The Mercer Isles

The Mercer Isles are led by the merchant council, which consists of the head of each prominent merchant family. The language is common, and it has been spread throughout the land because of their merchanty ways.

Families

 * Teerham
 * Codsmouth
 * Schernburg
 * Nickelsmith
 * Plunt

Cuisine
The Mercer Isles have a large fishing industry, and thus they live mainly off of seafood. Because of their massive trade network, the people of the isles have become accostumed to the food of other countries, like Yaqelian curry, Dovish yam bread, Valkavian fried foods, and exquisite Vignonish pasta. One uniquely Mercer aspect of their cuisine is molasses, which is extremely popular amongst all the families. The Plunts especially love it, putting it on almost anything

Religion
The Mercer Isles have no religion of their own, besides the Ryllic shamanism of the original inhabitants of the isles, which is only still practiced on a couple of remote islands and secluded sections of the main isle. The majority of mercers practice "casual Goodism" in which they pick and choose easier pieces of mainland Goodism, such as being nice to everyone, and ignore the more radical beliefs and traditions.

Army
The Mercer Isles don't have a very organized national military. Instead, each family has a loosely organized, yet not necessarily badly trained, militia. During times of war the militias unite, but that hasn't happened for generations.

Culture
Mercer culture is the result of the clashing of Dovish misssionaries traditionalism with the very open and honest culture of the Ryllic inhabitants. They are not the least conservative of peoples in Whirn, but are orders of magnitude less so than Doviraan. The Isles have a very loose heirarchy of class, which is relatively surmountable by becoming respected in the world of merchants. The architecture is interesting in the isles, because they took much inspiration from the stone-carvings of old Ryllic temples. Many buldings are adorned with intricate swirls and knots, and occasionally designs inspired by Ryllic mythologies.

Physical Attributes
Mercer Isles lads usually have dark hair, green eyes, and are of average build. They have no outstanding strength or speed, but are the most cunning of the peoples on Whirn. They have increased intelligence and charisma. Mercers are often headstrong, however, and rarely consider the fact that they might be wrong. Thus, they might also have decreased wisdom.