The Oligarchy of Metropolis [Baltia Wiki]

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====== The Oligarchy of Metropolis ======
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**Metropolis**
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{{ :metropolis.png?direct&250 |}}
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<WRAP column 40% leftalign>**Capital**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>Mahima</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>**Largest City**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>Mahima</WRAP>
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<WRAP column 40% leftalign>**Official Languages**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>Common</WRAP>
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<WRAP column 40% leftalign>**Demonym(s)**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>Metropolitan</WRAP>
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<WRAP column 40% leftalign>**Government**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>Unitary Republic</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>• **Prime Minister**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>Kulbir Pannu</WRAP>

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<WRAP column 40% leftalign>**Legislature**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>The Presidium</WRAP>
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<WRAP column 40% leftalign>**Currency**</WRAP>
<WRAP column 40% leftalign>Federal Dollar</WRAP>
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Metropolis is one of the most powerful nations in the Belt, typically regarded as the strongest due to its comparatively large landmass and huge population. It was founded by the twelve Magnates shortly after exploration of the Belt began in earnest, and their combined power quickly turned the nation into a rising star in international politics. Since that time, Metropolis has declined in both power and prestige, but still maintains a major role in the world.

===== Serving the Void =====
Metropolis was built by the cooperation of the Magnates, with each one managing a different aspect of the nation suited to each of their abilities. However, each had different ideas of how the nation should be ruled, and eventually this disagreement resulted in bloodshed. Several of the more aggressive Magnates attempted a coup in what become known as the First Schism, and though they failed and were ousted, Metropolis was never the same.

Centuries later, as Metropolis' power further waned, many of the remaining Magnates no longer wished to be tied to the nation, and left in what became known as the Second Schism. While this separation was far more amicable, it left Metropolis further weakened, and today only three of the original twelve founding organizations remain in the nation - the Magnates of Leadership, Restriction, and Protection.

===== Culture and Demographics =====
Metropolis is primarily human, but welcomes members of all races readily into its territory, and communities of all races can be found in each and every city. However, though the nation does not discriminate based on race, the people within its borders do find themselves the victims of discrimination based on their status. A strongly-enforced caste system based on one's role in society is present in the nation, with the servants of the Magnates naturally on top.

Those in a higher caste enjoy greater privileges within Metropolis, and in the event of disputes with lesser castes, typically find rulings are in their favor. Mobility within the castes is not impossible, as they are functionally based on one's profession, but a desire by most not to see people elevated who they view as lesser makes this more difficult in practice.

===== Politics =====
Metropolis allows its communities a degree of autonomy, but all decisions at the state level are decided upon by the Presidium, the supplicants serving the Magnate of Leadership. These individuals act as the unelected legislature, with the Magnate of Leadership acting as the formal head of state. Feelings on the government are very mixed, and tend to be based upon one's position in the caste system, with the most favorable opinions naturally being held by those at the top.

However, even those at the bottom of this system still enjoy many rights and privileges absent elsewhere in the world, which the rulers of Metropolis work hard to ensure. This is due to the religion of Metropolis being the worship of Void Lords, who offer no afterlife to make up for difficulties experienced during one's mortal life.

====== Major Cities ======
The name of Metropolis comes from its large number of cities, having more than double the number of urban settlements than the next most populated nation in the Belt.

===== Mahima =====
The capital of Metropolis, Mahima is where the Magnates themselves can be found and where their power is at its height. The majority of supplicants that serve the state can be found here in the Presidium Building drafting legislation, or guarding the impenetrable prisons the Magnate of Restriction rules, or patrolling the streets as police under the Magnate of Protection. The high number of supplicants means luxury is in abundance, but with the caste system more strictly enforced here than anywhere, many can only look on with envy.

===== Chitmahala =====
Chitmahala rests on the western coast of Metropolis, conveniently near more than half of the nations that belong to the Federalist faction. This location has made it something of a diplomatic hub, and even nations outside the Belt have been known to make use of its extensive facilities when neutral ground is needed. This makes it a prime place to rub shoulders with the elite of various nations, as well as a place where information as significant as state secrets could potentially be uncovered by the right people. 

===== Phikata Svapna =====
Once the symbolic founding city of Metropolis, Phikata Svapna is now little more than ruins. In the decades before it was destroyed, it had become neutral ground for the Magnates, even those who were enemies, to meet peacefully for discussion. It was during one such meeting of the Magnates that Veril ver Veridian first unleashed the Veridian bomb, killing all the reigning Magnates and the residents of the city in a single move and becoming the Magnate of Carnage in the process. Now, the city sits abandoned, as the disease known as Veridian Wasting claims the lives of any who linger for long.

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====== Metropolitan Characters ======
**Born to a Caste.** Characters born in Metropolis would have been raised in its caste system, with a social status determined by their parents' occupations. Such a character may have an opinion of certain occupations that is influenced significantly by this upbringing, for better or worse, and perhaps their own self-esteem was affected.

**Empty Beliefs.** Metropolitans have a different relationship with their gods than many people do, viewing them less as true deities and more like forces of nature that influence mortals. Perhaps the enigmatic indifference displayed by the Void Lords was frustrating when compared to other gods that act more directly, or maybe the lack of obligations to the nation's deity was freeing. 
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