Corsaraen Empire

The Corsaraen Empire is a country that rules over most of the subcontinent of Cors, as well as most islands in the Teralothian Mediterranean Sea and some other islands in the Sea of Storms.  

History

  The Empire was founded in 49973 5E by a coalition of 6 pirate groups that formed an alliance against the Navies of Great Damara. This alliance came to be known as the "Pact of Scoundrels", their bi-annual meetings the "Council of Scoundrels". In the pact, the then-captain of the Goldhead Pirates, Tamara Goldhead became the Queen of the first Corsaraen pirate kingdom. Over time, the Pact of Scoundrels expanded to other groups, and took hold over more territories in Cors, including an abandoned crashed Shadim Fortress, which was converted into a Wharf for the King's Airship fleet, as well as a large multi-tiered city, now called Wharftown and established as the capital city of the Corsaraen kingdom. After the Corsaraen kingdom established diplomatic relations with other countries, the fourth king of Cors, Dorian Goldhead declared himself emperor, with the Council of Scoundrels agreeing to this unanimously, in 23 6E.  

Government

The Corsaraen Empire is divided into 6 sectors of Government, each represented by one Admiral of the original six fleets.  

Goldhead Fleet

The Goldhead Fleet, also known as the Imperial Fleet, has its base in Wharftown. Its Admiral is Emperor and Pirate King Marissa Rusthead VI himself. The airships of this fleet build the bulk and the strong core of the Empire's military structure. Only the most experienced captains are allowed to pilot this fleet's ships, and they take orders from only the emperor directly. As the Imperial Fleet answers directly to the Emperor, it has no Mouth. Instead, the captains of the Imperial Fleet meet regularly with the Emperor directly. The motto of the Imperial Fleet is "Nullum tyrannum patere" ("Suffer no tyrants")  

Three Daggers Fleet

The Three Daggers Fleet rules over large parts of Northwestern Cors, including the Hives, Broken Plains, and the Ochre Coast. Their base is in Porto LaSpada. Additionally, they control many islands towards the Teralothian straight. The current Admiral of the Three Daggers Fleet is Whinston Verdugo, the position of Mouth is held by his niece and protegee, Valencia Verdugo. The motto of the Three Daggers Fleet is "In libertate vis est" ("In Freedom lies strength")  

The Carian Cartel

The Carian Cartel, usually just called "The Cartel", acts from the riverharbor of LaVerde. They rule over the green pastures of Bovinia and the mines of the Iron Mountains. As such, the Cartel is mostly interested in resources, and mostly does not care about piracy in general. However, they control a lot of merchant and transport ships that sail from LaVerde to other areas of the Continent, such as the hub town of Creeks' Crossing, Porto Pez and Porto Pugo. They also hold many bases in the southern Teralothian Mediterranean, exploiting the natural resources and enslaving the local populaces. The Carian Cartel is lead by the Admiral Gideon Trovador, their mouth is the young and ambitious Rupert Luarinas. The Cartel's motto is "Astutus et fortis praevalebunt" ("The strong and the shrewd will prevail")  

The Boldaren Brotherhood

The Boldaren Brotherhood, oftentimes just "The Brotherhood", harbors in Hielo Privera, a former dwarven stronghold in the Ivory Highlands, which is connected through a web of natural and mined tunnels to grotto that acts as its natural port. The Brotherhood rules over the Ivory Highlands as well as the Green Belt. They sell mostly smithed goods as well as wood and planks, and the Brotherhood's sailors are strong warriors. The Admiral of the Brotherhood is Natalia Falcazar, with her husband Alden Falcazar acting as active mouth. According to rumors, the fact they don't spend their time together has greatly improved the climate in Hielo Privera. The motto of the Brotherhood is "Fortitudo per unitatem" ("Strength through Unity")  

The Fulvid Collective

The Fulvid Collective, formerly known as the Stormholt Fleet, has its home base in Aldea Cruz. Since Aldea Cruz is a relatively small township and landlocked, their official harbor is Creeks' Crossing. However, since Creeks' Crossing is a hub for Wharftown and many interest groups reside there, the Collective's hold over the town is somewhat tenuous. Besides, the Admiral of the Collective has a weak political position anyways, and most members of the Collective live and work in Wharftown anyways, as many members of the Collective work as Tinkerers and Airship Shipwrights. An exemption to that is found in the small town of Dalia's Rest in Dalia's Marshes, where a large group of Fulvid Collective members live. Not much is known about them though, as the marshes are hard to traverse, and they are very reclusive. The Admiral of the Collective is Yorick Marinha, the Mouth is named Cordelia Luarinas. The motto of the Collective is "Futurum nobis est" ("The future is ours")  

The Skysong Fleet

The Skysong Fleet is a relatively small fleet, mostly consisting of so-called Stormcallers - mages that can read and change the weather, as well as navigate airships. As such, the Skysong home base of Oculia, a large fortress on a small, rocky outcrop to the far west of the continent at the tip of Black Fire Ridge, acts more like a mages' academy than a town or fortress. While most people don't know much about the Skysong fleet or its stoic, not very talkative Stormcallers, they provide their arcane services to everyone in the Empire, and as such are very well liked. The Admiral of the Collective is the enigmatic Thaddeos Tempesthala, the position of Mouth is held by Imogen Jaspeira. The motto of the Skysong Fleet is "Ventis scientiam afferunt" ("Winds bring knowledge")  

Tirilathian Noble Hosues

In addition to the fleets, many Tirilathian Noble Houses exist in the Corsaraen Empire. While these Noble Houses do not hold direct political power over any lands, they have been allowed to operate in the Empire by the Emperor himself. many of these houses have been licensed to run businesses and some of them have even been given leases to mines from the Emperor, or from Fleets who subcontract them to meet their resource targets.   The major Noble Houses currently in the Corsaraen Empire are:  

• Cindraes
• Eldrithor
• Garond
• Lantril
• Lythrendorr
• Noctryx
• Quilraine
• Solrith
• Thundrax
• Traeborn
• Vyrkath
• Zeprhaeon

Currency

The Empire mints its own currency, consisting of the following coins:  

Maradev

Maradev, usually just called "coins" or "small ones", are a copper coin and the smallest denomination of the Corsaren Imperial Coin. They are mostly used for very inexpensive goods, and to distinguish between fractions of Real.  

Real

The Real is a silver coin that is typically seen as the base monetary unit of the Corsaren Imperial Coin. One Real is worth 100 Maradev.  

Peso

The Peso, sometimes referred to as "piece of eight", is a silver coin worth 8 Real. It is oftentimes used to pay weekly fees and salaries.  

Escudo

The Escudo is a group of golden coins. It is found in 1/2, 1, 2, 4 and 8 Escudos. a 2-Escudo coin is also known as a Doubloon. One Escudo is equivalent to 40 Real, or 5 Peso.  

Imperial Coin

The Corsaren Imperial Coin, sometimes called "Emperor's Peso" or "Silver Platter" by some, is a large Platinum coin (about 30cm by 12cm, and 5mm thick) with intricate minting. They are not found in circulation. Instead, they are used by the Imperial Court, including the Fleets and Noble Houses, to make large purchases, pay taxes and recieve loans. One Imperial Coin is worth 1 Million Peso, and comes with a certificate of ownership, which can only be transferred by a witnessing Imperial Notary.  

Other Coin and Exchange rates

While officially, only the imperial coinage is allowed inside the Corsaren Empire, many businesses also accept Laetharnian and Nedan currencies, as well as valuable items such as gems or rings. The usual exchange Rate for Laetharnian Currency is 1 Taler = 5 Pesos, and 1 Nedan As = 3 Pesos. Moneychangers usually take a 10-20% fee.