The main export of Kardomir is iron, while they have to import most food, as Kardomir is mostly marshland. Many commoners engage in fishing on the side. In stead of taxes, the commoners have to work a set of hours in the iron mines for the kniazi of Kardomir. The rest of the time, they are free to grow food in the small gardens they have around their houses or engage in crafts that they can sell. Many also grow mushrooms that they smoke for hallucinogenic effect. The craftsmen and artisants living in the city enjoy a higher quality of life, being respected and praised for their skills and forming guilds to better negotiate prices with the kniazi. Most of their production is bought by the castle, to keep a large army of scholars and artists, as well as a large cavalry. The military is almost exclusively recruited from the citizens of cities, receiving good training and their weapons from the guild of warriors, where they can specialize as bowmen, light cavalry or heavy swordsmen. Those living in the city can attend schools or be learned in a trade by one of the guilds, all for a monetary reimbursement.
Kardomir has gender equality, with positions being held based on merit. The upper class is formed from men and women appointed by the kniaginia to hold positions of power or responsibility. Thus most positions are not inherited, but rather given to the person with the most skill in either governance, administration or tactics. Many sons and daughters of nobles however take schooling in the same line of work as their parents, and are often given similar positions as their parents. Failing to perform adequately in the position leads to loss of noble status and the position. In addition, inheritance is matrilineal (by the mother, not the father) and therefore Kardomir is ruled by a kniaginia, not a kniaz, and all the noble houses are led by women.
In Kardomir, one becomes adult at 12 and can attend an institution for higher learning. One has to become 20 before joining the guards and it is considered unfitting for the higher classes to marry before reaching their mid-20s. Lower classes might marry from 16 years of age.