I know, a lot of posts about the fantasy world, lately. Sometimes it works like that – I have a bunch of ideas all at once. The rough drafts are here, but I’ll update the fantasy site with the final cut.

All around the Eastern Continent and especially in the islands where the Middle Continent and the Eastern Continent meet, a loose affiliation of seafaring souls appear to have their home base. Some regard them as pirates, other consider them types of Robin Hood. The most neutral term used to refer to them is “Mavinian Traders”. The name comes from the peculiar deck of cards that all traders carry with them.

The traders are all seafaring folk, but not neccesarily of the same species, race, or ethnic descent. However, what ties this brotherhood together are a common love of the sea, a pledge to do no harm to each other, and a collective need to protect the trading routes. No one is quite sure who began the group: they have existed ever since the Eastern Continent was explored by the Hesberians. Their legend continues to grow, especially with each retelling of tales my wandering bards.

Being from different lands and species, the traders have developed a sophisticated form of communication with a deck of cards. Each card represents a fundamental idea allowing quick communication, and several cards together allow for more complex ideas to be expressed. Mavinian traders are quite adept with their hands often performing simple feats of presdigitation to amuse each other (or to escape a delicate situation). Most traders live by their wits and sleight of hand, though would-be conquerors have discovered that they can quickly muster quite a naval force when necessary.

Although different, they share many traits in common. Most traders are quite successful, cunning, intelligent, and quick witted. Almost any member of a Mavinian ship’s crew can navigate a ship alone and take over if needed. The captain of one ship may serve on another, especially if the adventure is grand, the profit is high, or both. All traders can perform sleight of hand tricks and use them to their advantage whenever they can. All traders also carry at least one pack of a Mavinian Deck, most created one card at a time.

There have been accounts of traders using their cards in magic lands: given their manual dexterity and intelligence, it is likely to be true though evidence is scant.