Piracy

As the central sea is the heartland of the elves, and trade across it is one of the most significant sources of wealth in Eä, piracy is fundamental to the relationship between nations. During the elven empire piracy was common, but during its heyday the empire had sufficient might to keep piracy under control. As the empire collapsed piracy became a rampant problem, driving trade almost to a standstill. With the rise of the new nations, trade has rebounded. The most notable participants are the Aslemarian league and the Syltalano. The city elves mostly follow the coast and island hop, though they have recently set up a trading post in mahagarba across the sea. These routes are well patrolled by the cities navies. The salt elves range much further afield, bringing trade to the distant corners of Eä venturing across open ocean. Buth groups are frequently attacked by pirates, but there is a not entirely incorrect perception that most pirates are salt elves. Some also believe that all salt elves are pirates, but this is very much not the case. Most salt elves are traders and sea herder, following the life of the ocean for their sustenance and trading for their wealth. They live in family units which are not the military vessels needed for piracy. Instead pirates usually use the designs of ships preferred by city elves, and the crew are a mix of different ethnicities. The sailing experts are often salt elves, but all manner of elf (especially thorn elves) can be found in the crew, with the occasional dwarf. Most recently, many new men have turned to piracy, and they provide expertise with ship weaponry. The islands surrounding the thorn elves are notable for being pirate havens, a they are the least likely group to attack pirates out of principle, but will of course attack if raided.