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The Good Ladies of Mariana Bay

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Have you heard the legend of Queen Theodesta, whose voice is as calm as the White Sea? They say her daughters—these Good Ladies—carry that same tide within them, each of their vessels a unity among the rifted isles of the Merrivale.
—from the Tales of the White Sea

The Good Ladies of Mariana Bay are the ruling council of the Merrivale Islands, a fragmented archipelago in the White Sea. This democratic council, composed exclusively of women, is elected by the citizens of Mariana Bay and neighboring isles for lifetime appointments. They are revered as the custodians of justice, freedom, and prosperity in a region rife with pirate incursions and political intrigue. The Good Ladies’ ultimate vision is to bring stability and democratic unification to the entire archipelago, including the lawless Outer Rim, though this task has challenged generations of their leadership.

Rooted in legend, the Good Ladies trace their origins to Queen Theodesta, an ancient warrior queen believed to have ruled a now-lost landmass that spanned the White Sea. Myths speak of the cataclysmic wrath of the god Tephratigo, which shattered this once-unified land into the islands of today and sundered the Queen's people across the archipelago. Theodesta’s descendants—some of whom continue to serve as Good Ladies—embody her legacy of leadership, resilience, and maritime prowess.

Central to their power is the Prim Rose Buccaneers, a formidable supernautical airforce that patrol the skies and seas. From their fortress at Goodwind Sands, the Good Ladies command not only military might, but the hearts and loyalty of their people. The Prim Rose Buccaneers are guardians and enforcers, ensuring safe passage for traders while defending against the Outer Rim's marauding factions.

Adventure Hook

The Good Ladies represent the tension between order and chaos in a world still reeling from ancient cataclysms. Their struggle to unite the Merrivale Islands under a democratic banner mirrors broader questions of governance. What right do the Good Ladies have to unify the Outer Rim under their control? The party will have to weigh their actual practices against the mythologizing of Queen Theodesta, whose “history” as a conqueror is at odds with the Good Ladies’ intent to rule democratically over the islands.

The Prim Rose Buccaneers intercept a distress signal from the Outer Rim: Rhansmarc the Cruel has kidnapped the daughter of a Good Lady, demanding an end to their democratic expansion into his territories. The Good Ladies enlist the aid of the party to resolve this crisis (perhaps the daughter is a relative of a PC, or perhaps the party are Prim Rose Buccaneers) but tensions rise when the captain reveals an ancient artifact tied to Queen Theodesta herself—a relic he claims grants him the true right to rule the Merrivale Islands.

What secrets might the artifact reveal about Queen Theodesta and her connection to the Good Ladies?
How does the party navigate the political implications of aiding—or opposing—democratic rule in the Merrivale Islands?
Will the party uncover hidden motives within the Good Ladies’ council, such as rivalries or agendas that threaten their unity?

Tags: Regimes

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