Crystal clear waters seem to whisper between the rocks, where calm waves have been crashing since the dawn of time at a periodic, almost mystical rhythm. The Waters of Oceathis enchant dazzling beaches of smooth pebbles, shells and enveloping sand. Sweet hospitable shores extend over the region where birds sing mysterious songs among furtive glances.
The abyssal gods and their mystical progeny of Merfolk heroes populate the depths of the waters of these sacred places, immersed in a deep mystical sleep ready to erupt in the most powerful of storms, when the wrath of the mysterious abyssal deities is awakened for reasons obscure to the mere mortals.
These lands were once central parts of the largest and most enduring Empire on the continent, that of the sea deities who are said to one day envelop all known coasts.
It is said that the underwater city of Oceathis lay at the center of the archipelago of small islands of the Waters of Oceathis, where the High Priestess of the Merfolk influences the entire region, calling down the “excommunication of the sea” on any island in the region that does not respect the abyssal gods.
In fact, some adventurous people have in the past founded and then abandoned small coastal villages on the coasts in search of a merchant port or a bay in which to hide the goods…
The most common titles of the region are “Basileus”,“Tyrannos”, “Exarch”, “Strategos”, “Captain” or “Emir” depending on the Faction type. No faction in the region normally initially boasts the title of King, Empire or Emperor; the Great Priestess keeps watch over any transgressor of this rule…
Merfolk, Trading and Pirate cultures are dominant in the region. Individual physical strength or respect for some basic religious value are often found in tribal societies.
Factions in this region must be religious and must involve the Sea in their Religion.
The most widespread race is the Merfolk (Thallasi) one, which can’t be excluded by factions of these regions.
The factions of this region are bound to respect the abyssal gods, which can happen in many ways.
In the ancient glories in which the Sea Empire flooded the continent, these small provinces were headed by the Emperor of Oceathis himself; however as time passed the Exarchates became increasingly independent and synonymous with “kingdom” to Merfolk around the world, sometimes expanding from the sea onto the islands in the archipelago.
In each Exarchate the Exarch is the political and military leader, usually assisted by a priest capable of consulting the sea gods in order not to anger them. Exarchates usually have a large focus on the defense of territory and the defense of Merfolk culture as well as its promotion and dissemination.
It is customary for entertainment in an Exarchate to take place with public events, such as theatrical performances or tournaments, and for funds to be spent on the construction of new and increasingly grandiose temples.
Examples of popular names are:
male: Orion, Zephyr, Aristides, Xander, Leander
female: Daphne, Penelope, Maya, Calliope, Ariadne
The abyssal gods are of obscure understanding to most mortals on the continent, who often cannot explain why they protect pirates and bandits of all kinds, giving them safe havens among beaches and inlets.
Well for the various “Abyssal Hunters” the Merfolk religion is nothing more than the only revelation: a deep and powerful voice that starts from the bottom of the abyssal depths to shake society itself.
Adventure, cunning, combative resourcefulness are all part of their life: that of sea dogs for whom every day of piracy is a bet, and every gamble a prayer to the abyssal gods.
Groups of bandits and pirates organize themselves in the most diverse and original ways.
Examples of popular names are: men: Ashford Golden Tooth, Harlow the Snake, Osbert the Executioner, Swinford the Silver Eye. female: Roxie the Wrath, Vergie the Banished, Elmira the Cold, Glenna the Butcher.
It happened in the past that the Great Khanate born in the Barbaricum reached this far, bringing with it part of its people and its culture.
Some of the people of these shores seem to have kept the oracle of Olk-Dhezug dear even after the fall of the Khanate, giving life to a singular example of a unique culture of its kind.
Humans and orcs have befriended the Merfolk and begun planting orchards and erecting temples to the abyssal gods on the small islands surrounding Oceathis, seeking the best harmony between the various cultures and races of the region.
This ancient idyllic dream unfortunately ended centuries ago due to a gigantic earthquake followed by a tsunami, however the dream of multiculturalism remains cherished by Merfolk history scholars.
Examples of popular names are:
men: Ember, Alioth, Alkaid, Castor, Sirius.
female: Vega, Rigel, Sidra, Aster, Andromeda.