Post by EriChar on Nov 17, 2013 14:32:23 GMT -5
Created by Etarip
Name of Island:
Silver Island / Silver City
(Note: Please read the history section first for better understanding of how Silver Island works)
Society:
N/A
Size of Island:
The circular island is about 100 kilometers in diameter. The castle (and its courtyards, barracks and whatnot) on the middle of the island covers about 5 % of the area of the island. The smaller islands on the corners of the main land are about 10 kilometers in diameter.
Location:
South Blue. It is somewhere in the north-western parts of the South Blue seas. Though not exactly secluded from other islands, it has not been close enough to be involved in political conflicts with nearby islands.
Log Pose Time:
N/A
Climatic Type:
Autumn.
Climate:
The climate of the island consists of rain, wind and cloudy days. The sun can only be seen on rare occasions when the dark clouds that normally fill the sky break and open a window of opportunity for the sun to shine upon Silver Island. More unusually, the trees in Silver Island grow leaves at every windless opportunity. So when the wind has halted, leaves start growing, and when the wind picks up against, the leaves fall on the streets of island. Thus, the streets are always filled with leaves, and leaf-raking is actually a fairly popular profession on the island.
Island Appearance:
As you approach the island, the first thing that comes to view is the majestic Silver Castle. Since the incident with the Storyteller Pirates, its North West tower is under reconstruction. It covers about 5 % of the entire island, and is the centre upon which the city was built. When you get closer, the brick buildings and the concrete roads come to view. The clanking of horseshoes hitting the ground and the sound of horse carriage wheels rolling are heard from afar. It is a relatively busy city, so there is something going on at all times. The largest docks are situated in the southern shores of the island, although there are other minor docks around the shorelines.
Depending on the direction from which your ship approaches the island, you may also see one or several of the smaller surrounding islands.
Flora and Fauna:
Flora
After the ground of the Island was covered mostly in concrete, the only remaining flora exists on the small green spots that can be found around the city. The enormous leaf-trees that occupy these spots are known as “Fast Oaks” due to their ability to grow leaves every time the wind halts. Growing alongside the Fast Oaks are various types of grass. Aside from these green spots, the oceans surrounding Silver Island are lush with life. Marine plants of all sorts and all colors inhabit the shorelines. The most prominent of these marine plants is the Giant Algae – the sea is comparable to a jungle because of these special plants.
Fauna
The sea outside the island is occupied by the silver catfish (see below) and some other minor fish species. Though the concrete ground of Silver Island makes it difficult for animals to survive, there are two species that have evolved to meet the challenge:
The Silver Owl.
The Silver Owl is a species of owl with an abnormally large head. The head of the Silver Owl is so heavy that the owls do not fall from the trees when it is windy. The Silver Owl’s diet consists of fallen Fast Oak leaves – and the owl is therefore considered a helpful creature in cleaning up the streets of the Island.
The Swimming Monkey.
Near the shores lives a breed of monkeys that spends most of its time in the aquatic environments. The monkeys swim by pulling themselves forward with the Giant Algae, reaching speeds that are sufficient to catch the silver catfish. The monkeys have extremely slick (black) fur (for better movement in the water) and their mouths are naturally grinning at all times. The children of Silver Island are particular fond of the grinning & swimming monkeys. Luckily, the monkeys are curious and kind when it comes to humans of all sizes.
(Note: See below for information on the flora and fauna of the surrounding minor islands).
Inhabitants:
The inhabitants of Silver City are fairly average in their appearances. When the wealthy merchant started the construction of the castle, he employed workers from all around South Blue. Therefore, the inhabitants exhibit qualities that are common in South Blue. From early times, the population of Silver City has been hard-working and eager to create. The young people of the island are able to choose from a range of professions. Everything from leaf raker to lawyer is acceptable. In recent times, the conflict between the Completionists and the Unfinishistas has sparked animosity within the community of Silver Island. The people of Silver Island used to be friendly and helping towards each other, but are now becoming increasingly suspicious.
Prominent Organizations, Groups and Establishments:
The Completionists
The Completionists believe that the completion of the Silver Castle will either have no consequences, or that it will in fact increase tourism to the island. The completionists do not wear any kind of identifying clothes or marks, but they are in the process of creating an organization with a standing armed force.
The Unfinishistas
The Unfinishistas believe in the prophecy of the Prophet; when the Silver Castle is complete, they fear that it will signal the end of Silver Island. The Unfinishistas wear a red ribbon around their left arms to identify themselves.
The Marine-sponsored Silver University
Neutral faction. Offers expertise in many subjects, ranging from architecture and navigation, to anthropology and politics. Marines frequently recruit bright students.
Read more about these groups in the history section.
Trends:Fashion
The style of the inhabitants of Silver City is comparable to the popular fashion in the Victorian Era. Men and women wear classy, embroidered clothes made of the finest materials, including silk. When working, however, both men and women often wear the same working clothes (popularly called “Work-Tire”). The working attire consists of beige polyester trousers that are held in place with straps around the shoulders, black boots, a white shirt and a brown tweed jacket. The fashion choice makes everyone an equal while they are at work.
Politics
As explained below, Silver Island has been a WG-member for quite some time. As such, the Island Council (prime executive and legislative organ of the island) enjoys peaceful diplomatic relations (including beneficial trade agreements) with other WG-islands. There is also a Marine-financed University within the Silver Castle (see below), so the pirates generally keep away from the island.
The Island Council consists of 10 members, elected by the people of the island. The people of the islands also choose the leader of the Council. The Council exercises legislative and executive functions, but is subject to a limited review by the Silver Island Courts. The Council has the support of the large majority of the people in Silver Island, but the recent polarization between the Completionists and the Unfinishistas have strained the relationship between the ordinary folk and the Council.
Industry
In early times, Silver Island was known particularly for its experts in building (architects and so on). When the economic crisis hit, many of the building-experts abandoned the island. There is however a Builders’ Guild on the Island and it is still considered by many as the greatest Builder’s Guild in South Blue.
There is also a major fishing industry aimed at exploiting the natural resource that is silver catfish (see below).
Cuisine
The most famous dish produced on Silver Island is the grilled silver catfish filet. The silver catfish lives on the shores of the island and has been the source of food since the wealthy merchant came to the island. It is a silver-colored catfish with large human-like eyes (the fishers are therefore considered extremely brave on Silver Island). The meat of the fish is naturally salty and has a bitter aftertaste which visitors may not get used to easily. It is famously grilled in stands on the town square, but is available in restaurants and pretty much everywhere.
NPCs:
The Prophet
A mysterious figure with an unknown background. Until he spoke of the catastrophe that would ensue if the Silver Castle was completed, no one knew of him. This may suggest that the Prophet came from somewhere else. When he was last seen, the Prophet wore a brown hooded cape that concealed most of his features. On his hip he had a longsword sheathed. Those present at the Town Square when he gave his speech have also remarked that his voice was extremely deep and powerful, and that many felt mesmerized by the voice.
Zyra Norton
The current leader of the Island Council. She is considered a progressive Completionist – meaning that she is first and foremost interested in the economical stability of the island, but wishes for the Castle to be completed. She is a very businesslike woman, clothed in a suit and wearing glasses, and acting politely, but coldly. She wears her dark hair in a bun. Many Silver Island citizens believe that Zyra Norton is their way out of the financial crisis. She was therefore elected as leader of the Island Council.
Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson is the current leader of the Unfinishistas. He wears a fedora and a vest, and is generally considered a womanizer and a near-alcoholic. However, he is redeemed by the fact that he is fiercely loyal to his people and to the goals of the Unfinishistas. He will make no compromise when it comes to the mission of non-completion of the Silver Castle. He carries a shotgun at all times.
Professor Goldwhisker
Professor Goldwhisker is the dean of Silver University. He has published extensively in the fields of law, archeology and recently, politics. Currently, his research is aimed at the conflict between the Unfinishistas and the Completionists, much to the annoyance of the Marines (who sponsor the University) who wish for the Marines to be entirely neutral to the conflict. The Professor is a small man with blonde hair and a blond moustache that measures about half a meter in length.
Goldwhisker additionally has the duty of taking care of the Silver Castle. Anyone who wishes to venture into the interior of the castle must ask for his keys.
Town(s)/Village(s)/City or Cities:
The Silver Island
The Silver Island and the Silver City are one. The city stretches over the entire island, so the inhabitants change between calling it the Silver City and the Silver Island. In the middle, covering about 5 % of the island is the Silver Castle. Coated with silver, the towers, halls and spires reach unimaginable heights, and can be observed from far away. Though it is called a “castle”, the Silver Castle is more like a Palace. The Castle was once protected by a moat, that since the incident with the Storyteller Pirates is now drained into the tunnels below it, with four bridges leading into their respective courtyards in the south, north, west and east. The courtyards are surrounded by countless barracks and halls. Beyond the barracks and halls, the castle gets more complicated. Both over the ground and beneath the ground there are secret pathways, rooms that have never been used and libraries containing books that have never been read. All in all the castle’s architecture is a confusing one, with no clear order to be found. In the middle of the castle grounds is the Silver Castle itself. Its dome is surrounded by four spires. In the exterior of each of the spires, there is a ruby-crafted portrait of the wealthy merchant’s wife (see below). The dome stands above a rectangular building that is the main hall. Within are countless paintings from famous artists and a throne. Through the room run six marble pillars that support platforms from which visitors can peek down. During the incident with the Storyteller Pirates, the North West tower was destroyed by an explosion and is since under reconstruction.
The city itself is, as has been stated, covered with concrete roads and brick buildings. The outwards architecture is pretty much the same everywhere – 2 floored rectangular buildings with minor yards on both sides, facing the road – but the inside is more often designed specifically to fit those who call the house “home”. The streets run in perfect lines both vertically and horizontally (when seen from above). Just south of the Silver Castle stands a particularly large brick building that is the Town Hall. Outside it is the Town Square where merchants sell their goods (including the fabled grilled silver catfish filet), and speeches and rallies are held occasionally.
Underneath the city runs a complex and long system of sewage tunnels. They are the source of much mystery and many legends. Since the incident with the Storyteller Pirates, the complex has been completely filled up with water from the castle's moat.
Quarry Island (North-West)
Only a short distance from the northwestern coast of Silver Island lies the smaller Quarry Island. The island used to be mostly uninhabited, with a stray farm here and there. During the recent years, several larger farms have been established, and the island is, for the first time in its history, buzzing with life. At the centre of the island is a large quarry from which Silver Island excavates its clay for the bricks used in the houses of Silver City. The excavators are brought there by ferry from Silver Island on the morning, and leave by the same ferry at night. Though accidents are rare, the quarry is known for a particularly devastating accident causing the deaths of about 300 workers. The cause of the accident remains uncertain, though reports suggest that it may have occurred due to careless handling of explosives.
The soil of Quarry Island is relatively fertile, making it possible to grow vegetables and crops. Quarry Island is therefore a source of food for Silver Island. The fertile land also attracts wildlife to the island, including birds of all kind, nocturnal bats, critters and even a few foxes and moles. The farmers of Quarry Island are always hiring youngsters from the main island to hunt away thieving animals during the night.
Cuisine Island (South-West)
The patch of land that is known as Cuisine Island was until recently completely devoid of life. The island itself is mainly a rock formation that rises about 40 meters above sea levels. 20 years ago, a chef from Karate Island approached Silver Island by ship as he saw the empty island. He was in a creative mood, and decided that he would build a restaurant on the rock. In it, he pledged to serve only the best of the best raw materials that could be exported from around the South Blue. 20 years later, the rock houses no less than 10 of the finest restaurants South Blue can offer. Any chef wishing to establish himself/herself in the island must first apply to the Island Council – the Island Council is committed to only letting the best do business on Cuisine Island.
There is a slight rivalry between some of the chefs at the island, and recent reports fear that some of the restaurants are using mafia-like means to gain advantages over the weaker restaurants. Coercion, threats and sudden fires are only some of the means being employed according to the report.
Cuisine Island is near the southwestern shore of Silver Island. It is frequented by flocks of seagulls.
Southeastern Frontier
The southeastern island is known only as the “southeastern frontier”. The island used to consist of flat grassland.
After the conflict between the Unfinishistas and the Completionists broke out, both factions entered the empty island with hopes of making it a permanent base. None of the factions had knowledge about the intentions of the other faction, and this eventually led to the first armed confrontation between the groups. A group of Unfinishistas were ambushed by Completionists who had heard them coming. Four Unfinishistas died, and this event spurred the digging of trenches throughout the island. Currently, the island consists of massive amounts of trenches from which the two factions peek carefully at each other. Anyone foolish enough to enter the island will surely not survive.
Northeastern Frontier
The island known as the “northeastern frontier” is another island with a stalemate going on. However, unlike the southeastern frontier, the stalemate in the northeastern island is one between two people.
2 years ago, the Unfinishistas and the Completionists agreed that they would agree to hold a duel in the northeastern island. The winner of the duel would gain for his/hers faction supplies and weapons from the other faction. The Unfinishistas sent a raggedy gunslinger known as “Two-Cent Jack”, known for his quick reactions and his ability to predict the movements of his opponents. The Completionists sent a man known as “John the Survivor”. John had experience in surviving long periods of time in the wilderness, and was an extremely durable man. The parties agreed that once a week, the factions would bring supplies to the men, until the duel was resolved.
2 years later, the duel still continues without a conclusion in sight. Both men are careful and focused. And since none of them wish to lose an important battle for their factions, they never take risks.
Island Map:
Missions: N/A
Suggestions for future missions:
1. Marine mission to negotiate between the Completionists and the Unfinishistas.
2. Mission to discover whether or not there is a monster in the Silver Island sewers.
3. Treasure hunt in the Silver Castle.
Island History:
Like is the case with many islands that inhabit the seas of the world, Silver Island’s history is inseparably linked with its special features and landmarks. 200 years before the current, there lived a wealthy merchant on a nearby island. The stories tell that the merchant had made a deal with the devil and thus gained unlimited access to a precious material known as “silver”. The truth was more mundane, as the merchant had simply been lucky with an excavation on another island, finding amazing amounts of silver. After the death of his wife, the merchant decided that he would build a castle in her honor. The castle was to be coated entirely in silver. The constructions lasted for 60 years, so the entrepreneurs, architects and construction workers who lived on the island by necessity created a community to live in. Their modest wooden houses eventually began surrounding the Silver Castle, as it was called. Soon it became a village. The village then began attracting people that had nothing to do with the construction of the castle, and the population increased. When the castle was about 75 % complete, the surrounding village had grown into a city bustling with activity.
Meanwhile, the wealthy merchant had died childless. In his will, the merchant distributed 85 % of his assets to his cousin and 15 %, including the Silver Castle, he gave for distribution amongst the townsfolk of the island. The 15 % was a true boon for the economy of the city, and for over 100 years, the island prospered. During this time, the Island Council of the newly named “Silver Island” offered half of the enormous Silver Castle to the Marines, becoming a World Government Island in return. The WG privileges (including tariff-free trade) further advanced the economy and structure of the island. The wooden houses and dirt streets were replaced by brick and concrete (the concrete was better suited for the horse-carriages that roamed the Island. The town became a modern miracle. Underneath the city was also built an extensive sewage system. Many believe that the sewers hold mysteries known only to the Island Council.
The Marines decided to dedicate their part of the castle to education. The western part of the castle currently holds Silver University – it offers courses and grades in navigation, archeology and other useful arts. Promising students are often picked up by the Marines. The second half of the Silver Castle is rarely used except for diplomatic arrangements.
The end of the financial boon coincided with the arrival of a man who named himself the “Prophet” (6 years ago). No one knew exactly where the Prophet came from or who he was. He introduced himself to Silver Island by speaking on the Town Square. With a powerful voice he attracted quite the audience. He claimed that Silver Island would fall when the last 25 % of the Silver Castle were complete. The Island Council, having just decided that the 25 % were going to be constructed during the next year, was first unconvinced. In the following year, many of the trade agreements Silver Island possessed became worthless due to piracy and internal conflict on other islands. With the failing economy, there was less construction, making the many architects and construction workers obsolete and unnecessary, furthering the collapse. The Island Council, consisting of many “completionists” (a later name for those wishing that the Silver Castle would be completed), fought to complete the Silver Castle. However, when about 5 % remained of construction, an explosion occurred at the Silver Castle. A letter was left behind, stating that the “Unfinishistas” (a name for those believing in the Prophet’s prophecy) would never allow the Castle to become complete. Under Silver Council orders, the Silver Island Police imprisoned the Prophet in one of their secret underground facilities. This act had great repercussions: The “Unfinishistas” grew in numbers. Soon, the north-eastern part of Silver Island became known as “Unfinishista”-territory. Eventually, there was a further polarization, with “Completionists” taking over the south-western territory of the Island. The Island Council became split 50-50 between the groups. The financial instability was a contributing factor to the polarization, and many unemployed men and women reach to the two groups for support and aid.
Occasionally there is armed violence between the groups, but mostly the conflict is a cold one. Both factions plot against each other. The Unfinishistas are currently in the process of locating the Prophet, while the Completionists attempt to gain a majority in the Island Council. Meanwhile, the Marines look carefully at the situation from the Silver University (placed in the castle), not wishing to interfere unless they discover that there are pirates or revolutionaries involved.
Though the situation is tense, Silver Island has been the target of “treasure tourism”. Even though they are under water now, the mysterious sewers and the Silver Castle are perfect targets for men and women looking for treasures left behind by the wealthy merchant.
Recently, a pirate group called the Storyteller Pirates managed to set off bombs inside Silvers Castle. It completely broke the North West Tower and some of the surrounding areas. The castle's moat was drained into the sewers below. The incident brought even more heat to the island's already brewing conflicts.