Antiva

Intro
Its capital is Antiva City, which lies on the middle of its coastline and is one of the wealthiest in Thedas. Romantic Antiva is known for its wine, sailing, and rich merchant history. It is relatively prosperous, thanks largely to aggressive trading practices - Antiva would not be so rich if it were isolated from its many trading partners. Its only real resources come from the wine trade, fueled by its fruitful vineyards.

The people of Antiva are renowned for their festival culture. Holidays there tend to be celebrated with uncommon enthusiasm. Santinalia, for instance, is accompanied by wild celebration, the wearing of masks, and the naming of the town fool as ruler for the day. In more pious nations, large feasts and the giving of gifts mark the festival, with none of the extreme revelry found in Antiva. Finally, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the symbol of Antiva is a golden drake.

Ruling Dynasty
Since the true power behind Antiva is with the Merchant Princes and not the royal bloodline then the “dynasty’s” are rooted in the merchant houses. The three most influential in Antivan history are:
 * House Medina of Rialto. The current head of the House is Prince Ignacio Romero Medina.
 * House da Parma of Bastion. The current head of the House is Prince Venerio Carmen da Parma.
 * House Medici of Antiva City. The current head of the House is Prince Filip Medici.

Officially, the line of kings in Antiva has remained unbroken for two and a half thousand years, but the monarchy is very weak and has virtually no army.

Government/Ruling Model
The ruling model in Antiva is a Plutocracy. This is a type of Merchant Republic, Antiva is ruled and dominated by the small minority of the wealthiest citizens - the Merchant Princes. Thus, its true leaders (if you can call them that) are a body of argumentative merchant princes who have far more power than the weak monarchy that officially rules the nation. The true power conferred strictly by wealth lies in the hands of a dozen merchant princes. They are not princes in the literal sense, but heads of banks, trading companies, and vineyards.

Nobility
The current Queen of Antiva is Isabelle Damasio. House Damasio is a weak royal bloodline, but it came into power because the last monarch had no living heirs to pass the crown to. It is rumours that the Antivan Crows assassinated the last Royal House and that House Damasio is under the control of the assassins.

To be a noble in Antiva is to have wealth, but not power. Authority comes with alliances and deals with the other factions within the country - by marrying into one of the Dynastic Merchant Houses for instance. The Princes often do this so they have royal blood in their house.

Elf or human can be a noble, and the extent of responsibilities is to attend balls, host the Princes when they ask (or command) and generally maintain the estate which one was born into. There are perks, but they are not comparable to Orlesian or Nevarran nobility.

Politics
The politics of Antiva is relatively simple. You have to deal with the Princes, the Crows and the Raiders - and sometimes a cunning noble, in order to get anywhere. Making deals and being able to make good on those deals is important. Each Merchant Prince is locked in a constant struggle against all the others, so political acumen in Antiva requires one to be an excellent negotiator and have spy networks. Playing off the Princes against each other is dangerous, but it is also the best way for anyone hoping to gain power in Antiva to get anywhere. Since each Merchant Prince has a personal army and they possess sufficient capital they are able to resolve any external diplomatic quandaries with a well-aimed purse or threat of withdrawn trade. This is the same for internal conflicts. Deals with the House of Crows and the Raiders are important in order to keep power and balance in Antiva.

Connections with other countries
Queen Asha "The Queen Mother of Thedas" was involved in an array of political marriages between numerous noble houses in the effort of establishing alliances. This has given the kingdom of Antiva significant political protection: to start hostilities with Antiva would mean running the risk of dragging half of Thedas into war.

Antivan Crows
Despite the lack of a strong military tradition, there is another reason why Antiva has rarely feared invasion: the infamous House of Crows, the most efficient, most feared, and most expensive guild of assassins in Thedas. Their fame is such that Antiva has no need of a standing army. No leader is willing to order an attack on her borders or to lead the troops due to fear of assassination. Even the Qunari leave the nation alone.

Felicisima Armada
Also known as The Raiders of the Waking Sea, these Antivan pirates are the leading maritime power in the region. They gained influence when the pirates aided the allied forces in the Exalted Marches against the Qunari, and now poses a serious threat on the Waking Sea. Wealthy merchants often prefer to pay the leaders of the Armada rather than to risk their cargo.

The Chantry
Despite the law breaking factions of the House of Crows and Felicisima Armada being connected to Antiva the country is fiercely Andrastian. The Chantry has a huge political sway, especially amongst the Merchant Princes, but it has been known to be “affected” by the presence of the House of Crows.

Mage Rebels
It is well known that one of the rebel leaders amongst the mages is Antivan. The connections to the country are still ambiguous but some fear they may play a part in Antiva’s future. The threat of an Exalted March because of those connections hangs over the country’s head and some want to disassociate with the rebel mages altogether and would go to any extreme to do this.

Culture
The female role is deemed as “pure” and “delicate”, thus women are not allowed to do certain things - such as be warriors. This strictly defined role does not match the reality of Antivan women and is more of an ideal of femininity for traditionalist Antivans. Other cultures of the nobility is that of using dueling to solve disputes. Usually it is non-fatal, but accidents happen.

Language
As Antiva is a merchant and trading country the are more often than not fluent in both Antivan and the Common tongue. Those that deal specifically with certain countries, or wish to appeal to the ego of their trading partners may go out of their way to learn those clients and partners native tongue. Tevene is not uncommon among the Merchant Princes, and they may even deny other tongues they learned, like Qunlat, to ensure their buyers go unoffended.

Art
Antiva is lauded for their sculpture and metal works, many of the finest jewelry pieces, and elegant statues are hewn on Antivan soil. Their use of stone and metal gives them a close trading relationship with the dwarves, and many Antivan artists work under a mentor (often dwarven) for years before they are allowed to work on their own. Commissions for specialized products come in from around the world. There has been royalty who have asked for new crowns, and special scepters. Antivans also enjoy stories and plays. Comedies are their specialties, even their drama’s have a sarcastic irony to them.

Fashion
Antiva’s shared border with Tevinter hasn’t done anything to change the pious nature of the assassin riddled city, and this nature is transferred into their dress. Men tend to wear light airy shirts to combat the heat, but in darker colours, or jewel tones. They have gleaned from Orlais a love of masks, though they are far more common during holidays instead of an everyday accessory. The influences of Orlais, and often, the pirates that rest in the port cities are not difficult to notice.

The women tend to dress modestly, to further compound their pure nature. Not always reasonable for the heat, but fashion carries a price. Antiva is not a land of fitted waists or corsets, one because anything that restricts a woman’s breathing is dangerous, and because the fuller figures are more appreciated. In fact, the wide hips and thicker waistlines speak of wealth and health, of fruitful women. Make-up for both men and women is rare, instead tattoos are often used to accent beauty, and for women if there was a special occasion light pinks could be used to mimic a healthy glow. Outside of makeup being used to accentuate natural beauty, it was confined to brothels, and on a classy woman noticeable enhancements are considered tawdry. Though Antiva often specialises in making beautiful jewelry, you will rarely see it on the streets. Better left on guarded estates under lock and key in this land of pickpockets and assassins.

Military
Due to the lack of true power within the Antivan monarchy, the nation boasts no standing army. The only ones with the influence to organize and the wealth to fund such a force are the infamous merchant princes of Antiva, and the nature of their status means that they will not conform to the rigid hierarchy of a true military chain of command. They will only view one another as partners as best, never superiors. Instead each prince maintains a personal army of hirelings and armed men, but these are often too locked in Machiavellian schemes to bother protecting the borders. Such duties are left to the town guard.

The monarchy can, in times of conflict, issue conscription if need be, but the current ruler of Antiva, Isabelle Damasio, is said to be firmly in the pocket of the Crows, who in turn receive most of their pay from the merchant princes. The strongest military achievement Antivan can claim is the Felicisima Armada, a fleet of antivan raiders who achieved great success and gained fame during the Qunari Wars. Today they rule the Waking Sea and maintain only business related ties to their homeland, serving as yet another example of the loose, often mercantile bonds one can find within Antivan society. Antivan need not much fear invasion, however. The dreaded House of Crows deters any would-be assailant from contemplating hostile action.

Religion
There is only one accepted religion in Antiva and that is the Andrastian Chantry. It rivals both the Anderfels and Orlais for how pious it is, the precepts of the religion is deep within Antivan society. The average Antivan goes to the Chantry at least once a week, tries to give alms to the clerics and to help the needy. The Andrastian Chantry has a huge influence over politics and trade, and in the years during the Mage-Templar War the Chantry’s iron fist grips the country harder. Even with the House of Crows, the Raiders, disputes between Merchant Princes and the merchants, and the nobility the Chantry is still one of the most powerful influences over the every day Antivan as well as those in more privileged positions. There are some differences with the way Antivans do certain religious things, including the holiday of Satinalia. There is wild celebration, mask wearing, and someone is named as the town fool and they make them the ruler for the day. In Antiva Satinalia lasts for a week or more, while a week of fasting follows.

Views on Magic
After invasions, civil war, Exalted Marches and Blights it is of no surprise that Antivans are wary of magic. The Circle is controlled by the Chantry and the Grand Cleric of Antiva is always a woman who believes in controlling magic - sometimes with an iron fist. With the tales of witches in the Telleri Swamps and then the mage and templar war the country has become more anti-magic than ever, standing side by side with the Templars and its beloved Chantry. They believe in the Maker and in the Chant of Light and so even the mages are want to believe that they need to be locked up. Fortunately for the mages in Antiva City’s Circle the Swords of the Maker are not their overseers, that responsibility belongs to the clerics. Rumour has it that their methods are not unlike the mind altering tactics of the Qunari, since mages appear to be brainwashed into following the Chantry. How this is achieved is a mystery thus far.

Economics
Antiva, as a coastal country with bustling ports, facilitates a great deal of trade, both through piracy and legitimate business. Some of this trade may be under the aegis of the Antivan Crows and their confederates.The exports of Antiva are numerous and varied. Antiva is renowned for its admittedly unparalleled wines, as well as its coffee. It is also known for its rubies and diamonds. Antivan leatherworking is also particularly exquisite, and its crafters are the envy of the known world. In addition to leather Antiva produces fine weaving and silk of great renown. Antivan crafters also excel at the production of porcelain of a quality so fine light shines through, as well as woodwork. Because Antiva has never gone to war but to defend itself against the blight, and because they have the feared House of Crows, the country enjoys healthy trade with many nations, including the empire of Orlais. The country is wealthy, with a great many items to export, and little they need imported; with trade ruled over by the merchant princes who pour wealth both into their own pockets, and into the prosperity of their country.

Geography
Antiva is bordered by the Rialto Bay and Rivain to the East, the Tevinter Imperium to the West and the Free Marches to the South. The country enjoys a warm north-eastern climate. Much of Antiva is coastline, thus facilitating their seafaring nature. Five of their major cities are port cities, including the Antivan capital, Antiva City.

Cities/Provinces

 * Antiva City: It lies on the coast of the Rialto Bay, and it's an important port both politically and economically. It's one of the wealthiest in Thedas. It began as a free city, and as its influence and power expanded, it gave birth to the nation bearing its name. It was sacked by the archdemon Andoral, but has since rebuilt and flourished. It is also the base of the House of Crows.


 * Rialto: Sharing the name with the bay on whose border it is located, this city is a major port. It is significant for the country's economy, but not as vital as the capital.


 * Seleny: It is one of the few important cities in Antiva that are not located on the shores of Rialto Bay. It lies on the river that crosses the country, and is famed for the sculpture and the graceful bridges.


 * Treviso: Like many Antivan cities, Treviso lies on the coast of Rialto Bay. It is the closest to the northern border with Rivain, and is vital for Antivan trade with this country.


 * Salle: Salle lies on the shore of Rialto Bay, right in the middle of the route from Bastion to Rialto.


 * Bastion: Out of many coastal cities littering the shore of Rialto Bay, it is the southernmost. It lies close to the border with the Free Marches.


 * Rialto Bay: A bay lying at the northern end of the Amaranthine Ocean, it is safely snug in the embrace of Antiva from the west and Rivain from the east. Most of the Antivan cities are centered around its shores, emphasizing the nation's reliance on the sea and trade it brings.


 * The Drylands: They make up the northern part of Antiva. As the name indicates, they are dry and inhospitable.


 * Tellari Swamps: It is a large marshland that gives rise to the river that crosses the country. The locals believe that a Witch of the Wilds lives there, and fear her greatly. Because of it, people rarely ever go there.

Typical Flora

 * Almond tree
 * Ash tree
 * Avocado tree
 * Barbary Fig
 * Crown Daisy
 * Dwarf Convoluulus
 * Elm tree
 * Fig tree
 * Honeysuckle
 * Juniper tree
 * Lemon tree
 * Milk Thistle
 * Olive tree
 * Orange tree
 * Pink Convoluulus
 * Prickley Pear
 * Sage
 * Sea Lavender
 * Wild Gladiolis
 * Willow tree

Typical Fauna

 * Deer
 * Lynx
 * Muflon
 * Wolf

Regional Race Characteristics
"Complexion:" From Light-tanned to Dark-tanned complexion "Common eye colors:" Shades of brown, hazel and black "Common hair colors:" Shades of brown, black and sometimes dirty blond "General Description:" The Antivans resemble the Rivaini in some ways, however, people hailing from Antiva are usually of lighter (but still tanned) tones. They are associated with a short stature, slender build, big eyes and olive-tanned complexion. Their hair-eye color combinations come in shades of brown, black and hazel (for the eyes).

History
The origins of modern Antiva lie in the alliance of pirates and "ne'er-do-wells" who favored a safer and more lucrative life on land as opposed to a dangerous life on the sea. They made a home on Rialto Bay's western coast which was, however, owned by the king of Antiva, the nearby city-state. Eventually the two distinct groups merged into one people, evolving into the nation of Antiva as it's known today. It became a fully fledged nation in -30 Ancient.

In ancient times, Beregrand, a dwarf from the kingdom of Gundaar with his impressive knowledge and skills helped the city states of Antiva to greatly expand their naval power.

Brief Timeline

 * -30 Ancient- The city-state of Antiva evolves into a full-fledged nation.


 * 1:45–95 Divine- The Chantry spreads east into Antiva.


 * 4:30 Black- Queen Asha Campana, the "Queen Mother of Thedas", is born.


 * 5:12 Exalted- Awakening of Andoral and the rise of the Fourth Blight. Antiva is overrun. The city of Seleny falls after a four day siege. The entire royal family is slaughtered and Antiva City is all but destroyed.


 * 5:24 Exalted- Antiva is freed from the darkspawn during the battle at the city of Ayesleigh, where Garahel dies after defeating Andoral during the battle of Battle of Ayesleigh.


 * 5:99 Exalted- With the recent assassination of Queen Madrigal of Antiva (deep within the forest during a hunt, she is found with four steel swords plunged into her chest, presumably murdered by the Crows), the Steel Age is named.


 * 6:32–42 Steel- Antiva is conquered by the invading Qunari.


 * 6:85 Steel - 7:23 Storm- Antiva is freed from the Qunari.


 * 7:52 Storm- During the Second New Exalted March the Qunari recapture much of Antiva, and Treviso is burned by the liberating armies of the White and Black Divines.


 * 7:84 Storm- The end of the Third New Exalted March and signing of the Llomerryn Accord. Antiva is free from the Qunari influence.


 * 8:99 Blessed- Dragons reappear within Antiva, then spread into Orlais and Nevarra where they devastate the countryside. Attempts to reduce the number of dragons results in a great loss of life.


 * 9:37 Dragon - The Mage-Templar War is ignited. Every Circle in Thedas rebels. The Chantry is is ruins. Many templars are caught off guard but some respond with brute force. Mages return in kind and soon civilians are caught in the crossfire as the fighting spreads throughout cities. Many people lose their lives.


 * 9:40 Dragon: Every Circle has rebelled, factions on both sides manifest. Empress Celene is assassinated.


 * 9:42 Dragon - Antiva surrenders Peacefully.


 * 9:47 Dragon - After ten long, miserable years the treaty is signed and a ceasefire between Templars and Mages begins. The treaty is written by The Divine, Orlesian Emperor, King Alistair, Knight Vigilant, and the Grand Enchanter. It is signed in Weisshaupt.The treaty is signed by every First Enchanter. The treaty recognises the Libertarians as Free Mages and the Templars are forced to cease their sieges of these Towers of Magi.


 * 9:51 Dragon- A young writer and fourth son of a prominent nobleman from Antiva city was found dead in his chamber in the College of Southreach, causing withdrawal of another Antivan nobility from the college and some stranded trade relationships


 * 9:51 The Templar Order doubles their presence at the Antivan Circle of Magi. The Knight Commander immediately contemplates tripling it.