Mediana
"'The Gleaming Jewel of the Frontiers'. Yes, that was what this city was once called. I remember those halcyon days of mine, when I was but a young girl, resting in the shades of the city gardens under the scrutinizing gaze of the Titan. The city was much different, then; a distinct smell wafted through the air, the fragrance a mixture of sweet incenses, acrid smoke and a hard day's work. Merchants' cries mingled with lively melodies, accented by the thrumming of dancing feet; money changed hands freely, like leaves in the wind.
The Shah was a wonderful man then, too - always watching, always listening, and always understanding much like the Kings of old Arcadia.
That was 30 years ago. Mediana is a sad, strange place these days."
- Memoirs of Countess Alyah, who had fled to Zarathar following the Midnight Crisis, in her return to Mediana
Structure
The Shah's Council
Mediana is officially under the rule of a royal lineage of Shahs, supported by an elected group of councilors. However, this rule is often times fragile; some of its past Shahs reigned over their council with an iron fist, while others were more loose in handling them.
Currently, the Shah is supported by a group of 7 councilors, who each lead their own offices and departments. At maximum, there can be 10 councilors to the Shah at a time.
The Warlords of the Frontiers
Prior to the Midnight Crisis, the Kingdoms of the Frontier were led by Mediana, which at the time was a major center for commerce by facilitating trade between the riches of the desert and the Midlands. However, the Midnight Crisis overturned the Murian political landscape; old army generals fled the Midlands south, where they would stake claims to the Frontier Kingdoms weakened by the Midnight Hordes. Powerful Sealing Designates fleeing from the mages of Crystallis and bounty hunters made the old ruins within the desert their home. Strange, old beliefs took root among the abandoned peoples of the Frontier. These would make up the brunt of the emerging Warlord factions, each of whom controlled vast spheres of influence over the Frontier. Mediana is no exception to this new development; gangs and ruffians now roam the city's seedy alleys, many of whom are under these Warlords' employ directly or indirectly. Some Medianans even think that the councilors are in cahoots with a few Warlords.
Culture
Arcadian Heritage
Once, Mediana was a part of the proud Kingdom of Arcadia, which existed in the distant past prior to and throughout the Age of Fantasia. Old scriptures and documentations implied that Mediana was a smaller Arcadian settlement. While much of their physical imprint has since faded into history, Mediana takes pride in remembrance and celebration of Arcadian traditions though much of these festivities are exaggerations. That being said, this notion is more prevalent in the older generations of Arcadians, especially those few who managed to survive the Crisis; the youth and immigrant population are largely uncaring of these traditions.
The Titan's Bounty
Perhaps the most pronounced of Mediana's Arcadian heritage is the architecture surrounding the Titan, the skeletal remains of a gargantuan humanoid entity which overlooks the rest of the city. The Titan serves as an integral resource deposit for the city, as its bones provide sturdy material to serve as the groundwork for much of the post-Arcadian architecture. A few Arcadian structures are built into the Titan, but entry into these ruins are outlawed by the Shah.
Though mostly conjecture, scholars consider Mediana to be an old Arcadian research settlement into the Titan itself. Without permission to enter the old Arcadian structures, however, little can be done to confirm the veracity of this statement.
Public Agenda
As a once proud city-state that has since diminished in political and economic influence, many of the leading forces behind Mediana wish to see the city be restored to its former glory. To that end, the councilors have established diplomatic channels with the Izeran Federation in an effort to secure more opportunities for trade and tourism, though with the prevalence of banditry, Midnight Hordes and other unsavory parties many find it reluctant to visit the Frontiers, let alone the city. Despite this, the Frontiers remain a valuable source for minerals and, most importantly, Midnight Shards. Discreetly, the city engages in trade of the Midnight Shard to maintain its standings with Izera.
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Government System
Monarchy, Crowned Republic
Economic System
Market economy
Notable Members
