Parse
Cats without Tails, Singing Sailors, and Oar Knights
Parse is an independent country, but it is strategically key because of its near proximity to the Empire of Aorlis and the Holy Karmithian Empire. It is strategically important for both empires. It has been aligned with both states at different times, although now it is interested in rejoining one or the other of these giant neighbors for protection and funds. The Parse Island grouping comprises the Parse, Brandt, Vexn, and Allwyc Islands, from west to east in order of largest to smallest size. It is the largest island grouping in the Fern Maer, a huge, freshwater inland sea. This includes the Sea of Lecia and Old Norward lying off its south shores, the Ungreass Sea off its north shore, and the St. Claude Islands and the Sea of Silence to Parse’s west. These islands are ruled by rich merchant families who run the state as if it were a guild. The premiere family is the Langdoines, a clan that includes the Saerral and Withum septs. The Langdoine clan chief holds the title of Prince of Parse, and this house is known for its great wealth and political cunning (and opportunism). Parse natives are multilingual, speaking Aenglik and Neuvo Karmithian, although their written language is Karmithian. Parse has a continental climate. They belong to the Church of Aorlis, although there also is a strong Eastern Rite Church presence. The two faiths have coexisted well together so far.
Parse is part of the economic spheres of both Aorlis and the Holy Karmithian Empire, but more importantly, it is the hub of the Fern Maer economic sphere which includes Jordrium, Norward, St. Claudes, and more. The islands are rich in copper and lumber, and their capital is Engarria City. Life is hardscrabble in most of the country, but the Engarrians enjoy excessive wealth. There are many things Parse is well known for. For example, their rich musical tradition, their singing sailors, oar knights, and cats. Parse cats are known for being tailless, having roundish heads, and long back legs. Often called “stubbin” cats, they are favorite mousers and shipboard animals. After the Karmithian Empire withdrew in the fifth century, the nascent City-state of Engarria was founded around 622, and by 630 they had taken in the all the Parse Islands to establish the state in its current form. Parse allied itself with the Holy Karmithian Emire in 738, but after the HKE abandoned them in the HKE vs. Kirth Wars of 872 to 889, Parse married into the Warnulfs of Caindos and switched allegiance to Arlium and Aorlis. In 1021 they put aside that alliance, and the head of the Langdoines declared himself the Princes of Parse, establishing this country as independent again.
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