Daquestes

Daquestes is a fictional ancient civilization created for use in speculative fiction, tabletop role-playing games, and related media. In most depictions it is a maritime culture known for its sophisticated shipbuilding, extensive trade networks, and urban centers along a coastal archipelago. The name Daquestes is often presented as part of an in-world linguistic tradition, with variations across sources.

The Daquestes are imagined as a collection of city-states spread across a chain of islands and coastal polities. Their geography favors seafaring, with sheltered harbors, tidal channels, and navigable straits. Political life centers on councils and merchant elites, with occasional dynastic rulers.

They are portrayed as seafaring traders and artisans who develop distinctive maritime art and architecture, including stone piers, reinforced warehouses, and geometric mosaics. Their religion centers on a pantheon of sea and weather deities; festivals mark seasonal trade cycles. Writings exist in inscriptions and clay tablets, with some sources describing early exploratory voyages and colonization.

Their economy depends on trade, ship design, and metalworking. In fiction they are credited with advanced hull construction, navigation by stars and coastal pilots, and codified credit systems. They exchange textiles, ceramics, metals, and spices with neighboring regions.

Daquestes appears in multiple works with varying details; some portray a peaceful, guild-like culture, others show conflicts with rival powers. In games and novels it serves as a setting for nautical exploration, urban intrigue, and archaeological discovery. The portrayal remains diverse and non-canonical.