The Scaled Folk:

Referred to as Scaled Ones when speaking of individuals, the Folk are a race of humanoids who seem to be rather amphibious and fishlike in nature, with bodies naturally adapted to living in moist and watery environments. Most live simple lives, as their race seems to have more difficulty than most when it comes to understanding complex technology, though not for lack of trying. In addition, they have the peculiar tendency to be very easy to miss when they don't want to be seen, despite their tall stature. This seemingly unnatural ability coupled with their vaguely inhuman features, along with the general secrecy and insular nature of their societies, lead many to believe that there is something sinister about the Folk, though few can put their finger on it. There are several major factions of interest representing the Scaled Folk:

The Gutwalkers: Located in the vibrant blue land of Gut, these nomadic tribesmen eke out a meager existence while being preyed upon by the horrifying Beak Things that stalk this land in great numbers. Perhaps they would have been able to cull the wandering herds, were it not for their internal issues. The Gutwalkers are currently undergoing what appears to be a holy war, though no one can make heads or tails of what its about. Groups of Gutwalkers that look no different from one another will suddenly scream of heresy and charge at each other, not stopping until the enemy lies bleeding on the ground. The local slavers have taken no issue with this, as it makes hunting for slaves in that region that much easier. For anyone foolish enough to settle in Gut, these tribes will likely be the closest thing to friends you will have.

The Deepwater Sultanate: One of the more threatening upstart nations, the Sultanate is a rapidly growing nation comprised primarily of the Folk, though many different peoples populate the lowest classes. Known for being very ambitious and jingoistic, the Sultanate's cities can be found in various isolated areas across the coast, though how they communicate with each other is unknown as no caravans have been spotted on the land. Some theorize boats are used, while others think their caravans simply swim around the continent instead of walk across it. But regardless, the Sultanate is regarded as a minor but encroaching threat by most of the greater nations. The armies of the Sultanate are spread thin, but their less significant numbers are supplemented by their elite Janissary warriors, who are rumored to have been trained from birth to do nothing but kill, making them formidable and intimidating warriors. The ruler of this new power is the cunning Sultan Dhozon, the enigmatic priest-king who dwells in his capital of the same name.

Dhozon: Once the ruins of a Second Empire village, the wreckage was renovated by the Sultanate and turned into the first of their cities several decades ago. Since then, it has only grown, transforming into a vast and thriving metropolis. The original area has become the heart of the city, being unofficially termed the High District, though ironically it is actually the lowest from a geographical standpoint. The Middle District comprises the most of the city, that which was built around the original settlement, and a sprawling, walled-off slum is referred to as "Poorside".

Poorside: A city unto itself, poorside is a large ghetto kept in check by a hastily erected barrier and a guarded gate. While people can pass in and out, the gate manages to keep most travelling recorded and inter-district crime to a minimum. Inside the walls of Poorside, however, there are very few laws or any kind of police presence. All sorts of illegal goods can be found within, along with various other activities like gambling. The most lucrative shops and bars are run by the Muckraker gang, the unofficial rulers of Poorside. Lorded over by a Scaled One named Hurzon, these shady individuals run everything from thievery to protection rackets. Anyone wanting to get in on the action needs to pay a cut to Hurzon, lest they find themselves suffering from an unfortunate accident.

Omun: While small, its significance cannot be underestimated, as it is responsible for training the elite soldiers of the Sultanate, the Janissaries. Ruled over by the brutal Shah Barzum, Omun is a vital resource for the Sultanate.

Mozolun: The second largest city in the Sultanate, Mozolun is the bread (or rather, fish) basket of the empire, boasting a district comprised entirely of fisheries that churn out tons of meat every week. Founded in the clean and resourch-rich northern shores, Mozolun grew incredibly quickly, to the extent that it has its own small ghetto, in which the Muckrakers have already established a presence.

Aluzan: Constructed on top of the ocean rather than the coast, this small town serves as the top vacation spot of the nobility, where they may reveal their true natures and get away from the stress of their everyday lives. While significant due to the amount of important people within, Aluzan relies on the natural defenses of its location and the discipline of its guards to ward off attacks. If such defenses could be breached, and the elusive ruler of the town killed, there's no telling what may happen.

The Swampgills: Found in the swamp and southern wetlands, the Swampgills are a loose affiliation of Scaled Folk who fled the tyranny of the Sultanate to live their lives as they chose to. Unfortunately due to a lack of unsettled land anywhere nearby that wouldn't be lethal to try and tame, the majority of these refugees were forced to camp out in the wetlands of the south, dreaming of the day they could form a country of their own. Branded as heretics by the Sultan, he has sent a sizeable force of warriors to exterminate them, leading to a guerilla war to spark in the depths of the swamp. For those neutral parties who wish to get involved, care must be taken. The swampgills are a diverse people. Some want to do business, some just want to be left alone, and others will happily slit your throat like any common bandit. The problem is, they all look more or less the same until you get real close, and some say there isn't even a difference at all.

Refuge: The one stable settlement of the Swampgills, Refuge isn't much to speak of. But its the only lasting thing they have, so they remain proud of it.

The Redshirts: Proponents of a radical ideaology, these revolutionaries started as a gang in Poorside but have since greatly expanded their numbers as their firebrand leader, Marzon, preached his ideals. The Redshirts now haunt the countryside of areas under the influence of the Sultanate, fighting a guerilla war against their hated foe. Their prevalence has led many mercenary bands to fight under the Sultan's banner, for Dhozon has set bounties on all notable figures in the Redshirt horde.