East Carrouban

#primer

East Carrouban is an archipelago of six primary large islands (and countless smaller ones) where political control is fractured between the Inquistadors, the Conquistadors, the indigenous East Azcelani, and Free Folk. The Conquistadan Empire first secured its presence here following the legendary conquests of St Smithens, transforming the region into a vital strategic asset. Since the arrival of these foreign powers, the landscape has suffered under the weight of constant naval battles and the expansion of massive mining operations.

The defining characteristic of the region is its staggering abundance of gold, a material the East Azcelani once viewed as merely decorative but which the Conquistadan Empire treats as a primary store of value. This wealth has drawn a relentless tide of settlers and fortune-seekers, many of whom use force to claim their stakes, fueled by persistent rumours of entire cities made of gold hidden deep within the island interiors. Today, this industry is dominated by brutal mining prison camps, such as the Mines of Áurea on Áurea Isle, managed by Doña Isabel del Oro. These operations have become increasingly fraught as The Old King's Controversial Policies, particularly the phase-out of chattel slavery, have created significant friction for the region's gold extractors - and it was frictions like these that ultimately sparked the Conquistadan Civil War.

Because of its extreme distance from the imperial capital in Conquistan, East Carrouban has become a haven for corruption and lawlessness where allegiances are said to shift as quickly as the wind. The ongoing Conquistadan Civil War has further eroded oversight, as resources are diverted to the front lines and both sides increasingly rely on hired privateers to disrupt enemy trade. This environment has birthed a thriving culture of Piracy, making the region a home for the nomadic The People's Fleet and notorious figures like Gustavo, Montañero Pirate Lord. The waters here are a primary conduit for luxury goods, gold, and volatile Blackpowder being transported from the Blackpowder Territories (16P) back to Conquistan.