Echs

An island named after the cross-shape of the land. Located at the very western edge of the Archipelago, the island was believed to be mostly inhabited by a predominantly Human civilisation based on the east of the island, though things may not be as it seems...

Echs is known to be the home of aspiring politician Christo Gatimigy, and now also known to be the birthplace of Kunai.

* Tourist Information Map
* Christo's Expanded Map

## A Brief History

Despite the established and growing reach of influence of the Ilbidor Archaeology Guild, next to nothing was known of the Island of Echs prior to the revelation from Kunai that it was the place of his birth. Kunai, with great hesitance and trepidation, revealed that his family living atop the Vakatow Spire Mountain Range were part of an ancient Order responsible for guarding a powerful and terrifying secret...

## West Echs

The Western portion of Echs appeared to be the the only inhabited area on the entire island, covered by a sprawling population which is almost entirely human or humanoid. Stretching from the 'only' deep water port on the island, Isairne, to the Obelisk in the far west and the glistening ancient capital city of Miskanshen located in the protective embrace of the Aegis Mountains in the centre of the island, the Human territory is easily defensible against attack from the outside.

### Politics

The Human Civilisation of Echs is governed by the High Senate, comprised of elected representatives from each of the major settlements on the island. The number of Senators elected is proportional to the size of the settlement, with each of the wards of the capital city Miskanshen considered as it's own settlement. While a Senator's seat comes up for re-election every five years, Echsian society values continuity and stability very highly, thus many Senators can serve for prolonged periods without the threat of losing their seat. Some terms have been known to be held until the death of a Senator. The most recently elected Senator to the Echsian Government is Christo Gatimigy of Miskanshen, elected to represent to Miskanshen: Ward of Antiquity.

On election of a new Senator, the Senate Assembly is officially reformed by the Head of State, King Alliser Comorrah. All elected Senators then vote to elect a new Lord President, frequently referred to as Premier, and Lord Councillors from among their ranks. This matter must always be closed prior to the conclusion of the first session of the newly reformed Senate. The Senate Council is comprised of the following positions:

* Lord President

* Lord Chancellor
* Lord Defender
* Lord Architect
* Lord Archivist

The Echsian Senate is headquartered in the Grand Senate Chambers within the Pillar of Caragascint, the soaring Howlite Tower at the centre of the Miskanshen skyline.

### Society

The make-up of West Echsian society is racially almost entirely Human or Humanoid. No particular ill-will is born by the general populace towards folk of a bestial nature, however in living memory, there has been no record of society ever being anything other than it is now.

The people of Echs are characteristically hard working, not just in support of themselves and their families, but of their friends and neighbours. As such, the island has created an incredibly tight-knit civilisation that will not tolerate leaving others behind. This has lead to a well developed and maintained infrastructure and an almost total lack of homelessness or true poverty.

### Key Locations

* Miskanshen - The glistening, ancient capital city at the heart of the island. Home to the Echsian Government, the glittering class of businesspeople and notable figures, but also the majority of commercial and manufacturing facilities on the island.
* Isairne - A sprawling port city which is home to the deep-water port essential for travel and commerce in and out of the island.
* Leirminn - A mining town in the foothills of the Aegis Mountains, on the Clay Road between Isairne and Miskanshen.
* Shimara - A quaint, lakeside town known for it's combination of Fisheries and Salt farming traditions, and more recently boutique countryside Spas and Restaurants. Along the Salt Road between Isairne and the Memorial Obelisk
* Memorial Obelisk - A memorial to the lives lost through both Military and Naval ventures. A deeply respected location by all members of Society.

### Prominent Citizens

King Alliser Comorrah

Christo Gatimigy

## East Echs

Believed by the Human population to be an vast, uninhabited expanse of territory, it has since been revealed through the recent exploits of Party to in fact be the home to a substantial civilisation comprised of many tribes of Beastfolk spread across the eastern territory. The east of the island has a designated road and path network connecting the tribes and settlements together, as well as linking in the small and hidden dock in the crook of the south-eastern Pensinsula in the Bay of Silence.

### Politics

Society is organised through and ancient and time-honoured system of Tribal Speakers. The myriad tribes of the East each nominate a Speaker who shall represent them at The Convocation, held once per year. Speakers travel to The Law Rock to hold the annual Convocation, during which the Speakers vote to elect their Lawspeaker for the following year. Any matters of tribal law are then discussed by the Speakers before conclusion of the Convocation, and the Gods' Feast begins.

The Law Rock is located outside the gates of The Sunshadow Fortress. The Law Rock has forever been considered as ancestral sacred territory for which the Lawspeaker is personally responsible for defending, and bears a mighty throne carved into the rock upon which the Lawspeaker sits while The Convocation and any other formal proceedings are in session.

The current Lawspeaker is the Leonin Warrior, Tupelo Sunshadow. The Sunshadow family have held the position of Lawspeaker for many generations, renowned as both some of the fiercest Warriors and most benevolent and kind leaders that the Beastfolk tribes have ever known.

### Society

While taking their prime direction from The Lawspeaker, each of the tribes across the eastern island are predominantly self-governing under the guidance of their respective Speakers. As such, each tribe is almost entirely self-sufficient and the masters of their respective environments. Each tribe is honour-bound to answer the call to defend each other if possible and to pass on critical information, and obligated to answer the call of The Lawspeaker under any circumstances.

As each tribe is self-sufficient, only the most difficult to obtain goods in items are shipped in from off-island. This supply chain is administered by the Sunshadow family from within their fortress, though the sailor and pirate D'Esterre, the mutual contact of Tupelo Sunshadow and Christo Gatimigy.

### Key Locations

* Sunshadow Fortress - Home to the Sunshadow Family and the "administrative centre" of the Beastfolk Tribes. A thriving community residing in the ruins of an abandoned city.
* Hidden Docks - A second deep-water port located on the Bay of Silence. The landing place of D'Esterre's ship, *Chameleo Viridi*.
* Theyhani Forest - The sprawling forest coating much of the eastern half of Echs. Borders the Miskanshen Staging Fields, the Aegis Mountains, the Strait of Emeralds and the Bay of Silence.
* Eastway Road - The main thoroughfare from the Sunshadow Fortress to the Strait of Emeralds. Thought to be the route for would-be assailants to access the West.

### Prominent Citizens

Tupelo Sunshadow - Lawspeaker of the Beatfolk. 9ft Tall, Jet Black Leonin Warrior.

Marleo Sunshadow - Son of Tupelo Sunshadow. Self-Confident, almost cocky 7ft tall Auburn Leonin Warrior. Honourary Ziggurat.

Zorrah Sunshadow - Step-Son of Tupelo Sunshadow. Tabaxi Wizard, dismissive and contemptous of his step-father's orders.

Cirrah Sunshadow - Step-Daughter of Tupelo Sunshadow. Tabaxi Wizard, pyromaniac and volatile. Answers to none but her twin-brother.