Tharish Empire

Food & Drink

The primary source of food is whatever the ocean provides, which is mostly different fish. However, the Salt Shark soup is one of the best in the world.

Salt Shark Soup

The broth is made from boiled saltwater that is used to soak shark fins for many hours. The broth is brought back up to a boil with ground seaweed powder and the shark meat added. They boil the meat until fully cooked, at which point it is removed and put into a marinade of tomato paste, more seaweed powder, and chili powder. It sits for at least eight hours before slicing and added back into the broth. Finally, thick hand rolled seaweed and grain noodles (whatever grain is available at the time) are added to the broth.

Geography

Da’Har originally started the Tharish Empire. Unlike other empires, the Tharish do not have static borders as they roam the sea in their massive ocean fortresses. The only place their fortresses do not traverse is the ice sea.

Laws & Regulations

Open Piracy Ban

While the culture was founded on piracy, the times have changed and it is no longer as popular as it once was. The laws now dictate that open piracy is outlawed to keep the peace between empires. This doesn’t mean captains don’t have their fun while the authorities look the other way.

The ban on open piracy does not include targeting Tharish ships. In fact, it is a common practice for Tharish captains to pillage each other. This helps keep the peace with other nations.

Religion

The ocean is their god, and it has always provided their people with nourishment and resources. They hold a water festival each year in praise and honor to their great water god, Tsuadi. The festival is known as Tsuadi’s Banquet.

Tsuadi’s Banquet

A massive festival held once a year off the coast of the Ue Oe Empire. The Tharish and Ue Oe empires work together to create a massive multi-empire festival in honor of their water god. During this time, multiple floating fortresses will connect, creating a massive circle of cities. At the center of the circle, they construct a large platform to hold all the festivities. Musicians, bards, and many performers come from around the world to entertain the masses. Famous chiefs and brew masters come with their unique cuisines for all to enjoy. The festival is like no other in the world and is widely known throughout the empires.

Society

Economy

The Tharish thrive off their deep-sea fish exports. They are the only empire to haul large quantities of fish to the mainland.

Tharish Navy

After the Great War, the Tharish Empire became known for having the strongest naval presence. So much so they surpassed the Grimslarian navy, which had been the rulers of the sea during and before the Great War.

Traditions

Grand Voyage

Once a child reaches a time in their life when they have learned enough of the Tharish ways, they are given a challenge to transition into adulthood. That challenge is known as the Grand Voyage.

The challenge does not have an age restriction but relies on how much the child understands and can do on their own. Parents and influential figures monitor tasks to see when a child is ready to do them alone. Once they are ready, they are given the task of crafting their own small sea vessel that must be about the size of a rowboat. Once crafted they are given a few provisions and supplies (mostly gathered and crafted by the child) to aid them on their voyage. Taking their vessel, they set out on the ocean, seeking another floating fortress they are allied with. This voyage can be exceptionally long and hard depending on the time of year, and the distance the other fortresses are from each other. Once they have reached a fortress, they are given a unique arm band that must be worn for the return trip as a sign they completed their voyage.

Returning home, they are welcomed with open arms and pride. The loved ones of the once child, now adult, hold a celebration in their honor for becoming a recognized member of the community.