Zatokawień

Geography

A temperate maritime region along the Askimani Sea, featuring rocky coasts, sandy beaches, and fertile river deltas. It boasts vibrant port cities and a thriving trade network, with the sea serving as a gateway to distant lands.

Ecosystem

Climate and Terrain:

A temperate maritime region with rocky coasts, sandy beaches, and fertile deltas.
Coastal breezes and mild weather support a vibrant ecosystem.

Flora:

Coastal cliffs are lined with salt-tolerant plants like Sea Thistle and Ambergrass.
Fertile riverbanks support crops like rice and barley, while orchards of fruit trees thrive in the inland valleys.

Fauna:

Aquatic life includes schools of fish, dolphins, and Krakenspawn, small tentacled creatures found near the Amberic Sea.
Coastal predators like seabirds and foxes coexist with magical species such as Glowfish, whose bioluminescence aids navigation.
Inland areas host a mix of mundane and magical creatures, with Sirin occasionally nesting in remote groves.

Ecosystem Cycles

Spring:

Rivers swell with melted snow, nourishing fertile deltas. Farmers plant rice and barley.
Fish migrate closer to the shore, boosting the local fishing industry.

Summer:

Trade flourishes as ports hum with activity. Glowfish and Krakenspawn are more visible at night, aiding sailors.
Inland orchards and vineyards yield fruit, fueling festivals and trade.

Autumn:

Fishing slows as storms begin brewing in the Askimani Sea. Farmers focus on harvesting and preserving their crops.
Seabirds migrate inland, signaling the coming winter.

Winter:

Fierce storms lash the coast, making sea travel hazardous. Inland, life slows as frost covers the land.
Coastal settlements rely on stored food, while Glowfish become a rare delicacy during dark nights.

Localized Phenomena

Askimani Tides:

Bioluminescent plankton along the Askimani Sea cause the tides to glow a brilliant blue-green at night.
Sailors claim the glowing tides respond to strong emotions, guiding lost ships or warning of danger.

Sea Wraiths:

During powerful storms, ghostly figures are said to rise from the waves, created by a combination of mist, lightning, and magical echoes.
While likely a natural phenomenon, these "wraiths" are deeply embedded in local folklore as harbingers of disaster.

Climate

General Climate:

A temperate maritime climate, moderated by the Amberic Sea.
Mild winters and cool summers support fertile deltas and thriving coastal trade.

Seasonal Variations:

Spring: Rivers swell with snowmelt, enriching the fertile deltas and spurring a flurry of planting and fishing activities.
Summer: Warm, sunny days fuel crop growth, bustling trade, and maritime activity along the Amberic Sea.
Autumn: Frequent rains and strong coastal winds signal the harvest season, with preparations for winter dominating daily life.
Winter: Storms batter the coast with heavy rain and gales, while inland regions experience mild frost and reduced agricultural output.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

Ambergrass: Salt-tolerant grasses that grow along the coast, used for weaving and fodder.
Sea Thistle: Hardy plants with vibrant purple flowers, thriving in rocky coastal areas.

Fauna:

Krakenspawn: Small, tentacled aquatic creatures found near the Amberic Sea, often caught for their exotic taste.
Glowfish: Bioluminescent fish that illuminate underwater paths, aiding sailors and divers.

Natural Resources

Marine Resources:

Fish and Krakenspawn: Seafood sustains the population and fuels trade.
Salt: Harvested from coastal flats, vital for preservation and seasoning.

Trade Commodities:

Amber: Fossilised resin from the coastal forests, a key export valued for its beauty and magical conductivity.
Timber: Harvested from inland forests for shipbuilding and construction.

History

First Era: The Age of Elven Dominion

The region that would become Zatokawień was initially part of the Imperium Paurialis' domain, used for trade and resource extraction.
The Elves established religious divisions among the enslaved population to prevent rebellion.
Rebellion stirred in other parts of the Imperium, but Zatokawień remained under Elven rule as the First Era ended.

Second Era: The Age of Liberation and Fragmentation

The Alvarian Empire, founded by Alvar, emerged from rebellion against the Imperium Paurialis. The region that would become Zatokawień fell into the Empire's domain.
After Alvar’s death, internal conflicts weakened the empire, leading to fragmentation.
Zatokawień was established as a coastal trade hub, founded by freed slaves and former soldiers who rejected ownership and implemented a cooperative economic system.

The Withering Veil (Plague)

Zatokawień was among the first regions affected due to its role as a trade centre.
The cooperative system allowed for rapid quarantines and resource management, enabling faster recovery compared to other regions.
The plague fostered resentment against the Elves, as many believed the disease originated from Elven magic.

The Rise of Du Khaan & the Khanian Empire

Zatokawień resisted Du Khaan’s authority longer than other regions but was eventually swayed by popular support.
Under the Khanian Empire, its cooperative economy was regulated, and merchant leaders were absorbed into the bureaucracy.
The city became vital to the Empire’s economy due to its role in trade and logistics.

The Fall of the Khanian Empire

The Empire’s collapse led to internal power struggles, and Zatokawień was divided among administrative factions and reformed cooperatives.
Chaos and external threats, including Hakonian raids, made governance unstable.
The Mastoracza family, influential through trade, seized control and proclaimed the Proclamation of the Mastorian Dawn, beginning a new ruling dynasty.

The Mastorian Empire & Zatokawień's Role

Zatokawień became a key financial centre as the Mastorians consolidated power.
Trade routes were restored, and its economy strengthened, making it a dominant commercial hub.
During the War of the Justiciar, Zatokawień supported Mastoria but failed to relieve the Siege of Nabos.

Lambert’s Peace & The Mastorian Empire

After the war, Zatokawień became a key trading hub within in the Empire, maintaining its economic power while integrating into the Mastorian system.
The cooperative system remained in name but was heavily regulated by the central government.

The Pale Hunger (Undead Plague)

Zatokawień’s ports were initially devastated as infected refugees arrived.
It played a crucial role in post-plague recovery, importing food and supplies from other continents.

The Amberic Corridor & Expansion

Mastoria expanded trade routes along the Rewa Ojo, strengthening Zatokawień’s economy.
The region played a role in the Mastorian push into the southern territories of Lower Mastoria, providing financial and naval support.

The Dallan Rebellion

Zatokawień's merchants benefited from the Empire’s tax reforms but were caught in religious tensions.
It remained aligned with Mastoria, though religious autonomy became a growing issue.

Modern Day

Zatokawień remains Mastoria’s financial and trade centre, competing with Eluatu’s northern caravan routes.
Naval expansion in the Amberic and Askimani Seas strengthens its economy, but tensions with coastal powers grow.
Though politically stable, its population is increasingly divided between imperial loyalty and local traditions.

Tourism

Who Visits Zatokawień?

Merchants & Traders

Zatokawień is a centre of commerce in the Mastorian Empire, attracting merchants from across Thallia and beyond.
Many come to trade in rare goods, exotic spices, textiles, enchanted artifacts, and maritime resources.
Business-minded visitors often stay in luxurious trade houses or within merchant guild lodgings.
The region is also frequented by bureaucrats keen to engage in the politics of Istanbrakt, the Mastorian Empire's capital.

Historians & Scholars

The ruins of Khanian administrative centres, remnants of the Imperium Paurialis, and landmarks from the War of the Justiciar draw historians, archaeologists, and scholars.
The city of Istanbrakt is home to several archives and libraries where scholars study ancient texts and magical relics.
Scholars often reside in university quarters, libraries, or noble-funded accommodations.

Adventurers & Treasure Hunters

The nearby ruins of Khanian and Elven structures, particularly along old trade routes, offer ample opportunity for exploration.
The surrounding coastline is rumoured to hide sunken ships from Hakonian raids, tempting divers and treasure hunters.
Many adventurers stay in dockside hostels, rowdy underbars, or with local expeditionary guilds.

Sailors & Naval Officers

As one of Upper Mastoria's most densely populated coastal regions, Zatokawień is a prime location for naval exercises, military planning, and shipbuilding.
Sailors on leave, naval officers, and mercenary fleets use the region as a staging ground for their operations.
Many stay in naval barracks, private lodgings, or lively harbourside hostels.

Cultural Enthusiasts & Artists

Zatokawień’s bustling markets, diverse population, and historic architecture attract artists, poets, and musicians.
The city hosts regular festivals, theatre performances, and music gatherings, drawing creatives from across the Empire.
Wealthier cultural visitors stay in high-end city accommodation, while travelling performers lodge in cheaper hostels.

What Do They Visit?

The Grand Port of Istanbrakt

The capital of the Mastorian Empire and of the region. Istanbrakt is a spectacle of bustling trade, exotic goods, and towering merchant ships.
Visitors enjoy waterfront markets, a diverse population of people and places, and shipyard tours.

The Ruins of Khanian Governance

Remnants of Khanian administrative centres and Imperium Paurialis ruins are popular historical sites.
Archaeologists and historians explore these ruins, studying their enchanted remnants.

The Palaco Imperatora Milena

The seat of the Mastoracza family, Zatokawień’s ruling dynasty, and a symbol of Mastorian power.
A grand palace where visitors witness political debates, noble ceremonies, and military parades.

The Sunken Graves of the Hakonian Raiders

Off the coast, wrecked ships from past Hakonian invasions remain beneath the waves.
Divers and treasure hunters explore these sites, searching for artifacts and gold.

Yaszaw

A labyrinthine settlement shared by humans and Gnomes alike.
Known for its architecture combining elevated wooden homesteads for the Gnomes above the sturdy stone structures of the city's human population.
A hub of trade stalls selling goods from across the Empire.
Connected by a web of zip-wires, ladders and netting.

Waldabrakt

Home of the fabled Imperial Guard, an order of terrifying and mysterious elite warriors bound to the service of the Mastoracza Dynasty.
The city is a maze of canals and shadowy streets and alleys.

Where Do Visitors Stay?

Merchant Guild Houses (For traders and wealthy visitors)

Lavish accommodations provided by merchant guilds for high-ranking traders.
Includes security, private meeting spaces, and luxurious dining.

Religious Hospices & Missions (For pilgrims and scholars)

Simple, donation-based lodgings provided by temples and monasteries.
Hosts theological debates, Dallan prayer sessions, and historical readings.

The Hostels (For sailors, adventurers, and mercenaries)

Affordable lodgings with lively music, drinks, and local storytelling.
Often located near the docks, providing easy access to ships and expeditions.

The Noble Residences & City Hotels (For scholars, nobles, and high-ranking officials)

Luxury accommodations offering privacy, security, and proximity to political centres.
Often used by foreign dignitaries and influential figures visiting the city.

The Underground Hostels (For outlaws and treasure hunters

Secretive, low-profile accommodations in the city’s hidden alleys and underground passages.
Used by those seeking discretion or avoiding imperial scrutiny.

Location under

Upper Mastoria

Owner/Ruler

Imperator Martin Mastoracza VII

Additional Rulers/Owners

Imperator-Avowed Anatolya Mastoracza

Ruling/Owning Rank

Imperator

Owning Organization

The Mastoracza of the Third Circle