Cathach
"With the waves so full of secrets, and knowledge so tempting, sustaining devotion is a futile endeavor."
-Moridai Sirtis, Former Royal Diviner of the Inner Council
Overview
The Duchy of Cathach primarily holds domain over the area best known as the Everholm Sea, an area of the ocean nestled in the coast of Western Stronheim, but the nation also extends further north and south to the coasts of Avarra and the Southern States. Cathach controls many trade routes vital to the western coast of Thornhelm, basing many aspects of their culture on the trade that sustains the nation and the fierce loyalty to one's island state.
A Culture of Conflict
"Wait, why exactly are doing this?"
-Foreign Anthropologist
Each of the nine major clans are separated primarily by which clan their birth island belongs to. However, each clan is, ultimately, loyal to Lady Kadana. Despite their shared loyalty, conflict between states and between members of a state is common. These conflicts can be very violent, but they are much more organized and formal than an outsider would expect.
Conflict
Interior Conflict: Personal squabbles between families within a clan are resolved one day a month, on a state's holy day, also called an Ostara. On this holy day, everyone in a state lays down their weapons and formalizes their quarrels. This time would be prime for an invasion by another state if that course of action weren't so frowned upon. During an Ostara, duels are held to resolve arguments. Inter-State Conflict: Conflict between two different states can be resolved in two different manners: duels and invasions. For a duel, a member from the challenging state goes to a place of community, usually the road, and challenges the duelist of the recipient state. This duel takes the form of the recipient's Ostara duel and, if the attacker wins, they will be dubbed deserving of whatever they were after. There must be something on the table for the attacker, should they win, for these to happen. This could be simple respect for a state's ideology, ownership of an item, or even the parcel to an island.Invasions are much more traditional in their process of resolving a conflict, a violent attack on a state's property without announcement. These are usually attacks on a small island, and whoever wins is the official owner of said land. However, if a state wishes to attack another state's capital, hoping to assimilate the entire state, Lady Kadana will send a specialized squadron to help the victim.
Ostara
An Ostara, or a state's holy day occurring once per month, varies based on the state's patron deity. It primarily consists of duels between people used to settle quarrels, but it is also a significant gathering and celebration of community under their shared loyalties.
The Ostara is a celebration of the gifts of their gods and the people who exemplify their skills. It's nearly impossible to rattle off every nuance of each island's Ostara, but some examples include the cooks of Toramon serving a platter of rye bread with meatballs and paired with imported wine, or the colonists of Ulmarel occasionally exchanging food and gifts with the native peoples.
Many people abroad from their home state still perform the proper rites on the day of their Ostara. A popular belief is that this act of tradition, whether the person is lost at sea or stranded in the dunes, creates a kind of metaphysical connection to their home and community, however small the action may be.
Social Structure
The overarching social structure of the Cathach isles is very church and army centered. At the island level, social status is attained by the general profession of a person. Being a very religious nation, priests are held with higher regard than soldiers, who are then more important than craftsmen. Ruling an island is often a small council of people who deal with the many aspects of maintaining an island including foreign relations, high judge, and the head of the navy.
Humans and elves make up the majority of the population of Cathach, with tritons and dwarves at a close second. Elves, while making great sailors, are primarily delegated to be downtrodden and poor, similar to many other countries in Thornhelm. Tritons are held in high regard and considered "pure of blood", but merfolk, weirdly enough, are not given many of the same rights and are nearly on the same level as many elves.
Politics
"To seize is to own."
-Cathach Saying
Outsiders and patriots dub Cathach a single unified nation but, in reality, it more functions as a collection of large city-states with a shared ally and leader in Lady Kadana and her retinue. Each city state is given large amounts of autonomy, and is generally free to choose its own philosophies, political systems, and the like. The customs and laws shared by every city-state, such as duels, Ostaras, and formalized battles are just shared traditions that make conflict smoother and are overseen by Lady Kadana. These traditions are not enforced in a state's law, as new states are not forced to adopt them, confusing historians and anthropologists, as there is no clear origin to these bizarre ways of living.
Trade is very important to the states of Cathach and power based on mercantile influence holds high regard on the official and political plane. Military affairs are generally centered on securing and protecting trade routes and diplomacy is focused on tariffs and other such financial matters. Unlike many other sea bordering nations, such as the Trin countries, piracy is not a taboo or even necessarily illegal. To seize is to own, without exceptions.
Trade
Masters of the Everholm and fruitful to many; abundant is their praise but scarce are their allies.
Being a nation built on many important seaways, many trade goods of Cathach originate from other countries and are later circulated throughout the isles. Even some services have been "circulated" through Cathach by by having ideas and techniques transported through trade and connections. These goods and services can be anything from metalwork and craftsmen to alchemical ingredients and magical freelancers.
Some products, however, originate in Cathach, with the most notable being the art of tattoo magic recently introduced to the market and top quality silk and textiles. The premium silk so often traded to other nations is woven from the threads produced by the native Candle Moth. This coveted material makes for very beautiful and regal robes, but it can also sustain spells for a long time if used as a magical scroll. Evidence has even shown that if it is used for a scroll and left unattended for a long time, the spell held by it can even radiate to the outside world.
Type
Geopolitical, Duchy
Demonym
Cathens, Chathachists (Informal)
Leader
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Power Structure
Thalassocracy
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
The Wulfic Lion, the common coinage of Wulfhaven, is what is mainly circulated through the economy, due to Wulfhaven trade ships passing through the region. However, the brass Katars of the merfolk are also produced by the Cathach print.
Location
Neighboring Nations
Tattoos
Blending magic with ink and charcoal artistry, tattoo magic is an art native and unique to Cathach. A magic tattoo embodies the domain of a particular island's patron deity, and are used as a sign of status and regard. However, recently tattoo magic has entered the inter-country trade, and now almost anyone can have the tattoo of a specific deity inked on them, provided they have enough coin. This may seem like a complete boon, but be aware, getting the tattoo of a deity in turn pledges your allegiance to the relevant clan.
Exported Products (not extensive)
- honey
- cheese
- cereals
- plums
- meat (especially sheep and fish)
- wool, fur, and hides
- textiles (especially silk)
- tin
- lobster
- walrus ivory and whalebone
- amber
Imported Products (not extensive)
- wheat
- slaves from Wulfhaven
- grain and fish from the Trin Sea
- wood from Tharice and Bascos
- papyrus
- luxury food and spices (usually from Ciburn)
- glass
- silver
- pottery
- weapons
- wine
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