Pirate Khanate of Astrakhan

The Pirate Khanate of Astrakhan is a semi-lawless region located in the Caspian Depression on the northwest corner of the Caspian Sea, centered upon the Volga Delta. The city of Astrakhan is within the delta, which provides it with a natural defense against foreign entities who might with to plunder or assert their authority over the city. The outer oblast is sparsely populated, primarily occupied by cossacks and other nomadic peoples.

The Khanate covers an area of 117.5 hexes and has a population of 45,702. It borders on Uzenia, Buzachistan, Daghestan, Digoria, the Don Cossacks and Tsaritsyn.

Culture

The Pirate Khanate of Astrakhan in the 17th century exists as a thriving and chaotic hub of piracy, trade and political intrigue — a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Tatar, Russian, Persian and Ottoman traditions blending together in its bustling bazaars and shadowy harbours. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Volga River makes it a crucial link between the trade routes of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, but it also attracts opportunists and outlaws who carve out their fortunes on the high seas.

Pestilence and destructive fires often cause temporary declines in prosperity; as such, many of the structures are made of mud brick instead of wood, though the greater weight of these clay buildings causes them to sink. Goods moving between European Russia and central Asia on Caspian Sea boats are transferred at Astrakhan to and from smaller Volga boats. While the harbor is a busy one, excessive silting of the channel detracts from the value of the port and prevents entry of large vessels.

Within the city, a vibrant and anarchic marketplace flourishes. Goods from across the known world — silks, spices, furs, weapons and stolen treasures — change hands in Astrakhan's bazaars. This cosmopolitan exchange fosters a unique culture that blends the languages, cuisines and traditions of its diverse inhabitants. However, the underworld thrives alongside legitimate commerce, as smugglers, thieves and assassins operate with near impunity under the khanate's protection or indifference.

The nomadic and semi-nomadic populations of the steppe have learned to adapt to the harshest of conditions, moving with their herds in search of grazing lands and water. However, even their resilience is tested when the rains fail for consecutive seasons, leading to widespread suffering and depopulation in the worst years. The challenges of the environment shape the people of the khanate, instilling in them a rugged endurance and a deep reliance on the resources of the Volga River. The steppe's hardships also foster a culture of pragmatism and resourcefulness, as communities must continually adapt to survive in a land where nature is both a provider and an adversary.

Geography

The open steppe of the khanate is a harsh and unforgiving landscape, characterized by its vast, arid expanses that stretch as far as the eye can see. Vegetation is sparse, consisting primarily of hardy grasses and shrubs that can withstand the dry conditions. The monotony of the steppe is broken only by the occasional salt flats and the winding course of the Volga River, a vital lifeline that sustains both human and animal populations in this otherwise inhospitable environment.

The Volga Delta, an area covering approximately 2,500 square miles, is a sharp contrast to the surrounding arid steppe. Here, the river branches into a labyrinth of narrow waterways, forming a dense network of channels, lagoons and islands interspersed with salt marshes. The delta is a rich ecological zone, teeming with fish, waterfowl and other wildlife, making it an important resource for the khanate. However, this abundance comes with a significant cost. The delta's humid conditions create a breeding ground for mosquitos and other vermin, leading to the spread of diseases. Malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses are common and bad epidemics periodically sweep through the population, leaving devastation in their wake.

Living conditions in the delta are challenging at best. Settlements are often small and scattered, built on the slightly higher ground of islands or along the firmer banks of the channels. The air is heavy with humidity and the constant hum of insects makes life here a test of endurance. Despite these hardships, the delta is essential to the khanate's economy and survival, providing fertile soil for limited agriculture and serving as a hub for fishing and trade.

The principal channel of the Volga that reaches the Caspian Sea is the Akhtouba. Travelling to the city by water is greatly preferable to approaching on foot. The city is 70 ft. below sea level, so that earthen dikes 14 ft. high are required to keep the city from flooding in the Spring.

Governance

The khanate operates under a loose and pragmatic leadership structure, with a strongman or khan at its head, often maintaining power through alliances with pirate factions, local merchants and mercenary bands. The khan's authority is fragile, frequently contested by rival leaders or external forces such as the Jagatai, the Safavids or even the Ottoman Empire. This instability contributes to an atmosphere of intrigue, where shifting loyalties and betrayals are common currency.

Astrakhan’s pirates, known for their daring raids and naval prowess, terrorize merchant ships traversing the Caspian. They are masters of navigating the shallow waters and hidden channels of the region, employing swift, lightweight vessels to evade larger warships. Their activities are not limited to theft; they often take captives to ransom or sell into slavery, further fueling the khanate's economy. The wealth accumulated from piracy funds the lavish lifestyles of its leaders and ensures the loyalty of its followers, though it also attracts the ire of powerful neighbours.

History

The region was formerly occupied by the Khazars from the 7th to 10th centuries, and afterwards by the Golden Horde following the establishment of a Mongol Khanate in the 13th century. Tamerlane burnt the city to the ground in 1395; the city took 65 years to return to its former size, whereupon the Astrakhan Khanate was declared. Ivan the Terrible tried to occupy the khanate in 1556, but his Moskovite force was driven out by the established Jagatai Empire, who then claimed Astrakhan as their province. The Jagatai Empire were ousted in 1569 by the Ottomans, who besieged the city, defeating the Jagatai but retreating themselves in disorder a year later.

An agreement with the Ottoman Sultan in 1570 — that was soon extended to Russia — promising safe passage for Muslim and Christian Orthodox pilgrims and traders from Central Asia, opening the entire Volga River to commercial traffic. Today, Astrakhan is a multi-cultural city with a large orc and haruchai population, as well as humans, dworkin and Harnian gnomes. A significant Jewish population exists.

Despite its prosperity, the city remains politically volatile. The Ottomans maintain a nominal claim, though their power over Astrakhan is largely symbolic. Local leaders, merchant guilds and representatives of various cultural groups vie for influence, navigating a delicate balance between autonomy and subservience to the surrounding powers. The city's strategic importance ensures that it is never far from the ambitions of its larger neighbours, but its resilient and adaptive people have thus far preserved its unique character.

Trade

Regions

Place	Topography	Product References
Akhtouba	delta basin	caviar (2), carp, fish (3), herring, pike, shad, sturgeon (2), vogla
Baskunchak	depression	salt
Kalmykstan	plateau & escarpment	camels, sheep

Settlements

Name	Population	Year founded	Product References
Astrakhan	12,841	1002	market (6), salt (4), caviar (3), dried fish (3), wine, cotton (2), wool, carpets, timber (2), boatbuilding, shipbuilding, barrels, furniture, glassware, tools, cerals, rice, wheat, fruits, melons, fish (9), sturgeon
Langan	182	1002	dried fish, cereals (2), wheat, fish