E54: The Inner Sea Web: Trade, Piracy, Temples, and Rumor

Four records. Several names. One ship—and a cargo that refuses to remain merely commercial.From his hidden archive beneath Waterdeep, Erilian Kantonine follows the Sea of Fallen Stars through the lives it binds together. Grain and glass share the hold with priests, mercenaries, diplomatic packets, dangerous relics and rumors that may arrive before the truth.This telling explores Cormyr's maritime statecraft, Sembian commerce, pirates and privateers, temple networks, the eastern sea's powerful names, and the peoples of Serôs beneath the waves. Alusair, Vangerdahast, Mirt, the Simbul, Szass Tam and Tchazzar illuminate different forms of influence; historical cases remain distinct from newer accounts of the present age.The Inner Sea turns local decisions into regional consequences. No city that lives by its water stays merely local for long.Next on the archive's shelves: E56 — Factions of the Present Age: The Powers Between Crowns.Narrated by Erilian Kantonine, the Friendly Lich, with the show's original music. Archive objects and illustrative voyages are original show fiction.Visit the archive. Questions, corrections and future-telling suggestions: taleofthelich@gmail.com.With thanks to Dharma Web Solutions, the show's sponsor.The Lich's Tale is an unofficial, fan-made journey through the Forgotten Realms. Dungeons & Dragons and the Forgotten Realms belong to their respective rights holders.Chapters00:00:00 Four records, one ship 00:12:04 The geography of a connected sea 00:19:04 The coastline remembers catastrophe 00:24:21 Ships, cargo, labor, and credit 00:36:16 Cormyr: Alusair and Vangerdahast 00:49:24 Sembia, Westgate, and commercial power 00:53:54 Pirates, privateers, and licensed violence 01:10:16 Temples, quarantine, and sacred cargo 01:21:25 Rumor and Mirt’s informal networks 01:28:56 Eastern waters: the Simbul and Szass Tam 01:36:50 Tchazzar: spectacle, kingship, and memory 01:43:52 Naval politics beyond the fleet 01:47:08 Serôs and sovereignty beneath the waves 01:52:54 Contagion and one ordinary morning 02:01:00 The Lantern at Dusk: an imagined voyage 02:08:19 The web and its responsibilities 02:12:26 The next shelf and the four records