The Calinan Sea
People
The History of The Calinan Sea so far
It is unclear what used to be present on Annyrion prior to humanity. A common myth among many kingdoms refers to a mysterious group of humans or human-like beings known among the Arikandans as the Coronae. They are described as spirits, superhumans and even gods among some of the peoples of the world. There is absolutely no trace of any of these supposed beings in the Calinan Sea region however. In Calina, myth and legend abounds of the Nakkoron, a tribal group of jaguar-men roaming the jungles to the far south.
What is known is that originally humanity existed as groups of hunters and gatherers scattered throughout Annyrion. With the rise of agriculture, these bands began to settle down and create societies and specialised their labour force, which in turn led to the rise of the first towns and cities. Var Kalriv is the oldest of these cities, founded in the late Stone Age almost 6000 years before the story. In time, this led to the discovery of copper metallurgy, followed by the development of bronze about 3500 years prior.
From that time up to the present day, there have been countless small kingdoms and city-states that have been founded throughout Arikanda. While many have stood the test of time, many others who failed; they ran out of resources, they were forced to move by climate change, they collapsed into infighting or were conquered by their neighbours. One such major power was the Kingdom of Lykrus, which held dominion in the northern Sapphire Coast before the Kalriv tribe defeated and absorbed it 1500 years prior.
Current Species & Cultures
The Great Empires
Along the southern and eastern shores of Arikanda, three Great Empires exist; The Avadian Sovereignty is a thalassocratic empire based in the Beyan Archipelago off the southwestern coast of Arikanda. Originally tribes of fishers and traders, the Sovereignty banded together and now rule the Archipelago, have colonised most of Arikanda’s southwest and through naval supremacy effectively control the waterways in the Calinan Sea. The Helikan League is a confederation of city-states in south-central and southeastern Arikanda, formed in response to the expansion of the Kalriv Empire. They are ostensibly a free alliance of independent states, but fall under the hegemony of Helik, the most powerful city in the alliance (and its administrative centre). The Kalriv Empire are a militarist empire that controls most of the eastern Sapphire Coast. They are a military superpower who have expanded mainly through military conquest. They are dedicated to two pillars of society; their sun god Venderus, and the martial prowess and legacy of the Empire.Major City-States and Kingdoms
Outside of the Three Empires, there are of other large city-states and kingdoms spread over Arikanda and Calina; The city-state of Mayoka in the region of Arpium was recently recruited into the Helikan League, but prior to this was a rich and influential city for centuries. It is currently undergoing transition from an absolute monarchy with a Queen to a constitutional monarchy with an Archon. Solathi is an influential former Helikan settlement on the northern shore of Calina, which gained independence in the past two centuries. Maganti is a former Avadian colony on Calina’s central northern shore which has formed a cultural syncretism with its Avadian and Calinani peoples. The Heartlander States are a number of city-states and kingdoms in central Arikanda who share a common culture. The states are generally independent or in some cases at odds with each other. One such city is the city-state of Vessen, a traditional ally of the Helikan League city of Mayoka. Kjoqvist is a recently established kingdom of united Wessuth clans in the Siellar Range in the far northwest of Arikanda. They are a rising maritime power and their longships range over the Boundless Ocean and even into the Calinan Sea. Kas is an enormous city on the Straits of Kas, on the western shore of the continent of Sembar. It is a mysterious gateway only a few Avadian sailors dare to visit, and even the Kalriv Empire give it a wide berth. Tenun is an island in the far west of the Calinan Sea, known for their strange step pyramids. While isolated from affairs on Arikanda and Calina, they are an important trading partner with the Avadian Sovereignty.Needs & Relations
Needs
The Kalriv EmpireThe Kalriv Empire is dedicated to a single goal; to bring the entire continent of Arikanda under its protection. This is a holy goal given to the Kalriv at the time of their formation by the first Solar priest, Mirkos. This has been interpreted a few ways throughout history, but the general perception in the last several centuries means a conquest and integration of the existing cities and kingdoms. On a practical level, as Kalriv territory grows, more resources are required, which means more territory and more slaves. Ideally the Kalriv would prefer surrender, but they are more than prepared to go to war to achieve this. The Helikan League
The needs of the Helikan League vary on a state-to-state basis; and usually what the city of Helik itself needs is not the same as what other member cities require. The city of Helik itself is built upon a great sense of prestige, and its ruling nobility wish to expand their legacy, influence and riches across the world. When a city or kingdom approaches Helik to join the League, it is usually to meet some sort of need; access to markets, access to technology and infrastructure, or simply having a large network of allies to keep the Kalriv or raiders at bay. The Avadian Sovereignty
While the Sovereignty used to be self-sufficient, ultimately an archipelago can only support so many people. To that end, the Sovereignty need two things; lands to colonise, and trade networks to use their mastery of the seas to benefit from. They have carved out a portion of southwestern Arikanda for colonies, and have effectively become the commercial hub of Arikanda itself. To keep this position, Avadians need to keep their trade networks flush with items, protect themselves from raiders, and ensure they come out on top in their business dealings. Independent kingdoms/city-states
Independent city-states and kingdoms generally don't require the vast volumes of resources the Great Empires do, however they also don't enjoy the protections of associations with larger empires. To that end, they usually need to be self-sufficient and able to defend themselves if need be. If neither of these are possible on their own, they need alliances with other states or with the Great Empires. Most coastal cities require some level of dealing with the Avadian Sovereignty. Cities near the Kalriv Empire need to be able to provide enough of a challenge to keep from being invaded and annexed. Independence and being able to successfully keep it usually involves either great strategic/military prowess, powerful allies, or access and control of a resource they can deny any enemies.
International Relations
Relations between the Helikan League and the Avadian Sovereignty:While the Avadian Sovereignty and Helikan League both strive for power on Arikanda and share a border, ultimately the Sovereignty and the League need each other to flourish; most of the Sovereignty trade routes run through League cities, and the Avadian presence in the Calinan Sea is universal and vital to League maritime trade and transit. A very large chunk of both empires' wealth and resources come through trade to each other. On a pragmatic level, the League serves as a useful buffer between the Avadian colonies and the Kalriv Empire. Relations between the Kalriv Empire and the Helikan League:
The Empire sees the Helikan League as the single largest obstacle to their perceived destiny as the sole power on Arikanda, and both empires have a great deal of hostility, frequently butting heads over the Sapphire Coast cities. However the Kalriv also understand that while the League is an obstacle, it is also easily the largest threat they have ever faced. As a result, the Empire approaches the League with a degree of wariness and caution. It is generally understood however that it is a matter of time before war breaks out between the two. Relations between the Avadian Sovereignty and the Kalriv Empire:
Due to the geographical distance between Avadian holdings and Kalriv territory, the Sovereignty and the Kalriv generally are able to avoid most interactions. There is a moderate amount of trade between the empires, although the Kalriv refuse to allow Avadian traders to set up enclaves in their territory. While relations are polite, ultimately the Empire cannot achieve its goal of dominance without confronting the Avadians, making a confrontation inevitable. Likewise, the Avadians are mindful that while their home islands are under no threat, the League are all that stand between the Kalriv and their colonies. The current approach for the Sovereignty seems to be to let the League and the Empire fight it out for the time being while a solution is devised.
Copyright © Liam J. Johnston 2025