From the Gazetteer
These eleven large islands (and innumerable smaller ones) are not a country unto themselves, but rather a collection of small, independent settlements. The area was once a center of commerce, home to numerous thriving seaports before the Three-Year War decimated the region. Today the area is best known for its black markets and is considered a home for assassins, pirates, rogues, spies, and thieves. Although not technically allied with any force but one another, the settlements of Idewinde are tolerated for their ability to secure items that might otherwise be difficult to obtain through legal means.