Nausa

A remarkable city-state off the southern coast of Gathandia, Nausa is almost entirely underwater. Constructed primarily by amphibious humanoids, notably merfolk and dwellvur, Nausa serves as a gateway between land-based civilizations and subaquatic ones.

Nausa is shaped from massive coral structures, plaster, and thick, watertight weaves of seaweed. It is also enhanced with Avadrium, a strange metallic alloy that has magical properties. Nausa has a small port with a series of piers that jut above the surface of the ocean. This port contains a deep shaft with Avadrium lifts running up and down its length, allowing air-breathing humanoids to descend into Nausa’s interior buildings.

The vast majority of Nausa’s buildings reside on the ocean floor, hundreds of feet below the surface. Swimming hatches allow divers to easily access the ocean floor and return directly into the city, rather than having to dive from the surface of the ocean every time they wish to explore. These swimming hatches use two doors to prevent the water from flooding into the city.

Academic.

Nausa has a large university that attracts all kinds of scientists, especially biologists eager to study wondrous sea life.

Aristocratic and Political.

An elected triumvirate governs Nausa. Each triumvir has a six-year term, but elections to the triumvirate are staggered so that a new triumvir has a chance of getting elected once every two years. This offers some continuity as each new triumvir has a couple years to learn from those who already have experience in office, but it has led at times to chaotic decades of constant politicking.

Mercantile and Trade.

Nausa exports very unique wares to merchant sailors, which brings a lucrative income to Nausa’s economy. Nausa exports shells, pearls, and coral skeletons as works of art or fine jewelry. They also export a tough, fibrous seaweed cloth that functions much like waterproof leather or hide armor. But Nausa’s most valuable export is its pigment dye taken from the saliva of sea slugs that dwell on the ocean floor. This dye produces a rich purple hue and is highly sought after by royalty and prominent politicians.

Militant.

Nausa does not maintain a military, as they live underwater and are both geographically and economically protected from invasion by any land-dwelling nation. The city watch is competent at keeping the peace within the city and are all trained as deep-sea divers, capable of mounting rescue missions or fighting off sea creatures beyond the scope of the city when needed.

Religious.

Most Nausans practice the old faith held by the merfolk and dwellvur from before the Tear. On multiple occasions in ancient history, an enormous kaijan reminiscent of a turtle or a dinosaur is believed to have saved aquatic civilizations from another kaijan that looked like a blend of a squid and a humanoid. The former, called Jiruk, represents strength, honor, and sacrificial protection. The latter, called Thul, embodies an all-consuming desire to corrupt and destroy. While neither have been sighted in hundreds of years, many Nausans worship Jiruk as their savior and their patron god.

Social.

Nausans are a mix of traditional and progress- driven folk. Traditionalists keep the practices of ancient aquatic nations alive and are more likely to be strongly religious. Progressives focus on trade with the land-based world and are very politically involved. They are generally not as concerned with matters of religion or the soul.

Underworld.

As is true of any nation that has valuable commodities, Nausa has its share of black market dealers that steal and resell pearls and their royal purple dye at criminal rates. Known as the Undertow, the largest syndicate has a well-organized mix of merchants and deep sea divers that keep a steady stream of dye flowing to the world’s black markets.

Quest Ideas

• A contentious triumvirate election is coming up, and the heroes have been asked to help campaign on behalf of one of the candidates.

• Deep sea divers want a little extra security as they search a newly discovered sinkhole, hoping to find more purple dye or to find Avadrium. Will the heroes protect them?

• Nausa has sprung a leak. If the heroes cannot plug it, then the whole city-state might implode under the ocean’s pressure.

• Murmurs of cult activity have everyone concerned. Rumor has it that the cultists want to awaken Thul from his watery grave.