Loa
That boy could pour rum into his pockets without getting them wet.
-A common Loan saying when calling someone lucky and/or blessed
Structure
The Barons rule everything in Loa. With little regard for an actual governmental structure, the only reason you could say that they rule together is the fact that they exist on the same island and haven't tried to push each other off of it. Well, not that any who have tried have succeeded.
Assets
- The Bay of Stilts
- The Screaming Storm
History
The Bay of Stilts, a ramshackle collection of buildings and public spaces that take after the southern cities of the Iron Republic, has been home to any number of reprobates and villainous characters since it's discovery by rum-runners and spice traders. Established by a long collapsed trading company, it quickly was patched up by the now unemployed associates of said company. Lacking any other source of income other than their ships, they turned to piracy to feed themselves.
Established as the first pirate haven near the newly colonized continent of Fiadhaich, The Bay of Stilts exploded in population size. Some of the most famous pirates in history took up residence there with their fleets. 'Naive' Vinton Blythe, the youngest recorded pirate from the Bay of Stilts. Dempster Shaw. Aldred Townsend, the Kraken Tamer. Theodosia Bones, the Necromancer Queen. Lyre Silvergear, the Tinker Captain. Todhunter 'Shark Bait' Thornton. And many many more. Each one crafting their own legend through blood and sand and gold. All that Grit and Gold amounted to nothing, in the end, when the Barons sailed into port.
The exact reason the Barons perpetrated their coup is still unknown, but once they were done, the stood in the collective blood of a golden era of piracy. Entire crews vanished and were torn apart by spirits, and whole fleets still reside in the shoals at the bottom of the Bay of Stilts. Since then, the Bay of Stilts has gone from a meeting place for the criminal and outcast, to a home for the strange and bizarre.
While the city-state, now known as Loa, has become a cleaner and (on the surface) friendlier place, it is no less dangerous. Wild spirits stalk the boardwalks at night, sometimes at the command of the Barons, other times at their own volition. The hexes and spells of the Barons and their Mystère find their way into the citizenry, sowing chaos between factions and generally getting someone maimed or killed and whatever goal the Baron pursue remains a total mystery, even to those that live within their sphere of power.
Which brings us to the Mystère. A total enigma within the mystery of the Barons, the Mystère are supposedly the source of the Baron's power and abilities. Though, what they are, or if they are truly real is anyone's guess. They worship them as if they were divinity, but Theologians debate if they actually have a large enough worshipper base to hold their divine form. Whatever the truth, the Barons are incredibly powerful arcane practitioners and hold Loa in a tight grip.
Demography and Population
No official census has ever taken place in Loa, so it's impossible to tell exactly. It is clear, however, that the City-State is incredibly diverse, especially in comparison to other sovereign nations. People from all over the world find themselves drawn to the promise of wealth, and the adventure such a place might provide. Nevermind the danger that might present itself.
Religion
Not really worshipped by the general populace, though you can find the odd faithful here and there, the Mystère are almost entirely the product of the Barons and their lieutenants.
Foreign Relations
An enigma to other nations, Loa only elicits a sense of curiosity when brought to the attention of the world stage. They don't like it, but they don't really have a reason to dislike it. It's better than the pirate alternative.
Agriculture & Industry
Only suited for industrial production, even then they don't really have the space or foundations, the economy of Loa is based almost entirely on the production of magical artifacts and trinkets. Anywhere from Fireball scrolls and Boots of Spider Climbing, to Rings of minor invisibility and canteens of infinite whiskey.
Education
None. Zip. Nadda. People that come to Loa are most often adults who have already received their education. Those that are born on Loa, they will most likely receive an apprenticeship with some sort of craftsman or artisan. Children born with a natural aptitude for magic have the best chance to improve their station with relatively work, apprenticing themselves to one Baron or another, earning themselves immediate respect and difference within the community.
Mythology & Lore
To say that there is any sort of coherent mythology behind any of the Mystère is, at best, pure conjecture. There is no known creation myth for any of them that can be considered truthful, making them an anomaly to theologians anywhere.
Even myths involving multiple Mystère change in very broad strokes when recounted by the followers of the respective beings. Such as the myth surrounding the death of Aldred Townsend and his Kraken. The Barons of Vicomt Apollinair say that Apollinair found an item for each of Townsend's crew members. Each one guaranteed to turn the loyalty of the crew against him. Apollinair just sat back and watched while the crew he had coerced killed their beloved captain and his Kraken. The followers of Vicomtéss Bellefontaine , however, say that she tracked down a specific plant on the bottom of the ocean. A sea flower that glowed in the inky black below and oozed a neon substance that melted and consumed all life that it touched. Plucking the plant, she found the Kraken of Aldred Townsend and fed it the plant as it slept. When morning light shined through the sky, and Townsend found his life long companion floating lifeless in the bay, he put a bullet through his own skull, while the Vicomtèss chuckled at her own clever wit.
Founding Date
897, Age of Insurrection
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Loan
Government System
Anarchy
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Loa deals solely with precious metals and other resources that retain their value in spite of governmental shake-ups. After all, you never know when a Baron will be brought low by another and you still have a family to feed
Legislative Body
Every Baron has their own set of rules for their territory that they see enforced with their own private armies and gangs.
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
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