HighTide



HighTide is an island city located off the eastern coast of Duskenspur, on the northernmost continent of Alathra. It was created on May 22, 2021. HighTide serves as the regional authority of the Seastone Isles, a collection of islands and icebergs located in the Northern Sea. The city, and by extension the isles, are overseen and ruled by the Sealord. The current Sealord is the founder of HighTide, Cody29797. Additionally, the city has a symbolic ruler, a sea turtle called Lord Theodore Estermont. HighTide is a founding member of the Free Cities of Alathra, with Sealord Cody29797 serving as Chancellor of the FCA.

Currently, HighTide serves as the capital of the Free Cities of Alathra. It has become home to many national landmarks and important state buildings.

History
Before the arrival of Cody2979 and his daring accomplices, the Seastone Isles were inhabited by indigenous Villagers.

Origins
As a relatively remote island, HighTide is isolated from the mainland of the northernmost continent of Alathra. While maritime trading seems to be prevalent between the cities of HighTide and Uhovia, the city of HighTide has managed to develop its own customs and traditions distinct from that of the mainland, largely due to Uhovia's absence of culture. Much of this culture is inherited from the various indigenous peoples of the Seastone Isles. Prior to the arrival of Sealord Cody29797, the natives of the island spoke a regional dialect of Animalese, distinguished by its excessive amount of words related to turtles and turtle-adjacent activities. The dialect is currently endangered and is only spoken semi-fluently by various scholars and clerics.

The Sea Turtles (Chelonians)
Many visitors are astonished by how well the local residents treat the native sea turtle population on the island. Chelonians, or 'turtles' as they are called in the common tongue, are considered sacred beings in Tidian culture and should be treated as such by anyone who wishes to earn favors with the people of HighTide. These gentle reptiles are the national symbol of HighTide, and are therefore sometimes given symbolic positions of power, like the renowned Lord Theodore Estermont.

Only under certain circumstances are Chelonians allowed to be put to death, like under the ancient ritual of Testudo Sacrificium. In accordance with the ritual, the essence orbs of the deceased Chelonian are carefully entombed under the soft sands of its birthplace. To prevent any unnecessary pain or discomfort, the gentle creature is put under anesthesia with a splash potion of weakness before being sacrificed. Fully completing a Testudo Sacrificium has been shown to be remarkably difficult. If done incorrectly, the essence orbs might be wrongly absorbed by the practitioner of the ritual, preventing the Chelonian from ascending to a higher plane of existence. It is believed that if the essence of a Chelonian resides within the material body of a human, that person needs to perish before the essence is able to ascend. Because of the serious risk involved with performing a Testudo Sacrificium, the ritual is usually reserved for professional practitioners like shellherders and clerics.

The Sealord
The Sealord oversees and rules the Seastone Isles. The current Sealord is the founder of Hightide, Cody29797.

The Shellmaster
Shellmaster is an honorary title bestowed onto the Sealord's most trustworthy subject. The Shellmaster oversees HighTide and its subjects in the absence of the Sealord, as well as ensuring the safety of all the Chelonians. Outside of the Seastone Isles, the Shellmaster might be referred to as a steward, as they fulfill much of the same role. The Shellmaster is however distinguished by their perplexingly well-crafted scuteplated armor (with no turtles being hurt in its production). The current Shellmaster is one of HighTide's most prominent architects, GreatLemi.

Shellherder
Breeders, caretakers, and collectors of scute, the shellherders basically do it all. Shellherders owe their allegiance to the Shellmaster and are distinguished by their green scute helmets.

The Constitution
As the capital of the FCA, HighTide is obliged to follow The Constitution of the Free Cities of Alathra. The constitution was first drafted by Lord MylesDon of Duskenspur on May 30, and outlines the basic laws of the Free Cities, including:


 * Autonomy of each town without interfering with national laws
 * The requirement to contribute to daily upkeep payments
 * Military obligation during times of war
 * National citizenship for all town members, which entails:
 * Freedom of movement between national territories
 * Equal rights in each town
 * Compliance with local laws, including switch/building permissions
 * The responsibilities of the Chancellor, mainly to consult with the lords of the other member-towns

Laws relating to desecration

 * Anyone who kills a turtle in cold blood on the Seastone Isles may be imprisoned in Tidefort Tower for an indefinite amount of time, though this has yet to be enforced by the Sealord Cody29797.


 * Any literature or art depicting violence or mistreatment of turtles may be confiscated by the city guard. The owner of any such media may be given a penalty or a fine, depending on the grotesqueness of the work.


 * The 4×3 block painting by the name of "Kong" is one of the works of art that is strictly forbidden inside the borders of HighTide, as it depicts a genocidal maniac who sets turtles aflame for entertainment. Anyone who finds a copy of "Kong" should throw it into their fireplace or immediately send it to the city guard for confiscation. In the eyes of Tidians, "Kong" is the most profane and grotesque painting you could ever decorate your home with.