Sea Princes, Hold of the
The buccaneers of the Azure Sea and Jeklea Bay grew strong and wealthy when
Keoland was at the height of its power, for the eyes of its leaders were turned
northwards towards empire, and the sea raiders were ignored. These privateers
took to calling themselves Sea Princes, after a particularly successful captain who
was in fact of noble birth. Sailing unchecked from their island and mainland
strongholds, these raiders were the scourge of the coasts from Gradsul to Scant,
on the Pomarj, and even beyond into the Sea of Geamat and the Tilva Straight.
When Keoland turned back from imperial expansion, her navy began to rebuild
in order to check the threat of the Sea Princes — as they were now commonly
known. Their numbers and strength had become so great, however, that the
Keoish fleet, even with the aid of a squadron of Ulek warships, could at best deliver
a sharp check to them (Battle of Jetsom Island). This lesson caused their
leaders to rethink their policies, however, and several of the wiser captains retired
to mainland estates, appointing lieutenants to command their ships, not in piratical
or raiding activities in the Flanaess, but on expeditions to the Amedio Coasts
and thence to trade northwards with the rare woods, spices, ivory, and gold
which they wrested from the jungle savages.
Eventually the mainland possessions of the Sea Princes amounted to more territory than their island homes, and
they practiced little formal raiding. Today they are still probably the strongest sea
power, but they also have a small and efficient army and are relatively peaceful
traders. If these people have a fault, it is that they allow the use of slaves in their
nation, despite strong protests from the Yeomanry. It is reported that the Prince
of Monmurg would abolish this practice, but his fellow nobles (the Prince of Toli,
the Plar of Hool, and the Grandee of Westkeep, along with the Commodores of
Jetsom, Fairwind, and Flotsom) prevent it.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital: Monmurg (pop. 14,200)
Population: 100,000+
Demi-humans: Few
Humanoids: Probable
Resources: foodstuffs
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