THE AUTOCRATIC CITY

Since the monarchy is the most common political structure in a fantasy setting, the autocratic city is the most commonly encountered type of urban center (with the possible exception of the feudal city, below). Cities under a monarchy tend to reinforce the principles behind their ruler, including the centralization of power, the importance of noble birth, and the endorsement of the rich–poor divide. Members of the working class do their best to muddle through their daily routines, with the occasional appeal to the local ruler (or their neighborhood representative, if one exists) to improve their lot in life. The gentry, on the other hand, try to balance their pride and dignity with taking whatever scraps of power the throne sees fi t to offer them. In an autocratic city, only the local ruler and those whom he favors know lives of luxury.

Regardless of how many branches and agencies do the day-to-day work of making the city function, the autocratic city is ultimately ruled by a single individual. If the city is the capital of a nation or an empire, that individual could well be the king/queen or other national regent; few rulers care to delegate authority within their own demesnes. In cities outside the capital, the local monarch is likely a governor, appointed by or on behalf of the national monarch. A ruler might well maintain his share of aides, including chamberlains, chancellors, and even a parliamentary council, but at the end of the day, he is indisputably in charge. In good- and neutral-aligned cities, the governor typically rules by virtue of noble blood (whether deserving or not) and does his best to keep the people content, even if all that effort involves is distracting them from their complaints. In evil cities, the governor rules by possessing the might and influence to retain control, with the power—either appointed or assumed—to crush those who resist his decrees.