Azae

Azae is a tropical island where the River Oceanus ends in the south, between the Amphisean mainland and Diaprepea, much like Hesperia in climate and land. The busiest of Atlantis's three island kingdoms and its southernmost power center, it lives by the sea: its deep northern and eastern harbors are crowded with Atlantean, Tharshi and Ophirite ships and even the odd Marhashian or Sheban vessel, watched over by standing Hesperian and Atlantean squadrons, and only Poseidonea gives more ships to the imperial navy.

Nearly half the people are passing foreigners, and the natives, the Aza, are the most mixed of all Atlantean stock. Citizens pay no tax but owe five years in the navy or a hired substitute; revenue comes from harbor dues, customs and a tax on every sale. Merchants pay gladly for the island's safety, for it is boasted that no corsair has ever pierced the patrols, and "safe as an Azaen merchantman" is a common saying, though raiders still try.

Most folk work in the navy, in trade or at fishing. The ports are warehouse towns where shops, inns and taverns outnumber all else; thieves thrive and petty corruption is routine, though milder than in Tharshesh. Korva on the Bay of Falga is the largest port, with Karkanna, Gaharba and Mamura, while the capital, Surkan, lies inland, smaller and quieter.