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The city of Nemarie
Realm: The Kingdom of Porphia
Population: 80,000
Military: 4,500 men (Formidable)
Economy: Notable, though in decline
Language: Common
The western half of Porphia is in general less-densely populated than the eastern half; the broad expanses of the Jenje Plains that occupy most of this territory are home to only scattered villages and solitary keeps. Most of the population—and wealth—to be found is in the vicinity of Nemarie, the country's largest city.
The area around Nemarie is a mixture of farmland and pastureland, and the latter was the original source of the city's wealth; Nemarian wool is highly regarded. But the city's wool merchants soon found that there were far greater profits to be made abroad. Today most of the large merchant concerns in the Twelve Kingdoms are owned by Nemarian interests, while the rest of them depend on Nemarian capital for their day-to-day functioning. The banking sector in Nemarie surpasses even that of V'Tavia, with nobles from as far away as Ardashir using the city's banks to borrow money and issue letters of credit.
(Despite this wealth, Nemarie's economy is widely acknowledged to be in a state of decline. Instability to the north around Ang'arta, a number of poor years for the wool trade, and increasing competition from Calantyrian interests have left Nemarie in more precarious spot than the past. Its wealthy elite are as conspicuous as ever with their money, but this veneer of opulence masks mounting levels of debt. Even the banking sector, which has profited by providing the desired credit, is in a less dominant position than before.)
The tax revenues from the city's merchant elite have helped pay for the city's stout walls, anchored by the huge triangular Castle du Lar overlooking the eastern approaches to the city. Looming over all of this are the domes and spires of the Cathedral of the Three. This immense and ambitious building, still at least half a decade from completion, is actually three buildings in one—temples to Ahlrigh, Athyria, and Celestia. The nave under the central dome is planned to be a communal worship space in a striking theological statement (though the three faiths keep their own separate quarters elsewhere in the building). The Cathedral is funded by Duke Corien du Lar, an act which is both charity to the city and a demonstration of his own power to his often fractious citizens. It was originally designed by the famed Nemarian architect Wedder Malison, but Corien expelled Malison from the city a decade ago for criticizing him in public works of art. Malison is now the court architect in the Coeur d'Ennui, where he is noted for his brilliance, eccentricity, and burning hatred for the House of Lar.
Before being captured by Porphia a century ago, Nemarie was an independent republic, governed by representatives of its merchant guilds. Nostalgia for this self-rule remains strong among the city's merchant elite, while the poor appreciate the lower taxes and public monuments of the monarchy. During hard times political opposition usually manifests itself in republicanism. (Though cynics note that this may be less than principled: under the Republic, malcontents invited the House of Lar to invade in order to rid themselves of the city's ruling families.)
Outside of republican stalwarts, Duke du Lar does not have the reputation of a tyrant; his rule is firm but by and large fair. He is noted, however, for making sure that his power is evident. Nemarie has impressive defenses and an unusually large military force for a city of its size.
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