Undersea Kingdoms of Jesenreth
Most of Jesenreth's surface is underwater. The deep oceans conceal an even greater variety of creatures than the land, many monstrous and some sapient. Among the significant cultures and nations living in and under the oceans are the following:
Merfolk Tribes: Merfolk may be the most populous sapient species in the oceans, living in hundreds, if not thousands, of small tribes (50-100 members) in both the northern and southern hemispheres. They are not more powerful because of their primitive, hunter-gatherer lifestyle and the fact that they have no unity or organization among them, meeting only to find mates. This leaves them vulnerable to abuse and oppression by more organized groups, and predation by ocean monsters. Still, their numbers and skill at survival despite this makes them important in the oceanic political scene. If they could be organized and lead effectively, they could dominate the other sapients.
Empire of Akasheck: Sahuagin resemble humanoid sharks, but physically and mentally. Cruel, brutal, and highly organized and efficient, their empire rules the largest amount of undersea territory, stretching from west of Marbindor almost to Sarborea. From their several cities built into underwater mountains and reefs, to their farmed schools of fish, to their shipping-raiding parties, the sahuagin are the terrors of the ocean. Their undisputed ruler is Emperor Scukus.
Sea Hag Covens: These horrifically ugly fey live in groups of 12, called covens, which work together to pursue their goals, which normally include murder and chaos anywhere they can sow it. They favor shallow coastal waters, bags and harbors, which afford numerous targets. They war with every other undersea power.
Water Elementals: These creatures are the sea itself come alive, hating and attacking anything not made of water or a natural sea creature. Normally solitary, they will work together to sink ships and battle sahuagin.
Marid Padishahate: In the deepest depths of the ocean reigns supreme the mighty Padishah Yusri el-Shaer the Magnificent over a fantastic pearl city of thousands of marid. Having their own concerns on the Plane of Elemental Water, they rarely interact with the surface world, but when they do their mighty magic has toppled empires.
