Politicology

Governments of the Fluid Nations: Cetacean Ocean

Hegemony of the Cetacean Ocean
Aliases: Hegemony of the Eight Ordu, The Reformed Khanate, The Cetanate, the Cetacean Horde
Region: Periphery
Capital: Zhashwaram

Situated to the northwest of the Known World, the Cetacean Ocean is neighbored to northwest by the Bay of Kouton and to the southwest by the Gulf of Locanth.  Its western border is marked by the mountain archipelago known as the Spine of the World, while to the east it borders on the avoided Ruins of the Kraken Empire.

Archaeology

Khantusk: Cetacean Symbol of Absolute Allegiance

Khantusk is the jutting tooth from the long-deceased First Khan, pulled from its root during the battle with the Leviathan of Coinchenn.  As long as a mer’s arm and just as thick, it would be an excessively large example of the tusk for even the biggest narwahl.  Its time-yellowed  ivory is stained a with a brown patina of weathered age that is emphasized by the pale engraving along its slightly upward curve, showing lividly from the surrounding sienna tint.  Shod near its root and tip with a band of lustrous black pearl, which anchor loosely wrapped, finely woven ribbons of velvet embroidered with text of silk thread.  The runic Aquelan symbols carved into the tusk that cite the militaristic violence committed during the First Khan’s dynasty are swaddled by the calligraphic Verse sigils stitched into the wrap that recount the adulation of His loyal citizenry.  The artifact is far from pristine, with the stain of ancient blood on the ribbons, a cracked  bark-like texture, a fractured tip and a substantial divot missing from where the Leviathan ripped it from the First Khan’s mouth.  Most notable is the weight of Khantusk.  First picked up, it is light, almost uplifting itself into the hands of a bearer; however as the mantle of leadership pulls down on the bearer, Khantusk weighs ever more heavily.