Nikkemis

Size: 9,945 miles

Population: 551 946

Capital: Aretium

Leadership: King Mathias Aichonus

Official Languages: Common (Nikeman), Leonin, Primordial, Dwarvish

Demonym: Nikkemi

Demography: Human (69%) Triton (12%) Tauran (9%) Leonin (5%) Satyr (3%) Other (2%)

Common Deities: Ephara, Keranos, Thassa, Iroas

Currency: Nikkemi Shale

Establishment and Early History

Nikkemis is believed to be the last kingdom to have been officially settled, the crown seat of Aretium being established by a group of explorers who departed from Port Hysler in Austeron in 210 PR. While most Oud Vharians believe that the Nikkemi archipelago was uninhabited prior to 210, Cooley, in the now lost text The Eritreme Heart Divided: A Study Into The Geographical And Cultural Similarities Of Nikemmis And Selrune argues that this land was inhabited prior to settlement. A small extract survives, and the maximum allowable amount of Coolean scholarship has been replicated below

... in my studies I came across several Cartographers who had stumbled across the same anomaly. I will delve into this theory further in Chapter 9- The Peculiar Division Of Giant Remains Across Both Sites. Suffice to say, this only adds support to my previous speculation that there is a shared descendancy between the populations of both lands. I've often been countered with the argument that Nikkemis was unpopulated prior to 210, However, the historical record begs to differ. One of the most compelling documents in the case for an earlier Nikkemi people is the journal of the unnamed ship's boy discovered by Theo Clovinas in 870. I have included a relevant extract ''The captin has told me to send a byrd to Gerod's ma, tellin her that hes ded. Im to tell her that he was gored by a wyld bull we came across when we was scouting past the beach, on the first day after when we landed. It wasnt no bull, i told the captin. Was the hed of a bull but with the legs an chest of a man, i saw it with me own eys. Captin has sed not to send such silly stories to Gerod's ma tho. Hes worryd that it will make it sound to them at home like weve all taken a case of the sea dallies. gone mad, like the lady who worked in the galley, i forget her name, but she ran abord the ship this morning saying she'd taken tea with a lion lady and her cubs, and that shed seen a man who could breth the ocean as if it were air, The captin will probably throw her overbord morrow''

Leadership

Mathias Aconius has been the King of Nikkemis for close to 30 years, and allegedly plans to surpass the extraordinary length of his grandfather's reign, who held the seat for 70 years. His father, Arlo Aconius, never held the throne, and died relatively young at 53. Nikkemi leadership has been exemplary in its stability, in no small part due to the Semita Morum.

The Semita Morum is the heart and framework of Nikkemi law, and is divided into three tiers:

The Semita Morum Of The Realm, which dictates proper conduct for the royal family. It is a long and complicated series of instructions, which all members of the royal family must learn by heart, but it boils down the several core principles- A leader must protect his people, A leader must rule for as long as he is able, and a leader must yield to no authority but the Gods.

The Semita Morum Of The Counsillors shorter, and only slightly less complicated than the SMOTR, the Semita Morum for Counsillors is aimed at anyone given the rank of Counsel under the King. This title typically extends to city governors, priests, admirals in the Nikkemi Navy, Symposirs and state ambassadors. The primary tennets of the SMOTC are: A Counsillor must act in the interests of their King, A Counsillor must not use her position for personal gain, and a Counsillor should follow no higher authority than his king.

The Semita Morum of The People A simple document, short enough that it is inscribed on all Nikkemi currency "The King is the arm of order, the mouth of the Gods and the heart of the land"

Very recently, Nikkemis has faced a severe disruption of government, and a serious violation of the Semita Morum. The crown prince, Severon Aconius, after leaving for a yearly tour of the Nikkemi islands, quite suddenly declared himself the true King, and ordered that the Nikkemi people recognise his power. What has resulted, in turn, is the early signs of a the first known civil war in Nikkemis. While gihting has not yet occured, the King has declared his son a tyrant and ordered that he be executed if captured.

Military

Nikkemis commands the legendary Paicomanus Navy, rivalling the Titanic Military in force and size. The navy is currently helmed by Counsillor-Admiral Livia Quintillus, and is occupied with an ongoing campaign to track down and eradicate the growing number of pirates that plague the seas surrounding Nikkemis

Currency

Shale is the official currency of Nikkemis, and it is perhaps the most beautiful of all the currencies in Oud Vhar, made from the pearlescent stone mined in the great underwater mine of Pharros Deep, and minted in the same location but a team of highly trained Triton artisans. Each of the coins bears an image of one of the five Mythic Beasts of Nikkemi legend

Thalassi: The highest value coin, bearing an image of the great Sea Serpent, Belastor. Some Aquan people refuse to take or use Thalassi, as they believe the image of Belastor is cursed

Aetos: 1/10th of a Thalass. Depicts the great eagle Teramos. Teramos, in myth, is charged with carrying people to the realm of Death.

Kauvor: 1/10th of a Aete. Shows Kauveron, the crab-beast, Keauveron is depicted tearing a horse in half on the coin, much to the horror of those new to the coinage.

Zyster: 1/10th of a Kauvor. Depicts Azerion, the giant lion. Azerion is a popular figure in the art and literature of Nikemmis, and is shown on the crest of the royal family

Naephron: 1/10th of a Zyster. Those unfamiliar with Nikkemi myth might find the depiction of the small, white mouse shown on this coin strange, in comparison to the others, however Nikkemi know that Nypha is a frightening figure indeed, she is known as the first herald of the End Of All Things, and is often depicted as the only creature to survive the End.

Geography

Nikkemis consists of eight large islands and a variety of small islets. The eight islands are called Pharmos, Ryglass, Nypher, Xarthimon, Lornos, Aectia, Cillia and Mytos.

Major Towns And Cities

Nethergate

Aretium

Kebrene

Edessa

Synposia

Laio

Pharros Deep