The Merchant States

Tiamat Aftermath
When the Shadowlight Spire collapsed and Tiamat was slain, the island of Claudia was shattered across the sea, many of its cities destroyed and gone forever. Many people however managed to escape and evacuate the island before Tiamat's arrival when Cloud City fell. Stranded on ships for weeks on end, scavenging and fishing off the sides of their ships to survive. When the waves calmed down after the crisis, these 'refugees' made for any land they could that survived. Over the course of a few years they began to build settlements again, becoming civilized people once more. Eventually after inviting commerce by sea and supporting development of their young towns, these individual states have become great cities of trade and melding pot of cultures.

Overview
The states in of themselves are individuals. Each city is ruled differently by how their Merchant Prince wishes. Each with their own laws, taxes, political alliances and so on. The real economic power these states hold however is not their resources and valuables. Its their location in the world. The middle point between the east and the west, so all sea trade between the cardinal points has to go through the Merchant State's waters. And with their powerful navy, equipped with cannons and black powder weapons, favour of the Khazans, they can enforce these waters however they wish. Blockades, escorts and the like.

Merchant Princes: Not people of royal blood by any means, but the rulers of these city states like to call themselves princes, to live the life of nobility. These powerful people are among the wealthiest of the states and pay to have their rules and laws enforced by private military and guard companies. Essentially buying their way to the top. These mercenary and private companies that enforce the laws however, most of them work for whoever can pay them the most. So its not uncommon to see the downfall of a prince when another who aspires to be a prince pays more for their services.

Economy and Culture
The Merchant States as a collective are among some of the wealthiest and powerful in the world. The average citizen of a city state lives relatively well compared to other parts of the world. That is because almost everyone has something to offer. Either as a skilled tradesman such as blacksmith or painter, or are merchants of some kind.

Mixed Commerce of Culture: Nationalism is not something that exists all that much in the states. Most of its people are foreigners of some kind that come from a different part of the world. This makes the goods traded and atmosphere in the states colourful and varied. These cities do not sleep either. Its typical for a passing by ship to see bright lights and music being played from inside the city walls. Trade never stops. Many bards, artists and academics flock to the states to experience the vibrant excitement and views the city has to offer. And of course the rich and wealthy also come visit to indulge in the finer vices such as pleasure houses and food.

Politics, Perception and Magic
Of course the tension between the states and he other nations is on a razor's edge. On a few occasions a prince would get upset over a trade deal or ex-lover that was a princes of a nation. And when these princes got angry over personal dealings, in spite they would block trade off for everyone coming through their waters. This was put down quickly by other princes, but the fact that a single individual can disrupt the flow of commerce to their personal whims makes the other nations of the world loom over the city states. Begging for an excuse to declare war.

Mages of Coin: Some princes employ mage advisors to help them in their ruling duties. And of course many ambitious enchanters and artists of the arcane set up shop here in the centre of the world. Powerful and wealthy mages also set up their holiday homes in the city states, as the views, food and serenity of the waves is something to experience.

Grymheim Activity
Of course the princes are always on the lookout to make more money for themselves, and Grymheim is rife with such opportunities. Many small trade ports have been set up towards the northern region of the continent. The mercenary companies escorting and protecting merchants. The relationship between the states and the native Gealdyr people varies depending on which prince they are dealing with. Some enjoy peaceful trade with the locals, while others would rather use force and violence to get their way.