The Archipelago
Rough idea for a fantasy world based on the Indonesian Archipelago, i.e. A collection of extremely diverse ethnic/cultural groups inhabiting a string of tropical islands. Each island is home to several groups, which may either be dominated by a single majority group, or contain several minority groups living semi-harmoniously. The islands are connected by a long history of trade, warfare, and migration, created a an ever-shifting map of alliances between the various factions who currently hold power. These may be headed by monarchs whose royal lineage is traced directly from the gods, or by merchant councils seeking favourable winds and new markets, or by warlords, shamans, or complicated networks of tribal leaders. The political landscape of the Archipelago is thus dynamic, complex, and unpredictable. Despite their history of interaction, the islanders view themselves as distinct peoples, rather than constituents of a greater nation. This may be unsurprising, given the variety of their cultural interpretations regarding politics, religion, spirituality, social structure, economics, nationality, family, gender, and sexuality.
The largest island is known as Khita, and is currently ruled by the Khitanese - a highly sophisticated ethno-cultural group characterised by its emphasis on formality and hierarchy. Khitan society is matriarchal, in that only women hold positions of power and can pass power down to their female offspring, and its well-defined gender roles are key to Khitan societal structure and Khitan political dominance in the region.