The city-state of Jiara has long been a crossroads of wealth flowing from the Threshold to the Realm. The satrapy is currently held by House Mnemon.

The City of Jiara is built on a plateau near the confluence of the Justice and Ondessics Rivers. Centuries of trade drove growth causing the city to sprawl beyond its original confines.

The highest rise of the plateau is called the Artahunara, and every available spaces is filled with the palaces of the Jiaran princes. In a city where space is a premium, dedicating that space to lush, manicured courtyard gardens became a symbol of great wealth and prestige.

Government

Jiara has been ruled by a set of princely families who compete for wealth and prestige. Patronage from the Realm and the support of the people kept the princes in power for centuries. For several generations, the Khidara princes have ruled fairly and Jiara has prospered under their guidance.

As the princely families receive patronage from the Realm, they give patronage to a network of merchant houses, trade guilds, and clans. This network of patronage, while informal, provides the power base for the princes as the vie against each other for prestige and the princes devote time and resources to keeping their clients’ loyalty through public works, festivals, and gifts. In turn, the clients pay a tithe to their patrons and pursue goals that align with those of the princes.

Trade

Jiara is a land blessed with natural wealth. The valleys of the Justice and Ondessics Rivers offer rich farmland and pasturage, while the surrounding mountains supply copper, iron, precious metals, and gemstones. The city of Jiara produces textiles and other finished goods, which are traded both to the Realm and with its neighbors. Technically on the boarder of the Scavenger Lands, Scavenger Princes scour the ancient ruins that dot the Jiaran wilderness for relics of the past, and each new find makes a fortune.

Religion

Given the long relationship with the Realm, the Immaculate Order is deeply rooted in the culture of Jiara. However, as with many lands beyond the Blessed Isle, local traditions influence the religious practice of the people. It is common for household to keep a shrine to a favored local or regional god, and the calendar of festivals has not been entirely suppressed by the local Immaculate monks. The Jiaran Sword Dance in particular honored NEED TO ADD LOCAL GOD HERE

Now, though, with Immaculate monks accompanying the Mnemon forces occupying the capital, unorthodox worship has been associated with rebellion. The citizens of Jiara hide their household shrines, and practicing the Sword Dance can lead to arrest and even execution.

The Rebellion

The rebellion has upended life in Jiara. The Great Houses’ scramble to wring wealth from the Threshold to fund the looming struggle for the throne pushed the bonds of patronage in Jiara beyond the breaking point.

The princes debated, and a year ago, the heir to House Khidara abandoned the capital to lead a rebellion against the Realm. The decision fractured the strain relations to breaking, even splitting the House of Khidara itself. The rebels knew a prolonged defense of the capital would ultimately fail, and so attempt to created a protracted war in the countryside.

A mix of Jiaran loyalists, the royal guard, and volunteers now occupy the lesser Jiaran cities of Daric, Naathul, and Parapet. Rumors that the rebellion was supported by Anathema persisted.

The city of Jiara is now occupied by Mnemon forces, a core of House legions backed by mercenary units and supported by auxilliaries from other satrapies as well as the forces of the Jiaran princes still loyal to the Realm. Mnemon officers are billeted in the houses of princes suspected loyal to the House of Khidara.

A few short weeks ago, the presence of the Anathema was confirmed when a Solar assassin attacked Mnemon, and was driven off.