Karichaka

Karichaka was an independent port city on the Island of Anatha, founded in 4 BNE and destroyed by a fire in 891 NE. It was founded as a colony city of Larakali and continued to serve under Larakalna rule until the destruction of Larakali in 512 NE by forces of First Noulaenic Empire. The city surrendered itself to control by the Guardians of Konockau in 515 NE, an order tasked with the defense of the Konockax Peninsula, in a successful bid to protect the city from invasion and destruction by Noulian. The city thrived and its leadership, while still Konochax in origin, separated from the Guardians in 756 NE. A major structure fire destroyed most of the city's buildings in 891 NE, and the city was subsequently abandoned.

## Etymology

The name derives from Hariklina *kari* (safe) and *chaka* (harbor). The name is reference to Thansene Bay, which provides a sheltered harbor.

## History

Karichaka was founded by settlers from Larakali in 4 BNE who brought with them a significant number of enslaved Pheetula peoples from the Dersialdara region. The city was founded on the edge of Thansene Bay near the bottom of Cebana Hill. This area was not settled by the native Anatheen peoples but the settlers had some initial conflicts with the native peoples over access to sacred caves. An arrangement was made in 2 NE to divide the island but grant access to the caves for ritual purposes.

The city served as an important resupply point for Haraklina traders traveling to the north and west from Dersialdara and grew quickly. The growth was largely driven by slave labor construction, which was used to build a substantial harbor complex and defenses along the mouth of the bay. During this period, over two thirds of the population of the city were enslaved. Conditions for slaves were hard, however, and a slave rebellion broke out in 42 NE. Many of the city's Haraklina inhabitants were killed during the rebellion and nearly 10,000 slaves, half the population of the city, escaped into the hills, eventually founding the enclave today known as Malacho. Fresh ships from Larakali brought new settlers who regained control of the city. Following these events, however, a decision was made to reduce the city's reliance on slave labor and ensure that free Haraklina peoples made up a majority of the city's population.

The city continued to grow and prosper but became a popular target for pirates, especially from the islands of the Nuscarome Channels. The city invested heavily in harbor defenses and building up a navy to defend against these attacks. Both efforts were hindered somewhat by guerrilla attacks from the former slaves of Malacho who inhabited the island's forested interior and hindered timber collection efforts.

Hoping to eliminate the pirate threat, Karichaka assisted the Noulaenic invasion of the Nuscarome islands in the 4th century NE even though Larakali opposed Noulaenic expansion by this point. This was done in secret but the government of Larakali discovered the effort in 350 NE and executed the governor of Karichaka for treason.

Karichaka continued to provide support to Larakali during the long war between the Haraklina peoples and the first Noulaenic Empire. This support was critical for providing both food and fresh ships to the besieged city and helped it resist Noulaenic assault for over 30 years. Larakali was nonetheless destroyed in 512 NE and depopulated through the harsh Noulaenic practice of tripartition, under which a third of the city's surviving population was slaughtered, a third was enslaved, and a third resettled in harsh wildernesses.

Karichaka was desperate to avoid the same fate and searched for allies to help defend itself against the growing Noulaenic threat. They reached out to a military order known as the Guardians of Konockau who defended the Konockax peninsula, the largest nearby region free from Noulaenic control. A deal was reached that essentially ceded the city and its governance to the Guardians in exchange for allowing the Haraklina population to retain their language, culture, and religion.

The city remained free from the empire under the Guardians' protection and continued to prosper. The port was the only major free port city in the southern Faslula Sea that was not subject to Noulaenic taxes, duties, and monopolies. It became a thriving black market for merchants looking to avoid Noulaenic taxes and regulations. The port did especially swift business in goods subject to Noulaenic imperial monopolies, particularly gold and salt.

The kings of the wealthy port city, though still members of the Guardians of Konocka, declared independence from the greater organization in 758, making the city fully independent for the first time. No longer bound to serve the mainland, the city's wealth continued to grow. Massive construction projects were carried out within the city, including the construction of 12 colossal statues (40 pace height) depicting the 12 protector gods of Konockau, city walls built from massive imported granite monoliths, and the carving or a massive (55 pace height) face of the goddess Ana on the cliff face of her eponymous mountain overlooking the city.

The city suffered a massive structure fire in 891 NE that destroyed much of the city's housing, harbor facilities, and defenses. The city was subsequently ransacked by pirates from Konockau the same year and left destitute. Survivors of the city were forced to abandon it and either moved to the west of the island among the Anatheen peoples or volunteered to join pirate bands. The site of the city was later rebuilt as Saracfalis in 967 NE.