Meridian Concord

The Meridian Concord, across the Sea of Ulmo, is a broad confederacy of independent ten city-states based around the Emerald Coast; an area which opens up into the enclosed Meridian Sea, and is known for warm temperature weather, shallow seas, vegetation covered islands, vibrant culture, and strong nautical communities. Hundreds of ships sail around the Meridian Sea every day, trading good, fishing, transporting people, piracy, and more. Together, the states have banded together for mutual protection, and develop high level set of "guidelines" and some laws that are universally expected to be followed. But each city-state ultimately governs its holdings in its own way, but one thing speaks volumes across the entire Concord; money.

Coastal Realm

Open shipping lanes and inviting semi-tropical scenery have made the domain of the Meridian Concord a cultural melting pot and a popular place to live or visit. Knowing this, the leaders of respective cities continue to uphold a long tradition of welcoming all weary travelers and providing an atmosphere of color and delight. If there is gold to be spent, the concord is eager for you to spend it within their cities. Between the venues for entertainment and vice, and the ample business opportunities, the concord hopes to convince those with wealth to spend it here, outside the gates of the The Ondari Dominion, The Summer Islands of Ellyrion, Kingdom of Tiriande, or Elven Realm of Thas'Dorah. Each of the 10 independent city-states, is ruled by its own Marquis, Trade Prince, or Vicar. Together, these cities operate as one union under the banner of the Meridian Concord. This arrangement ensures some uniformity of laws, regulation of trade, and mutual protection between the city-states, and promotes business. While the states share high level laws, regulations and protections; each city-state is unique and ultimately governs its holdings in its own way, with some of its own local rules and customs. Through the fall of the Zentherian Dynasty and rise of the Dominion, the Concord has managed to maintain it's independence. But the nearby Cindarian Dukedoms continues its expansionist actions, and the Hobgoblins of the Iron Isles are on the march. As a kingdom on the sea, trade and commerce is the lifeblood of its people. Money is power here as the merchant princes tend to rule either openly or behind a facade of the political bodies. Politically, each city represents its own interests abroad, and between one another. But, several times a year, the leadership of the Concord meet in Trade Winds Council to discuss issues that confront the whole region; or coordinates in times war. But really it's a forum for political intrigue, deal making, self-enrichment, and backstabbing. There is no capital of the Meridian Concord, each time the Trade Winds Council chooses to meet, they do so in a different city.

The Meridian Life

But, for the average citizen life is relaxed and generally peaceful here; although they are very ready to mobilize to defend their independence. The weather in the Meridian is normally mild, warm, and sunny for the majority of year. Its people pay homage to the same Gods as the rest of humanity, although a much larger focus is found on the gods Waukeen - Goddess of Wealth and Trade, Ulmo - God of the Seas, Storms and Rain, Gond - God of Earth, Metal, and Artisans, and Pelor - Goddess of the Harvest, Autumn, and Fields. Despite its relative position in the northern continent, the Concord has a very warm, sunny, temperate climate; few are sure to the reason but many suspect a long forgotten power cast a large spell over the region to ensure its climate. Magic is largely unregulated due to the nature of the kingdom. Each city maintains its own set of rules, in many cases that really means few to no rules outside of the usual; don’t cause trouble, no blood magic, no necromancy. There is also a wide variety of species which inhabit the islands; from Gnomes and Halflings, to Dragonborn, Tortles and even a sizeable Leonin expat community. The shallow sea is also home to the Triton underwater city of Bakkalon; where the Triton have set up a settlement on the shore nearby to trade their ware and associate with those outside of the water.

Locations of Interest

Haleah, The City of Lamps - The nominal capital of the Concord is the port city of Haleah, also known as the City of Lamps. Every night the city is lit like a festival by myriads of coloured lamps by their eccentric gnomish attendants. The city is a thriving port home to many travellers, merchants, politicians, adventurers, thugs, and criminals of all types and natures. The city is considered the Capital of the region because it is where the Council meets; a representative of each city has a seat at the table. Fizzwheel Barge - In the mild confines of the Meridian Sea, one can also find the floating, Gnomish Mechano-City of Fizzwheel Barge. Considered the youngest city-state in the Concord, Fizzwheel is a monstrous mechanical creation housing thousands of gnomish engineers, arcanists, artificers, and wizards who seek to invent and create away from other people. The barge was originally built around a large paddle wheel grafted in between the hulls of two ships, and has ballooned ever since. The barge continues to circle around a single small lighthouse in the Middle of the sea, to which none are allowed to pass. Bakkalon, the Moving City - The Triton of Bakkalon reside in palaces of coral and crystal at the bottom of the Meridian Gulf; but they're always on the move. Bakkalon resides safely on the back shell of a giant, ancient crustacean known as L'Gorek. It is believed that L'Gorek is creation of Ulmo's from near the dawn of creation to patrol the seas for some unknown reason. In amongst the elegant twisting coral spires of Bakkalon are force domes of air to allow the few visitors to find their way to the city the ability to breath without magical assistance. In addition to Triton, it is rumored the city is also home to a family of Storm Giants, and other sea creatures such as Merfolk. Additional Cities of the Conclave include: The Walled City of Melantis,
Tethemos the City of Angels,
Valinde - City of the Sapphire Flame,
Engium - City of Old Ones,
Norvos - City of Towers,
Morosh - City of Hanging Gardens,
Scanthi - City Beneath the Spire