Azumanami Thalassocracy

No one can build ships like the Azumanami!

— Nagisa Kawa, Azumanami Captain

Overview

This state was once the eastern region of the once prosperous and now fallen Ōnami Thalassocracy. It is said that the Azumanami plan to reconquer the islands taken by Helia and to establish a new Onami Thalassocracy afterward. As such there has been a steady rise in economic activity and military build-up in the maritime state.
Azumanami is located in the Hiyokuna Archipelago within the eastern region of the Shizukana Sea. Shizukana lies between the continents of Quassus and Deshret.

Conquest over Isolation

The Onami Thalassocracy fell due to an increasingly violent internal conflict. The conflict was between isolationist thought and conquest thought. The situation boiled over and resulted in the divide of the Onami state when neither side could come to an agreement.
In 1039AGC, the western region of the Onami state declared itself the Nishinami Thalassocracy . A sudden coup in the eastern half of the remnant Onami state asserted their own more militarily centered goals which culminated in the formal establishment of the Azumanami state. This new state cut ties with the Nishinami believing that their isolationist policies was foolish. Azumanami planned to prove their assertion in the future when they would conquer Nishinami. The odds of the plan succeeding was in Azumanami's favor due to controlling a more resource rich region. Unfortunately this total separation left the western state vulnerable. Nishinami was conquered by the ever expanding Kingdom of Helia in 1182AGC.

Floating Citadel of Han'ei

As there is not much space on the many small to medium islands that make up the Hiyokuna Archipelago, the Azumanami have constructed a great floating citadel to serve as the center of their power. This citadel is called Han'ei, and it slowly travels across the Hiyokuna Archipelago as is needed. It represents Azumanami excellence in naval engineering and ingenuity. The Han'ei dwarfs other floating floating settlements and fortresses in the Thalassocracy. It has even made voyages into the Shizukana Sea on special occasions. The illustrate the scale of this structure, a palace complete with several well kept gardens exists in the center of the floating citadel.
A large defensive fleet can be seen surrounding the floating citadel at all times. The ships are often used to transport goods to and from other ports. Other defenses include a magic shield powered by Schutz Crystals, a defensive feature common to any major settlement in Awldor. This shield protects the floating citadel from both magical and natural dangers.

While it admittedly does not possessing the sheer grandeur of the old Thalassocracy, the Azumanami armada is not to be underestimated.

— Nagisa Kawa, Azumanami Captain

Naval Power

The Azumanami control one of the largest and most powerful naval armadas in the known world. Little about this is surprising since they depend on a strong naval presence to secure their territory, especially against the increasing pirate activity of late. Most of the knowledge and technology was inherited from the once prominent Ōnami Thalassocracy, the state closest to becoming an empire before Helia. The floating fortresses were part of this knowledge.
The key elements of Azumanami's naval power projection lies in its three floating fortresses- the Arashi, the Tsunami, and the Saikuron. These fortresses offer safe harbor for other ships in the Azumanami armada as well as being able to act as headquarters for military activities. There is a fortress responsible for each political region within the Thalassocracy.
These fortresses were constructed at great cost as well as require high maintenance costs. One floating fortress has been decommissioned, although a recent influx of trade from the Deshret Continent is fueling an economic boom in the Azumanami Thalassocracy that may allow the state to commission a new one. There used to be even more floating fortresses during the reign of the Ōnami Thalassocracy, up to eleven according to most sources on the matter including official Azumanami historians.
How these fortresses float is not well understood to those outside the Thalassocracy, though it is suspected that magic is involved.

Friends of the Everath

The Azumanami coexist alongside a thriving underwater society- the Everath. Trade of goods and people between the two kingdoms has grown throughout history despite some heated tensions between the societies at various points in the past. Some wonder if the two societies will unite in the future. Considering the growing threat of the Kingdom of Helia to the northwest, this alliance may come sooner than many anticipate.

Culture

The Azumanami greatly respect the sea and everything in it. They view the fishing and sailing methods of the primarily land states as barbaric. It is believed that those who have the favor of the sea will have the greatest fortunes.

The tsunami will rise again!

Founding Date

1041

Type

Geopolitical, Stratocracy

Alternative Names

The Sleeping Wave

Demonym

Azumanami

Government System

Timocracy

Power Structure

Thalassocracy

Economic System

Traditional

Currency

Azumanami Dōka - A coin made from copper that bears images of several important islands- including the artificial Han'ei- on both sides. A hole is punched in the center to allow for easy transport of multiple coins on carefully measured strings.

Major Exports

• Sweet potatoes
• Peanuts
• Soybeans
• Lumber
• Spices
• Paint Pigments

Major Imports

• Iron
• Silver
• Gold
• Marble
• Gemstones

Location

Hiyokuna Archipelago

Controlled Territories

• Hiyokuna Archipelago

Neighboring Nations

• Grand Duchy of Východ
• Kingdom of Helia
• Kingdom of Vhara

Demography and Population

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• Human - 23%
• Drow - 20%
• Elf - 17%
• Triton - 15%
• Merfolk - 10%
• Tabaxi - 10%
• Other -5%

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Note(s) from the Archivists:

You know, we here in Centrum believe that we have the most powerful ships and yet the Azumanami fields a floating citadel as well as floating fortresses. - Archivist Edward