The Scarlet Sea

Nations of the Scarlet Sea

The Fraternal Empire of Teutonic Princes: The dominant power of Eastern Europe, the Teutonic Empire is a doddering old empire on the brink of collapse. Riven with quarrels between its ruling princes and poisoned by nationalist rebellion, it seems certain to decay and fall. Already, opportunities for mercenaries, pirates, and demagogues sprout like mushrooms on a rotting log, waiting to be plucked by those with the courage and cunning to seek them.

Kingdom of Drusiana: A constituent kingdom of the Teutonic Empire, Drusiana is a young nation yearning to be free of its Teutonic rulers. Its ports are havens for pirates and spies alike, drawn by lax laws and ill-paid lawmen.

Principality of Parede: A breakaway province of Drusiana, Parede is ruled by a pretender to the Drusian throne, a traitorous son advocating secession and Tyrnian unity.

Margravate of Garn: A powerful and wealthy princedom of the Teutonic Empire, the Margravate is undergoing a cultural renaissance. If her artists, poets, and writers have their way, it will be but the first flowering of a new and independent Garnian identity.

Most Serene Republic of Nacria: One of the most powerful city-states on the Tyrnian Peninsula, Nacria exploited the Great War to become the dominant trade power of Southern Europe.

Principality of Melanza: A once-powerful city-state, and now client of the Republic of Nacria, Melanza is a land of fertile fields and sheer, hand-cut mountains.

Most Serene Republic of Luni: Threatened by its neighbors and divided in its leadership, Luni survives through the support of its once-rival, Nacria. Its agents seek for subtle and silver-tongued freelancers, the better to win the hearts and minds of their citizens away from the fervor of Tyrnian nationalism and submission to the western nation of Caltiberia.

Free City of Spina: Most minor of the city-states which dominate the Tyrnian Peninsula, Spina's wealth and power were derived from the vast vineyards it once controlled.

Grand Duchy of Tarchon: The last remnant of the Arslan Khaganate, the Grand Duchy was founded by Avar mercenaries and remains renowned as the Land of Mercenaries.

Republic of the Five Islands: Once a puppet of Nacria, the Pentinsular Republic now has powerful allies in Astoria and the United Kingdom willing to guarantee her independence.

Kingdom of Thetas: The powder-keg of Europe, which sparked The Great War. Having won independence from the Olm Empire, its cities are being torn apart by socialists, monarchists, anarchists, republicans, and militarists looking to seize the reins of the kingdom's future.

The Olm Empire: One of the Central Powers, the Olm Empire is also falling apart in the wake of The Great War. Ambitious ketzals and calpuehs deny the distant authority of the Jaguar Throne, and long-downtrodden slave races rise up and wage bloody wars. For those willing to brave the treacherous and decadent lands of the Olmecs, the treasures of Africa and the Orient are there for the taking.

Khiimori Khaganate: Formerly located to the east of the Teutonic Empire, the Khaganate is in the midst of a violent revolution driving streams of Temurian refugees into Europe. Effective rule of the Khaganate no longer exists, though the largest faction of revolutionaries claims the entirety of its old territory. Ambitious Teutonic princes and remnants of the Khiimori aristocracy contest that claim.

Other Factions

The Immortal Azure Khanate

The largest single Cycle in the Western world, unique in its monotheism. The followers of the Azure Khan can be found in the furthest islands of the west to the coldest steppes of the east, in towering forests of the New World and sweltering jungles of the Old.

The Bardic Colleges

The collective term for the hierarchies of priests, druids, shamans, and clerics of the European Cycles. The largest and oldest bardic college is the College of Ulm, which is the heart of the Teutonic faith.

People of the Scarlet Sea

Avarenes

A historic ethnic group, long absorbed into the modern nationalities of the Scarlet Sea. The Avarenes arose from several coastal enclaves of the Avar barbarians, and their intermixture with indigenous Teuto-Remans. Their cultural and military influence spread from these enclaves to encompass much of southern Europe, and would have lasting effects on the systems of law, governance, and language throughout the region. While many of the Avarene people now identify as Tyrnians, Teutons, and other nationalities, the Grand Duchy of Tarchon claims an unbroken line of descent in custom, law, and blood from the Avarene Arslan Khaganate, making it the sole remaining Avarene state.

Locations of Note

Meersgrünau: This small fishing village was once famous for the fields of green seagrass and herds of sea turtles that can be found in the waters about its island. Now it is better known as an idyllic hotspot for pilots, engineers, and seaplane fancies.

Ulm: Capital of the Teutonic Empire