Ikaros
When the empire fell, many of the treasures of the exarchs became the last refuge of wealth and security for desperate Indagho. Suspicious of rebellions commoners, the few wealthy aristocrats that were able to retain their possessions sought to flee to safety, and trade whatever valuables remained for security. It was through the flight of these patricians that the merchants of the Ikaran province rose to a dominante position, and secured a territory to call their own. After nearly two centuries of fleecing desperate and incompetent nobles, several families managed to develop a foundation of wealth, and a collection of assets and networks to make them the envy of the realm.
Now, Ikaros stands as one of the most powerful kingdoms in the southern continent. While the ruling class of Ikaros lack a large population to levee, or plentiful natural resources, they make up in shrewd trade networks, skilled artisan guilds, and an vast trade fleet that is the primary port-of-entry for international trade. With these, Ikaran governance is able to leverage others factions and nations to act on their behalf.
Ikaros boasts no singular ruling family or figurehead, but rather a small body of family and company leaders known as the Cartel of Ledgers. This group consists of the most influential admirals, bankers, guild leaders, and trading companies, and they work toward administering the local territories for their collective prosperity. The Cartel value peace above everything, even justice - and utilize an often merciless force of enforcers known as the Hounds to keep the peace, and root out spies and rebels. Above all, the Hounds, as with most Ikarans, hold coin to be the only loyalty, and those who can pay for peace, can pay for prosperity.
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