Post by Jade on Nov 5, 2015 13:01:35 GMT -5
Island created by RoinName of Island: Jewel Haven
Society: Jewel Fiends
Size of Island: Roughly the size of Skypeia, but composed of many additional "layers" of Island Cloud, giving it great vertical scale and many Sea Clouds that act as rivers.
Location: Reflection Route, Grand Line
Log Pose Time: Fifteen Years
Climatic Type: Winter-Winter Island
Climate: Due to its extreme Winter-Winter category, Jewel Haven is known for powerful, chilling winds and heavy snowfall throughout most of the year. This weather, however, is only present over the island and not around the Sea-Cloud near the island.
Island Appearance: Approaching the island via the Sea-Clouds along its edges presents a massive, rising form of Island Clouds, stacked and connected by canals of Sea Cloud. The buried mass of many ships make up mounds, old flags billowing in the wind. To clash with this grizzly scene, however, are brilliantly shining gems that beckon out to those within sight of the "landmass".
Flora and Fauna:Flora
Jewel Beets: A strange anomaly and one of the only plants to grow in the severe weather are unique "beets". These beetroots are identified as the standard beat... but when they're ripe and perfect to eat they "sprout" brilliant, uncut jewels. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and more... the more rare the jewel the better the taste and nutrition supplied by the Jewel Beets! The oddity, however, is that these beets spring up even when not planted... and they continue populating the island to the point that these priceless treasures are almost worthless.
Slimecho: Long ago, the original inhabitants had seemingly vanished and a slime had invaded the island. This slime, however, had vanished when the new inhabitants arrived. In it's place, the slime took a more docile form... that of a bell-shaped flower. With a slimy, gooey "bell", these flowers grow even on Island Cloud, defying the idea of nutrition being required. Many suspect this is due to some latent Devil Fruit or creature's influence, but the flowers serve a very practical use... as when the winds shake them along the shores of Jewel Haven, they release sounds akin to human screaming downward and to the sea bellow, earning the infamous horror stories about this island and reflecting the ancient terror that had been unleashed on the island.
Fauna
Flyeer: The deer of the island had long been thought the source of a curse... but such things are foolish! The deer of Jewel Haven survive by eating the wild-growing Jewel Beets. But not just the beet itself... these deer eat the jewels that blossom from them when they ripen. While the reason for this is unknown, the deer have skulls and teeth hard enough to crush diamond, allowing them to effectively eat whatever they might find. Attempts at harvesting these teeth have failed, even from slain Flyeer, as the skull itself is so hard that no substance has been known to effectively cut through it. While this means these creatures have astounding features... they have no hostility in them remotely. They wander the island for most of their lives, harboring those who need warmth with their massive coats. The reason for their name, however, comes only once they have devoured over one-hundred jewels. With each gem eaten, wings steadily grow from the creature until they become large, beautiful wings of diamond and other, crushed gems mixed in. Thanks to the lower gravity and powerful winds of Jewel Haven... well, they can fly! Kinda, anyway, since it's more like gliding!
Slime Hounds: While the knowledge of these creatures is limited (even more so by their inaccessibility to most of the world), the Slime Hounds are more "living" edition of the ancient slime on the island. Taking form similar to a beast, these blobs run around the island with their lifeless features making them a mockery of life. The most horrifying part about them, however, isn't what they represent. While they don't attack people, they "bark" and communicate... with the voices of many people unified into harmony. If someone were to tame one of them, they could no doubt have a loyal and terrifying companion... but what if the curse was real and the voices had a more... "human" origin?
Inhabitants:Jewel Fiends: The Jewel Fiends, as they call themselves, are a group of Sky People with very unique features. With the strong winds of their island, their wings have grown large and thick to provide protection. Within the wings, however, to reinforce them, are jewels they implant throughout their life. For this reason, they can never truly fly as someone with functional wings might, even if they can move them. However, this gives their wings enough weight that the people of this island are generally strong enough to support it. As such, they've earned the nickname of Jewel Fiends and embraced it from the thieves that have attacked the island over the years.
Prominent Organizations, Groups and Establishments:Jewel Priests: While the religion the people once worshiped is now dead with the original inhabitants, the new inhabitants have dedicated a group of warriors to be sanctioned as "Priests". These men and women, unlike the others of their island, wear jewel-encrusted armors. The reason for this, of course, is to utilize materials such as diamond to keep them alive on the battlefield. Outside of battle, however, this group is viewed as the "Protectors" and "Leaders" of the people, acting as a sort of pseudo-council for the island's free society.
Balder Clan: A major clan housed near the top of the island, these men and women are known for living in the ruins of the now-dead original inhabitants of the island. Unlike most of the clans, they tend to be diverse in terms of looks, only sharing a common look in their use of Diamonds as accessories and body piercings. However, this means that they tend to make their use of Diamonds extensive to ensure they're well-identified from the crowd and lesser clans. While they aren't the most numerous of the clans, their harsher life and training using diamonds means that the Balder Clan are the "Fists" of Jewel Haven, all of them carrying the brute force expected of the toughest hill.
Far Clan: Living on the shores of the island, this major clan earned their name due to a roaming way of life. Wearing Sapphires and gold from looted wreckage and previous battles, most of the Far Clan tends to serve as skirmishers during invasions and hunters for island festivals. Unlike the Balder Clan, the Far Clan is known for expressively being made of people with dual-color hair, often sporting blue hair with a streak, half, or even "flecks" of other colors to accent it. Due to always running about and being the skirmishers of the island, they're more commonly viewed as the "Feet" of Jewel Haven.
Lister Clan: Living on the west of the island, the Listers earned their name from being the more agricultural of the major clans. Unlike the others, this means they prioritize harvesting and planting more of the Jewel Beats that most of the island survives off of. Because of this, they tend to pick Emeralds that match their splendorous green hair whenever they get the chance, often wearing bracelets and necklaces to show off the most beautiful ones they can obtain. Due to their impressive eye-sight and experience with spotting exactly when to harvest Jewel Beats, the Listers are commonly viewed as the "Eyes" of Jewel Haven
Breek Clan: Based on the east of the island, the Breek are the only major clan to actively tame Slime Hounds. Wearing Topaz earrings and giving their companions Topaz gear, they are also one of the most numerous, often going to battle with their faithful companions and even commanding packs of the human-screaming slime mutts. Despite their location, the large amount of the Breek as well as their companions combine to form one of the most defensive groups on the island, effectively making them the "Arms" of Jewel Haven.
Ortega Clan: Based in the center of the island, the final major clan would be the Ortega Clan. Collecting Opal that grows in the middle range, the clan is largely one of the most secretive of the island, but unlike the others they have one sort of weapon that the others lack. The Ortega have, more or less, taken select rights to tinker with the firearms found on the shores. While other clans carry rifles and pistols, only the Ortega have multi-shot and cannon weaponry. Because of this sort of power, they have earned their place and currently reside in the "blind spot" of the island's constant blizzards. For this reason, they are more commonly viewed as the "Voice" of Jewel Haven. Why? Because they "bark" at idiots daring enough to push past the shores and into the middle levels of the island.
Trends:Fashion
Due to the high amount of jewels on the island, most clothing is heavily decorated and some accessories are made purely from them. However, the amount of cloth they harvest on the island is low due to useful nature of the Flyeer. As such, most of the islanders wear many layers of cloth, fur, and fiber (from the beets) to account for the powerful winds and cold of the island. Some of them may look tacky, but fashion on the island is one of necessity and using the jewels to reinforce them from the hazards of invaders. For obvious reasons, each clan may favor one gem over another, such as how the five major clans all have their own "crown gem" they are known for.
Politics
While it has no government, Jewel Haven has taken a hard stance of independence from most of the world. This is further enforced by a loosely-formed alliance of clans and nomads throughout the island. When they know invaders are coming, however, they bond together under the alliance of the Jewel Priests to form a powerful and well-armored army. These five priests are drawn from the strongest clans, known more commonly as the "Five Major Clans".
Industry
While they have no interest in trade, the "industry" of the island is to simply survive. This means that while the island has no profit... they have to get rid of jewels. As such, those who travel underneath or to this island will find plenty of jewels to recover. Though, if you land on the island, they might just show you their jewel-encrusted swords...
Cuisine
Again, while they do not trade with others, the people of Jewel Haven do find Jewel Beets to be astounding. The wide range of flavor and quality of the plant allows them to largely tolerate meals in exchange for their lifestyle on the island. Supplements of hard-to-acquire Flyeer meat only do more to aid in this. After boiling Slimecho and Slime Hounds in water, however, they turn into a wonderful gelatinous meal, full of nutrients. Though, they try to avoid those when they can for... superstitious reasons.
NPCS:
The Five Jewel Priests: Thread Here!
Town(s)/Village(s)/City or Cities:
Shining Stars Hills
While there aren't grand cities or even large towns on the island, Jewel Haven is spotted by housing of each individual clan, family, and person who lives on the island. Made entirely from gems, Island Cloud, and covered with furs, these houses all form a collective "region" known as the Shining Stars Hills. The reason for this, of course, is the sparkling nature of the housing on the island... as well as the residents living on the first "level "of the island and upward, the lowest level acting as the shore and natural "battlefield" for handling invaders.
Diamond Redoubt
On the far side of the island, the highest peak, is one of the coldest places in the world. Resting within a heavy blizzard, only those who can huddle close to a Flydeer can traverse the highest "hill" of Jewel Haven known only as Diamond Redoubt. Up here, the snow is non-stop... but Jewel Beets grown always burst free diamonds! No one knows why... but some say it's because the Flyeer come to the summit at the end of their life, passing away and releasing nutrients into the soil!
The Fallen-Pearl Shores
While it is home to some roaming clans, the largely unpopulated shore and lowest level of the island is known as The Fallen-Pearl Shores, reflecting in the fact that pearls both from destroyed ships and the island's low-growing gems include it. Covered with devastated and beached ships both old and new of various invaders and the settlers of the island, this is one place that largely sees very little... "love" from the populace.
Sapphire's Noose
The final location of note on the island would be where the Slime Hounds seem to originate. With most of the tunnels out in the wilderness around Jewel Haven, these hell-slime releasing caverns are known as the Sapphire's Noose, due to the snaking manner and hazardous nature of the beasts within it threatening to take one's life.
Island Map:
Ignoring my crappy drawing, the outer circle is more or less the edges of the island. To proceed into the island, one must land on the section marked "LOW" and work their way North. Each circle represents a much higher level, reached via staircase-like platforms. So yeah... hopefully this helps @_@
Missions:The Roughest Find (difficulty to be decided by whoever does the listing): After arriving on Jewel Haven, you (and your friends) hear rumor of the valuable Jewel Beets that grow on it. But stranger still, you hear from an old nomad native that there is one growing on the top of the island that will give out a black diamond! Set out and find out if the rumor is true... or beet it!
Busting The Priests (probably 2-3 stars): So, you've heard a rumor. That on Jewel Haven, there are mighty warriors, elites of the society that can easily fend off groups of men with little effort. As such, for one reason or another... you've come to face these powerful warriors! Can you take up the mantle and defeat the Jewel Priests!?
Seeking Sinking Sapphires (TBD): Explore the island's catacombs and snaking tunnels! Watch out for Slime Hounds while you search the island's tunnels trying to confirm if the legend is true about the large Sapphire...
Island History:
History and 20 Years Ago
Long ago, the tales of July Island were well known. The island had been the site of a mysterious incident. This incident is more commonly known as Vanishing Day. The island's entire populace had been within contact, but the next they had vanished. No one knew what had happened beyond this. The gem on the island and the deer and their sapphire antlers were lost as the Sky Island was left to itself.
Roughly twenty years ago, however, a series of adventurers set out to find this island. All of them were sponsored by the World Government with the intent to bring back the legendary sapphire that the island had once protected and worshiped. These men and women were all part of companies, the five most well known being the B&O Pharmaceuticals, Breek The List Accounting, and the Far-Off Security Forces. These three companies were the backbone of the the expedition, as one would serve as doctors, another as appraisers for the sapphire's worth, and the final group to ensure the voyage to the Sky Island went smoothly. To further ensure this, each member of the expedition was brought in from Sky Islands to ensure they had little to no issues adapting to the higher atmosphere. And while the voyage left the companies in a poor state, they would finally arrive at July Island to find a most troubling sort of evolution.
The island had collided with another, the sapphire and village of the island nowhere to be seen. It was as if the sapphire itself had seemingly vanished from the collision. Some think it was knocked from the heavens and to the seas below, lost to the Grand Line's numerous sea kings and wild waves... others found tunnels that proposed a new idea. These people thought it possible the island still held the treasure... so they proceeded to make landfall. Only, as they drew closer... they noticed a snowstorm over the island. The ice of the bank meant they would need to wait for the island to reach the end of the horrible weather to get the ship out or to travel between it... so in a gamble they beached it on the newly-shaped island...
19 Years Ago
The first year on the island was harsh for the companies. They found the new island was far different than it had been long ago. Almost in mimicry of stairs, the two islands had formed a Sky Island to mock an ascension into the clouds. Many died from frostbite as well, until the settlers discovered an animal roaming the island. Originally assumed as descendants of the deer the island once had, the islanders were shocked to find the creatures sprouted wings of jewels. The initial response was to kill them for the valuable gems and furs, everyone's spirits sailing only for a few days until they realized their ship was still frozen in the snow.
The companies began to split up the island for searches, breaking down their ship to provide more spacious tent-like huts draped with Flyeer fur. Their idea was that rescue would come for them... but they also started to find a boon on the island. Gems that sprouted from food, more and more valuable and better tasting ones higher up the island. Initially, the idea was that they should stay near the shore for a rescue attempt... but the B&O company's owners, Basker Balder and Orson Ortega, chose to push up the island. As the Breek and Lister accounting families heard this, they figured they would explore the island's eastern and western flanks for valuables and resources. Commander Cry-Far decided, however, that he would do the most logical thing and guard the shores with his company. It was at this time that the groups broke up, leading their subsidiaries with them to their respective zones.
As Orson and Basker made their way up the island, Orson stopped among a field of opal with a greedy stare. Opal had many uses in the world, after all... so he immediately smiled and told the men to set-up camp. Basker was appalled, demanding the group forward only to find the company seeking to take up residence. Most of them were fearful of the cold that awaited them on higher levels, while others wanted to make a profit off the opal. The very idea of profit over carrying out their company's job sickened the man to the point that Basker decided he would push on alone. As the man started off, Orson laughing at his back, the most loyal of the workers finally went along with the spirited man...
Not long after, Basker and his few surviving assistants reached the uppermost level of the island. It was here that they found Flyeer, the creatures from below, feasting and enjoying their lives. The coldest part of the island, they clung to the creatures for life... and as they ventured deeper they found what they had sought after. The temple's smashed ruins lay before them... and the sapphire was gone. Basker felt devastated due to how many had perished over the year on the island... but he looked down as the Flyeer stepped on something. Looking down, he fell to the ground and drew the gaze of all the others as he pulled free one of the jewel-sprouting plants from lower down the island. Unlike the precious gems from before... the most precious of all gleamed in the snowy light. Diamonds.
18 and 17 Years Ago
The next two years went far differently for the island. The limited supplies meant that the Basker had to retreat to lower levels... but they all began to make their living. Basker's bunch had taken to calling themselves the "Balder Clan" in a sign of respect... and it immediately spread to every other company. The Listers and Breeks had split up their firm as the groups sought to appraise the value of the slime creatures as well as the plants that grew. As such, they both gained talents in taming the abominations and growing the precious plant. The Far Clan, however, had far more dire news. They had fought on the beaches against pirates, proving victorious in the end. The pirates they captured had joined them after some punishment, but the ones they hadn't had escaped... which meant the island was likely to be attacked again.
Coming to an agreement, the five leaders chose to stand up for the others if that were to happen. As such, they prepared weapons and began to train with the Commander. At first, the group was rather poor due to Basker and Orson bickering... but Juliana Breeks and Susanna Lister saw to the two quieting down. The two women married the men and saw fit to beating them to a pulp whenever they would fight. Overtime, the five of them along with Commander Cry-Far all reached a level of decent respect... and just in time as a new fleet arrived only a year later.
Consisting of many pirates, the new fleet sailed close with clear intentions to beach some of the vessels and keep others back to tow it. The initial wave landed... but as they charged through the snowy land's weather, they were faced with a lone five people. Thought of as a joke initially, the Pirates were horribly shocked the instant the five dispatched half of one crew in a matter of moments. Gleaming in gem-laced clothes and armor, the five of them carried with them a sort of pride that only came with defending the island. For greed, for survival, or simply for dedication... all five of them had gathered to protect the island and what they had staked in their expedition. The battle lasted hours until the main force had been crushed on shore. The five had suffered grievous wounds as the final ship sailed forward and landed. But rather than rush at them as the others had done, this crew was one belonging to a more devious man. Giving an order, the ship's crew fired their rifles at the wounded and exhausted five. Cry-Far tried to shield the group, falling first riddled with bullets. Juliana and Susanna were killed in the secondary volley as the four charged forward... and Basker and Orson were the last ones killed as they raised their weapons to avenge their wives.
The pirates came to the mainland, beached and without supplies after such a long battle and voyage. As they walked the bloodied and devastated shore, however, they came across the initial survivors all armed and waiting for them. Tears in their eyes at the death of their leaders, they were the true threat to the pirate's survival. The massacre left the island victorious at the cost of five lives for hundreds of pirates. Exploring the beaches, they found the bodies of their five protectors... and they swore they would bring back a position of respect the island once had. But rather than a single Priest of the jewels, they would have five priests. Each Priest was named in memory of their leader, save for those among the Balders. They chose to call their hero the False-Diamond, in memory of their leader being the only Diamond among them willing to stand up for everyone.
Onward to Present
Over the time since the battle for the island, the islanders felt strange. They began to form larger wings over the years and adapted to the island. It was harsh, but it was their home... and their bodies seemed to want to acknowledge that. Slime and beets made up their meals, occasionally spotted with the various meals found among ships that dared to attack. The first generation of children finally coming of age, the island itself felt different. July Island had died... and this was their haven among the storm. They had a duty to preserve the dream of a good life, as the five had sought to protect them from the dangers of pirates. The clans, in respect to this, chose to simply live... exploring and roaming the island freely for treasures and to chart the large island. While the Five have passed, the Jewel Priests now protected the island with a new vigor and knowledge from the various immigrants and prisoners the island took. They trained and carried the names of the the five with pride... and with that they carry ideals to see the island to its future. Taking their parts of the island, the Ortega keeping their harvesting of Opal for profit in mind and the Balder keeping the dream of climbing to the heavens real, the companies broke away entirely from their roots. They all wanted to serve the island in their best ways, after all!