The Golden Isles are an archipelago to the southeast of the main continent, known for its vibrant jungles and brilliant shining coasts, as well as its plains and deserts. Buildings are made from sandstone and the most common exports are fruit and exotic spices. However, trade with them has been incredibly restricted for the past century, and relations are tense.

The Golden Island has three major cultures: the Harata, the Berudins, and the Nedians. Of these, the Berudins are by far the most powerful, having five islands. The Harata are the second most prominent, having three islands, while the Nedians are limited to only a single island, although it is incredibly difficult to invade.

Native to the island, Harata have dark brown skin and stand on average 6 feet tall. Most Harata also have dark blue or black hair, although there are some ginger Harata.  Harata culture have an animistic religion, where forces of nature like the Sky, Sea, and Earth are subjects of worship.  Harata magic is based on nature spirits, working with them to defeat enemies.

Invaders from a distant desert empire, the Berudins have light brown skin, and on average stand 5 foot 9 inches tall. Most Berudins have black or brown hair. While their religion is similar to that worshipped in Trademond, it has distinct differences, with an importance placed on the phases of the moon. Berudin magic is based on astronomy, and while it has a potential to be incredibly strong, it is dependent on the will of the stars.

Initially part of the Harata culture, the Nedians split off from them long ago, living on a separate island. While similar to the Harata in appearance, they usually have darker skin. However, they have the same belief system as places on the mainland such as Trademond.  Nedians do not use magic, unless it is derived from their faith in the goddess.

The Golden Isles are faced with many issues, from piracy and sea monsters to brewing religious tensions and conflicts over foreigners. It is a place which is much more traditionalist, still having monarchs and nobles, but also has a growing merchant class and universities, causing a clash of ideals between past and present. Soon, this archipelago will be engaged in a vicious civil war to determine its future: whether it shall remain in its past or shall head forward into the future.

Harata Overview

The native people of the Golden Isles, the Harata have been upon this archipelago for thousands of years. They have, throughout many centuries, lasted unchanged, although with the arrival of the Berudins, they are no longer as powerful as they once were.

Clothing

Harata clothing is vibrant and colorful, decorated with floral and geometric patterns.  Most men and women wear little more than a long skirt and sandals. Breast exposure is treated as normal, although exposure of the buttocks or genitals is considered immodest.

Weapons and Armor

Harata warriors employ most common melee weapons, such as spears, swords, axes, and clubs. Most distinctive, however, is the broad-bladed axes they use, which are able to hack through thick flesh and leave nasty cuts. These axes can be elaborately decorated, making them just as much a piece of art as a weapon of war.

Harata warriors generally wear quilted armor, sometimes with chainmail if they can afford it. They also use large wooden shields with animal hide over it.

Religion

The animistic faith of the Harata has one supreme spirit, the genderless creator of the world who is said to have brought forth all life. Underneath this creator are many other, countless spirits, who are said to be at least one more than anyone might guess. They believe these spirits are necessary to carry the energy of life throughout the world.

Berudin Overview

Originally from a desert land, the Berudins came by ship to the Golden Isles, taking hold of five of its islands by the guidance of their mighty king, Sultan Mrudil the Conquerer. However, as time has passed, his descendants have torn his realm apart into separate petty kingdoms and quarrel amongst each other. However, if war occurs, this status quo may change...

Clothing

Unlike the Harata, Berudins use pale colors primarily, but add a dash of something more vibrant. Commonly, there are geometric patterns in their clothing. They are also modest to the point of women having to wear headscarves and long dress that reach down to their feet, keeping their bodies from the eyes of leering strangers. Most men wear turbans or headscarves. 

Weapons and Armor

Berudins have access to all weapons and armor available in a city like Trademond, but particularly use sword with curved blades. They also employ deadly bombs full of a burning liquid that sticks to someone, causing them to quickly burn alive even if they are wearing armor.

Berudin soldiers wear lamellar armor, which is lighter than plate and allows for more quickness in combat. Berudin noble warriors, known as Mamalukes, wear helmets with metal faceplates and ride upon the backs of camels. 

Religion

The Berudin religion is the faith of the Moon and Stars, which is said to share the same ancestor as that of faith in the Goddess.  It is said that the Moon is a servant to the Goddess who watches over the Earth, and that the stars are the Goddess's heavenly soldiers.

Nedian Overview

Having split off from the Harata long ago, the Nedians have developed a separate culture upon their island, which they are fiercely protective of. In their time, they acquired a new faith from a saint who passed through their lands and displayed many miracles. However, as time has passed, thy have become more and more isolationist...

Clothing

Nedians commonly wear robes with beaded shawls and brimless caps. In urban centers, modesty is much more considered, but in the countryside it is generally ignored unless what someone is not wearing is particularly egregious.

Weapons and Armor

Nedians employ longbows as their primary weapon of war, allowing them to deliver high densities of arrows to anyone who dares approach their territory. As a melee weapon, they carry a sickle-bladed sword or an axe. Spears are also not uncommon. 

Most Nedians wear padded armor or even no armor, although wealthy nobles wear chainmail. 

Religion

Nedians have faith in the Goddess and believe that her strength shall protect them from their heathen neighbors. There are elements of the original Harata faith in their current beliefs, although the spirits are much more downplayed and the Creator is subsumed into the identity of the Goddess.