The Mixed Cities: Overview: What used to be a center for democratic trade for all races, the Mixed Cities has become the center of warfare throughout the societies of Dungeon World. Prosperous mainly due to its war campaigns, the vast majority of the populace is somehow associated with the army. The rest are simply exploited by it. In 989, the Dark One earned his first position in the standing army and quickly rose in rank until he reached his current position, sole dictator, in 1001. It was the quickest siege on the government ever, and the people claim he grows in power daily. Although it constantly wages war on the various other civilizations, of late, the Mixed Cities have remained relatively peaceful. Some speculate that the Dark One is planning an even bigger campaign, perhaps against all of the upper civilizations. Others speculate that maybe they are endeavoring to invade the Imperium of Salt, which seems to be the main opposing force of comparable power. Government: Supposedly this is a true democracy, but that was before the Dark One took control over the military. Now the Mixed Cities are ruled by a sole person, and he controls the military with an iron fist. Population: Approximately 2 million of all races (human, half-drow, half-giant, giant, dwarf, half-orc, and perhaps a smattering of true drow and other goblinoids as well). Armed Forces: About 90% of the natural population are directly employed by the militia in some manner. Notable Personalities: The Dark One (???-????):Although his origins are somewhat shady, and no one really knows much about him, so there isn't so much to be said about him. He started his career in the military a few years before the first millenium, quickly moving up in rank, and ruled as dictator, as far as anyone can tell, through fear and oppressive power, for the next several hundred years. There is some speculation that he never existed, but there is more controlling opinion that he achieved demi-god status, his power had become so great. Darrian Refletis (1025-1100):Darrian was one of The Dark One's friends from before he became so obsessed with power. The Dark One, being kind to many of his firends, placed them in powerful positions in the army or in other parts of his reign. Darrian's claim to fame was his leadership ability. He was able to singlehandedly quell a small riot and instead turn them on the rebellious leader. This tactic won him a great deal of praise from the Dark One, but has ostrasized him from the rest of society due to his unusually close relationship with the Dark One. S'zzert (900-1343):S'zzert is a drow summoner of some extraordinary nature. Quite often, during the Dark One's reign, he was called upon to infiltrate an area in order to learn more about the area's strengths and weaknesses. In order to do this, S'zzert quite often employed the use of summoned creatures to do his bidding, though rarely he was suspected of doing the job on his own. S'zzert was the drow who collaborated with King Thorak III, of Stronghome, and got him executed for treason. This accomplishment in the Dark One's eyes was absolutely phenomenal. Notable Guilds/Organizations: Although the Mixed Cities place a large importance on remaining a military state, they have an amazingly large number of guilds and organizations througout in order to accomodate the tastes, interests and employments of its very large population. Virtually every practiced devotion exists within at least one of the levels of its complexs, including a very special temple devoted to the Dark One himself. He is reportedly getting the most attention within these cities simply because of fear. Every school of magic possesses a college on one of the levels, the College of Conjurations existing on the most prominent level. Each of these places are visited highly by true scholars and wizards alike. Entry into the colleges is difficult however, and the fee to get past the front entrance is steep. Mercenary guilds flourish here. Enlisted people will sometimes join one just to get a little more to do than just train all day. Others simply wish to remain low key and want to make an honest gold for work they've done not in the service of the Dark One. There are two known factions of Thieves' Guilds within the Mixed Cities. They are both constantly warring, and sometimes even fight out in the open streets, though rarely. The battles are relatively silent and kept under close observation by spies of the Dark One. Neither side is winning, but the battles keep the thieving population down to a relative minimum. Another guild of note exists within the Mixed Cities. The Cartographers' Guild, comprised of a large number of people from all walks of life, contributes a large amount of the known world as knowledge to others. They keep up to date maps of vritually every square inch of any area that is liveable, and some that are slightly less than inhospitable. Powerful in its own respect, it possesses knowledge that most would only dream of. Usage of their maps comes at a high price, even to members of the guild, but such is the way things work.