A common stop-over for travelers between the south-western islands and the larger islands, Sarpon is an independent merchant kingdom. Its ruler is Gao Sizai, a benevolent autocrat, and the 26th King in the Gao Dynastic legacy. The Gao have ruled Sarpon for nearly 750 years. Tourism and gambling are major industries, and enjoy the sanction and protection of the Gao Dynasty. Luxury is the rule, and if there are any malcontents on Sarpon, they are never visible in public.