Meradarath

مےراداراتہ

𒂇𒇼𒌒𒀜

Meradarath, also called Meradarath the Beautiful and Meradarath the Golden, is a city-state located on the Isle of Meradarath off the coast of Yekare. The city also holds a very small territory on Mainland Yekare. It is sometimes called the Last of the Free Cities, as it was the only of the Free Cities to retain its independence after the Pelegonic Conquest. It is governed as a democratic republic and has a rich culture of arts, philosophy, and music. It is known that a city existed at the site of Meradarath during the First Age, however scholars are divided on whether the site was resettled after the Great Flood or managed to somehow escape its ruin like Kardunash did. Before the construction of Arcanopolis it was the largest of the Free Cities.

Meradarath has never fallen to siege in recorded history. This is owed to its geography, strong military, strong civic pride, and wealth. The closest attempt at conquering the city was the Great Siege of Meradarath undertaken by Sea Lord Adonyah III. The siege ended when Magister Azafa Iyah hired assassins to kill the Sea Lord. Her successor, Sea Lord Hana II, abandoned the siege.

Since the end of its days as a major imperial power, Meradarath has become a major trading power and leans heavily towards neutrality and independence. It engages with the rest of the world economically, but rarely uses its military except in anti-piracy operations. Meradarath was the only of the Free Cities to not be conquered by Pelegon I during his Conquest. It is said that Magister Nismara Marraz dispatched an emissary and a note to Pelegon I on the eve of an intended conquest. It is unknown what the contents of the letter were, but it is said that Pelegon went pale as marble upon reading it and immediately called his forces away from the city. 

As a descendant of the ancient Mannic civilization, Meradarath, like Kardunash adheres to many ancient and long-forgotten rites, rituals, fashions, practices, and artistic styles. The patron Elohim of Meradarath and its people are Sha and Vir.

"Josda'al" comes from "jos" (judge) and da'al (council), meaning "Council of Judges."

Rajam Shahaid, current Magister of Meradarath