A peninsula-bound city-state, Mayene is one of the most well-defended nations of the Dragon Compact, as well as a mercantile power in its own right. For centuries it stood alone, carefully managing its relations with Tear and the wider world to maintain its independence and history as a nation descended from Artur Hawkwing's empire. With the settlement of the Children of the Light in the city, followed by their deposing the nobility in 20 FA, Mayene now has the military might to repel any would-be invader, and subsequently a greater degree of independence on the world stage.

Though the Children of the Light style themselves an international power in their own right, Mayene's claims remain the same as they have since the War of the Hundred Years, with the city itself located on the southern end of their peninsula to the south-east of Tear. Located on the Sea of Storms, the easternmost city in the Westlands, Mayene enjoyed a unique and vital location for the Sharan trade. Though that has dried up following the closing of Shara, Mayene is still a vital trading location with the Sea Folk, as well as a strong producer of desired commodities in their own right.

To the north lie the Drowned Lands, a large and hostile swamp that makes passage difficult for travelers of all sorts. This feature is what rendered Mayene untouchable for most of its history, and to this day is a solid bulwark against conventional attack.

The city itself is a beautiful display of the fine craftsmanship that Mayene represents to the world at large. With limited land and few quarries, much of the city is built of wood, though the streets are stone. The city proper has grown following Tarmon Gai'don, especially the new Fortress of the Light built at what was once the northern edge of the city. The Fortress resembles the one in Amador in passing, though with vastly improved Mayener craftsmanship. Its size dominates the city, and as the city grew out and around it the Fortress now centers much of the activity in Mayene.

For centuries, the First of Mayene was a direct descendant of Tyrn sur Paendrag Mashera, himself an alleged descendant of Artur Paendrag Tanreall. That changed following the death of the First of Mayene, Berelain, and the disappearance of her heir. Others were able to claim lineage, but the bloody conflict over succession eventually forced the hand of the current Lord Captain Commander of the Children of the Light, Dain Bornhald. He deposed Mayene's nobility and declared himself the new First of Mayene, ending the chain of succession. His son, Geoff Bornhald, became the next First after Dain's death, cementing the change.

The seat of both the Lord Captain Commander and the First of Mayene is now empty, following Geoff Bornhald's death with no heirs. In normal times, the First has almost unilateral authority over Mayene, particularly after the noble class was ended in 20 FA. That said, craftsman guilds (including jewelers, shipbuilders, fishers, and woodworkers) have been a growing political force given their importance to the economy that serves as Mayene's independent foundation. Representatives from each guild serve on a Council of Mayene, colloquially known as the Council of Seconds, serving to provide the guilds' views on economic matters. The First, in normal times, is capable of overruling them, though neither Bornhald did so often. In the absence of a First, the Council of Seconds has largely assumed control of Mayene's domestic affairs.

The Council of Seconds currently rule Mayene, while the Children debate and decide on a replacement for their Lord Captain Commander and a possible First. There are those in the Council that would prefer this current arrangement to continue, while others want to see a First of Mayene once more take the reins of the nation.

Mayene's economy continues to do well even in an era where Traveling has, at times, supplanted naval trading routes, largely thanks to their craftsmanship, hidden oilfish shoals, and staunch refusal to allow their goods to pass through Gateways (at the behest of the Children of the Light).

Mayene is a largely independent nation, given their strained relations with both the White and the Black Tower and the nations that support them. They remain members in good standing of the Dragon Compact. Their rivalry with Tear, formerly a fixture of the nation, has become both less pressing and more adversarial with the military might of the Children of the Light backing Mayene's own forces.

Far Madding is a closely tied ally and trading partner, given their similar ideologies. Despite that, Mayene remains in a distinctly superior position to the city-state, which hasn't always made for smooth company. Illian is another frequent trading partner, with Mayene often providing a market for some of the more illicit goods procured by Illianer captains, and Illian providing a good source for a quiet black powder export as well.