Sybaris



Capital City: Sybaris

Ruler: Kharr Gaius Melitor, known to be a Human male.

Settlements of Note: Harl, Arx Kharr, Moenia, Oppidium, Arx Civitas

Inhabitant name: Sybarite

Common races: Human, Candleheart Elf, Delver, Sobekite

Unique race: Delver. If you portray a Delver, you must select Sybaris as your home Realm.

Languages: Ageleian Common, Gnomish, Delver, Ophidian

Realm Bonus: +1 to Persuasion. Much of a Sybarite's livelihood is dependent on the perception of personal value.

Originally settled by merchant guilds seeking a less-regulated trade environment than Ageleia offered, the Realm of Sybaris is one of only two that developed not as a direct result of another civilization seeking refuge upon Sanctum. This entrepreneurial spirit, a wealth of natural resources, as well as a strong partnership with the native Delver race has made Sybaris the greatest economic force on Sanctum. Either through divination or good fortune, the capital (from which the greater Realm takes its name) is encircled by a mountain range rich in precious metals and gems, and its effectively central location makes it ideal for trade. Sybarite coinage is used throughout the known Realms (apart from Avalon), and the series of mints the Realm maintains ensure that the flow of currency is regulated effectively. But for all its wealth, Sybaris has notoriously poor soil, and many of its satellite settlements are dedicated to agriculture as a result. Even with these, however, the Realm remains dependent on food supplies from outside its borders to support its population effectively.

Sybaris is ruled through a tenuous alliance of merchant houses, each casting a single vote to elect a leader from among their ranks. This leader is referred to as the Kharr and serves to settle internal disputes and see to the high-level administration of the Realm. Those Sybarites who do not descend from one of the merchant houses almost inevitably work for one, and generations of a family may serve a house so long that they are granted the right to assume its name. This leads to a uniquely divisive culture, as servants of one house may bear a grudge against another depending on their employers’ current rivalries. The Sybarite internal security force, known as the Diamond Guard, are renowned for their ability to keep civil peace despite this challenging environment.

Sybaris natives refer to themselves generally by the house they serve or belong to but are collectively regarded as Sybarites. Most races are represented within the Realm, however, The Folk avoid Sybaris and are rarely seen to even visit, let alone settle within its borders. This dates back to the centuries-old crime of a previous Kharr, who attempted to enslave the diminutive agriculturists to address the Realm's expanding need for crops.

Sobekites represent an emerging population within the Realm. Though all Sobekites originate in Setesh, the reptilian dealmakers find excellent business to be had in a Realm renowned for commerce.