Antediluva: The City-State of Uzuldaroum, the City of Black and White (Overview)

    In the north of the known world, on the edge of the northern plains of Nushirvan, is a city-state called Uzuldaroum.  It exists on a nearly lawless frontier, as none of the land north of the area has been explored, or at least no parties have reported back that have tried.  All the trade in the area flows from the south, since the north is a frozen waste, and therefore very few have traveled there. The entire population of the city is albino, with all the telltale signs and symptoms.

    The leader of this city-state is called the Profligate. He rules with an iron fist by decree, and no one has ever seen his face since he wears a featureless half-white, half-black (split vertically) iron mask in public, and is entirely covered by robes. He oppresses the people under his rule, exacting harsh taxes and harsher penalties. However, crime is nearly nonexistent due to this harsh rule, and thieves' guilds fear operating here. Even someone merely accused of a crime is gathered up by the city-state's guard and never seen again. Oddly, they have no jail or dungeon within the city. No one knows where prisoners are kept, or what is done to them.

    The people of Uzuldaroum are a strange lot, following odd traditions set forth by the Profligate. Only two colors are allowed for clothing, black and white. Exactly half the body must be covered by white, and the other half black. To violate this will invite a visit from the guard, and if the offender does not immediately fix his clothing, he is executed on the spot. The only currency that is exchanged, by order of the Profligate, are live fish. The larger the fish, the more it is worth. Money from outside the city must be exchanged at the gates for live fish if any visitor needs something from within (and before they'll be let in, they must wear half-black and half-white clothing). Spies are used extensively by the city guard to maintain order for the Profligate, and they are paid well (in fish) to report violations, even down to the ban on singing. 

    The only music allowed to be performed within the walls of Uzuldaroum must be played on a zither. Any melody can be chosen, but the zither must be used, and singing is outlawed under penalty of execution. Another more diabolical custom, which is followed each eve of the New Year in the city, is a time of complete anarchy. All crime is legal from midnight until dawn, and the city guard is given the night off and required not to enforce any laws. This leads to absolute pandemonium in the city as the populace runs wild, and the "celebration" is called Transgression. The only other major "holiday" within the city is held on the summer solstice, and involves the entire population staying inside their homes for 24 full hours, restricting themselves only to eating meals and reading the Profligate's book of laws called The Binding Book of Urging, which contains all the leader's strange laws. This holiday is known to citizens as Lecture.