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The powerful merchant house, House Quentari, effectively rules Salen. In theory, the Shah holds the reigns of power, but in reality, the Shah rules at the pleasure of the chief executive officer and president of House Quentari, Caliph Bän-Kargly Quentari.
Virtually the entire populace serves House Quentari, either directly or indirectly in some way. House Quentari, however, allows the Shah to issue edicts and decide matters of law as long as he does not overstep his boundaries and cause harm to the merchant house. Despite the apparent ease with which House Quentari could subjugate the kingdom, the people of Salen are ruled fairly and benevolently.
The government taxes the people lightly and relies on trade for most of its operating revenue. The people favor this arrangement and display great loyalty to their Shah and immense respect for the heads of House Quentari.
Trade and commerce nourish the cities of Salen. Its cities support large populations and hundreds of ships dock each day at the vast markets of Az Sydair, Bajdih, Abu Dawfih, Ryhasa and other smaller ports. Almost any product can be found in the sprawling bizaar of Az Sydair and to a lesser extent in the ports of Bajdih, Abu Dawfih and Ryhasa.
In the capital city, a delegation of Arcane from Wild Space has established its only planetary trading outlet. House Quentari monopolizes trade with the Arcane and no other merchant house may conduct business with the mystic spacefarers by virtue of royal edict.
Other merchant houses to operate out of Salen, but they pale in significance to the power of House Quentari. Most important foreign merchant houses maintain an office in Az Sydair or one of the other major ports.
The majority of the people of Salen follow the faith of Ishmac, but in general Salen maintains a greater level of religious tolerance than any of the other states where Ishmac has taken hold. The peculiar religious tolerance of Salen's people probably stems from the kingdoms far reaching trade practices. Contact with other cultures has resulted by necessity in a greater toleration for new ideas of all kinds.
Culturally Salenites conform to the culture of Al-Qadim AD&D campaign setting. Characters originating in Salen should pick a character kit from this setting.
Most of Salen's vast wealth comes from trade, but it also supports several local industries including a prosperous opal mining industry and a strong hardwood and rare wood trade. Some citizens make their living through fishing and pearl diving.
Salen belongs to the Tri-League Alliance with Felnor and Yart. They provide willing support to this alliance because of the potential business problems a prolonged war with the Theocracy of the Eye would cause.
The regular armies of the Shah of Salen consist of 2,000 heavy cavalry, 3,000 light cavalry and 10,000 mixed infantry. The Shah's navy includes 70 warships, 15 small galleys, and 35 large galleys. House Quentari maintains locally 6,000 heavy cavalry, 15,000 light cavalry, 20,000 heavy infantry, and 10,000 light infantry mercenaries. House Quentari also supports a private navy of 200 warships, 600 small galleys and 354 large galleys. House Quentari forces will actively participate in the defense of Salen if it becomes necessary. House Quentari maintains a number of troops and ships equal to those stationed in Salen at its trading posts, embassies and outposts throughout the world.
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