THE THEOCRATIC CITY

A theocratic city is similar to a magocratic city; it is governed by a religious elite instead of a spellcasting elite, but the two are otherwise very much alike. Unlike magocracies, however, theocracies are relatively commonplace in the fantasy world. Due to the power of the gods, which can actually be seen and felt thanks to the gifts of divine magic, the masses might embrace religion on an overwhelming scale—leading some areas to forgo traditional forms of government in favor of theocracies. In addition, unlike magocracies, one needn’t be an actual cleric or other divine spellcaster in order to join the ruling elite; so long as one holds suffi cient rank within the church (appropriate levels in aristocrat or even expert will do), one can garner enough support to function effectively within a theocratic system. These forms of government usually leave little room for guessing as to who is in charge, and religious iconography appears in every shop and street corner. People in such cities often want for little, but woe betide any nonbeliever. . . .

Theocracies, like magocracies, are technically oligarchies, since all power lies in the hands of a select few. Each theocracy varies depending on the particulars of their faith, however, so the actual administration of city affairs runs the gamut in theocratic cities. Some take a more detached approach, allowing for the creation of parliaments and other civic agencies, while others demand absolute control (or at least direct oversight) over every aspect of daily life. Unlike magocracies, which tend to localize their influence, theocracies often spread as far and wide as possible. Some of the most powerful and longest-lasting regimes in history have been theocracies; such dynasties end only in the face of popular revolt, or because of intervention from outside forces. Theocratic cities resemble feudal cities in that they can appear in regions dominated by every possible alignment, though expansionist theocracies tend to surface in areas where evil predominates.