PS: A new month is here, so please send a monthly ticket my way. Your Emperor is on his knees here, Or2.
The western Realms, Amn, the commercial empire.
Amn lay in the western Realms. It might well have been the youngest nation in all the Realms, bar none. Founded in 1333 Dalereckoning, this commercial empire was enjoying its golden age. Here was both the starting point and the destination of trade throughout the Realms. Every year, countless vast fleets departed for Waterdeep to the north, Karinport to the south, and even distant Kara-Tur and the New World.
Once merchants anywhere in the Realms reached a certain scale, they inevitably became involved with Amn. Even if they neither lived nor traded there, they were certain to have dealings with this empire at least once a year.
Its population consisted overwhelmingly of humans, along with large numbers of halflings. Its natural resources and wealth, combined with its people's mercantile instincts, made Amn one of the most important and influential trading centers in all the Realms. The jewel in this mighty nation's crown was its capital, Athkatla. Official records dated its founding to 100 Dalereckoning, or the first year of the Amnian calendar, and it was often called the "City of Coin."
Although it called itself an "empire," Amn had no emperor. Its highest governing body was the "Council of Six," whose primary mission was to oversee trade within and beyond Amn. They controlled virtually every aspect of the domestic economy.
To reiterate, in the context of the Realms, "empire" never meant a nation "with an emperor," but rather one that actively pursued "diversification."
Beyond economic matters, the council also coordinated the nation's military defenses, with each member bearing specific responsibilities.
Interestingly, Amn's Council of Six operated anonymously, much like Waterdeep's Masked