Life in the Floating Archipelago: A Tale of Dreams and Hardship

Citizens of the Republic

The citizens of the Scareguards Archipelago live lives shaped by the extraordinary nature of their environment. They are a diverse tapestry of individuals, each navigating unique challenges and opportunities. Many are deeply embedded in the skyfaring industry, serving as airship crew members, engineers, or dockworkers. Skilled skyfarers are not only adept at piloting and navigating their vessels but also in combat and plundering tactics. Yet, their reputation as pirates does not wholly define them; trade and barter often serve as vital lifelines for their communities.

The archipelago's inhabitants maintain a unique code of honour and loyalty, forming bonds of camaraderie within crews and fostering unity among their fellow islanders. Allegiances to kings or governors form the backbone of this society. However, not all citizens engage in piracy. Artisans, traders, and craftsmen play crucial roles in sustaining the economy and providing goods and services essential to their floating society.

The Bleeding Islands

Despite its allure, life in the archipelago is not without sacrifice. The Republic’s early years were marked by a push for all able-bodied citizens to join the skyfaring ranks or build their own vessels. This proved costly, with countless lives lost to the perils of the skies. Francisco’s message of refuge and opportunity, once a beacon of hope, now carries the weight of necessity. The archipelago’s survival depends on a constant influx of newcomers to replace its losses.

“Scareguards Archipelago welcomes all.”

This mantra, once an invitation, now serves as a stark reminder of the islands’ reliance on outsiders to maintain their fragile existence.

The Law of Skycall

To address population challenges and regulate entry into the skyfaring life, the War Council established the Law of Skycall. This law outlines the requirements to be recognized as a skyfarer:

1. Killing another skyfarer.
2. Being accepted by at least half of an airship’s crew.
3. Receiving the title of skyfarer from an island ruler.

Though designed to maintain order, these rules have often been exploited. While the intent was to bolster crews with capable individuals, loopholes have allowed bribery and manipulation to grant unearned titles. Those caught violating the Skycall law are at the mercy of their crew, often subjected to harsh trials that test their resolve and survival.

The Hungry Skies

Sustaining the archipelago’s airships places immense pressure on landbound citizens. Every hour spent in the sky demands countless hours of preparation and resource gathering on the ground. Hunger and scarcity are constant companions for those unable to take to the skies, creating a stark divide between privileged skyfarers and struggling islanders. Slavery, though officially condemned, persists in the shadows, with some rulers resorting to Human trafficking as a desperate means of survival.

Oh, Scareguards Archipelago! Yours is a world of soaring dreams and bitter realities, where the skies offer freedom and peril in equal measure. May your people find balance amidst the clouds and strength within their hearts. For in your winds lies the promise of both hope and hardship, and in your people, the spirit to endure.

— Dorian Fleetquill