The United Merdomes is a network of underwater cities at the bottom of Mare Crystallum, the sea south of the continent of
Chronan. The first merdome - a magically created dome of glass that covers each city like an air bubble - was constructed a hundred years back, when Lonquerdon, one of the aquatic nations, formed an agreement with
The Metropolites governing the Eight States of Chronan to exchange their natural resources for the superior Chronanese technology. Soon many of the underwater cities wanted a merdome of their own, and the once separate settlements became known by their collective name. The flag of the United Merdomes depicts a clockwork octopus.
The current cities with merdomes include:
Alok Mulek
Coralwood
Lobsterdam
Lonquerdon
Neptuna
Thalassaar
Wettington
Wunderflow
Most of the population in the underwater cities consists of naturally aquatic species such as sea elves, tritons, merfolk and water genasi, but thanks to the merdomes, it has become possible for non-aquatic species to live there as well. Steam-based submarines have been invented to easily transport people to and from the cities, although many still use magical means for traversal.
Some underwater nations have refused to install a merdome over their city, claiming it would mean selling their soul and identity to "landlubbers" who have never accepted them. The aquatic tribes living in
the Freeisles have declared an open animosity towards the nations under the merdomes, and there has even been attacks against the domes and the submarines.
The United Merdomes also do business with the people of
Brimstone Island for their
vulcanium steel. Many of the sea elven residents of the merdomes have ancestry in the lost culture of
Nyiss Velathyyr in what are now known as
The Forlorn Islands.
The people of the United Merdomes mostly worship the benevolent Whale God
Balensire, protector of sea life, although an increasing number have converted into the faith of the
Gods of Time and Order. In sea elvish tongue, Balensire is known as
Ballaessaar, "Bard of the Ocean". In their myths, Ballaessaar defeated the sea serpent god Leviakhous just by singing and dancing around him. Whales are considered sacred beasts by the underwater people, and killing one is a sin punishable by death.
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