Editing Far Isle
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
One of the few traditions remaining from the days of piracy in the Far Isles is that there is a cultural tendacy not to name islands, or speak of them as distinct places. When points of note are needed the place names are used rather then a isle name. Conclave, Ruda's Place, Sand Rump, The Blue Sea Base, etc... | One of the few traditions remaining from the days of piracy in the Far Isles is that there is a cultural tendacy not to name islands, or speak of them as distinct places. When points of note are needed the place names are used rather then a isle name. Conclave, Ruda's Place, Sand Rump, The Blue Sea Base, etc... | ||
− | *'''Religious Retreat-The Conclave of the Unicorn''': During the reign of Queen Faiella, a small group of Unicorn Devotees landed on the central Isle where a pirate town once stood. They constructed a collection of stone buildings and established a small religious community with a Monastery and a convent. They transplanted a large collection of fruit | + | *'''Religious Retreat-The Conclave of the Unicorn''': During the reign of Queen Faiella, a small group of Unicorn Devotees landed on the central Isle where a pirate town once stood. They constructed a collection of stone buildings and established a small religious community with a Monastery and a convent. They transplanted a large collection of fruit frees and seeded many of the other isles. The existence of orange, lime, grapefruit and other fruit trees come from this time. |
**'''Queen Harla''' took up permanent residence when she took vows and allowed King Oberon to marry Clarissa. She lived here for 60 years. During this time the religious community in Amber sent their most devout to the reside here. It famously is a place where the Unicorn of Amber is often seen. As in many religions throughout shadow, a woman who takes holy orders in the Church of the Unicorn, is considered to be no longer wed to their husbands, allowing them to marry as thought they had been widowed. | **'''Queen Harla''' took up permanent residence when she took vows and allowed King Oberon to marry Clarissa. She lived here for 60 years. During this time the religious community in Amber sent their most devout to the reside here. It famously is a place where the Unicorn of Amber is often seen. As in many religions throughout shadow, a woman who takes holy orders in the Church of the Unicorn, is considered to be no longer wed to their husbands, allowing them to marry as thought they had been widowed. | ||
Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
In time sailors of the Navy of Amber, and many of the Golden Circle, retired to various places among the thousands of small islands. There are small villages, hamlets, plantations, and lone huts spread out across the many islands. | In time sailors of the Navy of Amber, and many of the Golden Circle, retired to various places among the thousands of small islands. There are small villages, hamlets, plantations, and lone huts spread out across the many islands. | ||
− | Over the years another element of the community of sailors in Amber and Shadow have come to retire here. Prostitutes and courtesans who failed to save subsistence during their lives often join old friends, sailors in their declining years. They often find the easy living and plentiful food and drink as | + | Over the years another element of the community of sailors in Amber and Shadow have come to retire here. Prostitutes and courtesans who failed to save subsistence during their lives often join old friends, sailors in their declining years. They often find the easy living and plentiful food and drink as relaxing retreat. Sometimes they grow young again. |
===Notable Features=== | ===Notable Features=== | ||
===='''The Conclave of the Unicorn'''==== | ===='''The Conclave of the Unicorn'''==== | ||
− | On an Inner Isle | + | On an Inner Isle. |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
===='''Blue Sea Base'''==== | ===='''Blue Sea Base'''==== | ||
The naval facility in the isles. On one of the leading east edge island easiest to find. While it is certainly a naval base, with all the expected activities, it is also something of a small city. What tourist trade there is in the isles arrives here first. What commerce leaves the isle starts its journey here. | The naval facility in the isles. On one of the leading east edge island easiest to find. While it is certainly a naval base, with all the expected activities, it is also something of a small city. What tourist trade there is in the isles arrives here first. What commerce leaves the isle starts its journey here. | ||
Line 40: | Line 30: | ||
====Ruda's Place==== | ====Ruda's Place==== | ||
'''Ruda's Place''' is a haphazard collection of buildings that operates as a county fair. It is on one of the central isle and is easily approachable from most of the islands. Many of the close central islands are among the most populated. | '''Ruda's Place''' is a haphazard collection of buildings that operates as a county fair. It is on one of the central isle and is easily approachable from most of the islands. Many of the close central islands are among the most populated. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
===Population=== | ===Population=== | ||
− | |||
The Far Isle is often called the '''''Retiring Isles'''''. | The Far Isle is often called the '''''Retiring Isles'''''. | ||
Line 52: | Line 37: | ||
*The general population of the Far Isle is around 100,000 people. The naval base has around 5000 people on active duty and between 10k & 12K of others in the general area supporting the base. This makes Blue Sea the largest single inhabited area in the FI. The majority of communities are in the 30 to 50 range. | *The general population of the Far Isle is around 100,000 people. The naval base has around 5000 people on active duty and between 10k & 12K of others in the general area supporting the base. This makes Blue Sea the largest single inhabited area in the FI. The majority of communities are in the 30 to 50 range. | ||
− | + | As noted elsewhere the isles are a common place for sailors of both the navy and the merchant fleets to retire to. People with connections to the ocean trades also retire here. Fisherman, wharf and dock workers. Fishwives. Prostitutes. Canners. | |
− | + | Religious people retire to the Far Isle Conclave of the Unicorn. They deal only loosly with the rest of the FI population. | |
− | + | There are a number of Rebman enclaves near the Far Isle and there is some interaction between them. Especially in the glass trade. | |
*The retired sailors and their children and grandchildren have lived here for centuries now. The population is small even considering the longevity of its residents. While the [[Aging in Amber]] effects those here most of the sailors and others that retire here intend to die. However, some get involved in local commerce and activities and it makes them grow young. Natives, those having been born in the isle, treat outsiders politely as much as possibly but have a tendency to politely inquire when they will be leaving, moving along. Even if the departure is decades away. Once a resident has children in the Isles, he is considered a citizen by the other natives. | *The retired sailors and their children and grandchildren have lived here for centuries now. The population is small even considering the longevity of its residents. While the [[Aging in Amber]] effects those here most of the sailors and others that retire here intend to die. However, some get involved in local commerce and activities and it makes them grow young. Natives, those having been born in the isle, treat outsiders politely as much as possibly but have a tendency to politely inquire when they will be leaving, moving along. Even if the departure is decades away. Once a resident has children in the Isles, he is considered a citizen by the other natives. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
==='''Status & Government'''=== | ==='''Status & Government'''=== | ||
Line 90: | Line 71: | ||
*Commerce in the Far Isles consists of small household industries such as weaving, carving, and painting. Commerce in food is brisk; nuts, bananas, coconuts, fruits, and vegetables. | *Commerce in the Far Isles consists of small household industries such as weaving, carving, and painting. Commerce in food is brisk; nuts, bananas, coconuts, fruits, and vegetables. | ||
− | *'''Far Isle Pig''': The Far Isles have a type of quick growing wild pig that is gleefully hunted by the retired sailors. They are suitably violent and considered a "dangerous" animal for elderly sailors used to an active lifestyle. They are almost certainly descendants of imported domestic pigs but over the centuries have gone native. They are considered | + | *'''Far Isle Pig''': The Far Isles have a type of quick growing wild pig that is gleefully hunted by the retired sailors. They are suitably violent and considered a "dangerous" animal for elderly sailors used to an active lifestyle. They are almost certainly descendants of imported domestic pigs but over the centuries have gone native. They are considered a pest. |
− | |||
− | |||
− | *''' | + | *'''Blue Rats''':There is a native rodent that is similar to a large rat but in multiple colors. Not exactly rare they are secretive and usually avoid others. However they are often caught and are easy to domesticate. They taste so bad that even in a meat scarce Far Isle, they were never liked as a food source. The do however make fine pets. |
− | * | + | **Fishing is an incredibly common practice both recreationally and in small ships commercially. Lobster and crab are plentiful in waters around the isles. The beaches are rich in clams, the waters rich in shellfish and abalone. |
− | * | + | *There are is a lot of alcohol production, as one might guess. Fruit wines, Honey wines and meads, cordials, as well as a wide variety of local mixes. |
− | * | + | *There is sources of tin and copper in the isles. This has lead to bronze being a major metal in common usage and a frequently valuable source of trade. |
*There is no official currency of the Isle but a rough stamped copper coin, the ''Deble'', in certain weights, is often accepted. Of course this is part of the Kingdom of Amber and its currency is generally accepted. | *There is no official currency of the Isle but a rough stamped copper coin, the ''Deble'', in certain weights, is often accepted. Of course this is part of the Kingdom of Amber and its currency is generally accepted. | ||
− | *While not technically isolated from the rest of Amber there is little | + | *While not technically isolated from the rest of Amber there is little trade out of the Far Isles. |
*For the most part Far Islanders prefer to not import things. The difficulty in doing so has traditionally mitigated against it. Some items must be imported regardless. | *For the most part Far Islanders prefer to not import things. The difficulty in doing so has traditionally mitigated against it. Some items must be imported regardless. | ||
− | ** | + | **Glass: While there is plentiful sand available and there is a lot of craft glass work done in the Isles. There is not any prodution level pane glass or heavy storm glass. Rebma has a great deal of glass production and trades in the Far Isle frequently. |
− | ** | + | **Woods: While many woods are available in the isle construction grade wood is most often imported. Since the first constructions in the Isle were from native trees and wrecked or deconstructed sailing ships the style of construction maintains a nautical look. To that end the Far Isle has been a place where Amber has brought damaged and retired vessels to be scrapped for parts. At the various fairs a common booth might have items with a history of being shop parts including used hardware, ropes, and planking. However any hips from surrounding shadows know that a shipload of cut, cured, and stacked construction wood is always scooped up by the Far Isle residents. |
**Stone & Brick: There is little clay for masonry on the island. While there is some craft brick work on the Isle construction grade stone & bricks are often a profitable trade good. , | **Stone & Brick: There is little clay for masonry on the island. While there is some craft brick work on the Isle construction grade stone & bricks are often a profitable trade good. , | ||
− | + | Red Meats, metals other then tin and copper. Iron is often imported for naval uses and finds its way into common use. | |
− | |||
− | |||
===Location=== | ===Location=== | ||
Line 127: | Line 104: | ||
Built for Queen Harla initially as a retreat. | Built for Queen Harla initially as a retreat. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
===Rilga's Quarters=== | ===Rilga's Quarters=== | ||
Line 141: | Line 120: | ||
===A brief commentary on the Far Isle=== | ===A brief commentary on the Far Isle=== | ||
− | Far Isle has purposefully been left out of the general descriptions of the Kingdom of Amber. Its not technically a part of the Kingdom of Amber, not claimed on any official writ or grant, not conquered, not spoken often in diplomatic circles. It is not part of the general culture of Amber. It is known of but considered an out of the way place few ever give more then a passing thought to. | + | Far Isle has purposefully been left out of the general descriptions of the Kingdom of Amber. Its not technically a part of the Kingdom of Amber, not claimed on any official writ or grant, not conquered, not not spoken often in diplomatic circles. It is not part of the general culture of Amber. It is known of but considered an out of the way place few ever give more then a passing thought to. |
− | There are many theories why this is but the most likely is that the | + | There are many theories why this is but the most likely is that the Unicode has been publicly sighted there more then any other place in the realm. As such it is considered "Her" place, without her every making any claim on it. |
Despite this it has many highly official locations. It houses one of the most important Conclaves of the Unicorn housing nunneries and monasteries. It has a major naval base. Several of the Elders have fine residences. | Despite this it has many highly official locations. It houses one of the most important Conclaves of the Unicorn housing nunneries and monasteries. It has a major naval base. Several of the Elders have fine residences. | ||
It may not be part of the Kingdom of Amber but there is no one who doubts it is under their authority, if they chose to exert it. | It may not be part of the Kingdom of Amber but there is no one who doubts it is under their authority, if they chose to exert it. |