Citium

The Kingdom of Citium is an island kingdom, located just off the south-western coast of the Dead Sands - part of the Fertile Crescent province. The kingdom encompasses the titular island of Citium, which is also known as Teardrop Island due to its shape. As an island nation, it is a naval-focused kingdom that focuses on fishing and maritime trade as its primary industries, as well as being a popular resting point for those participating in inter-continental voyages.

Citium is unique amongst the Carrion Kingdoms due to its particularly unique culture. Though it is not an High Elf colony or state by any measure, Citium has a particular fixation on High Elven culture. This has led to a peculiar blend of the High Elven and Carrionite cultures, creating a wholly unique way of life for Citiot citizens. It has also made Citium's capital city, Lefkosia, a popular getaway for wealthy High Elves.

However, not Citiots agree with this cultural fusion. Some are staunch Carrionite traditionalists, that see the incorporation of High Elven culture as a bastardisation of their way of life. Instead, they push for a return to the old ways; a reversal that, although potentially understandable, threatens to tear the kingdom apart if left unaddressed.

## **History**

Citium's history has remained fairly consistent since the time of the kingdom's founding. Much of it has been recorded in literature and texts that are stored in local and foreign libraries.

Citium, like many notable kingdoms, was founded after the death of Ozmesses, the unifier of the Carrionite people. Being an island kingdom, it was naturally protected from a majority of the squabbling and petty wars that ensued and, though invasions were attempted, any threat against Citium was thwarted. Even Bilgames himself, a great High Elf general and founder of Ashur, was unable to successful conquer the island. Through this Citium, thrived.

Nevertheless, Bilgames' influence still managed to reach the people of Citium - though not in the way any might have expected. As a High Elf himself, many of his countrymen travelled to Bilgames' lands. Many of these came by ship and, naturally, made port at Citium. Over time, High Elf culture spread across the kingdom until it became the nation it is today. Though Bilgames is dead and his empire shrunk to a shell of its former self, we can still see the results of his influence in Citium even now. In modernity, the Kingdom of Citium has retained its prosperity and is an important trade and naval state.

## **Geography**

Citium only controls the island that bears the kingdom's name, as well as surrounding waters. The kingdom once had a couple of small townships on the mainland, but these were conquered centuries ago and have long since adopted different cultures and leadership. Nevertheless, Citium still maintains a firm and dominant control over it's island, even avoiding conquest during the reign of Bilgames. Though it officially falls under the Fertile Crescent province, Citium's island really has its own separate climate and ecosystem. The island is mostly on the more arid side, with the cooling ocean allowing for dry shrubs, grasses and trees to grow. Citium's capital city, Lefkosia, is located on the southern end of the island and acts as a major maritime port.

Visitors to Citium will find that there are large populations of Carrionites, Gnolls, and Humans - as one might expect. However, Lefkosia's status as an important port means that sizable groups of many different races can be found here, with High Elves having a particularly notable populations due to Citium's Elven-influenced culture.

## **Politics**

Like most Carrion Kingdoms, Citium is an absolute monarchy. The ruling monarch is responsible for all major decisions regarding the kingdom and, thus, is typically the one the people celebrate or despise depending on how times are. The monarch might also appoint officials to govern over certain institutions. In a differentiation from other kingdoms, however, it is rare for the ruler of Citium to anoint lords to rule over certain parts of the land. This is not out of altruism or greed, however, but simply because their island is not large enough to justify individual lords. Instead, internal affairs are usually handled by a chosen Lord of the Interior.

Interestingly, Citium takes even more inspirations from the High Elves in its governmental structure. More specifically, the ruler is assisted by a council of advisors. These advisors are not chosen by the monarch, but are instead democratically elected by the regular citizenry - albeit only those that posses land and property. It should be noted, however, that the advisory council is exactly what the name says: advisory. They posses no actual law-making power and the monarch is free to completely ignore them should they desire it, which they typically do. Nevertheless, the fact that Citium posses any form of democracy makes it quite unique amongst the other Carrion Kingdoms.

As an important naval state, Citium posses several treaties and relationships with other kingdoms. Close to its immediate territories, Citium has good trade relations with Babilim, Ashur, and Hattusa. It is also quite close with the Eleven Dragon Dominion, which one might expect given their close cultural ties and Citium's strategic position. Citium is also known to be a reliable trade partner and so has several agreements with foreign powers, most notably Roylandia.

## **Economy**

Citium's economy is very much reliant on its access to the sea, and to maritime trade routes. Citium island as a whole (and especially the kingdom's capital city) is considered an important trade port and stopping point for those travelling on long voyages. It is from these travellers and merchants that Citium builds much of its economy. Import tax, luxury taxes, foreign goods imports, and the spending of foreign travellers all bring resources and profit into the naval kingdom's coffers.

As well international trade, Citium also participates in several sea-based industries. Fishing is an important export for Citium, with much of its production being sold to desert-based Carrion Kingdoms - places where such commodities are harder to obtain. They are also sold locally though, as fish comprises much of the standard Citiot diet. To a lesser degree than fishing, Citium also participates in the whaling industry. Whales are not as common around Citium's island as they are in the northern parts of the world or in the Great Sea, but sometimes pods travel there to breed. When this happens Citiot fishermen become temporary whalers, where the meat, oil and hides of their catches are sold for several months of regular fishing profits.

On the land, Citium has a limited agricultural industry. More notably, plantations inland grow various spices such as cumin, bay leaves, basil, lavender, and sage. These spices are often sold in local markets as well as overseas, where they are popular in countries such as the Empire of Man and Roylandia.

## **Culture**

The Kingdom of Citium has a particularly unique culture amongst its fellow Carrion Kingdoms, as Citium incorporates various aspects from High Elven culture. This has created a unique blend that makes Citium a unique place to visit, but also proves controversial and contentious amongst Carrionite traditionalists.

Citium's artistic scene is of particular note. Its music, dance and art all incorporate aspects from its Carrionite roots as well as High Elven influences. Citiot folk music, for example, incorporate traditional Carrionite instruments, such as flutes and barrel drums, alongside High Elven instruments such as lutes. Traditional Citiot dances also incorporate moves from Carrionite and High Elven styles.

Citium is also the location for several famous works of literature. Most famously, the High Elven philosopher Zeno is said to have created his works on the Stoic school of philosophy while staying Lefkosia. Another famous example is the Citria, an epic poem and one of many that recounted the breakup of the Elves.

## **Trivia**

* Citium is inspired by Cyrpus. Two parts of Cyprus' history are a particular focus: the Ancient Greek city-states established on the island as well as the medieval Kingdom of Cyprus.