Republic of Kesset

Ancient allies to the emperor, the Kessites were the last free human realm in the days of the Hegemony, thanks mostly to their wealth and the power of their navy, which staved off any attempted Elven invasion for centuries. The Republic remains loyal to the Empire even in its weakened state and is still a powerhouse of trade and exploration. They are named after their capital city of Kesset.

Real-world inspiration
Culture is based mostly on Ethiopia, Carthage, and a little bit on Byzantium and the seafaring Italian republics of Venice and Genoa.