Crescent States

The Crescent States is the collective name given to the island nations of the Kelva Archipelago. The archipelago is extensive and quite widely-spaced, with the northernmost island of Mantynae close to the Glass Coast, while the chain's southern extreme of Tamrinae lies close to the centre of the Atrakel Sea. Although relatively small, and often subject to severe storms, the Kelva islands are fertile and rich with life and are net exporters of food.

Cultures around the sea have long considered the islands to be key to both trade and warfare, and they have been incorporated into many different nations and alliances over their long history of settlement. Most recently, they were a key element of the old Atrakel Empire, along with much of modern Kelrithine, and they still have strong cultural ties to the mainland and are on friendly terms with the Kelrithine Federation.

The Crescent's people are principally Jhantyn and Byentin, though Lehenyar from the Golden Coast region make up a significant majority on the more southern islands.

Each island is governed as an independent state, with a variety of different systems of government - though most are some form of republic. Trade is generally considered to be the ultimate source of both money and power in the Crescent, and rich or famous merchants and explorers often serve as electors or senators.

Tensions are currently high between the Crescent and the travelling city of Kalora, despite their ancient cultural ties. Kalora is presently located to the east of the islands, and has been slowly but steadily making its way across the sea for much of the last two centuries - leading to new opportunities for trade and cultural exchange, but also increased competition over valuable resources and trade routes.