Merchant Republic of the Shalin Isles
The Golden Coin Empire
"The first time I laid my eyes on the port of Vlard I was filled with inspiration, never before had I seen so much coin exchange hands and never before had I smelled such great opportunity to take the coin from those hands" -Expert from a journal of Sorin DarklaceThe Golden Coin Empire of the Shalin Isles (Simply called the Shalin Isles) are a collection of islands to the south of Meridion. They are classified as a Merchants Republic. The Capital and seat of the Shalin Isles' government is the city of Vlard. Their symbol is a coin being flipped by a hand, each finger of said hand is styled after a different founding race. Life differs greatly from island to island but a few things you will always see no mater where in the isles you are is the colorful ports filled with the worlds goods, great ships always moving from one port to another following the trade-winds, and the jingling of coin purses as every one tries to ply their trade. Driven by coin, the Shalin Isles is home to some of the worlds greatest guilds, shrewdest traders, bravest slaughter's, and most ambitious thieves, pirates, and brigands. Ruled by a council made up of people from high sections of society. Each island has a appointed representative, the nobility class has an appointed representative, merchants have several per the highest grossing guilds, A military representative per each island is appointed, as well as ones for things such as foreign affairs. Currently the Shalin Isles are dealing with a Gnoll incursion, having already lost Telar and Kerkad-Cithreth to their eternal hunger. They have also lost Skaaroth and Oeskalor to the storm of ash and flame that came from the mega volcano eruption, these islands are now referred to as part of The Wastes.
History
Like all things in Melkarieen, its hard to trace the history of the Shalin Isles. Luckily the Isles are also the most recent established country in recent history so their history can be recalled quite well. With the rapid expansion of La Forsef there were many tribes of races that felt out of place and like they didnt belong. Chiefly among these were the Tieflings, Dragonborn, Aarakocra and their darker feathered cousins, the Kenku. Each sailing south for their own reasons but banding together in order to make their ideas achievable. The Tieflings sailed south to escape the hate, censorship and abuse they suffered due to their infernal blood. Ever proud are the Dragonborn, as such when they felt that they were being discounted and discredited as the mighty race they are, they went south to build a better empire. Aarakocra spread their wings and flew south, never wanting to miss out on the next great adventure of freedom! Last but not least, the Kenku traveled south for the hope that they may be able to build a start to call their own, or a start of any kind for that matter. The first island settled were what was named the Mother and Daughter isles for from these two islands an empire would be born. Using these two islands as a basecamp the settlers of Shalin began looking for a place that would be able to stand the test of time forever more. A place that would become a shining beacon of trade, a place that those who doubted these peoples would never forget again. That is when they found the island of Vlard. The name is rumored to come from a Kenku mispronouncing some word or another and it stuck. Vlard was settled for many reasons. First of all the ocean flowing river allowed the people to build and sustain life while also continuing to settle the other islands. The unique desert also made for a great resource to properly build a capital. The sand of Vlard's dessert has a high content of metal, once sifted out it could easily be worked and used to build the foundation of the capital city. One of Vlard's oldest buildings is its Grand Foundry. The large amount of metal available in Vlard made it a hot spot for tradesmen and merchants. This brought people of other professions to ply their trade, carpenters sought the exotic woods grown on neighboring islands, cooks enjoyed the ripe possibilities of new spices and fruits, weavers sought the new silken fabrics to spin new tapestries. With so much coin passing through the new capital, something had to be done to regulate it. A proper center of commerce. Named after the original Iron Coin of Vlard came The Iron Bank From this island forged and casted in the metal of the desert and tempered by the dreams of its people rose a Republic of merchants who refused to be doubted ever again. Ensuring that everyone would have the chance to see their dream realized should they have the drive, desire, and most importantly the funds to see it through.Current Events
The Shalin Isles plays a crucial role in the trade of Melkarieen's goods. Sporting merchant favoring trade laws and several teleportation circles, wealthy merchants world wide find them selves here. If anything can be purchased, it can be found in the Isles it is said among merchants, nobles, and adventurers alike. Any company who wants to make it big better find them selves a permanent office on Vlard's streets for it is there that all real business is done. While not as horrible as some of the other places in Melkarieen, The Shalin Isles have seen their fair share of tragedy as well. A break down of these events, good and bad, can be found below (WIP) but they are as follows. The violent earthquake and eruption of Mt.Galvenrica causing the loss of Oeskalor (Now Desolation Isle) and all of its people, the near total loss of Skaaroth, several minor unnamed settled islands, and finally the trading partners of the Gold Coast. The Isle of Blight's sudden appearance during The Desolation. The gnoll invasion lead by Mara Galanodel which caused the collapse and consumption of life of Northern Kerkad-Cithreth and all of Telar. The rebellion of those Mara did not slay, resulting in the capture and control of Kerkad. Piracy and slavery has also become more abundant in the area with minor islands appearing all over due to The Desolation.
Type
Government, Leadership
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