To the west lay the green lands that hug the Seawall Mountains. After the Naxians withdrew, those living here quickly established feudal states and petty kingdoms. Unlike in Thrace, there was never any successful bid for political homogeneity.      These "small kingdoms" view Naxos as a valuable trading partner and most have strong formal ties and relations to the Duchy. Many which rely on sea trade have even allowed permanent garrisons of Naxian Marines to protect shipping.     Those who do not welcome Naxos, however, engage in subtle warfare via assassinations, sabotage, and proxies being weapons of choice. In the Northeast, the Bohun have expressed strong anti-Naxian sentiment in western matters, and have a sizable military of their heavily-armored knights to act on such wills.

      The northern lands of Thrace once made up a sizable portion of The Old Empire, Thrace has long been considered an integral part of the territory of Naxos.     After The Collapse, and subsequent Naxian withdrawal, the Thracians were left to their fate, and no one was left to keep Azraqi influence at bay. Many of the surviving major cities became sovereign city-states, and created a loose federation simply called The Thracian Republics.     After The Reclamation, Naxos returned in force to reclaim what it said was "ancestral territory". The Navy and Marines besieged the Southern Cities, taking some and turning much else to ruin.     Today, Thrace is a land divided by pro-Naxians in held territory, independent partisans, and the Azraqi-aligned states to the north, supported by the Eastern Princes as a buffer state between itself and their ancestral foes.

      Along with the Leoi, the Triton are traditional allies of the Naxians, going all the way back to the days of Poleon. There was a war when the two peoples initially made contact, but have since been bonded by blood when the Naxian founder took a Triton bride.     The Triton live in the seas north and east of the main islands, and claim the isolated isle of Ioh as their by ancient treaty, being purportedly the site of a religious complex. The Triton largely keep to their own affairs, but occasionally assist in pirate hunting or defense in trying times. The largest interaction is every two hundred years, when the Triton Sovereign comes ashore to Naxos to meet the Heir of Poleon, and reaffirm ties of cooperation and alliance.     To the common Naxian, most only know the rare Triton merchant that comes to trade bizarre and exotic treasures from the deep, or strange visitors who come ashore in remote places, leaving only children born with strange powe...

      Along with the Satyr, the Centaur are one of the native peoples of the islands. They arrived from the Fey with the Satyr, and often have a vaguely paternal relation to them, much to the irritation of the Satyr.     The Centaur joined the Tauromachy initially on the side of the Minotaur, but later allied with the Naxians when their former allies fell to dark gods. When the war ended, however, they were not given any rewards and only received a "pardon". In outrage, the Centaur refused and retreated into the jungles.     Today, Centaurs live in fugitive herds, and serve as the majority of Ta Ktini leadership; leading raids against those who violate natural lands and sacred ground. They are also frequent target Satyr for recruitment. Many Naxians fear Centaurs as rebels and bandits.     That said, some Centaur believe in avoiding conflict, and attempt to find the harmony they've lost. While no less fugitive than their militant kin in the e...

      The Satyr are one of the four indigenous peoples of the archipelago, along with the Leoi, Centaur, and the Minotaur. Their ancestors came from the Fey, and still carry on many of their pagan customs.     During the Tauromachy, they joined the side of the Minotaur to fight their ancient Leonin foes, but switched sides when the Minotaur fell to dark gods. The Naxians never forgot they were once enemies, however.     After the war, the Satyr were forgiven by Poleon, but were not rewarded with land or titles. Some attempted to mesh with the Naxians since they were there to stay, while many others retreated to remote places to try and live in separate peace.      Urban Satyrs tend to live in confined "neighborhoods" and often have unique designs to accommodate their history and physiology; platforms most Naxians couldn't reach, lots of plant growth. These Satyr often deal with discriminations and harassments, particularly from members o...

       When the Tauromachy was won, the Leoi were rewarded with their own island and home rule. Even after the Collapse the Leoi were respected with their own autonomy. When Basileus was crowned Duke, he honored them once again as their own Barony and a seat on the Despot Council. Today they continue their tradition of self-rule within the Duchy.     The Leoi largely live amongst themselves on the island of Mykonos, with most living as part of semi-nomadic bands roaming their respective territories. Many rely on herding, fishing, and hunting, having little interest or need of farming. Each band is led by a leaina , and matters that involve the whole island are decided in annual meetings of all the bands. The Baron of the Leoi is actually elected by the leaina, who choose one for life. The Baron's role is largely to convey the wishes of the leaina.     Outside of Mykonos, their warriors are seen roaming the islands hunting dangerous beasts as part ...

 Hey Everybody, I hope that the holiday season has been kind to folks! I've been trying to get through the general malaise that has been kicking my ass the last several months, and having good times with my people in the sadly interesting times we all live in. Looking forward, there's a good chance we will wrap up the last content for Naxos this year! Kind of wild it has lasted as long as it has, and I look forward to showing off the next world-building project, whenever that's ready to display. That said, not a lot of exciting stuff that I currently want to foreshadow, but I have been doing a lot of great work with Caleb over on SCPod! Give that show a listen on YouTube, RSS, or a few other podcast platforms! The most recent episode at time of posting is our holiday special for 2025. In the meantime, take care out there! Thank You & Very Respectfully, Zachariah O

 Hey Everybody. Happy Skyrim Anniversary Day! There's nothing major goin' on here right now. After every October and April, I like to take a little time off from worrying about updating content here. Both months are sort of my busy times with making sure I have new stuff to throw up on here, and usually involve a lot of work in the time leading up. I think I actually started working on the October series... in March? You see what I mean. In the mean time, please feel free to plumb the depths of older content! There's plenty to see. I'll share new stuff when I am ready to, probably closer to 2026 than not. You'll figure it out. In the meantime, take care out there! Thank You & Very Respectfully, Zachariah O

This is the third part and finale of this year's October series! Please go read part two if you have not already!       The golden light of morning shone through to paned window, and in front of you a fine breakfast. Your wife, a reporter for a local newspaper. You look upon your love, and she begins to speak, but her words are a mumble, almost underwater. You look into her eyes, the green eyes you loved so much, searching for her light, but... nothing. Then, like knives through a curtain, words.     " How long did you wait? "     " How long did you really feel that way about me? "     " How long did you pretend to miss me? "     " How long did you pretend to love me? "     You reel, your wife just sits there, beaming the same brilliant smile that she always had, looking up at you, eyes that devoured the light.     It comes back to you now. She disappeared last year, you remember the biting, haunting sorrow for h...

This is part two of the annual October series. Read part one if you haven't already! GHOST SHIP! By Valerie Kimpton     A long-missing vessel, THE EASTERN GLOAM , has resurfaced in Port Astor Harbor. While the city is under quarantine, few but the Coast Guard were able to try and dissuade this revenant from landing here in our plague-stricken city. Our official source, Lt. Boyle, said no one was left aboard after the boarding team explored the derelict from bow to stern. Out of abundant caution, Lt. Boyle said that the ship was to be towed out of the harbor, and eventually scuttled.     When we asked residents near the Astor Docks, however, we learned that there might be more to this story. One resident, under a condition of anonymity and speaking only through a closed window said that she spied a lone soul leaping from the drifting ship, then swimming to shore. Once upon land, our source continued, he simply vanished. Did our "valiant" serviceman lie to us when he c...

      During the lockdown, a ghost ship came into the harbor of Port Astor. With so much of the city in chaos or silence, few at the time even noticed its arrival. More did bother to pay attention, however, when word got out that an entire Coast Guard  boarding team vanished after boarding the vessel. When they sent the second team, no traces of the original crew of the ship, or the first boarding team were found.      The name of the ship was The Eastern Gloam, which was seen over a decade ago leaving for the Far East, with a crew of scholars and academics. And the only trace of anything they found aboard the ship was a carved phrase on a bulkhead: "LOAMY GLOAM".     Fearing another illness, the ship was towed out and eventually scuttled. Since then, however, a number of disappearances have been tied to the return of the ship, with the phrase "RETURN TO REST WITHIN  THE LOAMY GLOAM" showing up again and again over the years, and then us...

 Hey Everyone, Summer is dead, long live Autumn. I'm writing this the same day I am putting it up, and what a couple of weeks it has been! I spent last weekend entirely at the Lovecraft Film Fest here in Portland, and had a blast. Between all of the amazing shorts, features, panels, and readings, I always feel like I walk away understanding just a little more about the stuff I love to make just a bit more. I also did my local community organizing project last night (time of writing, last night), and as someone who has as many problems with going out and talking to people, I am always so grateful that the people who attend bring a good energy and willingness to engage.  Moving onto business... October is soon upon us! I have this year's mini-series locked-and-loaded, and I am excited to share it with y'all! The first part will drop 10/11, and the subsequent pieces with drop weekly until the finale on 10/25. I hope that the more experimental ideas do it for folks. I often fee...

      Even before the Merchant Republics, Naxos was a nation built on trade. Its prime location in the Central Ocean makes it almost necessary to stop while traveling from either east or west. Indeed, moorage from such travelers pays a handsome sum to Duchy coffers. And if those travelers buy or sell anything while in Naxian waters, the better. The Port of Naxos has the highest ship capacity in the known world.     For their part, Naxian traders are also a common sight in northern and western ports, bringing fine Naxian goods and spices. Perhaps its greatest products, though, are the experts and artists that travel; sofos, ithopoiou, palaistis, and even the Naxian Marines, who are sought out for their expertise on fighting pirates.     There is a purpose to this, beyond just profit. Like in ancient days, Naxian merchants provide crucial information on global affairs, with Naxos always read to step in and "help".

      Similarly to farming, livestock is not a common food source, with a majority of it consumed by the wealthy and nobility. Goat is the most common, as they require less care than cattle, and can tolerate the local vegetation and can be supplemented with kelp in harder times. Fowl, in the form of chicken and duck, is common among the rural poor, but not in the cities.     Foods made as by-product are also popular; cheese, eggs, and sausage can be found in nearly any market, though rural villages are said to have the best.     Since the days of the Old Empire, there has been a healthy market for imported foods as well. Horse meat in particular has captivated many. Beef is also a common import, though it is nearly exclusively consumed by the upper class.     Imported drink have a much smaller market, mostly with sailors who have had opportunities to sample them at distant ports.