Editing Far Isle

[[File:Far Isles.jpg]]

Amber is on a sphere in a universe where there is no other sentient life beyond that on the Planet of Amber, also called the Planet Kolvir by some.  Amber, Rebma, Tyalece, and Acadia are all in the northern hemisphere..  Far Isle is as far from Amber as its possible to get, nearly opposite it on the planet in the Southern Hemisphere.

This series of islands, rock outcrops, sand bars, coral reefs and sunken ships is sparsely inhabited mostly by small communities of mostly retired sailors. 

The climate is sub-tropical with warm daytime breezes and cool nightly breezes.  Occasionally humid, but normally comfortable. 

===History===
*'''Pirate Haven'''.  The Far Isles were a refuge for pirates from the earliest days of the shipping of Amber. As ships from shadow came in to Amber they were easy prey to hardy wide ranging scalawags.  Oberon had his sons set down the [[shadowtugs]] to create shipping lines that were far enough from the Far Isles to make it an impractical refuge for pirates.  

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 trees 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. 

*'''Naval Base & Sailors Home'''.  In the year after the establishment of the Conclave of the Unicorn the Navy established a base here and does extensive naval training i the south seas.   
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 relaxing retreat.  Sometimes they grow young again.

===Notable Features===
===='''The Conclave of the Unicorn'''====
On an Inner Isle is the The '''Conclave of the Unicorn'''.  A religious retreat. 

*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.  

*Retirement Communities. While the Far Isle exists under the powers of [[Aging in Amber]] many do not rise to the level of enthusiasm to prolong their lives.  Among these are several nunneries and monasteries that create living arrangements for elderly members of the faith.  Not exclusively for those in the holy order it has been a place for many elderly nobles to retire from the world and take "Holy Orders".  Having done so, and resided in the Conclave for a time releases a spouse from marriage vows.   The aging in Amber issue comes into play here if one partner maintains a youthful exuberance and the other does not. 


*'''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's Tower.  Constructed for Queen Harla when she wished to honorably allow Oberon his freedom by resigning from the queenship of Amber.  It has since been a residence of seclusion for the Queens of Amber during and after their reigns. It has been revealed the Queen Rilga is in attendance in Harls's Tower.

===='''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.
====Royal Residences====
*'''''Prince Caine''''' and '''''Prince Gerard''''' built a fine residence with deep water docks for their trips here.  On their Isle are a number of other smallish residences for notable former naval officers.
====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.

While not a proper civic center for the isles the collection of inhabited islands around Ruda's Place made it a logical place for the trump of the Far isles to deliver a royal traveler. From there it is easy to charter transport to any of the other notable locations in the isles.

While the faire is called Ruda's Place there is actually residence/tavern called Ruda's Place. Ruda Albega was once a famous pirate leader in the Kashran/Diaga region.  She was a fierce warrior and is known to have once fought Bleys to a draw, though most concede that Bleys decided to end the fight for other reasons.   He place is a collection of ship decks shaved off wrecks and pulled up on shore.

===Population===


The Far Isle is often called the '''''Retiring Isles'''''. 

*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. 

8As 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 loosely 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.
====Hut Life====
[[File:Farislehut4.jpg]]

A typical Hut will have a main residence, several out buildings a few boats and nets.  Many are found vacant as people have built them and moved on.  Sometimes the dead are found in them having lived out their lives and died in these lonely huts.

==='''Status & Government'''===
It is generally assumed that the Far Isle is part of the Kingdom of Amber. However it has never been technically established for a number of reasons mostly having to do with the presence of the Conclave of the Unicorn and the unusually frequent presence of the Unicorn in person.   There are many who do not want to try legislating the official status of a place that might draw the ire of the Unicorn if she was disturbed.  Since the only other nations on the sphere are in agreement the matter is not challenged. 

As such there is an unofficial collection of people of the Far Isle that have a reasonable level of authority.  They meet occasionally.

*Casina Venway[[https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Court_of_Amber#Casina_Venway]]-Abbess of the Conclave. The senior retired Unicorn supplicant.
*Admiral Draso kala Dint[[https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Court_of_Amber#Draso_kala_Dint]] - Commanding Admiral of Blue Sea Base
*Anton Dradic-Admiral of the Navy of Amber-retired.
*Baron Bleys of Fabilwere-Baron of Trylen
*Baron Caine of Tyalece-Baron of Ober
*Cudal Vila- Retired Madame
*Ruda Alabega-Retired Pirate.
*[[Bunny Free]] Retired Pirate, Comedian.
*Baron Gerard of Cabra-Court Baron
*Asgol Urien-Retired buisnessman.  Brother of Hymal_Urien [[https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Court_of_Amber#Hymal_Urien-_Steward_of_Amber]]


''Three princes of Amber are on the above list but when questioned on Far Isle matters they do not use their princely titles but are referred to by lesser ranks''

[[File:Drasokaladint.jpg]] [[File:Ruda Ale.jpg]] [[File:BunnyFree.jpg]] [[File:Casina Venway.jpg]] [[File:Asgol Urien.jpg]]

===Local Commerce===


*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 pests.  Tasty meaty bacon on the hoof pests to be sure. 

*'''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.   They are fiercely territorial and surprisingly loyal.  Once they decide to adopt a person they guard the house against insects, snakes, and other pests.  Most homes have one or two and a litter is often passed around to others or taken to Ruda' place on Faire day. 

*'''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.

*'''Isle Wines''':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.

*'''Coffee''':  a collection of northern islands with a tropical climate similar to Indonesia produce coffee.  This is a new thing having started after Patternfall.  

*'''Mining''':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. 

*While not technically isolated from the rest of Amber there is little export 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.  
**'''Glass''':  While there is plentiful sand available and there is a lot of craft glass work done in the Isles, there is not any production 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 ship parts including used hardware, ropes, and planking.  However many ships 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. , 


*Red Meats, metals other then tin and copper are often imported.  Iron is often imported for naval uses and finds its way into common use.
==='''Criminal Activities'''===
A great deal of smuggling of goods into and out of Amber come through some of the outer northern islands.  Many of the locals dabble in the trade but organized criminal groups are strongly discouraged.   The general assumption is that the smuggling trade is winked at by the royal household.

===Location===
[[File:Amber world map1.gif]]


===Harla's Tower===

[[File:HarlasTower.jpg|300 px]][[File:Queen Harla.jpg]]

[[File:Harla's stuff.jpg]]

Built for Queen Harla initially as a retreat.

===Rilga's Quarters===

[[File:Rilgaspread.jpg]]

Rilga's quarters show a more rugged feel to them.  A  heavily substantial leather working table, covered with carving racks and tools is against one wall. Two carved wood stumps sit beside the table showing years of intricate craft work imprints. A heavy marble slab with leather tooling projects laid around in more haphazard manner clutter the tabletop. A large work in progress shows a unicorn chased in leaves for what is probably a stand version of the Book of the Unicorn.

An heavy embroidery frame holds leather being stitched.  Near it is a cobbler's bench beside it has a padded seat before a heavy space for working and tools for shoe making.  A pair of military boots on a post are being made.

Her table is usually filled and features the Healing Ham and the Endless Wheel, a ancient gift from Oberon.  The ham and cheese wheel restore themselves    when the bone is carved clean or when the cheese goes below 1/4 left. 

*She has three servants who have served her since her days as Queen of Amber. Lithalar, a elderly appearing woman who manages her kitchen, food supplies, and gardens. Groara, Lithalar's husband, who serves as butler and handyman.  Rindat, an Agolith[[https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Races_in_Jeweled_Amber#Agoliths]] with centuries of experience as a ship's navigator.

===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.

There are many theories why this is but the most likely is that the Unicorn 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. 

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.