Republic City of Dumal

The Republic of Dumal Island is the geographical and political heart of the Dumal Archipelago. It is the largest of the three main islands in this part of Attilos, a central hub of military and economic power from which the Dumal Republic exerts its influence. Unlike the wild jungles or treacherous bays of its sister islands, the Republic of Dumal Island is a place of manicured order and calculated prosperity, a deliberate contrast to the chaos it seeks to control. The island's geography is defined by a massive, sheltered bay, providing a perfect natural harbor for the Republic's formidable navy and bustling merchant fleets. This bay is the lifeblood of the city, constantly abuzz with the coming and going of ships, a testament to the Republic's wealth and control.

At the heart of the island lies the Republic City of Dumal, a sprawling metropolis of pristine white stone and gleaming spires. The city’s architecture is a reflection of the Republic’s philosophy: everything is orderly, structured, and designed for efficiency. Wide, paved streets are kept meticulously clean, and grand public buildings stand as monuments to the Republic’s self-proclaimed superiority. Here, the biggest portion of the Governing members reside, conducting their part in the operation from a position of centralized power. The city’s efforts are constantly directed at keeping the islands "safe and prosperous," a goal that often requires them to thin the herd on the seas and clear away bandits on land.

The true core of the Republic’s operation is a single, imposing building known as the Hall of Governors. It is here that the nine elected aristocratic representatives, who together make up the Republic, convene to oversee the nine islands of the archipelago. Inside, a large room houses a long table where each of the nine seats is occupied by a Governor, each one in charge of their respective island. Glass doors open out onto a deck that overlooks the port, a constant reminder of the maritime power they wield.

The political dynamics within this room are a complex web of ambition and rivalry. At the center of it all is Lord Commander Valerius Thorne, the man who subtly selected these governors and provided them with the means to take control of their islands. Thorne, deceptively unassuming in appearance, is a ruthless grandmaster who sees the archipelago as a strategic game of chess. He secretly works toward a "unified" archipelago under his imperial rule, viewing the other governors as mere instruments to achieve his vision.

His second-in-command, Governor Elderberry, is a stout, chubby old man who shares Thorne's belief in absolute control. Elderberry, who is in charge of the government funds, views anything he perceives as chaotic as a personal affront, including the "less 'organized' methods of some of his fellow governors". He holds a deep contempt for the free-spirited pirates and anyone who challenges the order he seeks to impose.

The other governors represent a spectrum of personalities and methods, each bringing a different approach to the table. Captain Borok "The Slaver" is a half-orc who found his way to power through a thirst for control born of a brutal early life. Borok, who often presses captured enemies into service to replenish his crew, was tasked with suppressing and subjugating pirates, and his ferocity has been recognized for its effectiveness. On the other hand, Governess Murrigana Shadowfen is a cunning survivor who plays the role of a "terrifying 'witch'" to outsiders to protect her people from the Republic's encroaching "tide of 'civilization'". In exchange for her acknowledgment of their authority, the Republic largely leaves her internal affairs alone, a rare moment of pragmatic foresight on their part.

Then there are figures like Governor Kaelen Vance, a formidable woman from a simple fisherfolk family who rose to power through a combination of her strategic mind and natural talent for survival. She hides her practical, tough nature beneath the refined silks of a governor, a testament to a life not always lived in drawing rooms.

The Republic of Dumal Island, therefore, is more than a city; it is a meticulously crafted stage for a ruthless play of power and control. It is a place where every grand building, every naval ship, and every political maneuver is a part of a larger, secret plan to bring the entire archipelago under a single, iron-fisted imperial rule.