Template:Breadcrumb Shards > Acrolon > Mercatia

Overview

Mercatia (Imperial \ˌmɜrkˈheɪʃə\ meaning merchant land) is named for its strong association to commerce. Lore about Mercatia is common and accurate. It has been a civilized part of the Shard of Acrolon since the early Shattered Age, allowing for many scholars and historians to study the region.

History

Mercatia has a long and interesting history.

Fallen Lands

Even before the Shattered Age, during the Time Storm of Year Zero, the land of Mercatia experienced remarkable events. Originally the lands now called Mercatia were not an archipelago, but were hilly and mountainous terrain with many plateaus. However, at some point during the Time Storm, a Star fell from the Astral Sky and impacted with the lands of Mercatia. A considerable amount of Fury power associated with the Titan Severed Horizon leaked out, pulling the entire region under the waves of the Jeweled Sea. Only the tallest peaks and plateaus remained above the water, creating the archipelago seen today.

Shattered Age

During the Tribal Times of Acrolon, Mercatia was called Bannor (Nortongue)

Cosmology

Geography

There are 17 major islands in the archipelago of Mercatia, grouped roughly by convention. There are also over 100 minor islands in the archipelago, but those are generally discussed on the article of their closest major isle, so are not listed here.

West Islands

Dustmere (Enchiridian), once Aridilla (Imperial, little arid) and Thureye (Nortongue, dry isle)
Rothline (Dawntongue, river), once Fontillia (Imperial, fountain) and Kildedain (Nortongue, spring)
Keshline (Dawntongue, person), once Liganella (Imperial, little wood) and Jarhof (Nortongue, person)
Kopakita (Dawntongue, trees), once Gemellia (Imperial, little gem)
Langheim (Nortongue, long shape)

East Islands

Bogshade (Enchridian, swamp concealment), once Tenebriella (Imperial, little shadow) and Valshyr (Darktongue, outlawed) and Estfen (Nortongue, east swamp)
Loamreach (Enchirdian, soil), once Radixia (Imperial, root) and Rotheim (Nortongue, root home)
Nectarine (Enchiridian, fruit), once Vardessa (Darktongue, name, outlawed) and Hvitrstrond (Nortongue, white shore)
Silbrae (Imperial, person), once Serenia (Imperial, peaceful) and Vollrland (Nortongue, field land)

Central Islands

Arborline (Imperial, trees), once Ydallastiga (Nortongue, Ydalla step)
Barrowhome (Enchiridian, burial), once Grofhaugr (Nortongue, grave hill)
Brighthold (Enchiridian, glowing crystals), once Lucina (Imperial, glowing crystals)
Goldreach (Enchiridian, wealth), once Aurea (Imperial, gold isle) and Bannorsgard (Nortongue, exile fort)
Greycairn (Enchiridian, arid), once Fuscus Lapis (Imperial, brown stone) and (Brunnstein (Nortongue, brown stone)
Skeldheim (Nortongue, shield shape)
The Spike (Enchiridian, height), once Storra (Nortongue, tall)
The Yellow (Enchiridian, color and arid), once Exilis (Imperial, wastes) and Suthertarn (Nortongue, south sand)

Inhabitants

Notes

Culture

Carnivale, Sperantsain: Weeklong party with masks. This started as a ploy of subterfuge for Suentius to help Lucidus outcasts and secret societies to work against the Dark Empire, wrapped in a way that was very attractive to the decadent Dark Empire. It was conceived as a "gift" from Suentius to honor Lascivia, but was actually a manipulation to resist her.
"Bon Voyage" before any voyage, pour a bottle of wine on the deck of the ship for good luck.
"Welcome Home" when you arrive home from a voyage: toss coins into the sea as thanks for a safe voyage.
Mate Lot: The ability to form a legal partnership and inheritance with anyone in your "crew".