Kingdom: Rasna, City State

Population: 200,000 est.
            90% human; 10% other

Location: Coastal Port city, South of Bramble Forest and West of the Sea of Bardoge
           
Government: Merchant Guilds

Income:           Exports: Lumber, charcoal, Wood craft, rope, plaster
                        Imports: metal-craft, Spices

Standing Army: The Merchant Guilds keep a standing watch of 2,000 armed and trained men to keep order in the city of Rasna.  In addition, individual Guilds keep private armies to insure their own interests.  In the event of invasion or conflict with another kingdom Rasna is on good terms with several mercenary groups and can bring an additional 10,000 soldiers with little notice.  The good port location also makes Rasna an excellent harbor for a Merchant Marine Guild that can boast upwards of 5,000 able bodied marines and over 200 ships.

Background: Rasna was founded by self proclaimed Count Rasna.  While his wealth and influence could not be argued, any actual claim to royalty or noble blood is at best, conjecture.  The Count founded Rasna on a concept of equality for the working man, with heavy emphasis on unionized guild laborers that would guarantee the rights and privileges of its members.  The Merchant Guilds divided labor up into factions that were governed by a proclamation of self governing rules.  The head of each guild sits upon a Council that acts as the legislative branch of the government.  Each Guild manages its own area of interests, acting as the executive branch of government in regards to its own specialty.   Magistrates act as the judicial branch, overseeing the penal system.  Magistrates can be nominated, when a vacancy is available, by any Council member, but can only be instated by a majority vote.  A magistrate’s performance can be reviewed if a one-third vote of no-confidence is taken, and if a majority votes against them, they are removed from office.  The Supreme Magistrate oversees cases of high crime (mostly violent, or cases of great legal importance) and can only be removed from office by a unanimous vote of the Council.  Each Guild has its own system of selecting its leader. 

Trade Guild –                           manufacturing, import & export, wholesale & retail
Transportation Guild – Wagonering, Coaches, Messengers,
Mercenary Guild –                    Watch, Investigators, Agents, Espionage
Merchant Marines –                 Navy, Ship yard, Docks,
Domestic Guild –                      Service industry workers union
Agriculture Guild – “Aggro”, Farmers, Lumberperson
Arcane Guild-                           Spell casters

The Council Spokesperson is selected from among the Merchant Council and must be unanimously agreed upon.  Also a unanimous vote must be achieved to remove the Spokesperson.

Today: The Council Spokesperson is Jonas Brock, a lore master of some repute.  He rose up through the ranks of the Arcane Guild but never became its head.  Jonas was considered a true patriot and nearly gave his life during the civil uprising in 10175 that was the result of plague and famine.  His quick thinking and more than considerable influence with outside suppliers convinced the Council that Jonas had the mettle to be considered for the Chair of Spokesperson.  When Jonas’ predecessor, Darl Galmar, stepped down after the riots, Jonas was instated immediately.  Rasna has known over a decade of economic prosperity at the guiding hand of Jonas Brock.