Post by amisi on May 2, 2009 21:38:05 GMT -5
Name of Island: Zarzara Island
Size of Island: Small.
Location of Island: 20 miles north of the Ciudadela Queendom.
Inhabitants: An island of normal civilians. Most work in the production of luxury goods like textiles, fragrances, jewelry, and statues, though merchant sailors and scholars are highly esteemed. This island has a shipyard which turns out xebecs and tartans, fast and easily maneuverable ships. The high number of Zarzara vessels found to be in pirate hands gets the island in a lot of trouble with the marines, but the shipwrights maintain that they sell their ships through legal channels, and any vessels sailed by pirates were obviously stolen. (Yes, this is a boldfaced lie. But the motto of the citizens of Zarzara Island is this: money is money.) The inhabitants are generally dark-skinned and dress in colorful draped clothing, with the fish eye guard against the Evil Eye a common accessory in jewelry and belts.
Town(s)/Village(s)/City or Cities:
Only the innermost seven square miles of the island are inhabitable; this is the Waq Waq oasis, which sits almost exactly in the center of the Zarzara Desert, after which the island is named. The city is divided into countless commercial districts, many of them overlapping or even being made up of several other districts-- for instance, the District of the Spice Merchants is inside the Bazaar of Artisans, which shares most of its territory with the Bazaar of Silks and Looms. Small neighborhoods can be found in each of these districts. Most households in Waq Waq are made up of at least three generations; extended family is a way of life, so houses tend to be large. The houses that aren't large are overcrowded. The buildings are multi-storied and white plaster with flat blue and purple roofs. The largest indicator of a neighborhood is that washing lines will be strung between windows across the street, and heavy curtains will be drawn over every window. The commercial districts are lined with vendor carts selling everything imaginable, from stolen jewelry to apples. The Palace of the Princess is at the western edge of the oasis, though there hasn't been a princess to live in it for a century. The large canal carved from the eastern shore to a deep reservoir in the oasis is the only way for ship traffic to enter the city. The rest of the city is flanked by the Zarzara Desert, which is uninhabited.
Flora and Fauna: Outside the city, nothing but snakes and scorpions survive. That's why nobody lives there. Within the city, the clear water of the oasis has blessed the citizens with lush green vegetation, including fruits like figs, dates, and watermelons. Flowers are commonly grown, though edible green plants are strongly preferred. Trees are never chopped down; there is nothing the people of Waq Waq like better than a living tree. Animals in the city are mostly domesticated, with the exception of some feral cats and dogs. Donkeys and camels are kept for travel, though the rich tend to have horses. However, birds are the most famous creatures of Zarzara. Day and night, the air is filled with pleasant chirps and birdsong.
Island History: About four hundred years ago, the people of Zarzara Island were looked at with deep pity. After all, they lived on a barren rock of an island, with only sand to eat. Unbeknown to everyone else, however, the inhabitants of Zarzara were enjoying a very cushy life in the arms of their oasis. With the help of their favorable environment, a great kingdom rose up, gaining the attention of the Ciudadela Queendom to the north. The queen of Ciudadela requested a trade relationship with the king of Zarzara because she had heard that their silk was the finest to be found outside of the Grand Line, but the king preferred to remain isolated. Unfortunately for him, the queen wasn't one to take no for an answer. She sent ambassadors and spies into the country who sent back reports of nobles who would suit her purposes. At last, she discovered a young woman named Amina who was very kind and trusting but not very bright. Within a year the old king was toppled and Amina became the Princess of Zarzara, who very much liked to obey her dearest friend the Queen of Ciudadela. The puppet monarchy continued for many generations, with the Ciudadela Queendom receiving all of Zarzara's exports for practically no fee, until the dynasty of princesses was ousted and a senate of scholars took their place. The scholars continue to oversee the growth of Zarzara Island into a true power in South Blue. Although it was the Queen of Ciudadela who financed the building of the canal leading into the city, the scholars are responsible for maintaining and expanding it.
Size of Island: Small.
Location of Island: 20 miles north of the Ciudadela Queendom.
Inhabitants: An island of normal civilians. Most work in the production of luxury goods like textiles, fragrances, jewelry, and statues, though merchant sailors and scholars are highly esteemed. This island has a shipyard which turns out xebecs and tartans, fast and easily maneuverable ships. The high number of Zarzara vessels found to be in pirate hands gets the island in a lot of trouble with the marines, but the shipwrights maintain that they sell their ships through legal channels, and any vessels sailed by pirates were obviously stolen. (Yes, this is a boldfaced lie. But the motto of the citizens of Zarzara Island is this: money is money.) The inhabitants are generally dark-skinned and dress in colorful draped clothing, with the fish eye guard against the Evil Eye a common accessory in jewelry and belts.
Town(s)/Village(s)/City or Cities:
Only the innermost seven square miles of the island are inhabitable; this is the Waq Waq oasis, which sits almost exactly in the center of the Zarzara Desert, after which the island is named. The city is divided into countless commercial districts, many of them overlapping or even being made up of several other districts-- for instance, the District of the Spice Merchants is inside the Bazaar of Artisans, which shares most of its territory with the Bazaar of Silks and Looms. Small neighborhoods can be found in each of these districts. Most households in Waq Waq are made up of at least three generations; extended family is a way of life, so houses tend to be large. The houses that aren't large are overcrowded. The buildings are multi-storied and white plaster with flat blue and purple roofs. The largest indicator of a neighborhood is that washing lines will be strung between windows across the street, and heavy curtains will be drawn over every window. The commercial districts are lined with vendor carts selling everything imaginable, from stolen jewelry to apples. The Palace of the Princess is at the western edge of the oasis, though there hasn't been a princess to live in it for a century. The large canal carved from the eastern shore to a deep reservoir in the oasis is the only way for ship traffic to enter the city. The rest of the city is flanked by the Zarzara Desert, which is uninhabited.
Flora and Fauna: Outside the city, nothing but snakes and scorpions survive. That's why nobody lives there. Within the city, the clear water of the oasis has blessed the citizens with lush green vegetation, including fruits like figs, dates, and watermelons. Flowers are commonly grown, though edible green plants are strongly preferred. Trees are never chopped down; there is nothing the people of Waq Waq like better than a living tree. Animals in the city are mostly domesticated, with the exception of some feral cats and dogs. Donkeys and camels are kept for travel, though the rich tend to have horses. However, birds are the most famous creatures of Zarzara. Day and night, the air is filled with pleasant chirps and birdsong.
Island History: About four hundred years ago, the people of Zarzara Island were looked at with deep pity. After all, they lived on a barren rock of an island, with only sand to eat. Unbeknown to everyone else, however, the inhabitants of Zarzara were enjoying a very cushy life in the arms of their oasis. With the help of their favorable environment, a great kingdom rose up, gaining the attention of the Ciudadela Queendom to the north. The queen of Ciudadela requested a trade relationship with the king of Zarzara because she had heard that their silk was the finest to be found outside of the Grand Line, but the king preferred to remain isolated. Unfortunately for him, the queen wasn't one to take no for an answer. She sent ambassadors and spies into the country who sent back reports of nobles who would suit her purposes. At last, she discovered a young woman named Amina who was very kind and trusting but not very bright. Within a year the old king was toppled and Amina became the Princess of Zarzara, who very much liked to obey her dearest friend the Queen of Ciudadela. The puppet monarchy continued for many generations, with the Ciudadela Queendom receiving all of Zarzara's exports for practically no fee, until the dynasty of princesses was ousted and a senate of scholars took their place. The scholars continue to oversee the growth of Zarzara Island into a true power in South Blue. Although it was the Queen of Ciudadela who financed the building of the canal leading into the city, the scholars are responsible for maintaining and expanding it.