Worlds Enough: Archipelago

Imagine a world about 1 and ½ times the radius of earth, more than twice the surface area. It is an ocean world, with a massive archipelago on a single hemisphere, balanced by a largish continent on the other. About 90% of the planet is covered in water, giving a remaining surface land area still larger than that of Earth. The planet is composed of much less metal, and is overall considerably less dense than Earth, resulting in a roughly similar gravity. The world is wracked by massively powerful storms, which makes ocean travel far more dangerous, especially outside the relative safety of the archipelago. The outer islands break the momentum of the storm for the inner ones, especially since there are large reefs around and throughout the massive island chain.

Humans, or something very like them, exist on this world.

The Archipelago has, over millenia, become a patchwork feudal nation. Groups of islands are ruled by Great Houses that technically owe fealty to a single emperor, with Lesser Houses governing the individual islands for them. In practice, each Great House is often a law unto itself, so long as it avoids actually offending the emperor or enough of the other Great Houses for them to form a coalition against it.

Psychically aware Windseers are needed to forecast these dangerous storms with any accuracy, and just as critical aboard sailing vessels for them to survive and navigate the turbulent waters. Becoming a Windseer requires extraordinary training, and they rely on a rare herb called Sightleaf to unlock and use their psychic potential. It grows only under certain specific conditions, and is hard to cultivate. The Society of Seers has great power in the Archipelago, as almost no travel or trade can happen without them, and Windseers also advise the Nobles of the Houses on matters of weather, and preparation against the storms.

The Society of Servants trains bodyguards and valets for the noble houses. The Servants are trained in advanced and esoteric martial arts and techniques of awareness, and it is rare for one to be taken by surprise. Their oaths prevent them from bearing weapons, and from participating in war. They are only allowed to use their impressive capacity for violence to protect themselves or their charges directly.

The Society of Sages are the scholars of the Archipelago. Scientists, historians, and masters of logic, they too serve as advisors for the Great Houses, and for others. The greatest doctors, teachers, and masters of rhetoric all come from the Colleges of the Grand University.

The Society of Swords is dedicated to the mastery of war, and their colleges produce the only known Swordmasters. A Swordmaster is familiar with all weapons and means of war, and is a true Master of at least one weapon (which need not be an actual sword, though they are most common), of strategy, and of tactics. They serve as armsmasters, duelists, and generals for the Great Houses, and only a Servant or another Swordmaster stands much chance against one in combat.

The power of the Emperor rests in his vast navy and well trained Legions, but it is balanced by the power of the Great Houses, and the influence of the three Societies.

But everything has changed, and the world rests on the edge of a knife, because explorers from the Archipelago, sponsored by the Emperor and enabled by the Society of Seers to cross the savage Outer Ocean, have discovered the Continent.

Preliminary surveys have discovered deposits of rare metals and minerals, found so sparingly in the Archipelago, and patches of Sightleaf growing wild just a little inland. There also seem to be ancient ruins of unknown provenance.

Unfortunately, the Continent is uncharted, wild, savage, and deadly, with many strange beasts found nowhere else.

The Great Houses have now each been given a charter entitling them to explore (and exploit) a preset and supposedly equal portion of the Continent. Imperial Judges have been dispatched with them to oversee these activities.

Now they race to dominate this new land, plotting and scheming as they always have. The stakes are higher now, though, for whomever masters the Continent with its metals and herbs, will master the Archipelago as well.

Inspirations:
Dune
Game of Thrones