Katapesh

Katapesh

(Nation)

N

Alignment

Neutral

Capital

City of Katapesh

Ruler

The Pactmasters of Katapesh

Government

Anarchic plutocracy

Demonym

Katapeshi

Adjective

Katapeshi

Languages

Common, Kelish, Osiriani, Vudrani, Tien

Religions

Abadar, Irori, Nethys, Sarenrae

Images of Katapesh

Source: Dark Markets, A Guide to Katapesh, pg(s). 1ff. (1E)
World Guide, pg(s). 51–52 (2E)

This article covers the nation of Katapesh. For information on the city of the same name, see Katapesh (city).

Katapesh is a nation of trade located on the eastern coast of Garund that sells all conceivable goods, no matter how mundane or bizarre. Traders converge on the nation's bazaars from around the world, even from other planes. Pesh is among its major exports. It had long been a major vector of slaves in the Inner Sea region until its mysterious Pactmasters abolished the practice in 4722 AR.

History

In 2216 AR, the Templars of the Five Winds, led by the jaathoom Nefeshti, came to the region to free other jaathooms enslaved by the genie binder Kirnoth. The next year, the Sarenite priestess Vedie brought her followers to the area, having fled religious persecution in Osirion. They eventually founded the cities of Solku and Katapesh, but gradually drifted from their faith. Due to constant assaults by bandits and kholo and battered by destructive sandstorms, they instead began to embrace things that were more concrete.

Soon thereafter, they discovered that the sap of a local yet rare cactus named pesh could be distilled into a powerfully euphoric and mildly addictive drug. Demand for the new drug soon led to a boom in the Katapeshi economy as new customers came calling from all over the Inner Sea region, but the new wealth also brought in gangs who fought each other and pesh dens full of the helplessly addicted. Eventually the newly prosperous merchants started diversifying their trade and the economy stabilized under the direction of corrupt merchants and criminals.

In 3250 AR, Katapesh broke free from Osirian rule to become an independent nation.

The mysterious Pactmasters who now rule Katapesh arrived out of nowhere in 3725 AR, took over the city of Katapesh, and established a powerful nation with economic ties throughout the kingdoms of the Inner Sea. They did so in a bloodless coup that has never been explained, then stabilized and formalized the chaotic markets with a heavy reliance on highly addictive refined pesh.

The Pactmasters abruptly abolished slavery, a longtime cornerstone of the Katapeshi economy, in 4722 AR. In the same year the Firebrands, a loose organization of freedom fighters, targeted the Pactmasters' control over Katapesh's pesh trade in solidarity with the nation's nomadic peoples, Badawi villagers, and newly freed slaves. Part of this campaign includes the traditional Badawi cultivation of a less powerful form of pesh known as pesh paste, which is not only less addictive but can also treat and reduce a person's addiction to the Pactmasters' refined pesh. The brewing insurrection has been referred to as the Katapeshi Revolt.

Government

The inhuman Pactmasters form a ruling council that imposes few laws on Katapesh, allowing a nearly anarchic state of free trade. The Pactmasters use aluums to keep the peace and enforce the few existing laws. As of 4722 AR, the human Pactbroker Hashim ibn Sayyid serves the Pactmasters as the day-to-day manager of the government and the Pactmaster's voice, but faces growing calls for a coup among the pesh-manufacturing guilds who power its economy.

Foreign relations are handled by a network of hired humans and friendly merchants. Most nations are on good terms with Katapesh, with the exception of slavery-hating Andoran. Prior to the abolition of slavery in Katapesh in 4722 AR, the Andoren Gray Corsairs sank three Katapeshi slave ships in 4705 AR; after abolition, recently elected Andoren Supreme-Elect Andira Marusek called for the Gray Corsairs to aid in fostering open revolt against the Pactmasters. Prior to the abolition of slavery, several organizations also limited their trade with Katapesh to merchants who refused to participate in the slave trade.

Geography

Katapesh encompasses many different land types and climates. To the north the Brazen Peaks mountains block the way to Osirion. Foothills and mountain passes offer passage to the northern country but, because of the ferocious kholo of the Brazen Peaks, most travelers prefer to reach Osirion by ship. South of the mountains, warm green savannas stretch for miles where tall trees offer moderate shade. Thin rivers and still pools provide water for the animals like camelopards, Katapeshi lions, gazelles, and more. Around a few hot spots where there are underground heat vents, the water turns murky and sulfurous, fostering small jungles.

Farther south still, the plains dry up into arid stretches of desert. This area is considered the breadbasket of Katapesh from which its citizens' livelihoods spring. The farmers there use the bulbous, spiny cacti to produce pesh, a pleasantly euphoric, mildly addictive drug. To the west, the deserts shift to rocky flatland that rises to become the Barrier Wall mountains. The eastern jagged coastline of Katapesh along the Obari Ocean creates numerous natural harbors for the ships. The satellite island in the Obari Ocean holds the second-most important city of the nation of Katapesh, Okeno.

Most settlements and inland trade routes are around the edge of Katapesh.

Climate

The weather in Katapesh tends to be fairly stable and dry year-round. The western and northern mountains push any moisture south, leaving the north of the country much drier than the southern savannah. Twice a year, the prevailing winds off the Obari Ocean collide with warm, moisture-filled fronts from the Mwangi Expanse, creating fierce thunderstorms throughout the land, which can last for several weeks. These rains provide the majority of precipitation for the year and fill small endorheic lakes throughout the drier lands, creating small, temporary oases.

Religion

Katapesh's predominant religion is Abadar's faith, particularly among the people who work and live in the famous markets of Katapesh. Sarenrae, the goddess of the sun, enjoys the largest following after Abadar. Her admirable paladins play a major role in defending the nation, while cultists of Rovagug seek to destroy Sarenrae's followers. Desna, Gozreh, Nethys, and Pharasma also enjoy moderate followings in Katapesh. Most of the kholo tribes of Katapesh revere Lamashtu.

Inhabitants

A Katapeshi swordfighter.

Katapesh's inhabitants are a diverse lot, dominated by Keleshite humans but intermixed with traders from across Golarion. The most common human ethnicities found in Katapesh are Garundi, Keleshite, and Vudrani. The Badawi, the desert natives in Katapesh, are nearly all Keleshites.

Many dwarven settlements, abandoned or still occupied, are located on the Barrier Wall mountains. Local halflings command good wages as hired servants to traders and merchants. Most of the gnomes in present-day Katapesh live in the city of Katapesh, and the town of Finderplain has stood for 300 years as a waypoint for gnomes traveling south of the Inner Sea. The ratfolk known as Drumish Dashers live within and around Katapesh's markets, caravanserais, and any other centers of trade.

Div-blooded cambions, commonly known as spitespawn, also live in Katapesh and are most often found peddling false friendships that eventually enable them to destroy the happiness of those closest to them.

Mercenaries

As the ruling Pactmasters offer no governmental protection from internal or external threats, most communities and individuals who can afford them rely on paid mercenaries for protection, leading to a lucrative market for the hired warriors.

Kholo

A kholo tribal leader.

Kholo are native to Katapesh and are the nation's most recognized threat. Kholo consider Katapesh their eternal birthplace, and attack settlements and raid caravans not only for the joy of the kill and the profit it brings but also out of fervent pride. Hundreds of kholo live in the mountains, most notably White Canyon and Pale Mountain.

Prior to the abolition of slavery in 4722 AR, kholo slavers also sold slaves in Okeno and Katapesh. Since then, the Pactmasters recruited kholo, including former slavers, into the Zephyr Guard to put down dissent through force.

Katapeshi kholo belong to one of five packs: Carrion tribe, Duenas, Razor Fang, Sandstalkers and Spotted Hide.

Fauna

Katapesh is home to several unique species, such as the antelope-like calopi, leopard-spotted camelopards, venomous dhabbas, scavenging geiers, and lycanthropic jackalweres. More common creatures such as lions, bulettes, and hyenas can also be found here in abundance, along with the rarer pugwampis and genie warlords. Harpies also flourish in the wilder reaches of Katapesh and are such a common threat that, prior to the abolition of slavery in 4722 AR, slave traders would often bedeck their least valuable slaves in gaudy fake jewellery in the hopes that the harpies will leave the rest alone.