Karduun

Karduun is the largest of the Free Cities, located at the edge of the Bloody Desert where the Anagogh Mountains end in rocky land which projects into the Pagan Sea and forms a bay. It is one of the largest commercial and manufactory centres in the Ayyubid Emirate, only surpassed by El-Hadad. 
Karduun spreads across the wide mouth of the Nubin River. On the north bank lie the older districts, where black walls protect a labyrinth of palaces and courtyards, while the newer districts lie on the southern bank. The two halves are joined by the Harpy's Bridge. 
==Culture==
The Kardonites believe that walking is not for people of quality, but that the very earth will taint those who walk afoot. Instead, they travel on elephants or are carried around by slaves. They place high importance on blood lines and purity. Only Kardonites of noble blood are allowed to live in the old parts of town and only by invitation from one of these nobles can people of lower statue pass through the black walls. 
Although any freeman with enough wealth and property can vote in the conclave elections, only very few outside the black gates are considered wealthy enough to participate. 
==Economy==
While Karduun was the mightiest and wealthiest of the Free Cities for centuries, Dyabakar now closely rival them for power. This is partly due to the gemstone mines on Kardunite territory slowly drying out, as well as the growing slave markets in Absinthia and Taran, meaning that anyone rarely sail all the way to Karduun for slaves, except for merchants of the Chorenese, who often choose to buy their cheap slaves over the pricy Ayyub slaves.
Category:Countries