Navis (Nah-vee)
Located in the heart od the Merkessi Sea, south of the Midlands and west of Korkusz, Navis is an ancient country, and many believe the original Human land. But it is not theirs anymore. Navis is home to an incredibly diverse range of sentient species, many of whom were long villified, giving the country the name "The Islands of Monstes". But now the monsters rule the land, and they are forging a place in the March.
History
Long ago the islands of Navis were a center for civilization and philosophy, a collection of city-states that populate the island chains south of the Midlands nation of Corteso. Even before the Hellenic Empire, Navis was one of the first centers of Human civilization. It is on these islands that the first democracies were thought of and implemented, the first human military state was formed, and here the first philosophers gathered in colleges to debate. While Korkusz focused on trade, Navis focused on philosophy and the arts.
The arts studied were not always the aesthetic styles, for magic has always been found in the islands. For reasons unknown, the islands have been home to an incredible array of monstrous and arcane creatures. Chimera, manticore, harpies, hydra, and gorgons are only some of the amazing assortment of unnatural creatures to be found in and around Navis. While every place in Errath has its share of mystic creatures, none compare in variety to the Navis Islands. This has given the land it's other nickname, the Islands of Monsters, a name that has become more true than ever since the Dragon War.
While once a center of civilization, the golden age of Navis is long over. The allied states fell into civil war ages ago, and were one of the first lands conquered by the expanding Hellenic Empire. When the empire fell the Islands returned to their own rule, but never recaptured their former glory. Centuries later at the start of the Dragon War they were primarily fishermen and sailors. The war hit Navis hard, and the islands saw much fighting on land and sea. Captured early on by Helgest, who sought to either contain or utilize the monstrous creatures of the islands, the people of Navis found help from an unexpected source. A charismatic rebel leader rose up, a beautiful but blind young woman named Ishel who rallied the people of several cities. When Helgest forces sought to end the insurgency quick, they were met by a nasty surprise. Ishel revealed herself to be one of the legendary medusa of the islands, and called on many of the monstrous inhabitants to join her. The Helgest legion was met by an unprecedented organized force of cyclops, supported by harpies and trained gorgons. The uprising spread quickly, and over half the islands were claimed by Ishel's forces when the war ended.
Now Navis is an odd place for many. After much debate, Ishel's demands that the monstrous sentients of Navis be recognized were met. The medusa now rules the country not as a conqueror, but as a democratically elected leader. Many of those who fear the role of the monsters in society have sought refuge in other lands, but most have embraced the change. To help rebuild the lands, Ishel has offered a welcome home to those sentient creatures feared and persecuted in other lands, and her call is being answered. The Islands of Navis have become the Islands of Monsters like never before.
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