Maelri

== History ==
Maelri was founded by two close-connected mercantile families, Maefarum and Jovorici, who felt ostracized from decision-making within their respective cities of Alhambara and Efriescia, respectively.
They founded a port to base their enterprises on the outlet of the Cerullis River, attracting trade of fine goods and textiles to their ports by offering patronage to artisans and craftsman and offering lucrative incentives. Both Alhambara and Efriescia responded with pretentious derision at first, more or less mocking Maelri in oration and verse.
Over time, as Maelri ascended in power, Alhambara sought to promote civil unrest in the city through assassination and arson-- discreetly, of course- while Efriescia sought to use its leverage in the Greater Council of Sies to punish Maelri economically.
Maelri withstood both attempts. In fact, the attempts to undermine Maelri increased its citizens' pride, a sort of nationalism not seen previously in Sies. Eventually, due to Maelri and Efriescia's mutual position along the Cerullis River (and partially due to Efriescia's declining status in trade) the two were able to make amends and loosen sanctions placed upon each other. 
The competition between Maelri and Alhambara continues even more fervently to today. While much of the competition has been diffused to arts and architecture, the two maintain bitter relations: Alhambara for Maelri's betrayal and Maelri for Alhambara's bullying.
Maelri is now the second largest city in Sies in terms of population and coin which passes hands. While a distant second, Maelri is firmly entrenched in the trade and has become large enough to where it is regarded as a rival.
 
== Geography ==
Maelri is located on the outlet of the Cerullis River.
== Government ==
The government consists of an oligarchy of merchants similar to Alhambara. Taurum legionaries are also posted to Maelri, but not in the same numbers are Alhambara. Without a doubt, however, the strongest of these families is the Javorici; the bloodline and presence of the Maefarum family was eliminated through assassination and civil unrest, though some influential families claim lineage.
The Javorici and other families control trade a more tightly than in Alhambara, regulating quality of its exports and attempting to strike deals which maximize the benefits of imports and exports. They patronize artisans and craftsmen heavily to construct public works, such as fountains and gardens.
=== Law ===
While artisans and craftsmen are usually in one of the lower classes of society in Sies, Maelri relaxes the restrictions normally attributed to these classes. In fact, they gain privileges unique in Sies in terms of wage and interactions within society. For all intents and purposes, they occupy the rung beneath merchants and holy-men.
== Economy ==
Almost 70% of the economy revolves around artisans and craftsmen. Statues, arts, and fine goods in all aspects are the main items of trade within Maelri.
Category:SettlementsCategory:Around the World
Category:Sies
Category:The Empire of Ulyssa