The Marble Isle

The Marble Isle (Μάρμαρο Νήσος) is home to the descendants of the followers of Ekoros (now known as the people of Ekoros, the Ekorosi, the followers or the seafolk). Upon their arrival, they found the island to be an unspoiled paradise. The native people of the Marble Isle (largely Centaurs, Leonin, and Satyrs) were sparse and kept to themselves. The Ekorosi quickly learned to work with the natives and built a nation from fishing, quarrying and trading. Over time, the Sydonian tongue mixed with those of the natives to create the modern Ekorosi language.
Full History

Major Cities

Ekoros: capital of the Marble Isle, this was the first settlement of the followers of Ekoros who foresaw the doom of Sydonia. Built at the foot of the White Peaks mountains, Ekoros’ largest export is the island’s namesake marble. A river port to the sea, Ekoros sees trade from all over the world and is ruled by a council of merchant lords. The city and nation of Ekoros values personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness, seeking out pleasures wherever they can be found (so long as a price can be charged). Though they do not seek out conflict, they have a strong navy to protect their seas from pirates and powerful clerics of the storm god Damaios who once beat back a Sydonian invasion force by conjuring powerful storms.

Government

The government of the Marble Isle consists of a merchant council, with members from the 8 largest merchant families making decisions for the good of the Isle. Membership into the council is voted on by the council, and members can be voted out with a 2/3 majority vote. Among the decisions the council must make are who the island will trade with, what new products they will try to sell, and what businesses to given financial aid to when needed. The council largely stays out of the personal affairs of the Ekorosi, only stepping in when crimes are committed (with crimes generally involving anything that impedes another person's liberty).
Courts exist to arbitrate on civil and criminal matters. Punishment for criminal matters are harsh, most involving bodily harm (such as cutting off the hand of a thief, or the genitals of a rapist).

Military

The military of the Marble Isle consists of the merchant navy, protecting trade routes from pirates and foreign invaders. They are supported by war clerics of Damaois (god of the seas). The military does not train or employ arcane spellcasters.
The Marble Marines (known as the blue cloaks) are the land force of the Marble Isle, and keep the peace across the island. They are supported by the war clerics of Ourios. They patrol the streets of Ekoros, leaving the policing of villages to the villagers who live there.

Faith and magic in the Marble Isle

Faiths of Arlyss
Most spellcasters in the marble isle are divine spellcasters, with wizards, sorcerers, and warlocks being a rare occurrence (and denounced as witchcraft). Some artists, storytellers, and entertainers exhibit the rare creation magic known commonly among bards of other cultures.

Merchant Families

These 8 merchant families are the most powerful in The Marble Isle and form the merchant council.
Drakos (Δράκων): The Drakos family produces most of the arms and armor on the Marble Isle and owns the largest iron mines on the island. They have contracts to supply the merchant navy and the blue cloaks and a veritable army of their own. The head of the family is Nikolaos Drakos.
Papadopoulos (Παπαδόπουλος): The Papadopoulos family is heavily invested in the temples and clergy of the Marble Isle. They produce incense and provide various components for religious rituals. Their alchemists are among the best in the Marble Isle. The head of the family is Konstantin Papadopoulos.
Lykaios (Λιάκαιος): The Lykaois family is made up of leatherworkers and tailors. They produce much of the leather goods and clothing in Ekoros and export fine leather goods across the world. They have been known to hire hunters and adventurers to track down elusive beasts and return with their hides. The head of the family is Orestis Lykaios.
Aetos (Αετός): The Aetos family deals largely in the spice trade, importing spices from the east and across the western ocean. Their main export is salt. The head of the family is Mihail Aetos.
Galanis (Γαλανής): The Galanis family own the largest quarries on the Marble Isle and specialize in marble. They have the best stonemasons in Ekoros and export marble from the whitepeaks across the world. The head of the family is Koralia Galanis.
Galatas (γαλατάς): A family of dairy farmers, the Galatas produce the best yogurt and dairy products on the Marble Isle. They employ clerics to keep their products refrigerated on long sea voyages in order to export their goods (largely to central Arlyss). The head of the family is Nikoletta Galatas.
Psarás (Ψαράς): The Psarás family owns the largest fishing business on the Marble Isle. Their fleet of fishing boats provide much of the fish consumed on the island, while their whalers provide oil for lighting the streets and homes of Ekoros. Sydonia was once reliant on Ekorosi whalers for whale oil to light their cities, until artificers devised a way to create light from magically captured lightning (powered by coal-burning arcane generators). They are now reliant on whale oil to lubricate their generators (and other machinery). The head of the family is Markos Psarás.
Oinopoiós (Οινοποιός): The Oinopoiós family owns the largest vintners on the Marble Isle and produce the finest wines for local consumption and export. They have been a part of the merchant council since its founding, and always manage to squash votes against them. It is well known that the Oinopoiós family is also the most powerful crime organization in Ekoros. While their wineries are their chief export and only official business, they make most of their money through extortion (protection rackets), smuggling, theft, loan sharking, and (on occasion) assassination. They maintain their power through bribes and threats against their enemies (and elimination of said enemies when the bribes and threats don't work). The head of the family is Manos Oinopoiós.

Government: Merchant Council
Size: Island nation
Population: 180,000
Economy: Trade, fishing, mining, quarrying (marble)
Races: Humans 92% Other 8%