Post by Vio on Feb 8, 2023 11:32:08 GMT -5
The Sunstar Islands
Other Names: Hynoon
Theme: Old West, U.S.A.
Location: West Blue
Size: Moderately Large
Affiliation: World Government
Terrain & Geography
The Sunstar Islands are a larger archipelago situated in the West Blue, made up of islands of variable sizes which house vast landscapes. Because of its size and spread, the islands hold a variety of environments based on which region they are in—arid deserts, badlands with red mesas and plateaus, rough mountains, heavily wooded swamps, and deep marshlands can be found here. As a result, the land is mostly inhospitable to all but the hardiest of people.
Climate & Weather
A mix of different landscapes create an equally odd climate, with thick fog banks being relatively common in the more mountainous and swampy areas, while scorching sun bakes away the fog in more arid regions. A place of heat and extremes, it’s either perpetually dry in the summer or horribly wet throughout winter, with a scattering of more tolerable microclimates in the lusher, greener regions where both nature and people compete for space.
Flora & Fauna
Large, sprawling landmass makes for good territory, so while most of the flora is tough and hardy—ranging from large trees, to tough grasses, to prickly cacti—it is the animals that show the most tenacity. Wild horses can be found all around the archipelago, enjoying open spaces, as can other grazing animals like buffalo. Coyotes prowl the wilds, sometimes encroaching on settlements. Tumblebears are one of the biggest threats, growing large with shaggy fur that accumulates bracken, thorns, and other plant material as they roll around, while the swampy biomes are prowled by the fast-running aquatic reptiles known as Crocoyotes.
Settlements & Landmarks
Many smaller settlements exist throughout the archipelago, but the most famous (or infamous) ones include the World Government-allied and Marine base of operations, Crown-Six, and its piratical and outlaw-centric opposite, Brimstown. Both situated on the largest, most central island of Winchester and divided by the somewhat treacherous natural barricade and key point of exchange that is Ten-Gallon Gorge, these two cities are constantly at odds with one another in what has so far a political stalemate. Smaller but iconic islands such as the arid Sundance, which is allied with the World Government’s side, and the mostly neutral and sparsely populated Colt Town further add to the archipelago’s range. Meanwhile, the more temperate, overgrown forests of Stetson Island keep its namesake city rather isolated and somewhat neutral.
Groups & Organizations
Several prominent collectives exist across the archipelago, including the indigenous people of the archipelago that once chiefly inhabited Sundance, the Tonatiu Piltin (lit. “Sun Children”). Beyond them, much of the archipelago is locked in political stalemate between the local Marine 49th Branch stationed in Crown-Six and the various outlaws, brigands, bandits, pirates, and such that populate the less lawfully-inclined regions, which operate independently (and often tussle) but are united in their opposition of the World Navy. Another prominent organization is the Done Brothers, a bounty hunting guild of sorts established on Winchester: Despite the name, the group has consisted of various members for the last couple of decades, with ranks expanding steadily.
Culture & Traditions
As a relatively diverse set of islands, culture and traditions are quite varied. Cuisine is typically a mixture of dishes based on specific locale, from beef and chicken dishes from the ranches on Sundance seasoned with hot sauces and salsas from Sunpeppers, to crawfish and gumbo in the swampy regions. As a common crop, maize makes a fair contribution to meals, alongside local Corn Beer. Common superstitions surrounding the treasure of Colt Town keep all but the most daring at bay. Outside of Winchester, outlaw groups are small and more covert, especially on Sundance. The Tonatiu Piltin’s personal history is passed down through oral tradition, including the worship of an unspecified Sun God.
History
The Sunstar Islands were originally inhabited by its native people, the Tonatiu Piltin, since ancient times, when they referred to it as Hynoon. However, some time after the Void Century, new settlers from Toroa came to the archipelago. Despite attempts to live harmoniously with the native people, the latter was mostly driven out due to the settlers’ interest in the abundance of gold veins in the archipelago.
More recently, an increase in production on the archipelago established Sunstar’s firearms industry as a hallmark, sparking greater interest from the World Government and establishing a deeper Marine presence. As construction of Winchester’s Marine Base, the 49th Branch, began and the World Government rooted themselves more firmly, conflicts started to arise between them and the criminal and outlawed elements, which remains a key point of contention to the present day. This further resulted in the World Government exerting their control over the archipelago in order to cement themselves and control the firearms industries.
Fifty years before the present day, the mining town of Colt Town was besieged by pirates looking to claim the gold for themselves. This resulted in devastation for both sides when mine fires erupted in the tunnels beneath the town, which supposedly still burn even now, and has resulted in the area becoming almost entirely abandoned and purportedly haunted. Local Tonatiu Piltin speak of it as a curse upon the land and dissuade people from venturing back.
As tensions continued to rise, rebel groups start to organize themselves and spark conflict in certain locations across the Sunstar Islands as they rise against the World Government’s influence. Twenty years ago, several bombings of factories and other events cause certain regions of Sunstar to shut down, becoming little more than abandoned work towns that have started to be reclaimed by nature, especially on Stetson Island. Though most rebel groups have been quashed, the Marines have so far been unsuccessful in eradicating the strong criminal presence on Winchester.
Recent Events
- Issues were recently caused by troublemakers interfering with a bounty hunt on Sundance Island, in which a robot (W8-MD5) and a Fishperson (Marina Blood) clashed with a group lead by Gavins. Source: Tiny Terror?! The Hunt Begins At Sundown!
- Events To Come
