Achteth Confederacy

*"Off the Eastern Coast, on the island of Tirith is the small trade port of Caegia. It acts as the northern gateway into Azos. All trade ships from the north must pass through Caegia. Here, Rubygill officials vet the ships and inspect their cargo. Caegia is also famed for the braided rope mermaids made by the Darkriver family. The amount of mermaid symbolism and designs unique to this island brings many travelers, and the tourism alone supports the island’s economy completely." - Komuruk Murat's Compendium of Elarian Cultures*

Likely the most lucrative trading nation on Ceacleth, the Achteth Confederacy has stood the test of centuries.

The capital city of the Achteth Confederacy is Pirandost.

#### **Location and Climate**

The Achteth Confederacy is a coastal province located south of Proydor. The climate varies widely across the province, ranging from the cooler, marshier climate of the northeast to the near tropical climate of the southern islands.

#### **Races**

Achteth’s population mainly consists of humans and goblinoids, although historically many of the most successful traders were of Elvish or Orcish descent. Almost every race has a fair population in Achteth. Generally speaking, natives to Achteth have tan to dark skin. Dark hair, shades of brown, mahogany, and black, are common in Humans, while the Elves are more predisposed to light blond, silver, or white hair.

#### **Industries and Exports**

A large part of Achteth’s economy lies with its fishing industry, with its ability to export both tropical and cooler-ocean fish thanks to the diversity offered by its oceanic territories. There are also a few notable trading hubs located in Achteth.

#### **Imports**

Achteth imports a lot of wood and metal, as the province does not have much access to these materials and they are very important for ship making.

#### **History and Culture**

Achteth has a rich maritime history and has produced many famous pirates and sailors through the years that it has stood. A popular art form is that of rope braiding and weaving. Mask making is also popular.

#### **War of Ilhir**

Achteth was formerly part of Proydor, but split from the province alongside Brua and Deep Brigande as part of the Sovereign Coast Accord drafted after the War of Ilhir.

The Siege of Maidens was the battle that ended the War of Ilhir. A company of twelve Achtethian women named the Azure Array led the siege on Proydorian-occupied Pirandost (formerly Ellares), and overtook the city within a week.

#### **Holidays**

In Pirandost, there is an annual festival called the Feast of Lanterns.

#### **Government**

Achteth is a loose confederacy of trading guilds. All of the guilds are ranked depending on their size and influence, but generally speaking, all of the guilds answer to the Rubygill Order, the main trading guild installed in Pirandost. The Rubygill Order’s presence in Pirandost gives it the status of capital city. The Rubygill Order is the largest and most successful trading organization on Ceacleth, and possibly the world, with hundreds of embassies in other provinces and on other continents. The current magnate to the Rubygill Order is a High Elf named Vesryn Faelock. Vesryn is known for his charisma and economic insight.

#### **Guilds**

Members of the Rubygill Order will usually have the Achtethian crest, a red snapper with a ruby eye, tattooed somewhere on their body. This, as in having the tattooed likeness of a respective guild crest, is true of most, if not all, Achtethian guilds.

#### **Religion**

The most generally worshipped deity in Achteth is Waukeen, the goddess of trade, but like many other provinces, there is worship of many or all other deities. However, the Rubygill Order recognizes worship of Waukeen as the main provincial religion.

#### **Weapons and Armor**

Generally speaking, Achtethian guards, (who are usually under Rubygill employ), are equipped with a falchion or machete, studded leather armor, wide thatched papyrus hats, and long scarves and colored bands on the wrists, ankles, and throat to determine guild affiliation.