The Ocean Kingdom

## **Government**

### **Government Type/Function**

The people of the ocean answer only to the God King, answering to his monarchic rule. God King Kai is a benevolent ruler, but any challenges to his rule are swiftly and sometimes mercilessly crushed.

#### High-Ranking Positions

##### God King

The God King is, and always has been, Kai. This position did not exist until the year 183. Before this point, the Varuna lived as nomads, staying together in pods that wandered the oceans, rarely traveling to the shores of the surface. In the year 180, the other races discovered their existence and mistook them for mere animals, taking the Varuna onshore as pets. When Kai realized this was happening, he went to the surface and declared himself the God King of his people and demanded they be returned to the ocean. With an overwhelming display of power by raising the oceans into a tidal wave, the shock and awe forced the other races to return the Varuna to the seas, where they are now respected as a protected people.

This event forever cemented Kai as the God King of the Varuna and is immortalized as a mosaic made of precious gems in the palace of the underwater city of Kaimana.

#### Branches

The first and most important is the Oyster Branch. They are responsible for capturing Varuna pirates that climb aboard and raid traveling ships. There are multiple outposts stationed underwater for Oyster soldiers to protect ships that pass through parts of the ocean. This branch is headed by the grand general of Kai's army is represented by a dark blue standard.

Next is the Pearl Branch. This branch oversees trade and also serves to nanny Kai's overabundant population of children. This branch is overwhelmingly staffed by female Varuna, even though females only make up 20% of the population. This branch is unique in that it has its own symbol. A child of Kai drew a lily flower with a pearl bud for a nurse that she looked up to, whose name was Pearl. The nurse loved it so much she made the design into a broach that she wore daily. Two years later, the child fell ill and died. Saddened by her passing, Kai and Pearl made the broach design into the official symbol of the branch. Upon the Nurse Pearl's eventual passing, the branch was renamed after her.

The third branch is the Urchin Branch, represented by a black standard. This branch serves as jailors to the various pirates and criminals of the seas. Their most important prisoner is the demigod Appolyon, son of Zoros and Mortis, the Gods of Pain and Death. His power and fury must be contained, lest he brings ruin to the world as he once brought to the Druantia race many years ago.

### **Border Policies**

Considering the vastness and openness of the seas, there are no policies in place that present passage from anyone into, out of, or across the ocean. The only restriction in place is that if a Varuna pod is passing, ships must halt and let them by before continuing.

### **Currency**

The Ocean Kingdom's currency is referred to as "Fins".

## **Geography**

### **Macacona Sea**

This is where the underwater city of Kaimana is built. This is a temperate sea where undersea flora and fauna are plentiful. It is very hospitable to the native Varuna. Many members of the other races who fall in love with Varuna make their homes here, whether on ships or asking to be transformed into aquatic creatures to live in Kaimana.

#### Kaimana

This city is a safe haven for Varuna who are too sick, frail, or elderly to travel in pods can live. While it is illegal to capture Varuna as pets or for food, there are those who still do, and Kaimana is the only place where they are protected from such criminals. This city is surrounded by a massive dome that protects all life from the pressure and water of the surrounding ocean. There are many surface plants and animals that have been transferred to the city to be used as livestock or pets and farming specimens. The city is rich with gemstones and enjoys a great wealth from exporting them to the surface world.

### **The Living Depths**

Despite the name, this sea is devoid of all life and is incredibly perilous to sail through. The demigod Appolyon is imprisoned here by the Urchin Branch, and his immense power causes the sea to come alive with natural disasters. Undersea quakes, tidal waves, whirlpools, and tornadoes make this northern sea nearly impossible to sail through, and most often spells doom for whoever tries.

This ocean is far north, and very cold. Despite this, a shrine to God-King Kai was built here, given that it was where he landed when he first became mortal.

### **Willbrook Ocean**

This sea is incredibly cold, thought to be due in part to Nerevlin and its many icebergs that float off into the ocean. The only place where the sea is warm is near Ashen due to its warm climate. This sea is mostly populated by creatures that can survive a harsh, cold environment, such as the wildlife of Nerevlin.

### **Effros Sea**

The entire surface of this sea is completely frozen over. Due to its immense size and awkwardness to travel, it is only populated by those daring or foolish enough to wander it. It stretches widely and is thought to be why the White Dawn region of Rosale maintains its permanently frigid climate.

### **Population**

* 98% Varuna
* 2% Other

## **Culture**

### **Common Trades**

The Varuna are a nomadic people, either traveling and supporting themselves or working in one of the branches of Kaimana. Those that live on the surface tend to be fishermen or gem cutters.

### **Traditions**

The Varuna only wear open-ended clothing like skirts and cloaks in order to change the form of their lower half from fish tails to legs without issue. They often wear vests or loose shirts, and men will often not wear shirts at all. Women generally wear simple bras or shirts that gather at their necks.

The buildings in Kaimana are the only example of Varuna construction and resemble the architecture of Awakening. God King Kai greatly admired such architecture and used it as inspiration for his own city.

The Varuna diet consists solely of the flora and fauna that can be found under the sea. There are those who question the ethics of "fish eating fish", which offends the Varuna and always leads to the response of "no, bitch, we're a different species!"

### **Religious Beliefs**

It is no secret that the Varuna greatly revere God King Kai, who is the demigod son of Agnia and Chilli and brother to Arethnes. While they see him as a God, he declines any form of tribute and worship. Due to their desires to honor Kai, they do not worship any other Gods.

### **Magical Practices**

Varuna are innately gifted in hydrokinesis and shapeshifting magic. They are capable of changing their bodies in order to maneuver through water and walk on land. Varuna are also capable of using this magic on others, transforming their bodies to be able to survive underwater.

### **Values**

The Varuna who live in nomadic pods believe in the pack mentality of every member aiding and looking out for one another. Some pods take to piracy for their survival and well-being, and those who do not take part are exiled from the group. This mentality is absent for those who live in Kaimana, where living a civilized life is much easier. However, there are those who prefer the freedom of travel those in pods have. Those who do leave the safety of Kaimana and join passing pods.

### **Fighting Styles**

Fighting is most often done through the use of throwing spears or tridents, which are made out of a special metal called Marinite that can swiftly be moved through the water. They like to keep their distance and use their shapeshifting abilities to their advantage. If their hydrokinesis is particularly powerful, they will use it to drown their foes, even on land.

### **Commonly Used Weapons**

Combat is mainly done through spears and tridents, but some use magical staves to empower their magic.

## **History**

### **Wars**

The Varuna have never had a war with any other race or nation. The only instance of major, internal conflict was a rebellion against God King Kai. This rebellion was quickly crushed and is not even named for fear of ideas of another spreading.

### **Renaissances and Reforms**

It was in the year 183 when God King Kai rose from the sea and rescued the Varuna who were captured by the surface dwellers as pets or food. He quickly became their leader after threatening the surface world with a flood, lest the Varuna be freed. He made quick work out of the Anthean city of Zrisea, showing his power over the ocean by sweeping the entire city and it's residents away. After this, the Varuna people were quickly freed and returned to the ocean. Kai then established them as a race and named them the Varuna, giving them their own identity in the world. After this event, Agnia and Chilli saw their son's love for his people and granted them the power to shapeshift so they could explore the surface on their own terms.

## **Leaders**

### **First Leader**

God King Kai was the first leader of the Ocean Kingdom and continues to be to this day. Due to his demigod powers, he has lived far beyond what would be expected of a mortal and will continue to rule for the foreseeable future. He has a great love for his people and is dedicated to their safety and freedom as a race of Astiri.

There are a few tales of Kai dying, then coming back to life in a different body, but these are believed to be false.