[Information] The Brightwater Isles

[GunMetalDrac]

Nation/organization Name: Brightwater Isles

Race makeup: Predominantly Human but with a number of other races as well. Due to the more open nature of the Isles, it is common to see just about any race within its borders.

Homeland terrain: While a large group of numerous islands, most of the populous and industry exists on one of the 4 largest islands in the island chain.

National mindset: The isles value their freedom most of all. Their background makes them a people who prefer to set their own path and find their own fortune. In no other place can someone with no money, no standing, and no background make a name for himself. Of course, that name usually comes from the pile of corpses and ruined lives one leaves behind but such is life in the Isles. The war with the Alvari has changed little as the nation itself has been in an almost constant state of war to begin with.

Government type: While the Isles do have a position of “Lord of the Isles” that traditionally controls all of the isles, in reality, control lies with “The Scales”, 12 of the most powerful merchants in the isles. The current “Lord of the Isles”, Alris de Isle, occupies one of the 12, not only due to his title but also because of his vast wealth.

Background: Roughly 40 years ago, the great pirates of the sea realized one thing: Alone, the Alvari nation would hunt down each of them piecemeal. The nation was growing in power and had already more or less wiped out the ne'er do wells in the waters. If their rule spread, they would have little option but to lay down their lives or give up their lifestyle to become part of their navy. Refusing such compromise, they did what many thought would be impossible: They agreed to lay aside their differences. All together, the pirates were wealthy and driven to fulfil their own goals. They had the money, and inside of the pirates caves and dens of the Brightwater Isles, they had the manpower. Together they set about a daunting task of forging a society of mutual protection. The initial plan did not exactly go well. Bickering among whom was to lead and where to focus their resources lead to a number of battles that weakened the fleet. Indeed, many of the nations off the coast thought little of it all, assured that their biggest threat had decided they were better off killing each other.

It was obvious the initial plan of mutual cooperation was stupid. It relied on pirates giving up their gold, their ships, and their freedom for the betterment of the whole. So, in came the man of the hour, one "Black" Jack de Isle. Initially a moderate pirate of moderate means, he would propel himself into the spotlight of the fledgling nation's history. In a short month, with brilliant tactical mindset, he would all but crush the two greatest of the bickering pirates. Gaining their plunder, their men, and their ships under his banner, he would sent a plan to the other captains: They will vote, one vote to a ship's captain, on who will be the Lord of the Isles. The vote was final and could only be called by another majority agreeing on a vote of no confidence. Many thought this ludicrous: "Black" Jack had the largest number of ships under his banner and so the largest number of votes and his victory was a conclusion. Many also realized that victory was a conclusion no matter. The man had accrued such a fleet as no other could stop him.

"Black" Jack de Isle would begin the groundwork for the nation to prosper. Using his iron grip on all other factions, he would start to use most of his loot and plunder to start up industry and infrastructure throughout the isles. Small towns would begin to prosper into cities as money was funneled into creating an industry surrounding iron smelting and ship manufacture. Jack would acquire experts in technology and arts from other nations, bribed by money and the ability to have near freedom in research and design. Rich deposits of iron and later coal were found in many of the islands. A source of fine wood and exotic spices was already available. Trade blossomed as the mainland went to war with one another. The isles sold to all sides, as long as they had the gold. While the fruits of his labor would not be truly seen until well after his death, "Black" Jack is known for laying the foundation of the Isles future success.

"Black" Jack de Isle died 15 years into his "reign". The resulting power struggle would turn a fledgling nation into a powder keg. While the nation had somewhat moved toward a more "civilized" way of life, with the death of de Isle, the islands would erupt into a power struggle between the various captains. The subordinates of Jack would turn on one another and with no clear superior force, would start a multi-faction civil war that would last for roughly 20 years. During the 20 year "War of the Isles", various pirates, sell swords, and others from all walks of life would attempt to set up a base of power to gather enough support to crush their foes. To gain power, one needed boats, weapons and men. Men were in plentiful supply. Due to an unspoken rule between the factions to not interfere with "land" business, the foundries and ports were open to all and many merchants became fat off the gold that the warriors traded for their arms. During this time, the mainland continued further into their own war with the Alvari empire, the fact that some pirates had decided to kill each other more of a relief than anything.

15 years into the war, the factions had been whittled down to only 3. Bernard de Isle, a 25 year old pirate captain, had clawed his way up to the top of the "food chain". A destructive warmonger that wished to end this war by putting his opponent's heads on a pike, He would break the unspoken law of the time and attack Port Blacksand, one of the largest cities in the Isles and a major manufacturing center for all sides of the war. His excuse was that it was better to have his opponents starve than his own forces be over supplied but many thought it was more on the man’s cruel whimsy. This act of aggression toward the cities of the isles was the breaking point for the merchant and peasant class. The war had gone on for too long and profits had started to hurt.

Thus would enter the last and largest faction of the war. Labeled the Merchant Fleet of Brightwater, the fleet was funded by the merchants of the isles, equipped with the best ships of the line, and manned by experienced merchant men, the fleet would make short work of all three contenders. Commanded by the illegitimate child of Bernard de Iles, Alris de Isle whose own exploits require a study of their own, the fleet and son would meet in a final confrontation against Bernard at the Maw of Scylla. There, Bernard would be killed by his own son. The victors left the Maw bloodied and battered but most certainly alive.

Alris would be shoved into the limelight at that point. Owner of the Brightwater Ironworks and Shipwright, largest of both industries in the isles, and commander of one of the largest mercantile fleets in the world, it would be no surprise that he would be quickly elevated to the position of Lord of the Isles. However, while the war had ended and the nation had lost most of the "old guard" of pirates, it would now have to contend with a new power: The business owners and wealthy merchants of the cities that now hold the power of both land and sea in the Isles. Children and associates of pirates themselves, these people were just as wealthy, just as powerful, and arguably more cutthroat than the pirates that they now replaced. Alris would already be used to the dealing with such people from his rise through the merchant ranks.

Today, the Brightwater Isles are a faction that to some would seem solidified under the rule of a council of wise and ambitious men but in reality is still under constant pressure of cracking under the slightest issue. Alris de Isle has been able to keep the various merchant factions from devouring the small amount of order they have but the merchant both on the council and without continue to push for more concessions from what little the “government” has. He has brokered many deals among the other empires to boost profits and maintain the merchant classes expectation of uninterrupted sales. His decision to join the other nations in support with actual ships instead of supplies has been met with a number of complaints from others. His own goals with doing so are somewhat unclear as many believed the fall of the Alvari was a foregone conclusion. Sending ships to fight a won battle made little sense to the merchant class. Still, he pushed forward all the same, sending most of the fleet to lay siege by water and decimate most of the Alvari fleet.

--Excerpt taken from the introduction to "A Brief History on the Pirate Nation of Brightwater Isle" written by Professor Taric Denari, Headmaster of the School of History in New Bracksand and Guildmaster of the Printer's guild of Brightwater Isles on behalf of the Brightwater Ironworks and

Other: One thing to note is that de Isle is the last name given to illegitimate children of the isles in the cities record. Unsurprisingly, a large number of these children exist. Most tend to drop the name and pick up either a specific island(using de >Island Name< instead of the generic) or figure something else out to call them. Historians and recorders tend to use this moniker to identify people of renown inside the isles to ensure names are not confused.

[GunMetalDrac]

Size: 4
Military: 2
Economy: 5
Magic: 2
Science: 4
Cohesion: 1

Resources
Iron
Admantine
Lumber
Rare Spices and Herbs
Rare Gemstones and other rare stones

[GunMetalDrac]

Jotting down some notes about where my army is allocated(based on ships). Will add more in the future.

Standard Sailing Ship comprisesIncludes anything that has the Sailing Ship as a base)(5)

15 Privates(75)
8 Sergeants(2 Alchemist)(40)
1 Captain(5)

Assault Ship(2)

120 Privates(240)
15 Sergeants(30)
4 Captains(8)
1 Major(2)

Warship(3)
1 Major(3)
1 Captains(3)
10 Sergeants(30)
50 Privates(150)

Lady of the Isles

9 Captains
25 Sergeants
35 Privates