Gamers can visit 765 different locations in Rulers of the Sea, of which 147 are capital cities. Capital cities are the seat of a nation’s government and only the Pirate Brotherhoods do not have capitals.
All capitals are accessible through a capital port. In this port the gamer can find an exit point with carriages and (instant) travel to the capital it is linked to. Often the capital port is part of the capital, like Copenhagen and Copenhagen port, but if the capital is not coastal a port is chosen as capital port, such as Madrid and Valencia port.
A capital is the seat of the nation’s Monarch and its government. It contains the Royal Palace where the Monarch resides, and the Governmental Palace, the seat of the Cabinet and the House of Lords. These two palaces are the seats of power and politics of a nation and gamers that have government or political positions will be here frequently.
The capital is the financial heart of a nation, it has the Central Bank where the nation’s gold reserve is stored and the Stock market and Insurance Market are housed. The nation’s Chancellor of the Exchequer has an office here to rule over the nation’s finances. Gamers that want to trade in stocks or bonds will have to come here to do business.
Justice in the nation is dealt out at the High Court building, where the Lord Chief Justice holds office and hosts trials. Any gamers that are challenged by other gamers or the government can end up in the courtroom.
Both the Army and the Navy have their headquarters in the capital. The Army and Navy academies can be found here, as well as the offices of the Army Board and the Admiralty Board. Admirals and Generals command the armed forces here and gamers with an Army or Navy career have to appear here for promotions and courses.
The capital is the educational center of a nation and houses the University. At this exalted institute of knowledge all the hundreds of courses and exams are offered that help gamers and their staff members acquire qualifications. Every gamer of a nation will come here regularly for advancement.
The National Library offers culturally unique and government published books, newspapers, art, music and sea charts. In addition they sell design plans for ships, weaponry, costumes and businesses that are unique to the region and need to be purchased by craftsmen to produce advanced designs.
Gamers can purchase offices for their Joint Stock Companies in the capital, and amidst these offices an inconspicuous office building is the home the nation’s Secret Service where three commissioners do their shady work.
Capitals can never be ruled by another nation, but they can be subdued and turned into a client nation, which means the conqueror appoints the prime-minister of the nation. This puts the master nation in charge of all government appointments.