Etaikí
After The Great Calamity, the company betrayed the Senate of Aster, and assailed many coastal republic holdings across the Filikó sea. Through bribery, coups, assassinations and simple force, it secured all of the Cæp Isles.
In the following decades it expanded into all three continents. It fought wars with Harten and Asterian holdouts in Notos. The Etaikí ruthlessly oppresses the local Weallander people, and the regime is very unpopular with its inhabitants. But it is also brutally effective, and many seem to believe the propaganda it has been spreading about Aster and the Elves having caused the great Calamity.
Etaikí has allied itself with the Authoritarian ruler of East Aster, and supported it in its genocidal war against the Elves of Uainmor.
Etaikí funds rebel groups in Aster and many Weallander kingdoms. it is feared that a large amount of monarchs and rulers are in league with the company, presumably enticed by immense bribes and threats. Some Asterian officials have even accused the company of spreading plague to Asterian cities.
Etaikí faces threats on all sides, but so far has nearly always come out on top. It remains to be seen if they can face the full might of a resurgent Aster, and it seems the company board is seeking to delay that fight as long as possible. And they seem to willing to resort to extreme measures to delay Asterian retaliation.
History
The Company Etaikí, also simply known as the Filikó sea company, was by far the largest company in pre-calamity Aster. It had a near complete monopoly on trade in the Filikó sea, the Sea of Endeleas, Steel cliff sea, and the Vrasmós Bay. On top of this, the company also helped build and controlled the massive shipyards of Cæpton. It possessed a massive private navy which it used to protect its merchant marine. When The Great Calamity occurred the republic navy (also based in Cæpton) had its leadership fractured and was stretched thin trying to maintain the Republic’s hold on eastern Aster territories. The Etaikí company was employed by the Republic government to aid in supplying the east and maintaining order on the seas. After the fall of East Aster to the rebel governor. The Etaikí company gained increased control over the Cæp Archipelago. Weak republic leadership saw the people of Cæpton and the surrounding island rely on the Company for safety, food and even governance. A small standing army was formed in the year 592. In the year 593, Etaikí ships suddenly blockaded a large part of the republic navy in the port of Cæpton. The doge of Cæpton was found with his throat slit in his chambers. The general of the garrison, Neleos, likely bribed heavily by the company, ordered the republic garrison to arrest many republic loyalist officers, officials, public figures and guild leaders. The Highest Republic Admiral, Lysias, successfully fended off an assassination attempt by Etaikí agents. With his navy stuck in port he attempted to enter into negotiations with Neleos to stall for time. Lysias managed to get word out to The Senate of Aster, but it was impossible to wait for reinforcements. Seeing as Etaikí navy outnumbered the Republic navy and had the harbour on lockdown, he knew there would be no victory on the sea. The city garrison, with its leadership gutted by assassinations, and confusion rampant, only maintained weak control over the city. In the night, the republic navy set 10 of their ships alight, and sent them full sail at the Etaikí navy. This prompted the Etaikí ships to avoid the danger and thus an opening was created for the republic ships to leave port. A chaotic naval battle ensued. The republic ships made up for their numerical disadvantage with their ancient flame breathing technology (greek fire). The hole in the blockade was successfully exploited. Though many ships were lost on both sides in fire, magic, and melee. Lysias fought a successful rear guard action which afforded most remaining republic ships enough time to escape from the etaikí blockade. His flagship was swallowed in flame in the morning, the last republic ship to do so. Etaikí, though a costly victory for its navy, had assumed full control over Cæpton and its surrounding islands. Over the following two decades it solidified its control over trade and the seas. Many colonies were founded in the north and east. The company is thriving. But the people who turned to it for better governance were left disappointed. Corruption was rampant, and the extreme mercantilism by company government left many people in extreme poverty. With enemies on all sides, and Aster regaining power in the west, Etaikí’s time of ascendancy may be at an end.Structure
The Company board consists of 15 members which are elected by the other members and the chairman should one need replacing.
It is made up of extremely rich nobles and citizens primarily from the Isles and Aster, but there are is also a dwarf of Glachtir on the board.
The chairman leads the board, but his identity is unknown.
Founding Date
592
Type
Geopolitical, Stratocracy
Capital
Alternative Names
The Company, The Consortium
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Etaikí
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Government System
Corporatocracy
Power Structure
Thalassocracy
Economic System
Command/Planned economy
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Comments