Magna Aurum

## City-state of Magna Aurum

The Phoenix of Ladium, over a trident and laurel; the symbols for war and commerce.

## Info Section

### Ideology

Equality among all kin, and the pursuit of higher virtues

## Population and Culture

### Culture/s

Multi-ethic collective, predominantly Ladium cultured

## Founded and Dissolved

### Founded

11/25/2023

The city-state was the first of its kind to sprout up in the southern most regions of Saizus, finding its place in the region of what was the southern most territory of the Empire Of Welster. The governace of Magna Aurum is that of Ladium custom: a Consul Major and Consul Minor, a leader of greater purpose and leader of lesser purpose; generally Consul Minor is elected from the common people, while Consul Major is usually cycled between powerful families within the community in old-world Ladium, here in Saizus, this is no different. Now it lays in the southern most inlet of the "Mare Saizum," as Ladiite migrants come to call it, being a central position to practice maritime trade, and land trade with the western half of the continent.

## Foundings of the city and Nepotocracy

Founded in the month of November, on the 25th day, the city was founded as a small farming settlement by the migrant Ladiite, Herkanilos Servilus. The city was first occupied as a farming settlement, vassal to one established group within the lands of Saizus. It was the distance that saved them from being outright absorbed into the nation known as the Golden Dove Empire. Currently ruled by the son and heir; Marcus Servillus Hercanilus, this city state has grown with a few prominent members, and serves as a stage for politics, entertainment, and as regarded by a few individuals around the world of Saizus: "A city of beauty to behold by one, by all."

Herkanilos founded the city by its principles of "Under my roof, under my rule," and those who live in his city, follows his code of laws. As is the Ladiite way, he encouraged people to accept his customs, wear his style of cloth, and pray to his gods.

## Migration and settlement

The migration of Ladiite peoples is unknown when it quite started, as many mentions talk of people that spoke their strange language, wore their cloth, ate, drank, and prayed to these new gods, but few stayed to settle. The only true example of their culture lays in the city of Magna Aurum. Herkanilos regails tales of this, peoples he passed, and where his homeland is, but it is far outside of this realm to the west, none dare think of traveling far beyond the point to the west. Many groups have migrated, and tried to settle, but have been lost to the sands of time via agression, famine, or otherwise an unforseen event to prevent them from settling. Magna Aurum is the only successful example of settlement, and now serves as a travel point for weary traders, settlers, both Ladiite and Saizum alike. Many still come and leave from trails to the west, onwards to the sea in the east.

### Cronicles of Travel

These are the stories spoken through Oral Tradition from the mouth of Herkanilos, this is the only example of his travels surviving.

> "This is the tale of how I escaped the burning city, women lamented, men fell, the great brazen statues fell into the harbor, and I had two choices in the eyes of the fair god Evocatii; Live, or die. So there I went, taking a ship for my own from a barbarous invader, slew the men aboard, and gathered as many families as I could fit on that ship. It was time to leave. For fifty days, and fifty one nights, we sailed the open waters, many were lost to Neptos, many were lost to the beasts of the sea, but eventually we landed on your distant land, beyond the rocky isles, this Saizum."
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> "There I traveled with my people, finding some hostel, finding some agression, many more fell in the travel inland until I found this mighty sea, and strange beasts, unfamiliar yet not dissimlar to the races of men back home. Many years I have traveled, many beasts I have fought, until I settled home here.. But, perhaps we shall divulge my tale in depth, another time, eh?"
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Herkanilos comes from a culture of people who value memory, over written tomes or texts. He is stubborn to this belief, and will most likely die holding this true.

### Raising the walls, and the urban center

Before the major parts of the city came underway, the area was home to a small village; a mud-brick construction, and simple tile roofing. They farmed simple plants, sustenance farming, but also of course the prized golden grains from home. The palisade was first to arise, then the forum. Many moons have passed between the first breaking of earth and its modern dimensions, but the city has a grand design from the very beginning; have a shining white urban center, surrounded by fields of grain.

### Contemporary state of affairs (circa 2023-2024)

The city stands tall, yet still a vassal to the Golden Doves. Though largely independent, they still have a sembelance of authority under the rule of the king oversea. The Servius Hercanilus lineage has rooted its power in, and until recently holds the position of a singular leader of the city and state surrounding. A grand statue overlooks the harbor, and is deemed the most prized construction in the city, next to the Ampitheatre Hercanilus.