Ru'ora Archipelago
The Ru’ora Archipelago can best be described as a tropical paradise. Crystal clear waters lap against white sand beaches, crash over volcanic shorelines, and flow into coves, lagoons, and underground caverns. Within sight of the Arcorret Reef, Ru’ora is a haven for all manner of aquatic wildlife, nearly all brightly colored and vibrant.
Ru’ora is ruled by the Typhoon Conclave, a once-a-month meeting of elected tribal leaders at Lavepunga, the City of Shells. It is there that the laws of Ru’ora are handed down, though it would be farcical to say that many such laws are regarded with too much seriousness. Above all, the law of the land in Ru’ora is to live and let live.
Ru’ora is probably best known as the vacation spot of the Four Kingdoms’ nobles, who flock in droves to its beaches and sparkling cities during the colder months of their homelands. Otherwise, the Rurese economy revolves around spices, precious stones, fish, and exotic fruits. Despite having access to such rare resources, the people of Ru’ora are not particularly wily traders or wealth focused, they would rather end a deal with an alcoholic coconut drink and a smile than with massive profits.
The Rurese people are laidback in the extreme, rarely concerning themselves with the political intrigue of other nations. They tend to work only as much as is necessary, instead focusing most of their time on leisure activities and bettering themselves spiritually and philosophically. They are not uneducated, as their culture may suggest, they simply find more value in the simple things in life.
The Typhoon Conclave
The Typhoon Conclave is the governing body of the Ru'ora Archipelago and is composed of elected tribal leaders from each of the major islands and settlements. The exact number of members can vary, but there are typically around 20-25 members in total. The Conclave meets once a month in the capital city of Lavepunga, where they discuss and make decisions on important issues affecting the Archipelago as a whole, such as trade agreements, alliances, and laws. The members of the Conclave are elected by their respective communities through a process that varies from island to island. Some may hold public elections, while others may have a more traditional tribal selection process. The only requirement for a member of the Conclave is that they must be a tribal leader from one of the major settlements in the Archipelago. While the Conclave holds a great deal of power in the governance of Ru'ora, they are not an absolute ruling body. The individual islands and settlements are largely autonomous, and the Conclave's decisions are typically advisory in nature. However, the Conclave does have the power to levy taxes and impose regulations on trade and commerce throughout the Archipelago, so their decisions do carry weight. This is in line with the overall philosophy of the kingdom, which emphasizes living and letting live. As a result, the leaders of Ru'ora have little interest in expanding their territory or engaging in political or military conflicts with other nations. The Typhoon Conclave is known for its informal and laid-back approach to governance, reflecting the relaxed and carefree lifestyle of the Rurese people. The tribal leaders are typically elected based on their wisdom and experience, rather than their political savvy or ambition. They serve as advisors to the local leaders of the islands, rather than dictating policy or imposing their will on the populace. Overall, the Typhoon Conclave embodies the values and spirit of Ru'ora - a peaceful, easy-going, and spiritually-focused society that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of its people over material wealth or power.A Selection of Current Conclave Elders
- Nalu: A wise and respected Tortle elder known for his shrewd counsel and calm demeanor.
- Loma Ullur: A merfolk priestess of Manem who represents the spiritual interests of the archipelago.
- Thraoslynk: A fiery lizardfolk warrior and diplomat who is known for her fierce loyalty to the Archipelago and her uncompromising defense of its interests.
- Colahu Karac: A merfolk artist and philosopher who is known for her innovative and thought-provoking ideas about art, culture, and society.
- Geyser: A genasi trader and entrepreneur who represents the commercial interests of the Archipelago and is skilled at navigating the sometimes complex web of foreign relations.
The Laws of Magic
- Divine and Natural Magic are both legal.
- Arcane Magic is not practiced in the Archipelago, but possessing it is not illegal, though does require registration with local authorities.
- Necromancy is outright illegal.
- Magic that comes from pledging oneself to Outsiders or agents of the Primordials is strictly illegal.
- Sorcerers are generally accepted by others.
Structure
Secular Hierarchy
- Chief
- Elder
- Speaker
- Messenger
Demography and Population
Population: approx. 2,150,000
Demographics:
- Merfolk 39%
- Tortles 24%
- Lizardfolk 17%
- Genasi 14%
- Misc. 6%
Religion
Ru'ora Archipelago maintains a special devotion to Manem.
Foreign Relations
The Ru'ora Archipelago is a peaceful kingdom that values neutrality and is not interested in expansion or colonialism. As a result, they have few enemies and many friends. They maintain friendly relations with most of the neighboring kingdoms and city-states, including Shixra, with whom they have a strong alliance.
Ru'ora does not engage in formal diplomacy, preferring to interact with other nations on an informal basis. They welcome traders and visitors from all over Edras and are known for their hospitality. However, they do not involve themselves in the political affairs of other nations and prefer to maintain a neutral stance in conflicts.
Overall, the Ru'ora Archipelago is viewed positively by other nations, with many appreciating their peaceful nature and unique culture. They are often seen as a retreat for the wealthy and powerful, as well as a source of exotic resources such as spices, precious stones, fish, and fruits.
Priesthood
Religious Hierarchy
- Shaman
- Medicine Man
- Ghost Dancer
Founding Date
1773 AS
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Rurese
Government System
Tribalism
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Barter system
Currency
Pearls
Official State Religion
Deities
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Comments