Free Peoples of the Seynan Islands

The inhabitants of the Seynan Islands call themselves the 'Free Peoples'.

History

Geography

Physical geography

The Seynan Islands chain stretches predominantly from west to east in the southwestern part of the Helerin Archipelago. To the north, across the Olbrint Strait and Gilrim Bay, lies the island of Great Forbin, while the island of Mar Miskun is situated to the east. Surrounded by the vast Gamanaean Ocean to the south and west, the waters around the Seynan Islands are generally much shallower than the open ocean. The area known as the Shallows, located off the coasts of Seynin Fant and Seyn Truna, represents the most shallow region within the island group. The western islands - Seyn Yona, Seynin Harn, and Seyn Tayl - are collectively referred to as the Pearl Islands, famed for the abundant pearls found in their surrounding waters. The islands themselves are characterized by rugged and often steep terrain, with rocky outcrops defining their coastlines. Tree cover is sparse on most of the smaller islands, while the larger islands host patches of scrub and coarse grass that thrive in this coastal environment.

Major settlements

The larger islands are each home to a town, but there are no cities in the Seynan Islands. See also: Settlements of the Seynan Islands

Seyn Ferra

The largest town in the islands, Seyn Ferra faces out across the Shallows in the east of the archipelago. The town is known for its decorative woollen blankets.

Seynin Fant

Seynin Fant is a large town at the center of the island chain.

Seyn Truna

The most westerly of the islands' large towns, Seyn Truna is known for its Mead.

Seyn Yona

Seyn Yona lies at the westerly edge of the archipelago, and is one of the Pearl Islands, famed for its pearl jewellery.

Seyn Tayl

Seyn Tayl is famed for its scrimshaw. The island is one of the Pearl Islands, known for the pearls found in the surrounding waters.

Seynin Harn

Like nearby Seyn Yona, Seynin Harn is one of the Pearl Islands, known for the pearls found in the surrounding waters.

Sar Ferrat

The easternmost island in the chain, Sar Ferrat is notable for its majority Kazlaa population.

Seyn Dehar

Sitting lies north of Seynin Fant. The island is a producer of dried fish.

Sar Tevram

Seyn Estol is the most southerly, and most isolated, of the island towns.

Seynin Orris

This small island town in Shallows is known for its production of green ink, and for its whalebone crafts.

Seyn Estol

Seyn Estol is known for its sea birds, and the people of the island gather the feathers to create down mattresses.

Anar Frar

The population of Anar Frar was decimated by storm floods in the 17th century, and the island was eventually repopulated by Keeva migrating from Gilrimmon.

Power and politics

Governance

There is no single ruler or formal centralised government. Instead, the islanders maintain a tiered structure of elected councils. Each of the larger islands elects its own council, and these in turn send representatives to the Island Council that oversees the islands as a whole.

To ensure fairness, the Island Council is hosted by the three largest islands in rotation. The current council members are:

Each town has considerable autonomy to manage its own affairs, although in practice tradition and habitual practice dominate day-to-day life; the council structures provide a convenient way of organising inter-community collaboration. See also: Island Council

Military

Armed forces.

The islanders maintain no standing military force. Each island generally looks to its own people (or to those of the nearest larger neighbour) for defence. Pirates and raiders are the most immediate threat.

Fortifications

See also: Castles and towers of the Seynan Islands The islanders maintain no major fortifications themselves. Neighbouring Forbin occupies the great keep of Torbanan at the eastern edge of the islands (its twin citadel Beranan is an unoccupied ruin).

Other powers

Diplomacy and foreign relations

The islanders typically maintain cordial relationships with Remon, Forbin, and Mar Miskun, relying as they do on these states for trade. However, the independence of the islands is a key priority, and diplomatic choices often reflect the desire to limit the influence of (or reliance on) any particular state. The islanders seek to negotiate favorable trade deals with Forbin using state diplomats to secure stable imports of critical resources like Iron and Coal, as well as pursuing alliances with other nations to act as a counterweight to Forbin's might. Smuggling goods into

People

Demographics

The Free Peoples are unusual among the states of Helerin for consisting almost entirely of Humans. Anar Frar is home to a large population of Keeva, and Sar Ferrat has many Kazlaa. The other islands are almost entirely peopled by Humans. Urban population: 164k
Rural population: 33k
Total population: 197k

Culture

The Seynan Islanders are a resilient, seafaring people, shaped by their harsh and isolated environment. They are renowned for their maritime expertise, navigating the treacherous waters of the Helerin Archipelago with exceptional skill. Community cooperation is vital to their survival, with tightly-knit villages where everyone contributes to the collective good. Life on the islands demands stoic resilience, and the Seynan people face adversity with quiet strength and determination. Their culture is steeped in oral traditions, preserving history and wisdom through storytelling. They have a deep respect for nature, particularly the sea, which they see as both a provider and a force to be respected. Although not overtly militaristic, they are skilled warriors, fiercely defending their homes from external threats with naval prowess and guerrilla tactics. The Seynan Islanders embody a culture of independence, practical wisdom, and unwavering resolve. The Seynan Islanders have a more egalitarian society compared to the other nations of Helerin. While there are distinctions between the ruling families and the common people, these differences are less pronounced. The rulers are often seen as custodians of tradition and culture rather than oppressors. Most Seynan Islanders live simple, communal lives, and wealth disparities are minimal. The islanders value communal success and cooperation, which helps to keep class divisions from becoming too stark. Social status is more fluid, with respect often earned through wisdom, skill, or contribution to the community rather than birthright. Seynan Islanders view the rest of Helerin with a mix of skepticism and respect. They see Forbin as overly structured and oppressive, preferring their own looser, more independent way of life. Remon’s honor is acknowledged, but the Islanders still prefer their autonomy. The corruption of the Mar Mabon Townships is distasteful to them, though they understand its origins. As for Teros, they pity the plight of its subjugated people but do not feel their position is totally undeserved. The League of Mar Miskun is respected for its trade networks and cooperation, though the Seynan Islanders sometimes see them as overly focused on wealth and commerce.

Economy

The economy of the islands is less developed than Helerin's other nations. Other than what the sea provides, the islands have limited natural resources. However, the islanders are proficient in making a little go a long way; hard work and inventiveness are key to the livelihoods of the Free Peoples. See also: Economy of the Seynan Islands

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Seynan Islanders

Demonym

Seynan Islanders

Ruling Organization

Island Council

Government System

Electocracy

Power Structure

Confederation

Location

Seynan Islands

Controlled Territories

Neighboring Nations

Notable Members

Related Species

Human