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=Il Modo= | =Il Modo= | ||
Il Modo is perhaps only 30-40% populated by the ethnically Modini. The city also has a Tablet in which there are substantial minorities of Stonefolk, Halflings, and Gnomes. Elves and Ashfolk are very rare. | |||
'''The Way of the [[Local_Gods_and_Powers#The_Dome|Divine Dome]]''' is the state religion of Il Modo. “The Dome of Man” is a huge cathedral-complex situated in the center of the city. | |||
Il Modo floats upon the '''Sea of Pearls''' and does not have a fixed locale. | |||
'''Politics''' is very complicated and cut-throat. Il Modo functions independently but historically was under the control of the old Caliphate. Modinis still resentfully feel like they are thought of as a second-rate power. | |||
Il Modo is governed by a '''Grand Duke''' and his '''Council of Five'''. The Grand Duke’s name is Nicodemo Nicosino. He is very old and rumored to be at death’s door. '''The Council of Five''' has an additional four reserved places: The Seat of the Dome (highest religious leader), The Seat of the Soldier (highest military leader), The Seat of Coin (important business leader), and The Seat of the People (supposed to be for the common folk, in practice frequently isn’t). | |||
'''The Grand Dukes''' are elected for life in a complicated electoral process. Many Grand Dukes die from assassination. | |||
'''The Game of Knives''' is a Modini term used to describe many different kinds of conflict and intrigue. | |||
It also specifically refers to the system by which a family or individual’s “votes” are counted in electing the Grand Duke. Essentially, upon adulthood, many Modinis receive a special ceremonial knife from the head of their family (there are many kinds of knives, these ones vary in form and history but all bear the Seal of the Duke indicating its status). These Marked Knives each represent a single vote as well as an informal calculation of prestige and importance. Stealing, purchasing, or earning Knives through various actions are all possible. One isn’t supposed to kill someone else to get their Knife, but if it happens, who is to know? | |||
Some families are wealthy but have very few Knives, some families are poor but have very many Knives. Many long-term residents have no Knives at all, and are considered as worthless as foreigners. Almost all Modinis eagerly seek to accumulate as many of these Marked Knives as they possibly can. | |||
'''The Crimson Death''' is a terrible plague that causes constant problems for Il Modo. Those who suffer it often develop blotchy-red pustules and discolorations that mark their skin a deep red. This is one reason | |||
the Modini love to wear masks for those known to have been afflicted are frequently shunned and feared. Those who have been afflicted by it are called the '''Lezrous'''. | |||
There are many '''industries''' in Il Modo. The Modini are marvelous traders and merchants. They also possess huge Workshops that create all sorts of goods. Small eels are harvested nearby for food, and Eeling Schooners set forth to hunt the distant western seas for enormous Great Eels. These Great Eels have their blubber rendered into a valuable oil. Many ships do not return, beset by pirates or pulled into the depths by the Kraken. | |||
Il Modo is beset by many problems that might cause its inhabitants to seek a better life in the desert. Violence and disease are common, and opportunities for those born without Knives are few and far between. Life in the Humbles (the Modini Slums) is wretched and miserable. The city struggles to maintain the giant submerged flotation tanks (known as the Vesciche, or Bladders) that prevent it from sinking into the waves. Flooding is common, and space is at a premium. | |||
Who is to say what fresh opportunities might exist for a cunning Modini among the inferior peoples of the distant desert? | |||