 cycles for Aquitains to accept their absorption into the Southern Republic, but the presence of a well-armed garrison within the city prevented open rebellion; nowadays Aquitaine is a proud member of the Southern Republic. The city has developed local agrarian industries extensively, and has also promoted its brewing industry. The success of Mort Subite fruit ale attracted other brew houses to the area, but none have replicated the market creation since they must either brew regular ales or substandard fruit ales. In the event that an upstart manages to attain even modest success, Mort Subite’s brewers either buy it out or undercut its prices to eliminate the competition. While this has resulted in several lawsuits, no court has found the brewery guilty yet. Due to the northerly position of Aquitaine, it is generally considered as the first area which would be hit in the event of a war with the Northern leagues. The Aquitain militia is generally considered one of the best trained and most well prepared on the planet because of its prominent position. The expansive plains and rolling hills near the city provide a good variety of training conditions for this military unit. Unfortunately, the local MILICIA unit suffers from severe discipline problems, and it is difficult for the city militia to convince some of the citizens that not all military units are cast from the same mold. Vital Statistics  Location: 14° 15’ S, 75° 45’ W Founding Date: TN 1533 (Joined SR in TN 1604) Method of Government: Participatory democracy Head of Government: Speaker Adémar Forochel Population: 370,000 Principal Industries: Agriculture Aquitaine at a Glance  The city-state of Aquitaine lies at the edge of the Great Southern Plain, just a few kilometers south of the Badlands border and the Little Westridge mountain range. Its location on the shore of the small Fraser River, a slightly arid micro-climate and fertile soil make Aquitaine perfect for growing grain and some varieties of fruit. Split in two by the river, the city is built in a grid pattern, with most roads heading generally north-south or east-west. The city is divided into four quarters, with divisions on each side of the Fraser and separation by a main street. This rather unimaginative urban layout was selected by the military council to fit with Aquitaine’s defense, as the grid map layout coincides precisely with the minefield that the town is laid upon. This minefield serves as a last line of defense and permits whole chunks of the city to be detonated. The Speaker of the city controls the use of the field, which has never been activated save for carefully monitored and controlled test firings. The Needle is located across from city hall, in the center of town, at the intersection of Main Street and Boulevard d’Aquitan. The only true high-rise in Aquitaine, the massive Needle is 165 stories tall and serves as an audio/video relay post for the whole of the Great Southern Plain. Built in TN 1909 by Vozz Broadcasting, the tower was bought by the military in TN 1914 for use as a communications center during the War of the Alliance. During this time, it received several modifications including two air defense batteries and a layer of armor around the huge support struts of the structure. The Needle is the most powerful transmitter in the Antarctic, and a private network is currently negotiating to purchase the structure. The government would normally be happy to take the sum which has been offered, but with war on the horizon, the utility of the structure is higher. As a result of this situation, the government is stringing the broadcaster along in hopes that the war will begin and end quickly enough that interest is not lost.

3.4 - ASHANTI The very name of Ashanti evokes thoughts of pleasure and the beauty of the flesh. For this reason, some Northerners have branded it the city of sin; to the Southern Republic, it is a hub of liberalism. Known as the City of Light, Ashanti is a jewel on the shores of Lake Esperance. Its beautiful beaches, manicured roads and lavish hotels make Ashanti the resort capital of Terra Nova. Founded in TN 530 by the Ecologen corporation, Ashanti was initially a scientific community which studied the marine life in Lake Esperance. Unfortunately for the scientific community, many corporate workers enjoyed the Caribbean-style vacations that Ashanti could recreate. Pulling an abrupt about face, Ecologen decided that it could profit from this location and Ashanti became the resort town of Terra Nova. Ecologen created a city that was a veritable playground for those able to experience it, and it prospered beyond the directors' wildest imaginings. The coming of the Marabou Marauders would change Ashanti in a way no one could have ever imagined. Refusing to surrender to the Marauders, the city suffered wholesale destruction and became a refugee camp overnight. The soldiers rampaged through the city, destroying every vestige of Ashantite culture and architecture. The greatest loss was the huge public library which contained thousands of novels and poems from Terra Nova’s and Earth’s greatest writers. Although rebuilt, much of Ashanti’s prize architecture was forever lost and while today’s Ashanti is a gem, it is a far cry from the Ashanti of old. Willow Park occupies the central portion of Ashanti. It is the official landmark that commemorates the destruction of the public library and the invasion of Ashanti. Statues representing the city’s valiant defenders and cultural icons grace the walkways of this large green space. The park’s serenity makes it a haven for people who want to spend some quiet time outdoors. The downtown district harbors Ashanti’s administrative offices and foreign embassies, as well as art galleries and the reconstructed public library. The Casino District, Ashanti’s lifeblood, is home to over 30 casinos and gaming clubs. These houses boast games to please even the most demanding gambler. Anything from slot machines to 3-D Gear combat simulations can be found in the towering glass and steel complexes. This district also includeshundreds of shops that sell everything from useless trinkets to top of the line, overpriced sports cars. The cultural center that is Ashanti is one of the most vibrant and innovative on the planet. From clothes and visual art to literature and architecture — and the list goes on — Ashanti is the place where rising stars want to get to, and where the divas of today attempt to hold their positions. The most famous names and the most celebrated faces grace the local runways, cawfee houses and villas. Vital Statistics  Location: 52° 30’ S, 43° 15’ W Founding Date: TN 530 (Joined SR in TN 1545) Method of Government: Representative democracy Head of Government: Mayor Galepe Mahorda Population: 2.3 million Principal Industries: Tourism and fashion An Open Society  A hotbed of popular culture, Ashanti is the most liberal city on Terra Nova. Ashantites claim they have no prejudices and the people are in fact very tolerant of outsiders. They do look down on societies that do not share their open attitudes, however — most notably the “automatons” of the Humanist Alliance and the “barbarians” of the Eastern Suns Emirates. The moralistic society of the North is also less than popular, although most Ashantites are welcoming to the few Northern tourists they receive. Ashantites spend their days very much like other Republicans, working for a living and making no qualms about their desire to succeed. However, the celebrity status conferred on Ashanti, by virtue of its many famous inhabitants, has dragged the local culture down somewhat. In Ashanti, as nowhere else, the ethics of “live fast and hard, and die young if it suits your purposes” are parts of daily life. The Ashantite love of life extends only as far as life is fulfilling and suitably entertaining. This fact has staked Ashanti with one of the grimmest statistics in the Southern Republic. The rate of suicide among Ashantites is almost triple the national average; not all is roses in this fast-paced city-state. The most disconcerting aspect, from an outsider’s point of view, of Ashantite culture is the predominance of nudity in the city-state. Most people live their daily lives completely naked save for fashionable accessories. Although a direct result of the high temperatures that Helios inflicts on Ashanti, this “nude living” has developed into a daily routine of sorts. As firm believers in the right to free love, which promotes the belief that sex and love are separate concepts, each enjoyable in their own rights, Ashantites are often cast as overly liberal, even degenerate, by outsiders. Many citizens use their free time to explore their sexuality. This has opened the way for a dangerous phenomenon. Some members of the Southern elite  has used the sexual liberty of  Ashanti as a cover to entice locals into their own dark fantasies. Agents entice ambitious Ashantites with promises  of wild, erotic experiences and reward them by adding them to their masters’ personal slave rings.

3.8 - NEWTON As the center of higher learning in the Southern Republic, Newton has the twin responsibilities of fostering brilliance and elevating the future leadership of the league beyond mediocrity. Built in TN 1562 with a single-minded and frightening goal, Newton was conceived as a place where generations of conquered peoples could be integrated into the Southern Republic. Newton’s location, just south of Lake Esperance, was chosen specifically for its distance from other cities, as a place that could be easily controlled and, if necessary, destroyed. This initial purpose lasted only as long as an atmosphere of free expression and intense curiosity would permit, and Newton is currently a far cry from what the Estates General had initially envisioned. In this stomping ground for the future elite of Republican society, citizens in the throes of youthful passion are allowed to compose any thoughts and theses that they wish. Often these future leaders come to the conclusion that the only way to get ahead in the system is to play along with it. Thus, in some ways, Newton has been a success for the Estates General. Newton’s four districts, each devoted to a local university and its sprawling campus, are as open and free as the attitudes that run rampant through the student bodies. Designed with accessibility in mind, and home to one of the most efficient subway systems on Terra Nova, it is an easy matter for any citizen to travel from one end of the city to the other in under an hour. Newton is an open area in an otherwise damp, tree clogged environment, and in order to prevent jungle diseases from infecting the populace, the city planners created large tracts of parklands. Of the multiple green spaces that exist, there are two which cover over eight square kilometers, and a myriad of other parks that Newton prizes. It is in these spaces that much of the activism the city is renowned for can be found. As a center for liberalism, student and otherwise, Newton is home to constant conflicts between ideologies. For the most part, these disruptions are focused around peaceful discussions of ideas and the occasional loud rally. Newton has recently experienced an upswing of activism characterized by violence and unrest, however, sometimes pitting students against the establishment and, more alarmingly, against each other. While the adherents of the neo-Revisionist Tabula Rasa (see 6.2.2 Religion, p. 88) attempt to counteract this trend, other students have simply gone overboard. These malcontents are preparing for the day they will return to the Republic and they fully intend to reform it or watch it burn. While many politicians feel sure that these dreams are unrealistic, some feel that a change is coming, and that Newton will be at the crest of the wave. Vital Statistics  Location: 64° 45’ S, 36° 45’ W Founding Date: TN 1562 Method of Government: Representative democracy Head of Government: Sheriff Jean Renaud Population: 2.1 million Principal Industries: Education, science, printing Student Life  In many ways Newton is a darkly etched reflection of the Southern Republic. Students at the four universities lead very different lifestyles, and these encompass nearly every extreme that can be found in the south. Sir Isaac Newton University’s students invariably attempt to enjoy themselves, throwing raucous all night parties that disrupt the peace. Some are, however, trying to repair the damaged reputation of their alma mater and are actively searching for ways to do so. Rajnapurtha University students enjoy evenings of high cuisine, fashion and entertainment, viewing themselves as the guardians and future of the Republic’s rich creative history. Students attending the Republic University at Newton are simply happy to have the chance at higher education. Many attend the university thanks to state funding, and frequently have little money left to adopt their own distinct lifestyle. As such they frequently borrow from the culture around them, and are perceived as party crashers and socialite pretenders. Garamond maintains rigorous academic standards and will not hesitate to expel any student who does not meet the required level of achievement. As such, its students are driven to succeed at all costs, viewing failure as the ultimate blow to their own personal honor. Over one million nonstudents inhabit Newton. They are the shopkeepers and local businesspeople who keep the city afloat between semesters. Living in the home to the Southern Republic’s largest publishing houses, many citizens are employed in the Newtonian tradition of making and distributing printed materials. Everything from books to propaganda posters from Newton flood the South, and give the city a reputation as a literary stronghold in the Republic. Newton’s citizens are mostly low key individuals, content with the simple pleasures of life. The recent change in attitude of the students who parade through their home has not, however, gone unnoticed. They watch their neighbors slowly trickle out to see what the students have to say, and many, curious themselves, are following. Many student rallies now count on ordinary Republican citizens being among their number, hoping that their message is getting out. Newton’s town council is greatly disturbed by this and is considering measures to persuade people not to attend. To date, no one has come forward with an option containing signs of realism.

3.9 - PORT OASIS (LEAGUE CAPITAL) Rising skywards from low wetlands and bordered by the glassy expanse of Lake Esperance, the capital of the Southern Republic is as majestic as the lands it rules. Divided into three areas — Old Port, Villeneuve and the Launch — Port Oasis is a sprawling metropolis that covers a hundred square kilometers. Founded in TN 492 as a way station for inbound Terrans, Port Oasis quickly developed into a den of pleasure and vice, as organized crime branched out onto Terra Nova and seized at the new opportunity. Cluttering the shores of Lake Esperance with hotels, brothels, and casinos, they catered to every whim of their clients, and soon incalculable wealth flowed through the city streets. Though forced out in TN 801 by Concordat troops, these crime lords are rumored to have left riches vaulted beneath city streets that still await discovery. Port Oasis faded from prominence as her remaining citizens purchased the city, and established their own vision of a Romanesque paradise, a tradition fiercely maintained by the city planning council. Through the council, currently chaired by Louise deRouen (the daughter of Prime Minister Louis Philippe), the city is kept clean and imperious by an artfully forged agreement between architects and city workers. Port Oasis' integration into the Southern Republic was a smooth marriage of convenience that the city used to propel itself into the highest strata of power. The actions of ten Oasians, renegade members of the unified council, epitomize the ruthlessness with which the city has risen. Their conspiracy secured Port Oasis a place in history, and the descendants of these ten continue to shape the legacy of their city. The fall of Marabou was actually engineered by a group of Unified Councilors headed by Dimitri Nemen and known as the Order of the Falcon. The group of councilors used their positions to gather first-hand intelligence on the defenses of Marabou and helped muster support from disgruntled members of the Port Oasis defense forces. The Order then took over the Republic and has been at the center of the powerful bureaucracy ever since. The present city is no less dangerous or tangled. An even blend of Republican patriotism, political opportunism and carefully concealed resistance to oppression, Port Oasis is a city alive with a sense of its own importance. Little is done in the Republic that has not received the tacit approval of an Oasian faction and even the SPFI are rumored to have supporters inside these city walls. These complexities are accepted as facts of life by the citizenry, who view the elaborate games between rival powers both as traps best avoided and as simple facts of life in the capital. Vital Statistics  Location: 50° 45’ W, 50° 15’ S Founding Date: TN 492 (Joined SR in TN 1545) Method of Government: Southern Republic district Head of Government: Capital Minister Sylvie Tabouia Population: 3.2 million Principal Industries: Finance, entertainment, Politics

312 - Siwa Oasis “The least colorful city-state in the Republic, next only to Loyang in the southern hemisphere in filth per square centimeter” is the defining entry attached to Siwa Oasis in the 1933 edition of Terranovan Travel. Despite the epitaph by Popular Publishing’s Newton office, Siwa boasts some of the most refined architecture in the Southern Republic. Built in the same time frame that saw Port Oasis rise on the banks of Lake Esperance, Siwa Oasis naturally has more similarities with its “elder sister” than a name. The city-states share the same defensive wall, harbor and four section pie layout that was the architectural norm at the time. Following its destruction at the hands of the Marabou Marauders, Siwa was rebuilt by the famed architect Frederique Gillais. Gillais was instructed to appease the Siwans with little regard to the expense. Retaining the general layout, Siwa was refurbished with a Greco- Roman flare that consists of wide boulevards, colonnades, amphitheaters and temple-like facades adorning every building. When the construction efforts moved to the old wall, the remaining members of the Siwan council requested that the wall remain as it was. It became a monument simply known as “The Wall,” no longer needed to defend the city, but to defend the name and spirit of Siwans from the forgetfulness of time. The crescent-shaped harbor lies in the western quadrant, opening “The Wall” onto the majestic Siwa River. The interior city is bisected by four wide boulevards forming the spokes, while the old wall forms the rim of the wheel. The city’s hub is the administrative sector, situated on the crossroads of the boulevards. The administrative sector consists of city hall, the city’s Banque Républicaine and Exchange complex and the offices for the various energy consortiums. The remainder of the inner city is residential, accommodating a large population in an area that had been intended to house a populace one sixth the size. This feat is accomplished by Siwans’ choice to build downwards and avoid the polluted atmosphere. Buildings whose structures appear to be two stories in height above the surface may descend six to ten levels bellow-ground. The wealthier citizens are housed near the hub of the city, with the districts declining in prosperity the closer they are to the city’s rim. Mirroring the old wall is the Siwa Defense Complex, forming essentially a new wall designed to be indistinguishable from the inner city. This defensive structure gives the outward appearance of a multitude of buildings, but is actually built on structure connected by hidden walkways and tunnels. The first crescent of buildings are the utilities, with the water filtration plant on the riverbank forming the northern tip and the sewage plant forming the southern tip. Between these structures lie the electrical relays and air filtration plants that make life in the underground city possible. Beyond, lie the life and bane of Siwa Oasis: its refineries. Oil refineries and holding tank complexes neighbor metal foundries and warehouse complexes in a sprawl of spewing smoke stacks. The industrial area is more than double the size of the inner city and extends as far as the gamma maglev line and the Republican Allied Rail depot. Beyond the maglev line, oil fields spread to the horizon, dotted with oil wells and wind turbines. Vital Statistics  Location: 40° 30’ S, 3° 30’ W Founding Date: TN 732 (Joined SR in TN 1545) Method of Government: Representative democracy Head of Government: Mayor Farsil Dertmin Population: 1.6 million Principal Industries: Metal and petroleum refining

3.13 - TIMBUKTU The “city in gear” motto can be seen in many travel guides, information pamphlets and civic advertising in Timbuktu, referring to the various military and automotive companies that make their homes there. With a large quantity of prominent manufacturers located within the city limits, Timbuktu has come to reflect its corporate masters, with whole neighborhoods serving as company-owned compounds or cells, as they are known in Timbuktu. The center, home to the administrative and financial departments of the city-state, as well as public relations departments for the resident mega-corps, is comprised of an octagon of huge skyscrapers. The presence of these towers alone would separate Timbuktu from standard Republican urban planning, but the cellular division of districts between the various conglomerates makes it truly unique in the SR. The premier series of cells, due to their proximity to the city’s center, has developed into a lavish dining and hostelry district designed to accommodate visiting officials and business people. Eight boulevards radiate from the city core, providing easy access to the nexus from all areas of the city. The pie-like sections created in this manner define the corporate sectors, which are then subdivided into districts owned and maintained by a corporation. The corporate districts house manufacturing plants, employee and executive residences, corporate offices, research and development complexes and, in extreme cases, an airway or heli-pad. The districts’ boundaries are delimited by the boulevards and the area required to accommodate the controlling company. Citizens of Timbuktu that are not recipients of corporate-sponsored housing live in various moderate to low-rent housing complexes in state districts around public utilities. Notably, the middle-class residential area of Cascade, built to encircle the water works, boasts a spectacular view of LaFontaine Park with it’s dazzling array of water jets and pools. On the other extreme, Timbuktu’s red light district resides in the area around the city’s sewage treatment plants. Timbuktu can best be described as cities within a city due to the divisive attitudes of the various corporations. Each company prefers to keep their employees within their own compound and under the watch of their security corps to avoid possible leaks of corporate secrets. With so many companies practicing corporate sabotage and espionage, the whereabouts of employees privy to sensitive information is closely monitored. The corporate paranoia has produced a general nervousness amongst the population, with many citizens fearful of extortion and the outright strong arm tactics employed of late. Vital Statistics  Location: 31° 30’ S, 65° 15’ W Founding Date: TN 888 (Joined SR in TN 1589) Method of Government: Representative democracy Head of Government: High Commisioner Valerie Grognard Population: 1.1 million Principal Industries: Diversified heavy manufacturing

3.23 - STRATHCLYDE (LEAGUE CAPITAL) Located within a deep valley along the Southern Division, the city-state of Strathclyde is the center and capital of the Eastern Sun Emirates. From here, the Patriarch rules the league, and the emirs gather at the lavish Ethereal Palace that dominates the city of Strathclyde and stands as a symbol of their power and decadence. The city is one of splendor and squalor; the emirs and solicitors who live here enjoy a city whose pleasures and magnificence never fade. Characterized by shaded avenues and magnificent architecture, Strathclyde is one of the most beautiful cities on Terra Nova. The reality for the millions of commoners who live beyond the walls of Strathclyde is very different indeed. Abject poverty, crime and oppression are all part and parcel of their daily lives. Whether they toil in the many textile factories or brothels of the city, the shajhalin of Strathclyde know little in the way of hope or happiness. Strathclyde is a city caught between excess and want. Those who have can sate their desires on anything they can imagine and more, while those who want know nothing except pain and misery. Until the great betrayal of Malach Masao, the seat of government of the ESE was the venerable city-state of Skavara. This all changed after the Southern War, as Malach’s ambition and egotism prompted him to create a visible legacy he hoped would surpass the ruins of the Eastern Sun and remind all of his greatness and accomplishments. This dream became the city-state of Strathclyde. Malach chose the location for its natural and awe-inspiring beauty, and named his future city after his lover — Benna Strathclyde. Unfortunately, after deciding that Benna was plotting against him, Malach ordered the unfortunate woman sealed in one of the hundreds of minarets adorning the new city-state. At the center of his great city, Malach set the designs for the most elaborate palace ever built in the Eastern Sun Emirates. One, he hoped, that would forever outshine the ruin of the Eastern Sun which he so despised. The construction of the Ethereal Palace took a work force of over 100,000 more than ten cycles to complete. The majestic castle contains no less than 50 towers, countless chambers and a central spire rising hundreds of meters into the sky. Strathclyde is a sprawling city-state, composed of three distinct and concentric areas that expand outwards from the monolithic Ethereal Palace. Located at the center, the Palace and its grounds mark the distinctive skyline of Strathclyde, rising high above the valley that encloses the Patriarchal city. The Middle Tier, sandwiched between the walls of the palace and the slopes of the valley, consists of portico-lined streets, baroque buildings and the most expensive stores on Terra Nova. Beyond the Middle Tier lies a veritable wasteland, a sprawling mass formed by the ghettos that surround Strathclyde for miles. It is here, in these shantytowns, where Strathclyde’s shajhalin live. Vital Statistics  Founding Date: TN 1693 Joined ESE: TN 1693 Method of Government: Monarchy Head of Government: Patriarch Oliver Masao Population: 1.6 million official (6.5 million estimated total population) Primary Industries: Commerce, Service Industries and Textiles Society  The city of Strathclyde was originally planned to be free of shajhalin, except for the royal slaves of the Patriarch — it was to be a city devoted to the emirs and their Patriarch. In reality, small numbers of shajhalin were needed, but Malach wanted these kept to a strict minimum. This did not last long, however, as the St. Vincent’s War caused a massive wave of refugees to flock to the city, looking to their Patriarch for protection against the plague. More commoners arrived after the war, hoping for better lives in a city many had described as heaven. Today over 5 million commoners live near Strathclyde, and only a minority are employed by the Patriarch and the solicitors; the rest are barely able to provide for themselves. Counting the shanties, Strathclyde is actually the most populated city on Terra Nova. The lucky shajhalin work in Strathclyde, either as servants for the Patriarch, textile workers (the textile mills of Strathclyde are known to produce the finest garments of Terranovan silk) or in the many brothels, restaurants and clubs that exist in Middle Tier. The unlucky others live a wretched existence in the polluted, disease-filled Barrens. Although the seat of government, Strathclyde has not been free of uprisings or revolts as the excesses of Enri Masao’s descendants exact a hefty toll on the lower classes of the capital. The Ethereal Guard patrols the city, suppressing all outbreaks of revolt with extreme violence — tactics include death squads, razing whole shantytowns or executing random shajhalin as a lesson. The most brutal repression of a shajhalin riot occurred in TN 1789, when the Patriarch ordered the firebombing of all shantytowns in the south Barrens. The fires burned for days, but the Patriarch’s forces prevented any commoner from escaping the inferno. When the ashes cooled, over 200,000 shajhalin had burnt to death. Isolated from the bleak existence of the shajhalin, the solicitor class rules the Middle Tier of Strathclyde. Living much like their equivalents in other leagues, the middle class of the Strathclyde follow a relatively normal daily routine. Here, large numbers of supposedly “freemen” run all sorts of businesses, all catering to the needs of the emirs and Patriarch. Those not involved in commerce usually devote their time to the Solicitor Senate and the administration of the ESE.