The Shuze Confederacy

The confederacy is an alliance of city states that were formed during the Xosutan rebellions. They have treaties of mutual protection and despite their past have closely allied themselves to the current The Xosutan Kingdom. The confederacy has a leader they elect through powerful land owning nobles that rule over the individual city states in the Confederacy. They are a trade focused empire and they are currently searching for a passage to the west to find a new trade route to the east, although most of these exploratory fleets have found nothing or not returned. They have an offshoot of the Golden Road in their territory that is actually controlled by Malth Kjarnarrik instead of Earthroot. The most notable city states in the Confederacy include the coastal Waterdeep, an ancient Xosutan city protected by a massive magical dome said to repel dragons. Another notable city state is Jel, a city build amidst the boughs of massive vallenwood trees on the eastern side of the confederacy, a source of the sought after ironwood. One of the newest major cities in the confederacy yet has swiftly become very important after the ruler of the city was elected the current leader of the confederacy, Milamos is a city built amidst steep hills and is known for their thriving wine and olive industries.
One of the notable things about the Shuze Confederacy is their strict regulation of activities that in many other parts of the world are criminal. There are three guilds that are licensed by the government to be permitted to commit acts of thievery, murder, and drug use. These guilds are the Thieves Guild, Assassin's Conclave, and Alchemists Hold.
The Thieves guild is allowed a certain number of gold worth of items to be stolen from citizens and legally fenced over into the possession of the guild each quarter of the year, the guild offers protection packages to people and businesses however so that they can prevent themselves from becoming guild targets. The reason this regulation works so well for the thieves guild, and the reason the quotas are almost never gone above, is because the government will attribute any thievery in the entire country to the guild, whether or not the guild committed the act, and thus the guild is very strict in who can be a member, as well as stopping others who are cutting in on their business, the license also allows them to legally keep and resell the items they steal, without any government backlash. If the quotas are gone above, the guild is forbidden from selling any more of the stolen items for the rest of the quarter, and if stealing keeps happening, they risk losing the license for the rest of the year, and a crackdown from the government.
The Assassin's Conclave functions slightly differently, while a similar practice of all deaths deemed murders being attributed to the guild, this guild works with rather strict government supervision. The current leader of the confederacy is off-limits from hits from the guild, however the guild receives contracts and a government representative within the guild deems if enough gold is being paid for the individual that is being asked to be assassinated, and the contract is denied if it is deemed unworthy. Targets outside of the confederacy generally get far lower prices that citizens of the confederacy, but the contract dealer needs to pay for the assassin's travel fees, so it ends up costing about the same. This guild may only take on a certain number of contracts against citizens of the Confederacy every year, although are allowed unlimited targets outside of the borders of Shuze.
The Alchemists Hold is a large corporation which is the only licensed entity in Shuze allowed to sell drugs. However they do not only sell drugs, also making potions, poisons, and other materials that are widely used around Shuze. The narcotics they make do need to meet government standards of being nonlethal, and does not have the ability to permanently effect the user when taken under the correct dosage which must supply a high or effect desirable enough that the user doesn't feel they need to take an amount above the standard dosage to received the desired effect. When deaths and overdoses do occur from these drugs government investigations are launched. The Alchemists are also given the responsibility of all drugs sold within the Confederacy, and deaths from unlicensed drugs are fined against the Hold, making this corporation police the underworld without the involvement of the government, and monopolizing the drug trade within Shuze. It is also not unheard of for an Alchemist guild representative to be at border crossings to check that no unlicensed drugs from neighboring countries are entering the confederacy. These fines get exponentially larger each quarter per death or hospitalization from drug use, so widespread unlicensed drug use could lead to bankruptcy or another company being able to outbid them for the license.

Fauna & Flora

Shadowvine

Shadowvine is a unique plant found within the Shuze Confederacy, known for its dark, twisting vines and vibrant, luminescent flowers. This plant thrives in the shady corners and hidden alcoves of the Confederacy's cities, often climbing walls and trellises. Shadowvine possesses potent medicinal properties and is highly sought after by the Alchemists Hold for the creation of healing potions and other concoctions. It is said that the flowers of the Shadowvine emit a subtle aroma that has a calming effect on individuals, making it a popular addition to gardens and courtyards. The plant's dark vines intertwine to create natural barriers and provide a sense of privacy in the bustling city streets. However, due to its association with the underground activities permitted by the guilds, the Shadowvine has also become a symbol of secrecy and hidden agendas within the Shuze Confederacy.
Whispercat
The Whispercat is a sleek and agile feline species that roams the forests and outskirts of the Shuze Confederacy. These cats are known for their stealth and acute senses, making them highly valued companions to the Thieves Guild. Whispercats have a unique ability to move silently, even in dense undergrowth, and their fur possesses a natural camouflage that allows them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. They have keen night vision, making them effective nocturnal hunters and guardians. The Thieves Guild has formed a special bond with these creatures, training them to assist in their covert operations, acting as scouts and providing distractions when needed. The Whispercats' presence in the Confederacy has become synonymous with the secretive and shadowy nature of the sanctioned illegal activities. Despite their affiliation with the guilds, the Whispercats remain independent and elusive, often choosing to roam freely in the wilderness, only returning to their human counterparts when called upon.
Ghostthorn

The Ghostthorn is a rare and enigmatic plant known for its lethal properties. This thorny vine is cultivated by the Assassin's Conclave and carefully guarded within their secret training grounds. The plant's sharp thorns are coated with a potent neurotoxin, making them deadly to the touch. The Ghostthorn's vines are trained to grow along walls, fences, and other structures, providing a natural defense against intruders and unwanted visitors.
The Assassin's Conclave harvests the thorns of the Ghostthorn and utilizes them in their covert operations. These deadly thorns are often dipped in a special paralyzing agent, increasing their effectiveness in eliminating targets swiftly and silently. The poison is meticulously crafted by the Alchemists Hold to ensure it leaves no trace and quickly dissipates from the victim's system, making it difficult to detect during investigations.
The Ghostthorn serves as a symbol of the lethal precision and meticulousness of the assassins of Shuze. Its use is strictly regulated and controlled by the guild, ensuring that only licensed assassins are trained in its handling. The plant's association with the Assassin's Conclave has instilled a sense of fear and respect among the citizens of Shuze, as they know that a single prick from a Ghostthorn could mean a swift and silent death.