Aguilos WIP
For centuries the island of Aguilos was the center of trade and commerce in the continent of Afiris, due to its high population, unique culture and political influences it became independent in -73 BSF of the country now known as the Star Coast prior to the appearance of Aether Crystal.
Aguilos was the first reported location in Afiris to be affected by the events of Star Fall in -53 SF, only 20 years after their independence, the Star Coast following soon afterward. Common belief propose that the core of the falling star hit directly the island causing it to sink almost completely but due to the nature of Aether Crystal and Aether Mist the people of Aguilos survived, this theory although partially true, as a meteorite containing Aether shards did hit the ancient city of Kagis'Mil, seems to be wrong as multiple falling stars have been reported throughout the continent and perhaps even the world.
Soon after Star Fall the people of Aguilos saw their bodies mutating with the local wildlife, and in an inner battle of will the survivors became Karash'tel, Folks of the sea. Each year Aguilians gather to remember the deads and the Lost Ones in the joyful Spice Festival.
"It is estimated that less than an eight of the population of Aguilos was alive and sane after Star Fall, and that now a hundred years later the island is at a quarter of its original population, despite this Aguilos is still host to one of the biggest city on the continent. The Jewel of Afiris, Atili." - Chronicler KirxIt took more than fifty years for the Aguilian to rediscover part of their ancestral home and even to this day the grand majority of what was once the most important city in Afiris remains unexplored, sunken and in ruins, occupied by strange forces of evil. What lays beyond the deep is a mystery.
Structure
Political Ranks
- Tidelord: Aguilos is ruled by a Tidelord, a position elected every twenty years by the Wave Council which includes nine Magistrates and the four Grand Admirals. This role is restricted to those who are Magistrel or Magistrate themselves as well as having a military rank of Commodore, in the cases that there is no eligible candidate(s) the Wave Council will rule. The Tidelord vote is counted seven times on any given law or military decision, if a tie were to happen the Tidelord decision reigns.
- Magistrate: Elected for forty years by Trade Barons in each of the nine districts of Atili, Magistrates represent the wealthiest families of Aguilos in the Wave Council. Upon the death of a Magistrate the title is given to their selected heir.
- Magistrel: Family members of Magistrates, Magistrels can choose a new Magistrate to represent their bloodline in the Wave Council by creating an inner council, during that period the family vote will not count.
- Trade Barons: Trade Barons are considered to be the wealthiest people in Aguilos, at any given moment there is nine barons per district of Atili, upon becoming a Trade Baron their holding are evaluated and made public by a Treasurer.
- Copper Barons: Trade Barons who lost their rank or referring to a person who applied and failed to become a Trade Baron. Often used in Aguilian insults in regards to poor economics choices or deals.
"To become a Trade Baron is simple, extraordinarily simple even... but incredibly difficult, to attein the rank one must simply pay a fee of a thousand gold piece to their local Magistrate and then hope they have enough gold left in their treasury to unrank the poorest Trade Baron." - Trade Baroness Nilya
Military Ranks
- Grand Admiral: In charges of the entirety of the Fleets and Army of Aguilos, the four Grand Admirals are only outranked by the Tidelord.
- Vice Admiral: In charges of their own Fleet.
- General: Equal in rank to Vice Admirals, Generals are in charge of their own Legion.
- Commodore: In charges of two or more ships, Commodores often assist Vice Admirals.
- Seawarden: Equal in rank to Commodores, Seawardens are in charge of two or more Units, they often assist Generals.
- Captain: In charges of a single ship.
- Ensign: In charge of a single Unit.
Culture
Art
Aguilos is home to the Lorava, a large district of Atili dedicated to visual arts, sculpting, tailoring and music. There one can find artists painting underneath the open sky to the sound of local folk songs and instruments, marble statues, small and larges, carried by cart to their newfound owners as well as patrons of the arts flaunting their wealth to their admirators and rivals. While Atili is considered to be the center of the arts in Aguilos it is quite common for experienced artists to roam throughout the country or even beyond in a tradition called Ispora, often sponsored by Trade Barons or universities the artists necessary expense are paid for sets amount of time enabling them to create and even conduct business without worrying.Cuisine
The Aguilian Cuisine takes inspiration from neighboring countries and is rich in seafood, spices, peppers and fruits. Aguilian recipes often focuses on enhancing simple dishes with hot peppers and spices, for this reason chefs rely on having freshly caught fish which they'll sometime even catch themselves. Good cooks are highly respected in Aguilos culture, towns and villages gourmet can be found in Atili scouting new chefs to hire. Traditional Aguilian dishes include the Trifel, a pasta pocket filled with shrimps and hot peppers which is then pan-fried.Festival
Solieven, also called the Spice Festival, is an annual week long festival that takes place during the Summer. During this festival cooks of all calibers are invited and sponsored by Trade Barons to participate in culinary competitions which often include the public voting. Gathering competitions, races and musical performance also takes place during this event. Solieven is considered to be the most important event of the year for Aguilian as it was first introduced soon after Star Fall as a way to joyfully commemorate the dead and the Lost Ones, people from all over Aguilos and the nearby countries can be seen gathering in Atili for the week enjoying new savors, music and the company of new friends. Although unofficial the Solieven is also seen as the proper time for the declaration of a new Trade Baron or the attempt at becoming one, gossip and political intrigue in the upper echelons of society often reach their apex during the Spice Festival, spies, diplomats and assassins thrive during that period.Assets
Magic
Natural Aetherfused are considered rare in Aguilos, despite being one of the first location hit, most of the non-fractured Aether Crystal were swept away by water currents. That said Aguilos and its Trade Barons are currently importing impressive amounts of magic crystals from Alamar which some speculate might be used in an upcoming effort to reclaim the sunken city, Kagis'Mil.Military and Mercenaries
Even though Aguilos is a relatively small country it boast a sizeable naval force and due to its population being primarly Karash'tel the Aguilian military is also capable of underwater maneuvers making any sea fight heavily favored to Aguilos. Mercenaries are often employed to aid the Aguilian army and to reinforce their maritime borders. Enforcers are also commonly hired to dispatch arcane threats and due to the abundance in wealth it is considered a prime location to conduct their monster-slaying business, Aguilos is perhaps one of the safest country on Tialma.Strength through Prosperity
Founding Date
-73 Before Star Fall (BSF)
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
The Sunken Island
Demonym
Aguilian
Leader Title
Head of State
Government System
Plutocracy
Power Structure
Thalassocracy
Economic System
Market economy
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
Comments