Creation Et All/Coral Archipelago
From BluWiki
The Coral Archipelago is the second-largest nation in the West and is more warlike than most of the other island nations in the region. It is a militant dictatorship which intends to dominate those island states around it with Wavecrest being their primary target.
The Coral Archipelago itself consists of around two dozen islands, with a total population greater than 200,000. The people of the Coral Archipelago are dependent upon the sea for their livelihood, because the land is limited in space, none of the atolls larger than a hundred and fifty square miles, and little of that available space is arable. The part of the ocean they are located in has distinct seasons, so Coral suffers chill winds and cold rain for much of the year.
The Coral Archipelago’s economy is based on naval power - depending on booty and the spoils of conquest. The islands are ruled by a dictator who goes by the title of Sea Lord who commands a military bureaucracy and is advised by the wealthiest inhabitants of the atolls. Although the Sea Lord and the military are exceptions to this, status in Coral is based purely on wealth. Those achieving great wealth are considered blessed by the Ocean Father, a powerful god revered by all Coral islanders. Women are legally considered to be lesser beings who may not vote and are under the authority of the male members of their families. Justice is also based on money, and all criminals are fined or must become indentured servants, working out crippling labor or serving on suicidal naval missions.
While Coral’s navy is notorious and feared, the pirates of Coral have an even broader reputation. Operating with letters of marque purchased from The Sea Lord, these pirates are sworn to never to interfere with Coral’s ships or her current allies while Coral provides safe havens for them and markets for their booty. In a similar fashion, merchants who commonly visit Coral can purchase certificates of safe passage that give them immunity from pirates bearing letters of marque from Coral for the period of one month. Their open tolerance of pirates, and other social factors, makes Coral an enemy of the Realm. However, because it has little that the Realm wants it is ignored as long as they avoid expansionistic activities.
Coral has also attained some fame for its gambling halls, slave trade, drug dens and brothels. The archipelago's inhabitants may look down on foreigners from time to time, but they are eager to take their jade or attain their aid in their plans of piracy or conquest.
