About Amaranthum
Amaranthum is a city-state on the continent of Ouroboros. It consists of the City of Amaranthum, its two protectorate nations, Tecton to the North and Glynn to the South, and the outlying islands of the Ouroborean Archipelago to the East. With more than two million citizens, the nation Amaranthum is one of the most populous in the world. The City of Amaranthum itself is home to more than a million citizens, making it by far the largest city in the world.
Historically, Amaranthum was a colonial empire, but has since given up claim to territories outside of the continent of Ouroboros. It is currently a elective monarchy, in which the head of state is still called an 'Emperor'. It is considered a melting pot of cultures, marked by periods of intense colonial activities or immigration.
The economy of Amaranthum is primarily centered on its skilled tradespeople and its military power. Its chief exports are technology (including magical technology), skilled professionals, military power (mostly naval power), arts and entertainment, and a natural resource known as 'ley condensate' - a form of crystallized aether, used as a source of magical energy.
The world's most important companies are headquartered in Amaranthum.
- Adventurers' Guild - A mercenary guild that is world-renowned for its heroic accomplishments.
- The Wizard's University - A college that trains magic-users and develops new magical spells and magical technology.
- The Church of the White - A religious movement that trains the holy knights known as 'paladins'. Recently relocated from their Citadel on the faraway continent of Siochanta to Amaranthum.
Shipping Guild - how the city taxes the shipping guild
- Abstract
- In the 16th century, foreign ships passing through the Sound had to pay ad valorem taxes, known as the Sound Dues. To give skippers an incentive to declare the true value of their cargo, the Danish Crown reserved the right to purchase it at the declared value. We show that this rule does not induce truth-telling, but does allow the authorities to effectively implement a given tax rate.
- Highlights
- ► In the 16th century, ships passing through the Sound had to pay taxes known as the Sound Dues. ► The King wanted to give Skippers an incentive to declare the true value. ► He therefore reserved the right to purchase the cargo at the declared value. ► We give a game-theoretic treatment of this rule. ► We show that it allows the authorities to effectively implement a given tax rate.