Independent Canal Settlements
Nestled between the Feloran Successor States of the Sovereignty of Soren and the Sarendian Trust, a dozen small settlements dot the canal system here. Founded one by one by different peoples fleeing their old homes over 200 years, they claimed the Saelathel Valley from the Elves who had abandoned it in the centuries prior. The most recent arrivals are Tortles fleeing the increasingly repressive Kingdom of Daramar. These tortles are made up of many former advisors, sages, and other intelligentsia of the Kingdom of Daramar, as well as many of the tortles who refused to abandon the World Pilgrimage when the King banned the practice. Also living in these settlements are humans, elves, dwarves, and the odd tabaxi or orc.
New wisdom of governance and life, brought by the tortles, has accelerated the growth of interdependence between the canal settlements. The arrival of tortle advisors and sages has led to the establishment of permanent envoys to each of the 12 settlements. There is no uniform leadership, and each settlement makes its own decisions regarding internal governance and foreign relations, but the envoys have led to more coordination of these decisions and most now consult the other 11 before major decisions such as formal treaties or military campaigns.
Culture
The people of the settlements share more in common with their homelands than with each other. However, a unifying trait is the fierce independence of the settlements outside of the political contentions of the proper Feloran Successor States. This has not proven unifying enough for the settlements to emerge as a unified successor state in their own right, however it has created a common respect for their different beliefs. Recently, with the arrival of Daramans, there is a growing culture of inquisitiveness about the larger world. Most canalers believe in "to each their own", and do not like the influence of outsiders.
History
After the collapse of the Feloran Empire and the ensuing famine, much of the former Empire's cities and territory lay open for settlement by newcomers, although not for some time. Not as wild as the other abandoned areas of the Empire, the independent canal settlements cropped up in the centers of abandoned Feloran cities along the Grand Feloran Canal.
Outlaws & Outcasts
For the first couple decades after the depopulation of the region, the region became a haven for those Feloran Elves operating outside what remained of their society. The central spires of the old imperial cities of Chīniy (present-day Bracko) and Stöd, with their resilient civil infrastructure (including underground sewage networks and still-standing walls) became hideouts for many looking to survive in the former Empire on their own. Though there were still some law-abiding Felorans living in the region, they did so at their own peril against both the criminals and monsters that encroached on the previously well-defended Saelathel. It was not until the Reopening of the Sàrene Canal Network in 182 PE that the region saw widespread new settlement.Newcomers and Growth
With the resumption of trade across the Grand Feloran Canal, the section between the relatively stable Sàrène Republic and Sorenian Sovereignty became notorious for it's canal-based piracy by 190 PE. The few locals of the region had grown accustomed to their isolation and independence, and did not take too kindly to the reintroduction of wider society. Neither successor state could sustain the patrols through the canal outside their territories, although the cities of the future Dotharan Alliance were able to defend their shipments themselves. Despite this, the practical needs of the journey between the frontier of Soren and Port Asha necessitated services be available along the route. Between 200 PE and 250 PE, half a dozen settlements or outposts were established by humans, elves, and dwarves in order to cater to their respective trades. The second wave of settlements came in the form of refugees from coastal Galisean societies as well as neighbouring Soren, from about 300 PE continuing to the present day. Most recently, the dozen settlements have begun to share a common cultural outlook and perception. Unlike the previous migrations to Saelathel, the tortles did not settle in any one or two locations, instead integrating themselves into each of the main settlements that already existed.Demography and Population
Though no official census has been taken across all of the communities in the area, based on the individual records of the settlements that have them, and from observations by Dotharan diplomats, it is estimated that about 90,000 people live across the dozen communities, with most concentrated in Bracko (8,000 according to city records). A roughly even amount of humans, elves, and half-elves believed to live between 11 of the settlements, with the 12th home to a majority of the region's Dwarves. Tortles have formed a sort of diplomatic and philosopher class that lives across each of the settlements.
Territories
The independent canal settlements are situated along the Saelathel Valley, with some territory along the southern slopes of the Vhaelhest Mountains. The twelve settlements are, from southwest to northeast along the route of the canal, Cire, Bracko, Vara, Jùlfùn, Stöd, Novo Mercarus, Tìl'këlɦ, Flanì Andriyya, Miltesh, Valo, Yèu̯traŋi, and Port Defiance. Stöd and Bracko are the longest-held of the settlements, while the others have been settled at various points as more of the canal was repaired and outposts reconstructed.
Military
Aside from the respective militias, guards, and watches of each settlement, the independent canal settlements do not have a military. Theoretically, these could comprise a fighting force about 500.
Technological Level
Through trade with Dotharan and Sarendian merchants, the canal settlements enjoy a relatively high technological level, with the population at least familiar with the amenities and lifestyles of Felorans, Aeillans, and Cyrenicans, even if access to much of these things is limited. Each settlement has plumbing and systems, and the ancient irrigation systems that inspired later Aeillan ones are still functional in places. The Cyrenae have introduced non-magical streetlighting to the independent settlements, with Tìl'këlɦ, Stöd, Valo, and Port Defiance each adopting them to some degree.
Religion
One of the most cosmopolitan places outside of the Dotharan Alliance, the independent canals have the highest concentration of religious practices in Felora. Present of course in the Feloran and Dotharan communities is the Ëlhyaea practice, while also present is Pandroi in the human communities settled by those from parts of Qua'adar, Aeilla, and Gallaca. The largest settled community of followers of Cyrenae religious tradition, including The Cult of Silus outside of Galisea is in Novo Mercarus, with its high population of Dwarves from the Kingdom of Cyrenica. Shrines for the various Yīra across the settlements are maintained by custodians from Stöd, the settlement with the highest population of practicing Ëlhyaeans.
Foreign Relations
Their foreign policies are built around both a client state and a buffer state relationships between the western Feloran canal state, the Sarendian Trust; and the eastern Feloran canal state, the Sorenian Sovereignty. While the two play a game of swaying different communities to their interests, the communities themselves attempt to function more as intermediaries between the two. The canals are open to all, at the same rates for all, and navies are not allowed to transit the canals through a defense treaty and non-aggression pact signed by Bracko and the other settlements. The settlements also function as neutral ground for continental trade between the Sorenian and Sarendians and beyond, to the Southern Reaches, Ekora, and even the Carabar Peninsula.
Agriculture & Industry
The independent canal settlements do not have much by way of industrialization. Novo Mercarus does have some mines, as the inhabitants have greatly expanded the underground portions of the ancient Feloran city, and they are the most industrialised of the settlements. A majority of the populace not engaged in the commerce is engaged in agriculture, along with a respectable class of artisans involved in the production of small bartering goods. There is a growing number working the fields as more of the settlements seek food independence.
Trade & Transport
Most transport through the canal settlements is bound for points east or west in Felora, or even in the world beyond through oceanic routes from Dothara and Sarendia. Recently harmonised tarrifs between the 12 major settlements ensure a reasonable and fairly collected cut from the value of the goods that pass through but do not stay in any of the settlements. The Grand Feloran Canal is the backbone of trade through the settlements, linking domestic and foreign trade routes.
Transport by wheel or foot is mostly for locals or their visitors, and they connect each of the main settlements and the myriad of smaller communities that have sprung up in the areas between them in a haphazard way. Not all are well maintained or safe, and indeed the canals are still considered the safer route for transit. The canal settlements are net importers of food, mostly from the rice paddies of Soren and the grain fields of Ekora.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure, mostly left over from the Feloran Empire, is in good condition for its age, with functioning plumbing and in a couple cases, public lamps. Each of the settlements have made improvements within their cores, and the canals are maintained through various arrangements between the settlements. All twelve are on a major canal and they’ve expanded agricultural infrastructure along sparsely settled routes. Minor villages are less modern, compared to those in most Feloran Successor States. Well maintained, if inconsistently paved, roads link the settlements with each other, but are haphazardly planned and aren’t suitable for traveling through the settlements to Sarendia or Soren. There are also less maintained roads to the Feloran Wilderness that lead to the Jollì Highlands, and the Southern Reaches.
Founding Date
200 - 400 PE
Type
Political, independent
Predecessor Organization
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
- Dotharan Rëmilas; Milas
- Sarene Rëtrìrëkà; Rëkà
- Qua'adaran Gold; Silver, Copper
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
