Grimalki Principality

The **Grimalki Principality** is a large city-state in central Tethryr; south of the Free City of Helledam and north of the Jorvandik Raider-Clans and the Black Sand Desert. A city of science and steam, it is often regarded as a marvel of modern society and development. The Principality, as its name suggests, is ruled by a Prince, the eldest son of the Grimalk family. The current Prince of Grimalki, as of 227 AGU, is Alexandrov Grimalk.

Permanent citizens of the Principality receive a universal income, but in exchange they must 'contribute to the art, innovation, diversity and culture of Grimalki', as was outlined in the Founder's Pledge when the city was first founded by the Grimalks. The interpretation of this line is often stretched to vagueness by some, who enjoy the free living they find in Grimalki, whilst others take it far too seriously, pushing themselves and their creativity far past burnout in the name of innovation. Regardless of the individual's commitment to repaying the city for lining their pockets, some remark that the city will collect its debt in death regardless, as the dead are not buried in Grimalki — Rather, they are incinerated in geothermal generators that help to power the citywide electrical grid.

Grimalki is a vassal state of the Empire of Spice and Silk, and permits Imperial footsoldiers to patrol the southern wall that separates central Tethryr from the southern nations, some who are less friendly than others. They do not have as tense of a relationship with the Empire as Helledam does, perhaps due to the fact that Grimalki remains an absolute monarchy rather than suffer the democratic troubles of its northern sister.

In terms of aesthetic, Grimalki is a shining city of copper and stone and magic, interlaced with tamed electricity. Everywhere, glowing signs and streetlamps illuminate the paved city streets, and where in other great cities horses and carts would jostle for room, here strange automaton-carriages carry pedestrians across the city, without an animal to pull them. Raised walkways allow for strolling over these roads, and they offer views of the floating airships that dot the skies above Grimalk — The only city, thus far, in all of Magmell to have an aerial fleet fully-outfitted.

In Grimalki are jobs and careers found nowhere else; electrical engineers for maintaining the power grid; inventors and steam-craftsmen, who create the life-like Automatons and Androids, the city's robotic population who blur the line between man and machine; skin-sewers, who breathe life into the metal golems, outfitting them with leather-like skin and life-like hair to make them more human than ever before. Mages and sorcerers are welcome as well, learning to mix magic and science in ways never seen before on Magmell.

Automatons & Androids in Grimalki are a second-class of peoples, recognized as having nominal sentiency but not enough for full citizenship. They do not earn the universal income of their mortal counterparts, and must be registered to their creator in order to be considered legal. The buying and selling of either is also highly-regulated, with vast record halls detailing the ownership history of each registered Automaton/Android. That being said, there is a thriving black market of illegal Automatons and Androids in Grimalki, with rumours that these illicit machines use a form of necromantic magic that allows for a mortal soul to inhabit them, making them impossible to tell apart from a living mortal. Regardless of legality, Constructs are typically used as a mass labour force, filling the jobs that the content Grimalki citizens do not wish to do.

As of 231 AGU, the Principality has experienced a time of unmatched peace and prosperity. Thanks to the inevitable march of invention and time, recent laws have been passed in Grimalki to limit the sentience and advancement of Androids and Automatons, requiring them to be 'distinguishable from mortal life'. Besides this, the city-state marches on, and with them reportedly due to receive a shipment of new black powder all the way from Kolduhm, the world holds its breath to see what the 'madmen of Grimalki' will do with it.