Masara Archipelago
This is more a large archipelago than a proper continent, but the islands are plentiful enough that they have earned status as something greater. The populace of this archipelago is generally adept at swimming and sailing. This has long been a favorite locale and hiding spot for the less than lawful, such as pirates. There are more places to hideout in this cluster of islands than anyone could ever hope to search, and a number of them are even strongholds for the unlawful. Law in this area isn't kept very orderly, as the only peacekeeping force is the Nimarun Dynasty navy, which only interferes if pursuing enemies of the state, or known violators of their laws within their sphere of influence.
Masara is a winding, mess of islands scattered about and difficult to navigate and secure. Nimarun does their best to protect what they can, but knows never to overextend their attempts to control their domain. For this very reason, neutral cities, kingdoms and even known pirate fortresses are allowed to remain. They all generally try to remain peaceful with one another, but are not typically allied. While small independent kingdoms and pirate clans are permitted to rule their own waters, Nimarun openly sees any attempt by foreign nations to start a colony in Masara as an act of war, and will actively pursue this even if the intent is not intentionally aggressive. The Privateer's Union keeps piracy from getting too out of hand, by requiring all pirates act with a simple code of honor on the high seas and when landlocked.
THE SLAVE TRADE: All throughout the Masara Archipelago, the sale and ownership of slaves is legal and a very profitable business. This is the largest area that slavery is legal and openly discussed. It is not shameful anywhere in Masara, save for one free city and a couple of pirate fortresses, to own and purchase slaves. Slaves come in all variety, from human and elf to orc and goliath. There are even more exotic slaves for sale on occasion, and some upper-class and wealthy individuals go to extreme lengths to procure such unique slaves as a sign of status. The more strange and uncommon the race, the more prestige they feel.
SLAVERY IS LEGAL: Be very careful in Masara, as laws protecting people from the slave trade are not in place! It is not horribly uncommon for strangers to vanish, be imprisoned or enslaved by any number of organizations or individuals. The larger cities within Nimarun are generally free from such worries, but attempts could be made truly at any moment. The best thing to do in Masara is never be alone, especially at night. This goes double for women. Once a person has been given the 'brand of the slave', they are permanently marked in Masara as a slave, even in Nimarun, and it can be very difficult to prove they are not. Legally, at that point, you are property of someone else. Just about the only places one is free of this threat is Freeport, and a handful of pirate fortresses, as most pirates reject the concept of slavery entirely and, infact, fight against it.
CLIMATE (North: -30 to 20 °F, South: 26.6 to 64.4 °F)
Most of Masara lies within the colder climate zone of Myrandria, leaving the inhabitants learning from a very young age how to properly protect from cold to keep warm. The northern half of the islands see snow nearly year-round, while it is rather pleasant on the islands in the southern section.
-History-
While Masara is a large chain of islands right now, history tells us this was not always so. At one point, it is believed that Masara was a continent rivaling Irolia in size and population, until the war to end all wars occurred. It was known as the War of the Scale, and was fought between armies of dragons. The many sentient races across Masara could do nothing but watch as these fearsome beasts clashed, leaving the continent as mere islands afterward.
Alternative Name(s)
The Orient
Type
Archipelago
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