Aquos

Aquos was a nation of seafarers. They emphasized trade and generally tended to remain neutral and act in their own self-interest. They claimed the sea as their home, and their holdings never strayed far from the water. Even after the nation's fall, the region still bears its name.

### History

#### Old Aquos

During ancient times, Aquos was a thriving nation with wondrous technological advancements unmatched by the rest of the world. Peaceful, prosperous, and generous, old Aquos shared its advancements throughout the lands which today are the Riverlands and Samarium. This time of peace did not last, however. A stranger known as Oblivion entered into the city of Oceana and released a plague, hoping to bring about a world with no life and, thus, bring peace to the entire world. His plague was contained deep within the vaults underneath the city of Oceana, watched over by a non-biological ancient AI that still functions to this day. However, the aftermath of this outbreak left Oceana uninhabitable, the dark seas around it unsafe to sail, and killed most of the Aquosi. The nation dissolved, and the few remaining survivors who were far from the capital during the outbreak scattered to the winds.

#### Aquos Reborn

Modern Aquos was founded by Turtle Titan. He was a wanderer searching for a place to call home. He eventually came across the ancient ruins of Oceana, the capital of Aquos, in the Sea of Ice, and restored it. However, he was unaware of the danger still contained deep within...

Now, the nation thrives once more. Aquos trade network extends from Aquos in the southern Sea of Ice all the way to the northern Riverlands Market outpost of Bogwater, run by Baron Jesterinblack.

#### The Turtle Incident

Tensions between the Riverlands and Aquos began to escalate when Turtle, the King of Aquos was caught spying on a private meeting between the High King of the Riverlands, David, and his advisor Mon\_key. Turtle refused to stop snooping, and so the High King banished him from the Riverlands, and put a bounty on his head if he ever set foot in the Riverlands again. Turtle was less than appreciative of this response. A short time later, a plot by Turtle to depose High King David and steal his relic was exposed, and Turtle was deposed and exiled from Aquos, for he had brought the nation to the brink of war and made this plot without the support of the Aquosian high houses.

##### Reformation

In the aftermath of the Turtle Incident, the Aquosian high houses took the reins of rulership over Aquos, and governed it as an interregnum council, where each councilor got a say.

It is said that a short time later, the former king of Aquos met his end at the end of the High King's crimson blade in Epheria.

#### The Riverlands-Frostland War

Aquos remained neutral during the Riverlands-Frostland war. One of its councillors, ZachZero, was also a Knight of the Withered Rose, and so agreed to join the battle on the side of the Riverlands. Baron JesterInBlack supplied both sides with armor, and built a hot air balloon which he flew over Soleis to observe the seige of Soleis himself, and sold tickets to allow any interested neutral parties to observe the event. When the Frostlands surrendered, he had to refund the tickets.

#### New Harbor Independence

Aquos' population exploded with a wave of immigrants, many of whom chose to settle in New Harbor. However, the Riverlands laid claim to New Harbor. To divest themselves of a territorial conflict, Aquos granted New Harbor its independence, and New Harbor joined the Riverlands. After the split, New Harbor citizens retained most of the rights of Aquosian citizens, and the two nations were closely allied.

#### Second Nashar Invasion

In the second Nashar invasion, Nashar's forces boarded and sabotaged Aquos' flagship, the Pride, before being routed by JesterInBlack. Aquos then declared war on Nashar. Shortly thereafter, the remaining high councilors of Aquos, JesterInBlack, and Mafia\_Cheezstick, as well as the secret councilor Tilly, ruler of New Harbor, were taken prisoner by the Knights of the Withered Rose on suspicion of being members of NILF and being involved in a plot to kill the High King of the Riverlands. While the leaders of the nation were in prison, BeafMan was promoted to acting councilor of Aquos and granted emergency powers.

Jester escaped from captivity with outside help. Mafia and Tilly remained captive, and were killed later that day, Bloody Wednesday, during the Wakked Castle massacre. Jester's escape resulted in the Knights of the Withered Rose issuing a death warrant for him. After multiple clashes with the knights wherein they tried to enforce that warrant, and the Knights' refusal to rescind the warrant or accept Jester's offer to stand trial, Jester placed a bounty on the Chaptermaster of the Knights' head in reprisal, which resulted in a 40 ruby bounty being placed on his own head, which he then paid off (with a loan of 17 rubies from the Aquos treasury), settling the issue. Some time later, BeafMan was executed in Dunwall for setting foot in the Riverlands after being exiled from it for criminal activities. Of the ruling council, only Jester remained, and Aquos' population had dropped from briefly being the most populous nation down to two. Furthermore, after his escape, Jester had received threats by parrot that assassins were out to get him and his death was imminent. Jester assumed sole authority over what remained of Aquos, and prepared for a fight.

Rumors circulate that JesterInBlack had a hand in the assassination of the reincarnated Turtle\_Titan\_yt, who had risen to become king of Galinor in this life. Rumor states that as soon as Jester escaped his cell, he turned his attention to avenging his own grievances, targeting the man responsible for landing him and the rest of the high council of Aquos in a cell in Wakked Castle's dungeons by accusing them of being part of the NILF conspiracy. It is a fact that shortly after Jester escaped, Turtle went missing and was never seen or heard from again. But many others also had friends and allies who died in the dungeons on Bloody Wednesday, and cause to lay the blame at Turtle's feet, and no substantial evidence of Jester's involvement has ever been found.

Despite Jester's personal spat with the High King of the Riverlands, Aquos remained allied with the Riverlands in the war against Nashar. After his escape, Jester immediately ordered two construction projects for the war effort against Nashar. First, the excavation of the Northmarch Channel, providing water access to Nashar's lieutenant Terebus' base, Eagle's Reach. Second, the construction of a new warship, the AWS Undertow, which was built in the Aquos shipyard, then sailed through the newly opened channel right to Terebus' doorstep, where it was moored and set to monitoring the situation as an advance scout. A security crew of "stacks of sea dogs" was assigned to the new vessel. Terebus made threats to the Undertow, giving it a limited time to withdraw before he would fire naval guns upon it. Aquos kept its silence and played for time, knowing the coalition against Nashar would be mounting a full-scale attack soon. When the time was nearly up, Jester requested a parley, during which he noted Terebus didn't actually have any naval guns, granted Terebus a ceasefire, and told Terebus to pay the toll for using the seas of Drevhall without Aquos' permission, or his island base would be sunk beneath the waves, giving him a few days to comply. Any construction of naval guns or attack on the Undertow would end the ceasefire and lead to immediate hostilities. Shortly thereafter, Jester spied Terebus building a cannon on the island from the crow's nest of the Undertow, and declared "Terebus has chosen war.". The Undertow fired a single shot, destroying the cannon. In response, Terebus assembled a legion and dispatched them to board the Undertow and kill the crew on board. Jester and his sea dogs repelled the assault, and remained stationed at the island, keeping it from building up naval defenses until the coalition's main force arrived.

When the coalition assaulted Eagle's Reach, Aquos forces transferred to the SoulSpite and served as a security force for the ship.

#### Foundation of The Union

With Nashar's invasion quelled for the time being, Aquos turned its attention to recruitment to bolster its flagging population, and dealing with the assassins of the Red Hand. The nation welcomed Fantons and Jackskele to its ranks, a decision that would prove fateful. Upon being apprised of the situation, Jack presented a plan to Jester to find out who was behind the assassins and strike back. Jack began working as a mercenary, and in performing his services fostered an alliance between Galinor and Aquos. He advertised his services as a killer for hire, and was eventually contacted to kill Jester. Jack named his price for this task 40 rubies, and was paid the blood-red gems to perform the service. Yet instead of killing the now de facto head of Aquos, Jack told Jester about the deal, and together, the two plotted.

While Jack could not reveal who had paid the price, Jester was immediately suspicious of the High King of the Riverlands, for few others could afford to pay such a steep price for his head, and they shared a complicated history. And so he moved to consolidate the power of the nations outside of the Riverlands in case what they did next led to armed conflict. And so Jester opened the treasury of Aquos to other nations, and the Argos Union was formed, an alliance between the independent states of Aquos, Frontier, Frostmare, Galinor, and Veteres.

During a meeting with representatives from the Union, the signs of an invisible assassin were spotted prowling around the AWS Pride. The ship was immediately put into lockdown while Illu and Jack went to chase the uninvited guest, but they escaped. Not a moment later, the High King of the Riverlands tried to teleport himself to Fantons in the hold of the ship where Jester was. Jester sent Fantons to a holding cell on the upper deck before accepting the teleportation request, teleporting the King into a cell in a dramatic reversal of Jester and his situations a few weeks before. The King took umbrage at this, and demanded his release, and after stating he was there to speak with Fantons, was released with only momentary delay.

#### The Death of Jester I

Jack later came to Jester and told him that they were running out of time, and if he did not execute his task, he would be killed by the people who had hired him, and stated his certainty that in an open confrontation, even with the full might of the union behind them and more time to prepare for open battle, Aquos could not win. When pressed for details, Jack answered that he could not reveal how he knew this would be so, but that he was sure of it. Trusting in Jack's assessment, Jester contacted his old colleague from his days in the DSD, TheClassyBritish, in an attempt to cheat even death. Jester proposed that she allow Jack to kill him with the Anima relics, allowing Jack to present his head, and him to return once more with no one the wiser once a new body could be constructed for him. But she refused. He explained that this could be their best chance to find out who was behind the murder of Julian and avenge him, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. Jack whispered to Jester, asking if he should kill her and take the relics by force, but Jester told him to stand down, and let Classy go on her way.

With a heavy heart, Jester summoned his closest friend, IllumniEclipse to say goodbye. And to ensure that someone else would know the truth. He laid out his last plan. Jack was to kill him and take his head, using it to gain the assassins and their employers' trust, infiltrate them, identify them, and destroy them from within. He asked Illu to support Jack in this effort, and keep an eye on him should he prove false, and left various messages to be delivered to those responsible for his death. He promoted Jack to councilor of Aquos and left the nation's fate in his hands. With the preparations complete, Jester traded his life to protect one of his people and try to bring ruin to his enemies, and considered it a fair trade. He drowned at the bottom of the High Temple of the Deep One in Aquos, and was then beheaded by Jack. For the entire event, it rained, and the moment Jester died, lightning flashed across the sky and the seas began to storm, as if the Deep One took note of his sacrifice.

In his will, Jester left most of his wealth, including his scepter, to his cousin, on the condition he finish his incomplete plans. He also left a massive endowment of netherite, hundreds of mending books, and the stock of many of his shops to the nation's treasury.

#### Second Monarchy

JackSkele reformed Aquos into a kingdom once more, and took the crown. Shortly after claiming the throne of Aquos, Jack raided the nation's treasury and pocketed all of its rubies and netherite. He spent some of his newfound personal wealth on recruitment efforts and outfitting Aquosians, but kept the bulk of it for himself. Under his rulership tensions within the Union rose, for the Union felt that the wealth of Aquos was theirs to share in, but the new leader felt differently. As an alliance, the union did not survive long after Jester's death.

#### Collapse

Shortly after taking the reins of leadership, Jack abruptly abandoned his position and country, leaving Ion Archery in charge. Ion disbanded Aquos, and took what remained of the citizens of Aquos and founded her sylvan queendom of Salacia on the nearby coast.

It was then discovered that Jack had been an agent of Nashar, and had betrayed Aquos. He later fell battling Nashar's enemies.

#### Conservation

Jester's cousin, who would later be known by the name Jester II, arrived on the shores of Drevhall with a contract to finish building up Aquos, among other unfinished great labors. Though the nation was no more, the sea and the plans remained. Jester II took over the building projects in the region, and purchased the navy his cousin had built, and labored to build it up to match Jester I's vision.

### Holdings

#### Aquos (Oceana)

The underwater capital of the nation, located in the heart of the Sea of Ice, built with technology salvaged from old Aquos. Docks (nicknamed Dockuos by the locals) and a floating auction house were constructed near the underwater capital, turning it into an important hub for trade. Later construction added West Dockuos, where the market plaza, arts district, and high temple reside, and the East Dockuos industrial district, featuring a lighthouse, sawmill, and the grand Aquos Shipyard, the largest in the world and headquarters of the Shipwright's Guild.

#### Bogwater

A northern trading outpost built atop a toll bridge spanning the swamplands along the Vena Inferior between the northern Riverlands, joining Epheria, Thoronor, and Laputria. Ruled by JesterInBlack. It is also the home of the prestigious Aquos Armories.

#### The Rafts

A collection of floating rafts joined together in the shadow of a lighthouse built atop jagged cliffs, located northwest of the capital, in the Sea of Ice. Formerly ruled by Mafia Cheesestick.

#### Whitecastle

On the eastern edge of the Sea of Ice, near the intersea canal, lies Whitecastle, home of the Aquos Royal Academy.

#### The Intersea Canal

A canal which joins the Baratone Sea and the Sea of Ice, completing the only expedient north-south trading route for large ships. Aquos ships pass through it for free, but other ships must pay a small fee to use this vital trade route.

#### The Northmarch Canal

A canal which joins the north seas, allowing full-size vessels to sail to Northmarch.

#### Bright Tower

North of Northmarch, atop a small island in the northern sea sat a lonely lighthouse which served as a reprieve for sailors. During the Second Nashar Invasion, Aquos lost contact with it, and it mysteriously disappeared. Historians suggest that it may have been disassembled by Terebus for materials to construct Eagle's Reach.

#### The Northern Water Temple

North of Bright Tower, a temple erected atop an ocean monument supplies Aquos with prismarine, fish, and ink.

#### The Southern Water Temple

South of Aquos, a temple erected around an ocean monument serves as a source of experience, fish, and prismarine. The altar of sacrifice housed at the temple's center is open to the public.

### Fleet

Being a predominantly aquatic nation, Aquos owns a number of ships.

#### AWS Pride

The flagship of the Aquosian fleet, this first-rate ship of the line of leviathan proportions is permanently moored near the Aquos docks to protect it from pirate attacks. A ship of more than simple wood, it is reinforced with the bones of a leviathan. The ship's cargo bay contains the Aquos treasury.

#### AWS Segunda

The second war ship constructed by Aquos. Featured a complement of sixty functional TNT cannons, only two of which were forward guns. This layout of armaments led to it being sunk in the Battle of the Pirate Bay.

#### AWS Undertow

The third war ship constructed by Aquos, and the first of the armored models developed to withstand fire in response to the fate of the Segunda. The Undertow was a small warship in comparison to the leviathans, featuring a complement of only four short-range and two long-range cannons. However, what it lacked in firepower it made up for in maneuverability, and its size allowed it to project power further away across waters too shallow for the larger vessels. It was built for and served in the Second Nashar Invasion, including the assault of Eagle's Reach and the lead up to it.

#### AWS Wrath

The fourth war ship constructed by Aquos, an improvement on the Undertow's design. The ship is a distinctive red color as it is made from expensive mangrove wood. It is stationed at the shipyard in east Dockuos to defend it.

#### AWS Imperator

Constructed in the aftermath of the Second Nashar Invasion to blockade access to Aquos from the east.

#### **AWS Inclement Thunder**

Constructed for the Marina-Frontier conflict, the AWS Inclement Thunder is an improvement on both the Wrath and Imperator designs.

#### AMS Rum Runner

The AMS Rum Runner is a blockade runner, built to be fast and shallow on the draft, although lightly armed and armored.

#### AMS Tradewind

JesterInBlack's trading vessel, it makes stops across the world at Bogwater, Aquos, New Harbor, Samarium, Caladan, and Plantatia. Jester plans to add stops at Laputria to its route in the future.

#### Turtle's Fishing Boat

The first ship in the fleet, it remains on display at Dockuos.

#### SS Chimken

Named in memory of Sir Chimken, who tragically drowned, this vessel sails from Dockuos back and forth to the rafts.

### Relics

The prior king of Aquos' armor was a relic of Aquos, acquired by ZachZero, and given to Turtle. Turtle took it with him when he was dethroned.

JeterInBlack holds the sceptre of Emperor Anyr.

### Relations

Aquos' general stance is to be at peace with everyone, and to stand against unprovoked aggression, preferably through diplomacy, supply agreements, or applying economic pressure.

Aquos was at war with Nashar.

Nashar: After an unprovoked attack upon Aquos' flagship and attacks against its people and allies, Aquos declared war on Nashar.

Salacia: Salacia was founded by Aquosians.

New Harbor: Aquos and New Harbor were closely allied. When New Harbor split into Cortosa and Frontier, Aquos retained strong relations with them.

Frostmare: Aquos and Frostmare were allied.

Veteres: Aquos and Veteres had a defensive pact, and vow to defend one another against unprovoked attacks.

Uzacan: Aquos and Uzacan were at peace.

Laputria: Aquos and Laputria traded. They have had a territorial dispute in the past, which was settled by ceding the contested land to Laputria. Laputria isn't a big fan of the intersea canal's perceived encroachment upon their territory. Bogwater has made guarantees to Laputria not to allow military forces opposed to them across the bridge in exchange for an alliance should Bogwater's neutrality be challenged.

Thoronor: Aquos and Thoronor were at peace, at least officially.

Epheria: Aquos and Epheria were at peace.

Riverlands: Aquos and the Riverlands were at peace, and enjoyed trading relations. Aquos was once even invited to join the Riverlands, but the sea is neither river nor land. Aquos territories don't follow the same laws as the Riverlands, which can sometimes be a cause for tension (Though, importantly, Aquos citizens are bound by the laws of other lands while in other territories). On occasion, Aquos had tensions with the Riverlands.

Khazel Zalam: Aquos and Khazel Zalam were at peace, and Aquos bought most of their stone from the dwarven kingdom.

#### Past Nations

Samarium: Aquos made a pact to defend Samarium and Galinor against unprovoked aggression, should diplomacy and mediation fail. After the leaders of Aquos were accused of being members of NILF by the now king of Galinor, Turtle, relations soured. With Turtle's death, the nation of Galinor collapsed, and their defense pact was ended.

Tenebris: Aquos and Tenebris had a defensive pact, and vowed to defend each other against unprovoked attacks.

Kitrov: Aquos and Kitrov were at peace. Kitrov wasn't a big fan of the intersea canal's perceived encroachment upon their territory.

Frostlands: Aquos did not openly support the Frostlands due to their openly bellicose stance toward the High King, and to distance themselves from their dethroned king so as not to draw the ire of the Riverlands. JesterInBlack of Aquos even briefly bloodlessly besieged the Frostlands in an attempt to get them to surrender Mon\_key to collect the bounty on him, but abandoned the seige when the Frostlands refused to concede.

Darenthar: Aquos and Darenthar were at peace.