The City Zaril
Money
How do the characters get money?
Zaril has an economy much like any where else, in which it's citizens earn income by working. The royal family earns their wealth through taxes in which the citizens of Zaril must pay. There are various taxes such as a sales tax, property tax, import tax, and a yearly tax. There are other uncommon methods in which people pay via services or trade, for example if someone is lacking in coin they could offer to work the kitchen in exchange for a meal. However, there are the unlucky few, more specifically "the corrupt", who are forced into slavery.
What does the money look like?
The money of Zaril is of representative value. They use paper money and bronze coins.
What is it called?
The coins are referred to as crowns, while the paper money is called writs. For example: "10 writs and 70 crowns is your change!"
Slavery
Is there slavery? Yes. The lowest caste, the corrupted.
Where? Upper Cast homes, ship yards, farms, factories
Governments
What kind of government is it?
Zaril is patriarchal society ruled by a Monarchy. Zaril's goverment is also a Plutocracy in which the rich have more say in politics.
What is the name of the ruler and what is he like? Zachariah the Third is Zaril's current Monarch. Zachariah became king at the age of 32 when his father died of illness. At a young age he has displayed kindness to all Zarillians, and it unfortunately got him in trouble with his father and upper caste nobles. As such he was forbidden to leave the palace grounds for most his childhood, and due to this has been isolated from Zaril's people. Now 35, he has gained some insight on the state of his city and is actively trying to keep Zaril prosperous. Due to the collapse of the isle he has put other political issues aside such as lower caste rights and foreign exchanges. His most recent exchange being with the prince of far off city isle whose main exports is priceless gems, jewelry, and gold. As well as new spices, herbs, and plants not native to Zaril. While not particularly useful in military development, these items would certainly be valuable in enriching the lives of his people. Those who have met Zachariah and have maintained a good relationship with him would say that he is a very kind person who just wants what is best for his city, and as such takes his role as king very seriously.
what laws do they have?
The citizens of Zaril do not have the right to bear arms, as such acts are treasonous.
The citizens of Zaril do not have the right to freedom of speech. Any speech condemning the royal family is considered treasonous.
The citizens of Zaril do not have the right to assembly. Protesting is considered treasonous.
How do they enforce them?
Local guards are stationed through out Zaril and enforce laws. They are beholden to the king, but do not answer directly to him. Each station has a captain to whom they report to, and these captains report to a specific high ranking officer in the king's guard who reports directly to the king. The severity of punishment depends on the severity of the crime. Some crimes are punishable via fines, others will have you imprisoned, and what's considered the worst offenses will have you executed. Those of a higher caste are more likely to not be severely punished while those of a lower caste are more likely to be imprisoned or executed.
Schools
Are there schools?
where are schools?
who goes to school?
how long do they go to school?
what do they learn?
Jobs
What jobs are there?
Food
What food is there to eat?
How do they get and make food?
Communication
How do people communicate with each other? What is most common? Letters either by hand or typed via type writer. There isn't a government sanctioned mail carrier system, but rather few independent carrier companies that deliver mail. Those who cant afford to pay for a carrier service used messenger birds.
Are there more advanced means of communication available? Yes, richer homes would have land lines for phones.
Inner Isle Travel
How do most people travel? Bicycle, animal drawn carriages
What are the roads like?
How long does it take to travel from place to place?
Outer Isle Travel
How do people travel between isles?
How long does it take to travel from isle to isle?
Social Classes
What are the social classes?
Who is in each class?
What are the lifestyles like of each class?
How do the classes treat eachother?
Buildings
What do the houses look like? Does social status effect how houses are built or look like?
What are they made of?
What do the government sanctioned buildings look like?
Are there places of worship and what do they look like?
If there is a royal family what does the palace look like?
Clothing
What do they wear in different places?
What are the clothes made of?
Are certain colors more common or uncommon? Does access to certain dye depend on wealth?
What do certain groups / or social classes wear?
Literature?
Are there books?
How common are they?
What are they made of?
Who has access to these books? How common is the ability to read and write?
Animals
What animals are there?
What magical animals are there? What are they like? How common are they?
What is the relationship between nonmagical and magical animals?
What do people keep as pets?
Special Occasions
What holidays are there?
What do they do for birthdays?
What do they do when they come of age? when do they come of age?