Work in Progress
Ok, while working on answering these questions, certain things may have changed from the original description (The whole monarchy thing was changed to something a little more 'fun', for starters) So here it is, Mercon mk 2:
BACKGROUND ANCIENT PAST
Around the same time The Lost City was built, so too was Mercon. It originated as a stopping point for travellers before they enterred the Red Desert, and was ruled over by the Asherti. Ebentually, it grew large enough that it gained it's own limited sovereignty, and the status of a city unto itself.
BACKGROUND THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO
Just before Ra-Men usurped the old Pharoah, Mercon's government made a declaration that any mention of him would be considered heresy, an offense punishable by banshment. When it came to the ears of the government that the Old Pharoah had been overthrown, they chose to continue not acknowledging him, and thus kept the Old Pharoah alive in the minds of the people. He remains so to this day- the common people believe that the Old Pharoah is still alive and well, and that many of their laws come straight from the mouth of the Pharoah himself. During Ra-Men's rise to power, Mercon was largely overlooked, as they had no large armies or other resources of note at that time.
RECENT HISTORY
The Mercon have shared an uneasy truce between the Red Lizard Kings and the Dunesturm tribe, with minor skirmishes here and there, but they have never been involved in war with them, nor any real alliance. All but the highest order of the government are completely oblivious to the fact that The Lost City ever fell, and have had no relations with the Asherti for centuries (though the common people think they have).
ARCHITECTURE
The Mercon favor architecture similar to that found in the European middle ages.
GOVERNMENT
The government is a farcical monarchy, but is truly a theocratic council, elected from within the clergy of the various major religions.
COMMERCE
The Lost City primarily trades in various crops, glasswares, and (recently) magitech.
PERSONA
The Merconians have a religious system based on the public worship of the Old Pharoah (pre-Ra-Men), Wee Jas, Olidammara, and Ehlonna. They revere death to the point of obsession, and believe that heresy is the worst crime imaginable.
Owing largely due to the fact that that they worship the gods of revelry and fertility, they have a much less restricted view on sexual matters than most, and various professions that are illegal in other parts of the world are actually difficult fields to 'break into' here.
They have a peculiar view of the undead, pitying them for having been denied death, and welcoming any of them who are not hostile.
POPULATION
The population of Mercon consists primarily of humans and the Undead
88% human, 10 % undead, 2% misc. others
ORGANIZATIONS
None yet.
CITY LOCATIONS
None yet.
SHOPS
None yet.
TAVERNS & INNS
None yet.
TEMPLES
One each to the gods listed above, including the Old Pharoah
