Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2016 12:32:51 GMT -5
[/b]: A man remarked for a lack of hygiene, Tom is very much the man he was when the Hoshi Pirates came by. By this, it means that he's an average looking middle-aged man at 5'11", with tanned skin, and with a rather large gut from all his drinking in his youth and a nice, shiny bald head. In the aftermath of the island's struggles, this man took it into his hands to get it all fixed up... and boy has he succeeded! Now the Mayor or "King" of the Barkley Kingdom, he spends most of his days drinking and smiling at the new-and-improved docks of the island! Part of him, of course, wonders what happened to the pirates that gave him the chance to improve his life... but the other part of him knows that standing around and worshiping them like some of the islanders have begun to do is foolish.Created by Roin
Name of Island: Treelore
Society: The Tree Kingdoms, known individually as the Barkley Kingdom, Leaflet Kingdom, and the Rootington Kingdom
Size of Island: Medium-Large (Roughly half the size of Alabasta. If you don't know how big Alabasta is? Well, watch/read the arc over again and you'll have a pretty solid idea. Or Google it. That also works.)
Location: Nightmare Route, Grand Line
Log Pose Time: Two Days (2 Days)
Climatic Type: Spring Island [Moderate-Chill Temperatures with plenty of rain]
Climate: While most of the island is protected from it, the winds around Treelore are strong enough to push and pull at ships in the nearby sea. Rain falls quite often on the island, thanks in part to a high humidity and the island's unique trees. Deep down, this rainwater collects to form warm bodies of water in many of the dips and reserves kept together. For this very reason, the chill wind and air often meets these warm bodies and create the mist/fog that coats the island in a mysterious and strange manner.
Due to being a Spring Island, the weather itself rarely shifts through its seasons, instead receiving less rain during the dry seasons.
Island Appearance:
Due to being a giant, circular island and basic as all potential geographical shapes, Treelore is relatively simple in terms of appearance. With high rising trees, there's very little to no distinguishable landmarks. However, along with Zeusbark Trees, the island's two main locations are visible from the sea, so long as one is on the south side of the island. Near the center of the island, standing just above the treeline, is the powerful Hercules Tree holding the Shooting Star in it's branches for all to see. Along the shore, and styled like most brick-and-stone towns, is the Port Hardknock and the newly-erected Fort August. With the Poseidonroots along the remainder of the shore, the island's appearance is finished off with powerful whirlpools barring any sort of basic, water-faring entry to the island.
While in the woods of the island, one has very little free ground to walk on. Packed close and with many roots running along it, the island's interior is a darker and more ominous place full of puddles and shadows. While most of the island's inner areas are flat or slightly hilly, however, one may stumble upon a small clearing or burrow, perhaps a previous hiding spot of the Rootington's fighters...
Island Map: N/A (This is due to the fact the island is a giant circle with the main settlements located on the south-most side, just slightly north of the center, and the other main settlement is always relocating.)
Flora and Fauna:Flora{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Zeusbark Tree: The largest trees currently dotting Treelore. Though they're mysterious, they've been recorded as completely unique trees. Though they grow leaves, these mighty trees start life as tiny saplings among the many other trees in a forest... but they contain a special agent as a sapling that draws electricity to them. After a single lightning strike during a storm, these trees explode to life (like the beanstalk in Jack the Giantslayer). In a matter of moments, they forcefully come to full-growth before blossoming out all their branches and leaves in a single, thundering boom. No one can explain why they grow so suddenly... but the instant they've fully grown, they no longer gain size. They simply sustain themselves off water and sunlight. And with their full-growth, these towering monsters easily stand above the many trees the island holds...
Due to their lightning-powered growth, these trees have amazing bark and wood... specifically in that the bark becomes living shock pads that can naturally generate static. On the other hand, the wood of the Zeusbark Tree can act like a battery and effectively hold electricity in proportion to its size. In this manner, a 2x2x2 block can power a single lightbulb for a few hours. In larger portions, this could be very useful... but only if you can secure huge amounts of it!
Poseidonroot Tree: An amazing tree that has allowed the island to expand and accommodate the new trees that appeared. As the first of these amazing trees to have appeared, the Poseidonroot has its uses by simply dropping it in the tides. After only a few seconds of being in seawater, the tree bursts in a very similar manner to the Zeusbark, but rather than from lightning, it grows entirely by purifying vast amounts of seawater and "eating" plankton. Using this, they entirely sustain themselves with long, sea-reaching roots. These roots are so powerful, they can even bury and take hold in the sand beneath the water. Using these in mass numbers, the island has been able to lower the water levels with natural damming and redirection of the tide. While this has made the island almost impossible to reach with whirlpools, it has given plenty of room to bring dirt and the like onto the island and expand it.
Like the Zeusbark, this tree of course has plenty of potential uses when harvested. Though it can't float, the tree's seeds could be put inside of wounded ships during combat, allowing the tree to explode to life within a vessel and act as a weapon and anchor. Why? It can damage and weight the ship down! As for its actual standard properties, the roots of a Poseidonroot are sturdy but flexible, due to having to endure the turbulence of the ocean. For this reason, weapons made of Poseidonroot such as bows will have far better bending power and endure far more tension. And while they don't retain the qualities of the sea, they have a high capacity for storing it. This can allow a bow, for example, to be squeezed at the center to squirt sea-water onto an arrow! Perfect for coating attacks on a Devil Fruit user, right!?
Muscle Oaks and Hercules Trees: It's well-known that the Muscle Oak is the most common tree on the island... and that hasn't changed despite the many new trees to emerge. The Muscle Oaks have grown stronger and more durable than previously ever recorded... but the strangest mutation has been spotted. Specifically, one only observed when these mighty trees naturally die and fall... crashing into another Muscle Oak. The instant the two trees collide, the sound is as deafening as a Zuesbark blossoming and for good reason. The stronger of the two trees, no matter which, will crack the other in-half... and the sap of the losing tree will pour all over the other and stabilize them together. No one knows why this occurs, but they mark it up to the new attempts to reforest as having forced the trees to shorten their life to accommodate the constant planting.
As these two trees combine... they're observed to undergo a week-long change. Specifically? If the tree that died fell and "won the fight"... it begins to come back to life. Either way, whichever tree was covered in the sap of the other tree begins to grow stronger... and they begin to merge. Pulling both trees tightly together, the bark begins to reseal and grow, binding the two trees and merging them as a single, unified tree. Once fully grown, however, these trees lose all their branches... only to extend two log-like branches that burst to life in mirroring of someone flexing. After the change is complete, these newly deemed "Hercules Trees" are known for their sheer quality and amount of leaves They're only as durable as a Muscle Oak, but the leaves are almost like wood in their durability. These extremely hardened leaves are a sign of the tree's will to live... and far more useful than just some other leaf.
Hadesvine: With the surge of new flora, the parasitic vines that strive off of trees have equally undergone rapid mutation. Though of various kinds long ago, these vines have mutated into a singular entity through what appears to be forced mutation. Identified as Hadesvine, these are most prominently seen clinging to the Zeusbark Trees, dangling from them for hundreds of feet. This massive length is in-part thanks to their reinforced nature from wrapping many strands together, much like a rope. Though dangerous to harvest for the most part, when these large vines are found and cut at length, they're durable enough to act in-place of chains and securing rope, making a natural alternative that can be effectively grown anywhere... as long as you don't let them grow too big! After all, five yards of Hadesvine can weigh twice as much as the same length of anchor-line!
Normal Trees: Yes, even among a plethora of unique and awe-inspiring trees, Treelore has BASIC TREES! It's startling right? Due to the nature of the woods and the chilly air kept most of the year, most of the trees are tall and live long lives.Fauna{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Boldyr: Unlike the various unique trees to the island, most of the creatures on Treegap are the same as they used to be. This includes most woodland critters, but one animal has appeared in light of the recent developments... a mutation, if you will! These are the Boldyr, originally the bears on the island. Experiments have concluded that these are some of the few native bears that originally lived on the island, but have mutated due to accidentally eating the electrically-charged Zuesbark's sap. While they maintain the same size as bears, their fur changes to a bright yellow! This color change, however, isn't the only change. After this change, the bears become addicted to the substance to the point they roam the island, licking away at the sap of the trees whenever it leaks! Oddly enough, however, these creatures seem incapable of reproducing... making them extremely hard to find.
An innate ability gained from this new addiction, however, is that the bears gain a high level of aggression to those who approach trees they feed on. Reports show that, when they fear their food source will be harmed to messed with, the Boldyr can electrify their changed fur, turning them into walking generators! Caution is advised, as their charges are equal to getting hit with a high-powered taser!
Glizards: With the various, new trees bursting forth and the differing levels for wildlife to grow in, a more prominent tree-dwelling Lizard has been identified on the island. While Marine investigators say the creature has been on the island for ages, it would seem that, much like the Boldyr, that the surge of new trees has affected the native population of hopping lizards... into Glizards!
From only a few inches long to a staggering two feet long, the Glizard's coloring can be nearly any under the rainbow and to any variation. This means that they can be entirely dark green... or colored almost like a rainbow. In terms of features, the Glizard has a rather flat body and feathers running along the ridge of its back and along its arms. This of course is born from their origin as hopping lizards, the newfound feathers allowing them to achieve a more real-level of flight. And just like their scales, these feathers can be just about any color. When attempting to glide, the creature is nimble enough even in its larger state to navigate the tight confines of branches that make-up the canopies of Treelore.
Basic Woodland Creatures: From a stupid little bunny to a deer, the island's native forest critters remain. While most of them have trouble navigating the new and denser woods, they're far from incapable of surviving on the island. There's literally nothing else to say, as these are the most basic creatures one could imagine on an island with a forest. Squirrels, foxes, and whatever else you probably think of.
Inhabitants:The only inhabitants of the island, of course, are humans. While there might be an occasional oddball, the island's "true" inhabitants are the original humans that held it for so long and the mostly human relief effort that arrived to help the island get fixed up. Simple as that!
Prominent Organizations, Groups and Establishments:The Leaflet Kingdom
- The original "faction" of the island and most commonly consisting of those who have been on the island well before the restoration effort. Due to the lasting effects of the Hoshi's visit, this "Kingdom" is based around the principle that Pirates can be far better than most outsiders. Unlike the other kingdoms that have sprung up, the Leaflets are found in the canopies of the island's massive trees. More specifically, they're surrounding the very first Hercules Trees, the massive and strong "arms" of the tree holding the Shooting Star in place like a trophy. As far as attire goes, these people declare their native-look by wearing leaf skirts... even if it's over the attire of normal "seafarers" in the known world.
The Barkley Kingdom
- The "newest" group on the island and comprised mostly of settlers, restoration experts, and Marines. Due to their affiliation with the Marines, of course, this group is what the World Government most actively works with, often making the island once again a shining example of World Government rule. However, unlike the other two kingdoms, this one has an active interest in the island due to the newest trees rather than the famous Muscle Oaks. The only thing of note, however, is that this is the only faction divided. The reason for this, of course, is due to the man known as Tom Morton, who seeks to rebuild the island hand-in-hand with the natives. On the opposing side, however, is the new Marine Commander known as Commander Davis McLuhan who would be fine with killing the natives for the aggressive retaliation of the Rootington Kingdom.
Based in the island's only "natural harbor" that was cleared by their landing, these foreign invaders are known for wearing bark-reinforced armor. It makes it heavy, but it's certainly tough enough to keep the troublesome "natives" from acting out against their regulated cutting and expansion plans.
The Rootington Kingdom
- Comprised of radical natives and commonly named for being the "root" of the island's troubles, the Rootington Kingdom hides in the closely-packed forest floor of the island. Constantly staying on the move, they harvest roots from the new trees and old trees alike, trying to damage them and bring the mighty beasts down before they're ready for chopping down. Their goals are to make the island free for the old residents of Treelore. They miss the days that Treegap was just a small-time wood farm. And they'll fight, wearing suits made of mysterious roots and plants, until they can restore their island to the small and glorious nature it had before.
Trends:Fashion
Depending on culture, the island is known for different forms of fashion. However, the unified fashion is the standard attire seen over much of the world, consisting of pants and long-sleeve shirts and long-dresses. This fashion changes considerably based on which "Kingdom" the people follow. High up in the trees, the Leaflet Kingdom wears skirts and accessories made from the plentiful amounts they have access to. The members of the Barkley Kingdom, as the name slyly hints at, are known for wearing armors and outfits reinforced with the large amount of wood they harvest from trees. And finally, but not least, are the Rootington Kingdom, who hide their true looks under outfits spun and formed from the various roots found on the island and from fibers of the few tiny plants that grow within the island's massive forest.
Politics
While the government is suffering from internal factions, the "voice" of the island is the Barkley Kingdom. As such, the island is affiliated with the World Government, but is marked as a "Trouble-Maker". This means that most Marine forces on the island are viewed with scrutiny by the majority and the island itself is in a situation of careful balance between falling into Revolutionary-like status.
On a more personal scale, these "Kingdoms" are poorly named. In truth, they resemble republics or democratic societies. In this manner, they elect leaders that they name King or Leader, rather than selecting by traits or blood. For this very reason, the island's factions see much swaying in terms of power that only adds to the difficulty of re-establishing order...
Industry
Much like the original name of Treegap was known for, Treelore is prized for the amount of wood products it now brings to the table. Zeusbark, Poseidon Roots, and Hercules Trees have only bolstered this image beyond just "Muscle Oaks". For this very reason, the island's cove has become a booming drydock to mirror the graces of Water 7. However, the skill of these islanders is only just growing to above the average shipwright. As such, they rely heavily on trade and "accessorizing" ships with their island's new trees! Using this money, they're able to import bears to help their dwindling population and better prepare another export for shipping!
Cuisine
Cuisine is rather standard on the island, despite the new trees. More precisely, this means that most meals are made of meat, fish, and vegetables of the most simple variety. However, the newly-created Boldyr, when captured, have been harvested for their meat. This meat, when set on a stove top, actually crackles and releases sparks of electricity! Along with having a good taste and being filling, this food has helped establish another field of trade for Treelore to the point that bears are brought to the island and released, allowing them to become mutated before being tracked down and captured for sale!
NPCS
Commander Davis McLuhan: Despite his looks and height of 5'10", Davis McLuhan is a recently announced Commander of the Treelore detachment of Marines. Originally part of one of the newly raised Marine divisions in response to the surge of pirates hunting One Piece, Davis rose through the ranks staggeringly fast, reaching Commander in under a year. However, this is due to the World Draft placing him initially at the rank of Ensign. With a skill in swordsmanship to rival those on the Grand Line and only at the age of 19, Davis has earned a reputation for despising the radical natives and the pirate-supporting Leaflet Kingdom.
Lacey Shultz: A strange-looking woman rumored to have come from another island. Standing at 5'4" and her appearance, she could certainly pull off the look. Despite this rumor, she insists she was born and raised on Treelore for the nineteen years, back when it was known as Treegap. To make matters stranger, the Leaflet Kingdom has accepted her as a sort of directional voice, to the point the mysterious woman is almost like a priestess or oracle. Her abode, because of this, is within the once-legendary ship left behind... the Shooting Star. As the directional voice of her Kingdom, Lacey firmly believes that the Leaflet should worship the previous saviors of the island and honor the memory of the Hoshi Pirates.
Sake: A man known only by the name of the drink he's often seen with, Sake's identity is unknown, due mainly to the collection of roots that cover most of his body. Despite all of this, he's known as the "voice" of the people in the Rootington Kingdom, often unifying the group once decisions have been made and leading them into battle. Oddly enough, the man is never seen with any weapon, instead using his strikes to bring down the unfortunate foes to come across his path. Since no one knows what Sake looks like, he might be anyone. However, the one thing that's clear is that he (similar to Lacey) acts as the voice of his people. Leading from the front, he boldly supports the ideas that Treelore is for the original residents and not the immigrants brought on by the surge of new trees.[/ul]
Town(s)/Village(s)/City or Cities:
{Spoiler}{Locations}Star-Man Town: Earning its name thanks to the Hoshi Pirates they worship and thank for saving the island, Star-Man Town is based in the treetops of many trees surrounding the original Hercules Tree to be formed. The home to the Leaflet Kingdom, it's not hard to see why Star-Man Town is decorated with tons of leaves. Bridges and ropes allow anyone and everyone to visit the ship, but the various buildings in the treetops nearby ensure that everyone in the town at least gets to gaze in glory at the prized possession of the town!
Port Hardknock and Fort August: With the clearing and expansion of Treegap into Treelore, Port Hardknock is effectively home to those who remain loyal to the World Government despite the snafu on the Marines parts in the island's past. As the name implies, the town is based along the only cove that leads straight onto the island safely. Thanks to all the trade going in and out from Treelore, Hardknock has boomed and grown greatly. With the proximity to the Poseidonroots, water all around the port is choppy... but the actual whirlpools are thankfully just distant enough to allow docking without much worry. And while the town looks like much of the known world's towns, the brick brought in to build was from a foreign nation... effectively making every building either black or grey in color!
Fort August is a recently erected Fort. While it's part of the Port Town, the fort is in opposite position one may expect. Rather than being positioned near the shore, it's the furthest point inland. Extending massive walls to wrap and protect the town from the treeline, the black stone that makes up Fort August makes it even more imposing. While most forts carry a large assortment of Marines, the fort's relatively new formation and small command staff has it sitting at around 2,000 troops, counting even Commander Davis.
Deepbay Village: The village of the roaming Rootington Kingdom, Deepbay is almost never in a specific location. Always based somewhere deep within the island's new forests, this village is composed of tents and half-houses that can be picked up and moved for the most part. However, partly due to the fact that not everything can be moved... the town isn't entirely without traces. Previous camps and zones spot the woods and are often trapped by the members of the Kingdom to keep-watch for those either wishing to join or trying to track the warriors down.
Port Hardknock and Fort August: With the clearing and expansion of Treegap into Treelore, Port Hardknock is effectively home to those who remain loyal to the World Government despite the snafu on the Marines parts in the island's past. As the name implies, the town is based along the only cove that leads straight onto the island safely. Thanks to all the trade going in and out from Treelore, Hardknock has boomed and grown greatly. With the proximity to the Poseidonroots, water all around the port is choppy... but the actual whirlpools are thankfully just distant enough to allow docking without much worry. And while the town looks like much of the known world's towns, the brick brought in to build was from a foreign nation... effectively making every building either black or grey in color!
Fort August is a recently erected Fort. While it's part of the Port Town, the fort is in opposite position one may expect. Rather than being positioned near the shore, it's the furthest point inland. Extending massive walls to wrap and protect the town from the treeline, the black stone that makes up Fort August makes it even more imposing. While most forts carry a large assortment of Marines, the fort's relatively new formation and small command staff has it sitting at around 2,000 troops, counting even Commander Davis.
Deepbay Village: The village of the roaming Rootington Kingdom, Deepbay is almost never in a specific location. Always based somewhere deep within the island's new forests, this village is composed of tents and half-houses that can be picked up and moved for the most part. However, partly due to the fact that not everything can be moved... the town isn't entirely without traces. Previous camps and zones spot the woods and are often trapped by the members of the Kingdom to keep-watch for those either wishing to join or trying to track the warriors down.
Potential Plot Hooks:
{Spoiler}{Missions}Besting A God... Tree: While it's not hard to miss the vast Zeusbark Trees already, a most strange event unfolds. While on the island, you and others bear witness to the birth of one of these trees... but it's far larger than any of the others! Not only that, but something brilliantly radiates from the top! Can you find out what the source of the light is and brave climbing the massive behemoth? Or will you take another way up? Perhaps you'll try to bring the treasure down from the heavens. It's a long way up, but also a long way down, though!
Smuggler's Gambit! Dodge!: Dodging isn't hard, but when the obstacle is giant whirlpools, it's a lot harder than dodging a punch! Navigate the whirlpools to slip in undetected, run the Marine blockade to reach the port without the danger, or try to find some other ingenious way to get the smugglers on and off the island with whatever they came to get, sell, or buy!
Smuggler's Gambit! Dodge!: Dodging isn't hard, but when the obstacle is giant whirlpools, it's a lot harder than dodging a punch! Navigate the whirlpools to slip in undetected, run the Marine blockade to reach the port without the danger, or try to find some other ingenious way to get the smugglers on and off the island with whatever they came to get, sell, or buy!
Island History:
{Spoiler}{History}Before the Storm
Before the Hoshi Pirates came to Treegap and before the storm that changed it into Treelore, the history of the island is scarce. Most believe the island to have been much the same it is now for the last three hundred years, barring the technological advances that reached most of the world. The only thing that is known, however, is that the island was originally not populated and was overrun with nature until the settlers landed roughly three hundred and fifty years ago.
The Hoshi Incident and The Storm
It is well-known that the Hoshi Pirates visited Treegap, but the exact incident isn't... entirely well-known. The island's natives were being plagued by a Lumberjack company seeking to strip their island of the prized wood while the Marines dispatched to the island did little to nothing to stop them. Once the Hoshi Pirates arrived, they bested the lumberjack leaders and shattered the organization. Once saved, the people watched as the heroes were captured by the Marines before breaking out again and escaping. Even though the fights had left the island in tatters, the truth was that the Hoshi Pirates had ultimately helped them... and the following days on the island changed it vastly.
The townsfolk wanted to memorialize their saviors, but the remaining Marines on the island wanted no part of it. When the townsfolk retreated into the island's woods and left the Marines to rebuild alone, the World Government was stunned by the sight of the Shooting Star nestled in the treetops. Steadily the island seemed poised to be wrestled from the World Government's control as the Marines lost the faith of the people... but a storm was approaching very quickly. A hurricane from another island's outrageous weather swept the seas... and the entire island was shaken.
People clung to the branches, hid in the houses, and all prayed for the storm to pass quickly. Instead, the rebuilding of the island was put on halt for two weeks straight. Lightning bolts rained on the island, setting alight some trees and simply felling others. The energy levels swept and rose through the island... and it was during these two weeks of extreme, almost New World-worthy weather that Treegap changed. The first change, of course, was the first formation of a Hercules Tree, the very first exploding and rising upward proudly among the trees to hoist the Shooting Star. And as if the people's wishes to have their own place was heard, trees all around the island began to morph and change rapidly. More direct lightning strikes sounded only an instant before the Zeusbarks exploded into life. The ground shook as the powerful Poseidonroots dug deep and soaked in and changed the very land. Through something almost unbelievable and straight out of a nightmare, the island changed faster than few could imagine.
The Divide
As the storm at last faded, the island was left changed. The weather had changed the climate somewhat to better allow storms and chilly winds. The very forests that seemed orderly now seemed even more lost to the elements than the oldest records suggested. Treegap wasn't the same... and the natives and Marines could all agree on that. Renaming it Treelore, the dividing tension seemed to stop as efforts were made to assess the status of the island. Marines escorted the natives and their specialists around to investigate the once humble, small trade island... and discovered with every step that it was a new place. Woodland creatures roamed the tight forests still, but as people looked toward the canopies above, glimmering sights of Glizards stuck out. Perhaps it was due to their colorful scales catching the little light that seeped through the leaves, but no one recalled such things on the island. Further investigation showed that the bear population had even begun to undergo changes into the Boldyr.
However, it was as the group investigated the island that the tensions began to arise once more. Talk of cutting down trees had inspired the Hoshi-backing people to disagree with the Marines... but some of them even took it out of context more due to the idea of bringing in foreigners to do the cutting. The schism formed just from the idea of people coming to the island to harm their woods inspired one group to break off and flee into the woods. The Marines and remaining men and women split up to avoid any conflict... but they all agreed the third party was doomed to die. It was on this day that the three factions were formed... and everything began to change on the newly-dubbed Treelore.
The Remainder to Recent Times
As the three factions made their divide, various events unfolded on the island. The first and foremost, of course, being the formation of the Barkley and Leaflet Kingdoms. The Leaflets continued supporting the idea that Pirates were better off for the island than the Marines, while the Barkleys were formed of more forgiving folks, Marines, and the foreigners brought in to repair the port town. As the two factions expanded and rebuilt their towns from the storm, however, the third party began to raid the Marines and few people who continued cutting and siphoning off wood for trade. Claiming themselves to be the Rootington Kingdom, they were confirmed the survivors that slipped away during the examination of the island. Their guerrilla tactics ensured that hostilties continued to rise. Leaders rose among the three kingdoms as Sake, Lacey, and Tom all originally tried to vie for peace. It was at this point that even Sake, the most eager to fight these days, was trying to spread a message of driving off foreigners to keep "Treelore for Treegap's survivors". Before peace could be established, however, the reinforcements for the Marines at last arrived to rebuild the town and to secure it from the various other factions. A single man led the large force, a Commander Davis McLuhan, with the simple intention that anyone who fought the World Government would be hunted down, captured, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
And that brings us to today. Even though it hasn't been long, the effects of the Hoshi Pirates changed this island enough that when the storm landed it shifted much of the island's people. Now poised for a potential three-way war, the island is in a state of unease... and potentially a target for even the Revolutionary forces to inspire an uprising in with careful planning. Only time will tell if Treelore can survive its current state!
Before the Hoshi Pirates came to Treegap and before the storm that changed it into Treelore, the history of the island is scarce. Most believe the island to have been much the same it is now for the last three hundred years, barring the technological advances that reached most of the world. The only thing that is known, however, is that the island was originally not populated and was overrun with nature until the settlers landed roughly three hundred and fifty years ago.
The Hoshi Incident and The Storm
It is well-known that the Hoshi Pirates visited Treegap, but the exact incident isn't... entirely well-known. The island's natives were being plagued by a Lumberjack company seeking to strip their island of the prized wood while the Marines dispatched to the island did little to nothing to stop them. Once the Hoshi Pirates arrived, they bested the lumberjack leaders and shattered the organization. Once saved, the people watched as the heroes were captured by the Marines before breaking out again and escaping. Even though the fights had left the island in tatters, the truth was that the Hoshi Pirates had ultimately helped them... and the following days on the island changed it vastly.
The townsfolk wanted to memorialize their saviors, but the remaining Marines on the island wanted no part of it. When the townsfolk retreated into the island's woods and left the Marines to rebuild alone, the World Government was stunned by the sight of the Shooting Star nestled in the treetops. Steadily the island seemed poised to be wrestled from the World Government's control as the Marines lost the faith of the people... but a storm was approaching very quickly. A hurricane from another island's outrageous weather swept the seas... and the entire island was shaken.
People clung to the branches, hid in the houses, and all prayed for the storm to pass quickly. Instead, the rebuilding of the island was put on halt for two weeks straight. Lightning bolts rained on the island, setting alight some trees and simply felling others. The energy levels swept and rose through the island... and it was during these two weeks of extreme, almost New World-worthy weather that Treegap changed. The first change, of course, was the first formation of a Hercules Tree, the very first exploding and rising upward proudly among the trees to hoist the Shooting Star. And as if the people's wishes to have their own place was heard, trees all around the island began to morph and change rapidly. More direct lightning strikes sounded only an instant before the Zeusbarks exploded into life. The ground shook as the powerful Poseidonroots dug deep and soaked in and changed the very land. Through something almost unbelievable and straight out of a nightmare, the island changed faster than few could imagine.
The Divide
As the storm at last faded, the island was left changed. The weather had changed the climate somewhat to better allow storms and chilly winds. The very forests that seemed orderly now seemed even more lost to the elements than the oldest records suggested. Treegap wasn't the same... and the natives and Marines could all agree on that. Renaming it Treelore, the dividing tension seemed to stop as efforts were made to assess the status of the island. Marines escorted the natives and their specialists around to investigate the once humble, small trade island... and discovered with every step that it was a new place. Woodland creatures roamed the tight forests still, but as people looked toward the canopies above, glimmering sights of Glizards stuck out. Perhaps it was due to their colorful scales catching the little light that seeped through the leaves, but no one recalled such things on the island. Further investigation showed that the bear population had even begun to undergo changes into the Boldyr.
However, it was as the group investigated the island that the tensions began to arise once more. Talk of cutting down trees had inspired the Hoshi-backing people to disagree with the Marines... but some of them even took it out of context more due to the idea of bringing in foreigners to do the cutting. The schism formed just from the idea of people coming to the island to harm their woods inspired one group to break off and flee into the woods. The Marines and remaining men and women split up to avoid any conflict... but they all agreed the third party was doomed to die. It was on this day that the three factions were formed... and everything began to change on the newly-dubbed Treelore.
The Remainder to Recent Times
As the three factions made their divide, various events unfolded on the island. The first and foremost, of course, being the formation of the Barkley and Leaflet Kingdoms. The Leaflets continued supporting the idea that Pirates were better off for the island than the Marines, while the Barkleys were formed of more forgiving folks, Marines, and the foreigners brought in to repair the port town. As the two factions expanded and rebuilt their towns from the storm, however, the third party began to raid the Marines and few people who continued cutting and siphoning off wood for trade. Claiming themselves to be the Rootington Kingdom, they were confirmed the survivors that slipped away during the examination of the island. Their guerrilla tactics ensured that hostilties continued to rise. Leaders rose among the three kingdoms as Sake, Lacey, and Tom all originally tried to vie for peace. It was at this point that even Sake, the most eager to fight these days, was trying to spread a message of driving off foreigners to keep "Treelore for Treegap's survivors". Before peace could be established, however, the reinforcements for the Marines at last arrived to rebuild the town and to secure it from the various other factions. A single man led the large force, a Commander Davis McLuhan, with the simple intention that anyone who fought the World Government would be hunted down, captured, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
And that brings us to today. Even though it hasn't been long, the effects of the Hoshi Pirates changed this island enough that when the storm landed it shifted much of the island's people. Now poised for a potential three-way war, the island is in a state of unease... and potentially a target for even the Revolutionary forces to inspire an uprising in with careful planning. Only time will tell if Treelore can survive its current state!
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