Callassio Freewaters

The inland sea of Stridia is home to a selection of smaller islands and a maze of coral reefs and underwater currents that can easily confound and confuse even experienced sailors. These islands are the realm of the Callassio Freewaters, a Kingdom that is as old as the first tribes of Wildfolk, and the Elves of Ivoralis.

At first the Freewaters were a place of fear and tyranny, ruled over by the cruel Sahuagin. They created an ancient city, the name of which has been struck from all records, and kept enslaved Merfolk to attend to them. They worshipped dark gods of the deep, and even experimented on the Merfolk to transform them into the monstrous Merrow.

But salvation came with the arrival of the Triton. Summoned by a band of rebel Merfolk who stole their masters arcane secrets and materials, the Triton saw what the Sahuagin were doing and chose not to stand by. Prince Callassio, first-born of King Triton, came to the land of Stridia with an army of warriors, magicians and priests. The Elves of Ivoralis and the Wild Folk all lent their aid to defeat the evils of the Sahuagin and with the aid of Merfolk rebels they devastated the arrogant Sahugin, drove them from their city and into the deep parts of the sea.

The Merfolk chose Prince Callassio, now decreed King Callassio, to rule over the city, Callassio welcomed trade and co-operation with the other nations and in this honour the region was named the Callassio Freewaters.

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The Callassio Freewaters islands are connected by many great bridges, and ferry lanes. The islands themselves are home to the non-water breathing members of the kingdom, which includes many different races, refugees and immigrants. Beneath the waves, connected via magical waterways, is the city of Callassia. An enormous underwater city with sections for air and water breathing creatures, full of canals and tunnels.

The kingdom’s current ruler is King Nereus, 9th Descant of Callassio. Nereus bears the Scales of Yingshen, an immense Coral Dragon that served the Sahuagin and was slain by Callassio himself.

The people of the Callassio Freewater are energetic and patriotic, they see themselves as the defenders who protect Stridia from a threat no others can see or fight. Every citizen of the Freewaters is expected to serve a minimum period of Military Service, patrolling the Deep Reefs for Sahaugin forces, or protecting the merchant ships from sea monsters and pirate raiders.

Outside of their military traditions the Freewaters love to trade and they have a strong culture of bargaining and bartering. Haggling for deals is expected by the citizens of the Freewaters. As being underwater doesn’t lend itself well to written documents, Theatrical Performance are used to tell the stories of their people and the history of Stridia. Actors and dancers are particularly respected and the underwater performances of Callasia are said to be awe-inspiring.