Daesta

Daesta is a colony on the southern coast of the Inner Sea, south of Barqueda, which was founded by Barquelle / Barquelli to improve trade links with the nomadic Thadii. The area controlled by Daesta is known particularly for the limestone caverns where saltpetre is mined, to be used in the creation of black powder for firearms: it is undeniable that, if not for Daesta, these weapons would be far less prevalent, and possibly restricted to their land of foundation rather than adorning every sizeable ship that sets out from Barqueda.
Although many Thadii communities are accustomed to shipbuilding and sailing, few are accustomed to the long journeys for which the Barquelle are famous, and so many Thadii who wish to journey further afield travel on the long-distance boats which stop at the port at Daesta. The settlement has therefore been very important for giving Thadii access to the rest of the world. The College of Cartographers at Daesta, run by priests of Meskamn, has made particularly use of this opportunity over the last century and a half to produce high-quality maps of and - maps which traders from Barqueda and elsewhere have been quick to purchase and utilise.

Demographics

• 77% Barquelle / Barquelli
• 12% Thadii
• 8% Mixed (Barquelle / Barquelli & Thadii)
• 3% Other

Government

Politically, Daesta has been independent of Barqueda since the fortieth anniversary of its foundation, but it relies on a similar system of law - albeit one more suited to a more settled way of life. Relations with Barqueda are unusually very friendly, as most Daestassans have close family on the islands and visit regularly, and many wealthy islanders buy property in Daesta since they cannot do so on the islands themselves. Barquedan political leaders are wary of Daesta's growing power, but even if they wished to limit this, it is generally accepted that they lack the unity and resources to do so. Daesta is governed by the Council of Coins, a group of twelve councillors elected annually out of the town's traders and entrepreneurs; voting is open to anyone who owns property in Daesta, but only the wealthiest are permitted to stand for office, and there is usually little change in the composition of the council from year to year. The council meets twice monthly, and serves also as an appellate court for issues of law.

Defences

In the early decades of its foundation, Daesta was constantly fortified against possible aggressors amongst the Thadii, but its inhabitants are now so useful for trade and travel that such an attack is almost unthinkable. Indeed, if Daesta were to be attacked by another nation, it could call upon Thadii warriors for its defence. Nevertheless, it has a small contingent of professional guards, equipped with firearms, and the settlement makes use of heavy artillery on the sea-facing (as well as the land-facing) side to act as a deterrent to pirates and other unwelcome sailors.

Type

Town

Population

c. 10,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Daestassan