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Selatres

Selatres is known as the “Port Country,” where almost all sea trade, fishing, and naval commerce originates for Nineveh. Watched closely by Kava, goddess of the Seas & Oceans, Selatres thrives despite her frequent demands for tribute, either in coin or blood. The nation survives on its resilience and naval dominance, with a populace hardened by storms, harsh seas, and divine wrath. The capital Golport is a nexus of transactions rather than culture, driven entirely by trade, with merchants and sailors shaping the heartbeat of the city.  

Structure

Selatres is a monarchy where the ruler is elected, not born, chosen every decade by a council of ship captains, wealthy merchants, and Kava’s high priesthood. The monarch serves as the arbiter of trade policy and protector of the nation’s maritime interests. The council itself manages taxation, port authority, and diplomatic arrangements, though they defer to the monarch during crises at sea. The Silverpikes, Selatres’ navy, serves as both enforcers of law and defenders of the coast, acting as a stabilizing force among the frequently storm-struck settlements.

Culture

The people of Selatres are hardy, blunt, and value strength and honesty over status or wealth. Life revolves around the ocean, whether as sailors, fishers, salvagers, or merchants, and most daily customs include tributes or rituals to appease Kava, goddess of the Seas & Oceans. Superstitions are deeply rooted, with every departure to sea marked by small offerings, charms, or songs to ward off her fury. Festivals are rare, often centered on large hauls or safe returns from particularly treacherous voyages. People here respect hard work and direct speech above all.

Public Agenda

Selatres seeks to strengthen its control over Nineveh’s trade and shipping by expanding to the resource-rich Wave Isles. It also strives to remain neutral among Nineveh’s nations, maintaining its ports as the continent’s lifeline for international commerce. Above all, the nation’s leadership works to appease Kava, ensuring Selatres continues to receive her favor while mitigating the destruction she causes when angered.

Assets

  • One of the largest navies in Nineveh, the Silverpikes
  • Advanced loading docks and harbors
  • Fishing and whaling fleets with extensive gear and nets
  • Ancient sea trinkets and relics salvaged from pre-war ruins

History

Selatres was once far larger, with fertile coastal plains and vast inland villages, but its prosperity drew the ire of Kava during the Great War. Displeased with what she saw as arrogance and insufficient tribute, Kava sank nearly a third of Selatres beneath the waves, destroying whole cities and reshaping the coastline into jagged cliffs and treacherous reefs. The survivors rebuilt along the remaining shores, shifting entirely to a maritime culture that worships Kava’s wrath as much as her blessings. Since its rebirth, Selatres has remained politically neutral, using its control of Nineveh’s ports to avoid wars while thriving off trade and salvage. Its people remain wary of provoking Kava, honoring her as their greatest benefactor and their greatest threat.

Demography and Population

The majority of Selatres’ population is human, but the coastal waters and reefs bring significant numbers of Tritons, sea elves, and fey-touched oceanic races into its communities. These non-human groups play vital roles as divers, navigators, and emissaries to Kava’s temple networks. Selatres has a population of approximately 239,000, concentrated mostly in Golport and the string of fishing villages along the coast.

Territories

Selatres consists primarily of jagged coastlines, reclaimed marshes, shallow reef systems, and windswept highlands. The inland areas are sparsely populated, while the coast thrives with fishing and shipping communities. The Wave Isles, uncolonized but rich in rumored resources, are a primary target for future expansion.

Military

Selatres’ Silverpikes navy doubles as its army, equipped with warships and trained to fend off sea monsters and pirates. Though they rarely engage in land campaigns, their marines are known for amphibious assaults and protecting coastal towns from threats. The navy is divided into defensive patrols for local waters and strike groups for escorting merchant fleets.

Technological Level

Selatres specializes in advanced shipbuilding, navigation charts, and storm prediction methods, though it lacks Scania’s clockwork and steam innovations. Magical trinkets salvaged from drowned ruins often enhance their navigation and trade, but most tech remains focused on the sea.

Foreign Relations

Selatres is neutral with all nations, acting as a key middleman for Nineveh’s commerce. While other nations sometimes resent Selatres’ reliance on Kava and her unpredictable storms, none can afford to endanger their access to Selatres’ ports. Even Scania, Trodan, and Kleumizura maintain steady trade ties, despite occasional disputes over tariffs and Kava’s heavy tributes.

Laws

  • Tribute or offerings to Kava are required before all major voyages.
  • Smuggling or evading port taxes results in fines or property seizure.
  • Naval officers of the Silverpikes have full authority in all coastal towns.
  • Interference with sacred or submerged ruins is punishable unless sanctioned by the crown.

Agriculture & Industry

Fishing dominates Selatres life, with large-scale operations harvesting fish, whales, and other ocean resources. Secondary industries include shipbuilding, rope and net weaving, kelp farming, and salvaging artifacts from drowned ruins. Limited inland farming and livestock supplement the diet of fishing villages.

Trade & Transport

Selatres is Nineveh’s trade lifeline, with Golport and other coastal hubs funneling goods between continents. Merchant fleets are heavily armed and follow ritualized sea lanes to appease Kava. Overland transport is minimal, with most goods moved along the coast by ship.

Education

Formal education is rare outside Golport, where merchant families and shipwright guilds hire private tutors. Navigation, trade law, and seamanship are the most valued skills, while literacy is primarily taught for business or ship records. Most fishing villages teach survival skills and practical trade knowledge instead of structured schooling.

Infrastructure

Selatres invests heavily in maintaining ports, lighthouses, and shipyards. Inland towns are connected by basic dirt paths or rely on the coastal waters for transport. Defensive sea walls and breakwaters protect larger harbors, while Golport boasts a sprawling dock network capable of housing hundreds of ships.

Mythology & Lore

The Damned Crew is a commonly known myth that commits its origin to the Wave Isles.

"Where the Waves Decide."

Founding Date
955 years ago
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
Port Country, Kava’s Coast
Demonym
Selasiam
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Democracy, Presidential
Economic System
Mixed economy
Major Exports
  • Fish and whaling products
  • Bone-based goods
  • Nets and ships
Major Imports
  • Basic crops
  • Weapons
  • Wine and liquor
Neighboring Nations

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