Nuveaux
All who sail the seas curse the people of Nuveaux. It is said that they have salt water in their veins, and their reputation is as fierce as reputations come. Any Nuvoan truly worth their salt proudly wears the label of "pirate".
Structure
As a pirate society, the primary unit of Nuvoan life os the ship. Each ship is run by a captain, who appoints officers from the most worthy of the crew. They also determine who among the crew should serve as captain in the very likely event that they should die in battle.
While the captain ostensibly has total control of the affairs of their own ship, the crew has one main authority: that of mutiny. A mutiny in Nuvoan society is neither a sin nor a crime. If a captain cannot prevent their crew from turning on them, then they simply did not deserve to be captain in the first place.
Nuvoan culture as a whole is ruled by these captains, who frequently meet to discuss business or pass laws. As the Nuvoans value freedom far more than they value law, the latter is a rarity. Disputes between ships is also settled by the captains, with transgressions most often punished by fines, and disagreements settled by challenges-- most often duels.
History
For as long as people have sailed the seas, pirates have plagued the seas. Because of this, honest sailors have always fought against them. It was when humans began organizing after the Second Rising that these pirates were finally driven off.
They settled in the northwestern edge of the continent of Vald, a harsh land that no one else wanted. They built their ports, and launched their ships to attack civilized society. This they have done for almost as long as history has recorded.
The only threat that they truly faced in their nation's time was the Third Rising. When the mind flayers rose up from their place in The Warrens, Nuveauex came under threat just like anywhere else. They simply loaded anyone they could on their ships, and abandoned the rest. When the threat was ended they simply returned to live their lives as they always had.
Demography and Population
Nuveaux, having been founded by pirates, for pirates, is one of the most racially diverse nations on the Twin Worlds. Humans make up the highest portion of the population, but half-elves, goblins, hobgoblins, and halflings are common as well.
The Nuvoan are a very tolerant people to those who can prove their value to the crew. It is not unheard of to see such people as gnolls or orcs among their crews. Even people who are universally vilified such as tieflings can live and sail openly among them.
Military
As a fairly loose federation, Nuveaux has no true military. That said, almost all Nuvoans are in some way affiliated with the de facto Nuvoan navy. In fact, it is said that if all Nuveaux's ships were to gather, they would have an armada capable of easily defeating the navies of Tamasia and Mandia put together. Fotunately, their fractious nature makes it unlikely that will ever be known.
The makeup of individual crews generally leaves little to be desired as far as skillsets are concerned. Most of the crew are warriors or swashbucklers, but more than one mage is almost always present as well. The lack of religion makes healing magic a rarity, but this is mostly made up for by the presence of an alchemist. This person is given a place of honor among the crew.
Religion
The Nuvoans do not worship any of the gods. Instead, they have a deep reverence for the sea, itself. They do not bother asking the sea to keep them safe as they know it does not listen. They seek more than anything to emulate the unforgiving nature of the merciless ocean.
Their preferred method of execution is to simply throw their victims into the open ocean to "let the sea sort them out". Before any are thrown overboard, they are given a special brand. If any who wears this brand are found alive they are referred to as "Returned of the Sea" and are shown a great deal of respect. Any who are found to wear this brand falsely have it branded over, and have their tongues cut out so they tell no more false tales.
Foreign Relations
The captains of Nuveaux are not diplomats. In fact, they do not care about nations at all, only loot. In particular, they show a certain preference for the ships of Qandaq, due to the wealth of that nation. Neither nation truly has any interest in war, however.
The people of Nuveaux do, sometimes trade their ill-gotten gains with others. Just like with those they attack, they show very little distinction of who they are dealing with. Anyone who deals with them must be careful, however, as they are not inclined to hold to any bargin they make.
Trade & Transport
As the Rockspine Peninsula is so unwelcoming to life, most of the basic needs of the Nuvoans are met through piracy. Theft gets them the food, cloth and metal they need to survive and thrive regardless of their harsh surroundings.
The excess goods, such as luxury items are often sold at their ports, such as Canvierre. Traders who wish to visit simply fly a white version of the Nuvoan flag, and are usually allowed to dock. The goods sold in Nuveaux are usually cheaper than similar goods sold elsewhere, so long as the buyers don't mind their source.
Infrastructure
Nuveaux can only be called a nation in the broadest possible sense. They are more of a unifying pirate culture. As such, they don't truly have cities. Instead any settlements more resemble private ports, being places to have shore leave, or conduct business.
Such places are often well hidden and well protected. Their construction is often very ramshackle, but their nearly constant maintenance makes them surprisingly secure. Many such places consist of little more than docks, a market, a tavern, and a brothel.
Founding Date
Early 2nd Age
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Nuvoan
Government System
Oligarchy
Power Structure
Federation
Economic System
Traditional
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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