Karthis

Karthis is a country southeast of La Vieille. A coastal country, it borders Torgriussa in the East and Hoehen in the North. Inhabitants of Karthis are referred to as Karthik or Karthisi.

History
Long ago, Karthis was a colony of Thalsoe. Though the Thalsoim occupation of Karthis was at first successful, it quickly became a drain on Thalsoe's resources to quell Karthis's persistant resistance movements. As a last resort to save face, the Thalsoim offered Karthis independence in exchange for help in a war. To the surprise of many Karthisi, they were true to their word, leaving Karthis independent and its former resistance members deprived of a political victory. The next several decades marked a time of unrest in Karthis as Thalsoim loyalists, who were given power by Thalsoe at the end of the occupation, clashed with former resistance members. Eventually, Karthis settled into a decentralized government composed of trade guilds, many of which had survived since before the occupation and maintained economic power during that time.

Society
Karthis's social, political and economic structures are built around its apprenticeship system. Those interested in taking up a profession, often children, apply to apprenticeships with a guild or mentor, where they work for room and board for a number of years before earning their independence, the right to open their own business, and eventually, the privilege of taking on an apprentice of their own. It is not uncommon for children to work in apprenticeships outside of their socio-economic bracket, which many Karthisi claim results in a relatively egalitarian society. However, many mentors use the apprenticeship system to essentially acquire free labour; an apprentice is considered lucky to work with a mentor who actually cares for their learning. Talented mentors, for their part, run highly competitive apprenticeships, and these coveted placements are often given to those who can offer payment. Many mentors will also accept payments to reduce the number of years required to complete an apprenticeship, meaning that success and independence can effectively be bought. Furthermore, though guild leadership structures differ, they are widely corrupt and nepotistic, resulting in lax regulatory systems that fail to stop abuses of power.

Prominent Karthisi

 * The Maldian, formerly a weaver's apprentice, currently the captain of the pirate ship Fair Wind.