Maritime Free Republic
The Maritime Free Republic, also known as Hexiehaizei (Jingdaoese for: harmonious pirate), or Dromosker Island is a formerly independent island nation that has been part of the Jingdaoese Empire since 1629. The island is located in the Skerry Isles between the Captive Sea and the Sea of Storms. The island is known to be the home of tribes practising anthropophagy, who are known as the Askerr of Dromosker Island. There is also very little imperial oversight. It was previously the home of Walter Poldark, renowned pirate and alleged captain of the Ergonian navy. Captain Poldark was also the person who gifted the nation to Jingdao in 1629, after having received support from the Jingdaoese Empire for some time.
In 1635 Emperor Heinrich of Jingdao, the Kattei Emperor ordered the Maritime Free Republic to build an educational institute for the troubled youth on the island. In turn Captain-General Walter Poldark promised to build the Emperor Heinrich Naval School for the Disadvantaged Youth. Reports on what happened to the children, and their suspected encounters with the Askerr have always been suppressed by Jingdaoese censors and to this day nothing is known for certain about what happened to them.
In 1688 the Maritime Free Republic was transferred into the hand of the Barbarian Republic as part of a land trade between Jingdao and Barbary, where it is known as the island of the Gezellige Piraten (cosy pirates'). By the first month of 1690 the last of the Barbary traders had disappeared into the cooking pots of the Askerr and the natives were most recently observed to have assembled on the northern shore of the island, making beckoning gestures to the crew of a barque from the Hexarchy, inviting them to come ashore - which they, somewhat incautiously, duly did.
Criticism
In 1686 MCS Councilor Jack II of Calbion criticised the Jingdaoese Empire for its neglect of the island. This rings true as the Jingdaoese have not attempted to civilise the anthropophagious tribes, an effort they deem useless and a waste of imperial resources. To the modern Jingdaoese Empire the island only holds value as a place where they can refuel and supply the ships of the Tianchao Haijun.
