History
In 2216 AR, the Templars of the Five Winds, led by the djinni Nefeshti, came to the region to free other djinni enslaved by the genie binder Kirnoth. The next year, the Sarenrae priestess Vedie brought her followers to the area, having fled from Osirion.

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.

Government
The inhuman Pactmasters form a ruling council that imposes few laws on Katapesh, allowing an nearly anarchic state of free trade. The Pactmasters use the golem-like aluums to keep the peace and enforce the existing laws. Pactbroker Hashim ibn Sayyid serves the Pactmasters as the day-to-day manager of the government.

Foreign relations are handled by a network of hired humans and friendly merchants. Most nations, with the exception of slavery-hating Andoran, are on good terms with Katapesh; the Andoren Gray Corsairs sank three Katapeshi slave ships in 4705 AR.

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 gnolls of the Brazen Peaks, most travelers prefer to reach Osirion by ship. South of the mountains, warm green savannas stretch for miles. Only 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 create 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
The predominant religion is Abadar's faith. Abadar finds much support among the people 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. Cultists of Rovagug seek to destroy Sarenrae's followers. Desna, Gozreh, Nethys and Pharasma also enjoy moderate followings in Katapesh. Most of the gnoll tribes of Katapesh revere Lamashtu.

Inhabitants
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 Finderplain has stood for 300 years as a waypoint for gnomes traveling south of the Inner Sea.

Harpies also flourish in the wilder reaches of Katapesh and are such a common threat that slave traders will often bedeck their least valuable slaves in gaudy fake jewelry in the hopes that the harpies will leave the rest of their stock alone.

Gnolls
Gnolls are native to Katapesh and the nation's most recognized threat. Gnolls 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 gnolls make their homes in the mountains, most notably White Canyon and Pale Mountain. Gnoll slavers also appear in Okeno and Katapesh with slaves for sale. Katapeshi gnolls belong to one of five packs: Carrion tribe, Duenas, Razor Fang, Sandstalkers and Spotted Hide.

Stonespine Island
Stonespine Island is a sizable island located in the northernmost reach of the Obari Ocean. The island is under the rule of the nation of Katapesh, although their control is focused on the pirate port of Okeno. The island gained its name from the barren mountains that form a ridge along the island's length.

For over 1,000 years the island was used as a sheltered place for pirates to rest, get provisions, and hide from retribution from hostile nations. To this day, pirates needing to lay low for a while head inland on the island, its rocky foothills and jagged peaks providing countless hiding places. Before that, the island saw only brief action when Qadira unleashed her dervishes on the island before fighting their way across the ocean to invade Katapesh in the 16th century AR.

The only major race native to the island are gnolls. They interact relatively well with the pirates of Okeno, where they can buy and sell slaves.

Stonespine Island is often attacked by the Gray Corsairs of Andoran. These attacks are fueled, at least in part, by rumours that the inland mountains hide fortresses where slaves are bred and trained before being sold. These rumours remain unconfirmed as Katapeshi officials are experts at bribery and diplomatic maneuvering, preventing outsiders from penetrating the notorious island's interior.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:03, Fri 12 Feb 2021.