Port Doman (The Fomorian Empire)

Port Doman is unique among the Fomorian states in that it is not a kingdom. It was founded in the year 42FO [243SA] as a trading post by a large merchant house. For the first 170 years of its existence it was victimized by Izza raiders. In the year 205FO [406SA] its merchants got an Imperial monopoly in the area and, with it, the right to field a larger army. They immediately did so and set out to end the Izza threat. A full scale invasion of the Izza lands (205 - 212FO [406-413SA]) decisively defeated that tribe. After his victory, the General responsible was given the hereditary title of Prince by the King of Fomoria and his family became the official rulers of Port Doman.

In the same era a century of civil war, plagues and catastrophe began in the Nylasi Empire (210 - 318FO [411-519SA]). Under the General (205 - 220FO [406-421SA]) and his heirs (221 - 315FO [422-516SA]) Port Doman supplied arms and mercenaries to both sides until the fall of the Empire. With the Nylasi threat removed, Port Doman became the dominant power in the area.

Around the year 399FO [600SA], Port Doman allied with the Izza, converted them to the Fomorian faith and entered the slave trade. This began their corruption. By the year 799FO [1000SA], with the return of Nylasa power and the emergence of the Dark City, Port Doman no longer dominated the land. They have suffered resounding defeats in the jungle and have been forced to adopt a defensive posture to survive.

Population

The capital, Port Doman (15,000), is a heavily-fortified and dingy city. One-third of its residents are Fomorian. The rest are free blacks (500) and slaves (9,500). The rural population is 75,000. Ten thousand of these are Fomorian, 5,000 are free blacks and 60,000 are slaves. The total population of the nation is 90,000. Port Doman's army contains 1,600 footmen and 800 Izza mercenaries. Their fleet has 8 warships, 1 of which is a trireme.

Economy

The economy is based on spices, furs and slaves. Most of the metals and other goods that the nation uses are imported. Without its spices and the slave trade Port Doman would be bankrupt.

Religion

The chief god of Port Doman is Enki. They also worship Ashur, Vahagn and Inanna. The Domanese give lip service to their gods out of tradition. They no longer share the devotion to the gods that is common among other Fomorians.

Personality

The Domanese are arrogant, hedonistic and somewhat evil. They believe in the innate superiority of Fomorians and consider blacks to be sub-human. They are amoral in dealing with non-Fomorians. The vast majority of the Domanese are paranoid when they feel that they, or their nation, are threatened. The national policy toward hostile blacks is to enslave them. Of the cultures in this part of the world only the Ghazai, Kakana and Izza rival them as objects of their neighbor's loathing and hatred.

Legal System

Port Doman is governed by a hereditary Prince and a Council of Merchants. In theory, the Prince is the absolute ruler. In fact, the council controls the land and always has.

The Fomorian justice system applies for non-blacks. Blacks in this land, free or slave, are without rights. A fomorian can do whatever he pleases to them. If his action damages a citizen's property, he must pay that person damages. Blacks who are found guilty of any crime are enslaved. If they are already a slave, or the crime is major, they are sold outside of Port Doman. The basic status of blacks in this land is only somewhat better than that of a valuable animal.

Allies

Port Doman is allied to the Izza, who they treat as a subject people. They have little support from the other Fomorian nations.

Enemies

Both Nylasi factions despise Port Doman. Neither will be satisfied until every white in Port Doman is killed, enslaved or driven into the sea. The Kings of Aredan and Shestar are opposed to Port Doman's racial policy. They have nothing to do with this nation and, politically, are working to end self-rule in this area. (Except for the Charter of Enki, they would probably join forces and conquer the port.)

Language

Basic Characteristics

Common Weapons

Swords, Spears, Polearms

Ancestry

The Fomorians are of the same stock as the Kolari, Shandar and Goidanese.

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