Oceancrest - Remains of the Ocean Nation - Setting

Contains history, facts, notable NPCs in Oceancrest

Location: Oceancrest exists on the largest island in the Southern Sea. The island itself was once a volcanic island that has been long dormant. Due to the volcanic activity a great deal of natural hot springs have formed at the top of the Oceancrest Mountain. In the dome of the mountain a large lake has formed and around the lake exists the School of Water.

Government: Prior to the Great War, Oceancrest was ruled as a monarch and controlled most of the now free island nations. The Oceancrest house controlled vast wealth and power derived from trade and the most powerful navy in all of Mahdran. The Oceancrest family was also in control of the School of Water at the time.

After the Great War the Oceancrest family broke their affiliation with the School of Water, leaving the school itself in the hands of the archmages. The house retained the remains of their navy, but throw off the governing monarch in exchange for a Republic style government. Currently the nation is run by a council of nine houses. These houses bar a resemblance to a monarch in the fact that existing nobles are born and not voted upon. Council members themselves are elected, but candidates can only come from the existing houses and each house is limited to only one council member. The elections are held nation wide and through years of semi corruption, the people don't have many options to vote upon. Each house has a council member, and in order to keep up the illusion of a republic each house tends to offer at least two candidates, which is dictated by law. However, more often than not and to above inner house conflict, one valid candidate is chosen and one generally terrible candidate is picked as an opposition. The people, through the course of time, have begun to see this farce and have publicly stood against it. Currently, there is a motion to reform the election process led by an independent movement. Some of the minor houses have joined this movement in order to appeal to the people and hopefully gain addition power that their holdings would not normally offer.

Though policies and laws come from a majority vote by the nine houses, the Oceancrest family still controls a vast influence and more often than not their vote carries heavy weight throughout the other houses. The Nation itself promises that new official houses can form through proven efforts. However, in reality the status of nobility is purchased instead of earned. The last noble house was formed when the last Skylord chose a candidate from the School of Water. By nation law, when a Skylord chooses a rider, that rider has the option to join one of the houses through marriage or form their own house. This is supposed to be an act of balance, the Oceancrest family publicly stating that house creation can be accomplished through divine choosing, however, it is mainly a power grab for lesser houses. Having a rider as a member of the house offers a great deal of power and influence.

Although houses control wealth, a navy, and arm forces, current law prohibits any armed conflict between houses. This prevents any violence as well as keeps any inner house fighting political. Although many rumors exist that if the Oceancrest family wanted to take over the nation once again, they have the power to do so.

Agriculture: Oceancrest is first and foremost an ocean nation. Thus, their stable food is mostly fish harvested from the sea itself. However, since the nation exists on an once volcanic island, the soil at the base of the mountain is very fertile. This allows for some terraced farming which provides a number of crops capability of sustaining the population.

Nation Layout: Oceancrest is the city is the same as Oceancrest the nation. The city itself consumes the entire outside of Oceancrest island. The volcanic mountain rests in the center of the island and the mountain itself contains a great deal of tropical and natural vegetation. At the base of the mountain exists the farming regions for a few miles until the city itself begins. The city is a ring around the farming area and the mountain, consuming the entire coast. The more poor and less influential population lives closer to the mountain as to where the more wealth individuals live closer to the sea. As far as the direction division goes, more prosperous houses control land on the north side of the island as to poorer houses own land on the sound side of the island. The Oceancrest family controls the districts, industry, and docks on the north side, it bring the most prime location for merchant docking. It can take some time going from the north side of the city to the south side due to the fact that a large mountain exists between the two sides. Most people use boats to get around quickly, which causes a bit of chaos when it comes to oceanic navigation.

Industry: Several industries are popular within the nation. Due to the large forest on the face of the mountain, lumber is converted into boats at various shipyards owned by some of the larger houses. Fishing is a populate profession as well and allows individuals to make it big. Fish farms exist in some key natural locations around the island as well. Most of the agriculture is used within the city, but farms are owned by one house or another. Some mines exist on the island and provide some metal for crafting as well as some exotic gems for trade. Textile manufacturing comes from various cotton farms that exist on the island.

Some natural resources on other nearby smaller islands are owned by affluent houses, but those islands are mostly unpopulated and use mostly for renewable resources.

By far the most profitable industry in Oceancrest is ship building. Lumber from all across Mahdran is imported and turned into some of the most famous and well sought after ships every known.

Education: Most education is passed down from an apprentice position for some of the minor trades. Fishing, farming, mining and smithing are the more simple trades and don't require education. However, there are a few 'general knowledge' schools which teach the fundamentals of reading, writing, mathematics and navigation. There are also a number of sailing schools as most citizens work on trading or fishing vessels. There is a very prominent and expensive school owned and employed by the Oceancrest family that teaches advanced seamanship and shipbuilding. Most of the more notable captains from around the world come to these schools and they have a very extensive requirements, the most important requirement being wealth.

Obviously the School of Water exists above the nation. They no longer do recruiting unless enrollment is low. Students come from all over the nation to attempt access into the school. Mages in Oceancrest are very useful and valued individuals and often serve on vessels and are well paid for their services. The School itself takes a 10% tithe off of all student earnings for the next 20 years after graduation. It's how they fund their school, remove the need for tuition and gather fist fulls of gold. Not paying the tithe is a national offense and they are authorized to remove the magical affinity of the student. How they know? There is no real proof that shows if they know or not, but they have to provide some convincing evidence.

Temperature: Due to being an island, Oceancrest itself is a tropical environment. It's fairly warm all year and the only seasons the nation experiences is a dry season and a wet season. During the dry season is it typically very hot and the sky is normally void of clouds. During the wet season it rains typically every day. The year is split between dry and wet.

Culture: The people of Oceancrest have a rich culture. And why wouldn't they, the Nation itself is old.

Wealth and Status play a large part in the lives of both commoners and nobles. Since wood can be equated to ships, and ships equate to nation prosperity, owning wood in other forms is a distinct sign of wealth. Wooden furniture as well as wooden homes are typically the largest sign of wealth. Thanks to Oceancrests successful economy, furniture is shipped in from around Mahdran. Most city structures of necessity are built of wood, for example docks, however, it is only viewed as social acceptable if it benefits the city. Most burned fuel is coal or oil. Lots of homes themselves are made from local wood and thatching from the local trees. Also stone from the mountain is used for more permanent structures. The largest shipyard, for example, is made of stone. Glass, a technology from the former Earth Nation, was once used to block windows. However, due to the storms it became expensive to keep windows in tact. Windows themselves are a sign of wealth as well. Most of the people use shutters made either of thatch or wood. A new trend forming in Oceancrest is to made adobe style housing. The frame of the home is made with wood, though the walls are created with a mixture of clay and mud, two things which are common on the island and not needed for much else. It has proven to be efficient in keeping homes dry and warm / cool when needed.

Families in Oceancrest are tight knit. Typically if the head of a family works in a profession or for a house, the whole family will then work for that house and normally in that profession as well. Most families life together for their lives. When another member of the family comes to maturity an addition is built onto the main house. This tends to create larger homes which are most often built up. It is a sign of honor to have build your house, it is a sign of wealth to have your house built or buy someone's house. The center of the house is always a meeting area, typically with a large table which meals are eaten. The table itself is a status symbol and typically most expensive thing in the house. Wood tables which are designed and carved to tell the history of the family. When a child reaches maturity, a family celebration is done with the addition of the new room.

Marriage is common in Oceancrest. Society generally accepts a 1 to 1 marriage, but the changes in family name depend on the status of who marries. Typically the house with a better status or stronger holdings is the more powerful house. The married couple will then join the strongest house and the family name will be that of the stronger family. This even occurs with commoners as well, everyone aims to marry into a better house, but marriages are rarely arranged at the common level. When it comes to nobles, marriages are typically arranged for political and economical purposes. Due to structure of marriage, it is possible for common houses to disappear all together. Married couples, if the house is at an equal level or they decide to break tradition can start their own family. They can either buy their own house or build one to signify the start of a new family. Most couples are encouraged to have lots of children since children are the only way to expand a house and the actions of a child reflect on the house itself, noble and common alike. Honor and status play a big roll of families. If a child does something to disrespect or damage the family, they can be kicked out by law. Typically this is only reserved as a threat, from birth children are educated in the fact that they are here to serve their family until maturity when they are welcomed as a member of the family. Then it is their job to make the family stronger. First born, either male or female, are very important in the family as one day they will be the head of the family. This probably creates some resentment within the family, but the success of a family relates to all members, not just the head. Noble families are typically huge and consist of brothers, sisters, etc of the head of that family. Instead of one large house being built, typically it is estates with multiple houses or very large mansions. When a member of a family dies, their section is 'up for grabs' but is typically decided by the head of the house. Needless to say, couples are encouraged to, well, breed and rarely if not at all do couples 'not want to have kids'. It is a part of society.

A child reacts maturity at the whim of the head of the family. There are guidelines that are commonly accepted. Typically a child who reaches the age of 17 and has not matured yet is a bad omen. When a child proves themselves through an apprentice ship, does something good for the family, or displays the families best interest in mind can reach maturity. Rarely do children reach maturity before 13, but it happens from time to time.

Religion: Most families, especially seafaring families, have some sort of shrine to the ocean. Depending on how much the sea affects their occupations, the shrine will be larger or smaller. At the beginning of each season, a festival is had to celebrate the ocean. Also, when a ship is completed and given to it's owner, another celebration is had and the ocean is asked to bless the vessel. Religion is a small fact in Oceancrest. Their are really not official priests and religion is a family matter. The head of the family typically determines how spiritual or not the family is. Since mages can control the seas themselves and to an extent the weather, the natural aspect of the sea is less than what their ancestors believed. Though some of the Mahdran religions exist here, including the worship of the Skylords, it is less rigid than other nations.

Holidays: A few holidays exist in Ocean Crest.
-Typhoon Oceancrest I's birthday , which exists at the beginning of the wet season, is a grand festival. Even though the founder of the nation was been vilified due to the War of Man, the people recognize the founder and give him thanks. Typical celebrations involve decorating homes, parades, dances, etc.
-Each season start is celebrated, but the end of the wet season, people celebrate the leaving of the rain with typically colorful displays. The wet season is celebrated to end the heat with typically blues. They aren't large celebrations, but recognized ones.
-Birthday's are celebrated on a family level. Each family typically has a founding ancestor whose birthday is also celebrated.
-Maturity celebrations or Adulthood celebrations. These are the largest a family celebrates because it defines a increase in status. These are large and typically involve parties and invites to other families. Typically speeches are given by the elders of the family, a fest is had, and celebration is done. Gifts are given to the new adult to help them with their new place in life. When a noble house member reaches maturity, the parties are typically huge and involve even the common houses that work for the nobles. Everyone tends to look forward to nobles reaching maturity. Every house that attends the celebration is expected to bring a gift for the new adult, regardless of noble or common. If a house is invited but does not attend, they don't have to give a gift.

Health: Surprisingly the people of Oceancrest are fairly healthy. A medical profession exists through apothecary and the druids come around from time to time to keep people healed. Since the nation itself deals with most nations around Mahdran, their people have developed a strong immune system due to their exposure to other nations and other diseases. People get sick and people can even die from illness, but Oceancrest has never had the pains of a plague or massive out break of anything. This may have to do with the availability of water and soap and societies pressure to be clean. Also, the dead are put out to sea so no bodies taint the soil. Waste is turned into compose for farmers, typically and refuse is burned for fuel. Damaging the ocean is seen as a great disrespect and usually punished, so peopel are encouraged to deal with their trash properly.

However, since trash is burned in most cases, it does make the more industrial parts of the city a bit dirtier than not. Though the coastal winds disperse any sort of air pollution.

The Nine Houses
One thing to be said about all nine of the noble houses is that each one of them was founded by a dragon rider save the Oceancrest house.

House Oceancrest
Obviously House Oceancrest is the most powerful house in Oceancrest. They own several fleets and do business around Mahdran. Their name bares heavy influence just about everywhere. Their wealth and status is massive and shows no sign of slowing. Some Oceancrest members actually live in other major coastal cities to help keep up political and economical ties. A LOT is expected from the house members. They typically lead very political and management style lives. If a member does poorly, they are taken out of the public eye and made to do more menial tasks. A lot is invested in education and training for life as a political powerhouse.
Founder: Typhoon Oceancrest
Head of House: Tallous Oceancrest. As per tradition, the Oceancrest first born bare the name Typhoon. However, due to an unfortunate shipping accident in his youth, Typhoon Oceancrest the nineteenth met and early end. Tallous was pressured after maturity to change his name and keep tradition strong, however, as a young man he was stark against the tradition of the family. He has recently taken power of the house and the public is curious to see what direction he will take it in after the reign of Typhoon the eighteenth. Tallous is married to a Maria, formerly of House Thorne, to create a very large political block.
Economics: Oceancrest has their hands in just about everything. They are mainly know for their ship designs and ship manufacturing. Importing and Exporting, however, is where the bulk of their wealth comes from.
Those of Note:
Tallous - Head, Age 34
Maria - Wife of Tallous, formerly of house Thorne, currently pregnant, Age 33
Mordin - First Son of Tallous, an ambitious child who currently attends and excels in the College of Water. Close to Maturity. Age 16 (Those in College reach maturity on graduation).
Fable - Second Son of Tallous, Age 13
Keya - Youngest daughter of Tallous, Age 6
Zane - Tallous's Uncle and admiral to the Oceancrest fleet, Age 52

House Harmon
House Harmon is the most land based house and generally controls, in one manner or another, most of the farming industry on the island. They are not necessarily a wealthy house, but they are an important house. The members have a strong connection to the Earth and the house itself is as humble as a noble house can be.
Founder: Levan Harmon
Head of House: Saben Harmon. Saben is an well to do man who was first born. He is in his later years and has run his house with an efficient hand. His wife, Sandra, passed on several years ago and this allowed Saben to devote the remains of his life to his family. This has improved his relationship with those employed by his house considerable. Most of the house employees and family members have nothing ill to say about the man and respect him greatly. He is considered 'down to earth' due to his work in the fields. His late political career has focused mainly on the people.
Economics: Harmon derives most of it's fortunes from farming and clay pits.
Those of Note:
Saben - Head of House, Age 51
Sandra - Wife of Saben, passed
Gordon - First Son of Saben, Age 30
Sun - Second Daughter of Saben, Age 27
Moon - Third Daughter of Saben, Age 25
Aires - Fourth Daughter of Saben, Age 23

House Mallim
House Mallim is a medium sized house with most of their efforts and economics in the breeding, training and selling of Wolfen slaves. They have made quite a large fortune off of the industry and are currently the leading seller of slaves on Oceancrest.
Founder: Ander Mallim
Head of House: Gaven Mallim is the current head of the house. He is a fat spoiled man who lives well off of his trade, enjoying the luxuries the world has to offer in the comfort of his own home. His wife died several years ago and Gaven has drown his sorrow in women. Though it is know that the man himself owns a vary large harem, it is never mentioned it public. Most of his children and relatives share Gaven's gluttonous nature. Despite the houses down sides, Gaven has a quick mind and an uncanny knack to predict the whims of the public. Politically, he's well liked.
Economics: Regardless of its faults, Mallim is gaining global recognition. The slaves trained tend to be more successful than slaves elsewhere. Thus, it is uncommon to see a slave on Oceancrest that has not come from Mallim. Their secrets are tightly guarded and all of his facilities have passed inspection for years and years. The Wolfen stock from Mallim also seems to be genetically superior to foreign slaves. So whatever they are doing seems to work.
Those of Note:
Gaven - Head of House, age 42
Jacob - Uncle of Gaven, head trainer of slaves, age 58
Owen - First Son of Jacob, married to House Thorne, Age 32
Kay - Second Daughter of Jacob, married to House Allura, Age 30
Peter - First Son of Gaven, Age, 22

House Avandre
House Avandre is a relatively new house in the grand scheme of things. They have made a respectable fortune and small ship building and steel working. They are a small house by comparison, but their younger members seem talented in ship design. Most of them have attended Oceancrest's school, so it is understandable that they have some loyalty to the larger house.
Founder: Oben Avandre
Head of House: Oben Avandre VI is a clever man who has done well for himself considering his small house. He noticed that Oceancrest had the hold on large vessels so Oben has made his living and the living on his houses based on the crafting of smaller vessels to be used by Oceancrest itself. Recently he has expanded into some steel work, reaching a favorable agreement with a nation from the Free Islands. Oben is a young man who has yet to marry, since his father passed before any marriage was arranged, he has made is somewhat public that he will marry for love instead of political clout. This has gathered the attention of some of the more prosperous common houses on Oceancrest. After all, he's not a bad looking fellow.
Economics: Steel work and Small Vessels. Avandre owns a few small shipyards that have been created with the aid of Oceancrest.
Those of Note:
Oben - Head of house, Age 26


House Thorne
House Thorne was originally one of the biggest competitors to Oceancrest. They have large fleets and deal mainly with imports and exports. Their fortune is old and powerful and they deal with Mahdran as a whole. House Thorne is the oldest house formed of a dragon rider and uses this fact a lot in political speeches. A lot of hostility has existed between Thorne and Oceancrest over the years, so the arranged marriage of Maria and Tallous was something that came as a bit of a shock to the nation. Maria, who was once the head of Thorne house, was merged into house Oceancrest. Regardless of the marriage, the two houses still compete against each other.
Founder: William Thorne
Head of House: Eve Thorne. Eve is Maria Oceancrest's younger sister. They are quite close being only a year apart and regardless of the fact that Maria was first born it didn't tarnish their relationship one bit. In fact, when Maria was head of house Thorne, Eve commonly oversaw a lot of the facilities of the house and was thought of as a capable adviser of Maria. It is rumored the Eve and Maria still speak frequently. Eve is married to a man by the name of Owen who came from house Mallim. This arrangement has gotten Thorne a considerable discount on slave purchases.
Economics: Thorne, like Oceancrest, deals mainly with their fleets and importing and exporting. As far as natural resources, House Thorne own none on the island, but has a docking establishment that nips at the heels of Oceancrest.
Those of Note:
Eve - Head of House, Age 31
Owen - Married to Eve from House Mallim, Age 32
Tobius - First Son of Eve, Age 13
Alice - Second Daughter of Eve, Age 10
Rayne - Third Daughter of Eve, Age 5

House Barbaros
Barbaros is another large and old house that has gathered most of their fortune through mercenary services. Other than Oceancrest they own the largest armed fleet in the nation. Most of their money comes from other houses and even Oceancrest purchases their services from time to time. Originally Barbaros attempted to get into exporting and importing, however they were muscled out long ago by Oceancrest, so they turned most of their fleets into vessels of war. Barbaros tends to stay out of most political ventures and makes arranged marriages only to get discounts in weapons and steel. They have, for the longest time, never married into a larger house. They claim to keep the house strong
Founder: Rose Barbaros
Head of House: Kitani Barbaros is one of the most active head of houses of the nine. She is the captain of her ship and a fierce sailor and swords-woman. She leaves her younger brother, Able, to deal with her political affairs since the man never showed much of a knack for the sea. Able is wise, but lacks the respect of his house who for the most part consider themselves soldiers. However, Able has earned the respect of Kitani through various political deals and the like. Kitani is married to her first mate Morgan, who was a member of a smaller house. One of the few noble marriages that was based on love - or at least lust.
Economies: Most of the money Barbaros earns is protection or escort money from the other houses. They do not discriminate when it comes to helping houses. Common houses hire them as well.
Those of Note:
Kitani - Head of House, Age 39
Morgan - Married to Kitani, Age 35
Able - Brother of Kitani, Age 35
Lee - First Daughter of Kitani, Age 21
Gale - Second Daughter of Kitani, Age 19
Raven - Third Son of Kitani, Age 17
Kale - Fourth Son of Kitani, Age 14
Yule - Uncle of Kitani, Second Admiral of the fleet, Age 48

House Fairwind
Fairwind is a small house and has involved themselves in some of the farming on the island. Fairwind, for the most part, is known for luxury goods, ranging from exotic fruits and meats to fine clothing and jewelry. They keep most of their trade secrets close even to an extent of creating their own dock to house their own ships. Their fortunes come from taking cheap materials and turning them into items that are exquisite and quiet expensive. This has given them favor with some of the large houses by creating unique things at considerable cost. Needless to say, most of their members are trained in house and trained to be craftsmen.
Founder: High Fairwind
Head of House: Storm Fairwind. Storm is a vocal man, politically, and his moderately young. He speaks to the people frequently and is trying very hard to get a better station in life. Since his house is one of the wealthier houses, though small, he feels like he should have a higher status and strives to do so. Whenever he is publicly seen he is always dressed in the finest clothing and jewelry. Whenever he entertains he always serves the finest foods. If the house money was invested more wisely, their house could gain more power, a fact that is not unseen by Storms younger brother Skye. But there is no public infighting. Storm is married to a foreign woman by the name of Nina. By the looks of things, she appears to come from the Alliance of Free Men.
Economics: Luxury goods, jewelry, fine clothing, exotic and unique carvings and crafts.
Those of Note:
Storm - Head of house, Age 28
Skye - Brother of Storm, Age 25
Nina - Wife of Storm, Age 25
Brandon - First Son of Storm, Age 10
Kobi - Second Son of Storm, Age 7
Elli - Third Son of Storm, Age 3

House Allura
Every nation has to have an element of sin. Thus is house Allura, aptly named. They cater to all of the needs of the nation when it comes to more dirty needs. Gambling, drinking, drugs, prostitution and the like. That's not to say that the house is entirely dirty. They also have some of the finest musicians and artists in all of Oceancrest. They have establishments all over the island to serve such needs. Recently they have gotten into the brewing and slave business.
Founder: Jasmine Allura
Head of House: Draken Allura. Draken is a very handsome and intelligent business man, middle aged. He has little sympathy for wrong doings, however, so if the house is cheated or his members don't perform, they are quickly pulled from important duties. He is married to a woman from house Mallim by the name of Kay. Lately Draken has buried himself in arts, music. He still acts on the council, but has pulled away from the political and public eye. Most of his dealings with the public go through his son, Virgil. No one really knows why and several rumors exist, none of them grounded in fact.
Economics: Sin, Brothels, casinos, gambling pits, entertainment, arts. Recently they branched into slaves, but is having a hard time competing against Mallim, although, they are marketing those slaves in more creative angles, teaching the Wolfen music, arts, essentially to be courtesans. They have also been experimenting with brewing and have made several deals with Fairwind for exotic fruits.
Those of Note:
Draken - Head of House, Age 42
Kay - Wife of Draken, Age 30
Virgil - First Son of Draken, Age 25, (Not child of Kay)
Megan - Second Daughter of Draken, Age 12

House Langin
Langin would be considered the bastard of the nine nobles houses. They have lost a lot of status and fortune through failed business dealings. Their new head of house is young and inexperienced, but performs his duties to his house regardless of the ruin his father left it in. Langin has invested lots of money in failed industries already controlled by other more experienced houses. But Langin could be considered the Jack of Trades when it comes to industries, having done many of them and capable of doing them still. This has given the a bit of an edge, since they are less expecting than the other houses, their services are cheaper and more appearing to the public. It is a medium sized house
Founder: Page Langin
Head of House: Uther Langin is a young man, just out of maturity, his father, Creed, meeting an unfortunately death at sea when one of their ships hit a reef. Uther is unmarried, and has gotten several proposals from common houses. However, as a very young man, he is fearful of his position and a little overwhelmed, having no one to really mentor him into the position. Allura, the kind house that they are, has offered to allow Uther to marry into the house, which would remove him from Head of House and they would assist the next Head of House in learning the position. Uther's uncles and aunts are pleading with him not to take the proposal with Allura, but Uther's decision has yet to be seen. As he is now, he is meek and quiet politically and is trying to learn the ropes of the houses shattered businesses. It is proving to be a difficult task, but his family has done well to keep him out of the public, namely his Uncle Thane.
Economics: Langin has it's hands in a lot of industries: Import Export, Mercenary work, Carpentry, some textiles, a bit of farming, and a moderate sided fleet which is hybrid for training and fighting. They haven't gained any significant ground in any industry they've tried.
Those of Note:
Uther - Head of Langin, Age 17
Thane - Uncle of Uther, Age 45