hanhet

Hanhet is a fictional maritime polity described in worldbuilding and gaming contexts. It designates a loose federation of coastal city-states situated on a temperate archipelago, united by shared defense, trade law, and cultural exchange.

The name Hanhet is traced to in-world etymology as harbor-gate in the imagined Hanhetian language. The common tongue, Hanhetian, is a trade-based language with several regional dialects; most inhabitants are bilingual with a regional lingua franca used in administration and commerce.

Historically, Hanhet is said to have been founded by seafaring guilds in the early medieval period, growing through maritime trade and seaport alliances. A centralized council emerged in the late medieval era to coordinate defense, standards, and external relations while preserving local autonomy.

Geography and population: The archipelago comprises a dozen major inhabited islands, with diverse coastlines, harbors, and inland ridges. The population is concentrated in coastal towns and city-states, with the economy centered on shipping, fishing, and shipbuilding, complemented by services and light industry.

Governance and law: Hanhet is led by a central Council of Twelve, with rotating chairmanship. Local councils retain municipal autonomy, while the central body standardizes trade rules, defense cooperation, and judicial norms across the federation.

Culture and outlook: Maritime guild traditions, harbor festivals, and a style of pragmatic diplomacy shape Hanhet's public life. The polity emphasizes open ports, mutual aid among city-states, and a cautious approach to external intervention.