About The Island

[Blaka]

created by Vio

Name
Crescent Moon Islands


Society
Crescent Republic
_{A democratic republican country that unites the various settlements situated across the islands, under the leadership of a high council and a supporting committee. It is an independent island, protected from the World Government's influence thanks to being part of the territory of a Royal Daibukai.}


Size of Island
Very Large
_{Equivalent to Dressrosa}


Location
Grand Line
_{First Island in what is currently known as the Warring Route}


Log Pose Time
Three Weeks


Climatic Type
Spring


Climate & Weather
The Crescent Moon Islands experience a very stable, temperate climate all throughout the year. Thanks to the influence of Reverse Mountain, the hotter extremes that the islands would normally be subjected to are balanced out, thus making Crescent one of the most manageable and comfortable climatic regions in the earliest areas of the Grand Line. Temperatures average between 5°C (41°F) to 23°C (73°F), dropping somewhat lower and a few degrees higher during the peaks of winter and summer. It rarely drops below freezing.

Crescent tends to experience a mix of standard meteorological phenomenon, including persistent rainfall and warm, sunny spells. Cloud cover is relatively consistent, ranging from sparse to thick depending on the time of year. As a whole, there are no real extremes, regardless of altitude. Even the mountainous regions of the island (which are the only ones to experience consistent snowfall in the winter months) are not subject to too much in the way of chaotic weather patterns.


Island Appearance
As the name suggests, the island is shaped roughly like that of a large crescent moon, consisting of three or four individual segments connected by various works of geology and architecture. The bulk of the crescent itself is rugged and mountainous, whilst the edges are significantly less rough but more thickly forested. Within the void of the crescent is a smaller islet upon which the Capital is situated. An array of rocks and reefs connect the tapered ends of the crescent, encompassing the sea and preventing ease of access for many larger galleons and vessels of similar magnitude. When approaching the island from Reverse Mountain, most ships approach the southern point of the crescent, where the largest port is located.


Flora & Fauna
As a whole, the Crescent Moon Islands are home to a diverse array of fantastic wildlife; the plant life in particular is especially unique here, with many aspects of culture having been developed around the assortment of botanical marvels. Most vegetation is rather mundane, albeit flamboyant, and serves little purpose to human culture. Many plants are used for culinary processes, including the roots of certain plants which turn sweet when boiled, fruits that can be mashed into a sweet jelly, and so on. Other plants are used as medicines, while some are extremely dangerous. Native animal life tends to include an assortment of birds (many of which colourful), insects and smaller reptiles that thrive in the stability of the climate. Deer, goats and a few other larger mammals also exist, but nothing really ferocious outside of an iconic species:

Gibbous Shadow
The most dangerous plant in all of Crescent, it is distinct pale green plant covered in stiff hairs and decorated with a dark purple flower. It tends to have a rather thick stem, especially near where the blooms occur, and the weight of this causes the plant to arch over. It is found chiefly in the wooded areas of the island and secretes a clear substance that condenses around the hairs. If pricked by the hairs or eaten, the toxins within the plant quickly get to work, having the potential of killing a grown man within a matter of hours. Symptoms include heightened blood pressure, dizziness and loss of appetite, gradually leading into feverish temperatures and sharp, persistent joint pain as the toxin takes root. The antidote is rather hard to produce, but it is common for the people to carry a sample of the medication.

Mondonia
Developed by Professor Mondon of the Lunar Circle Science Team, Mondonia are a family of plants which serve various purposes and better the lifestyles of the Crescent people. These plants have special structures which react to the application of pressure, causing the entire specimen to undergo special internal reactions that can be used for specific needs. Examples include:

• _{Brightstalk
  Plants that grow to a height of approximately 10' (300 cm), they are tall and straight flowers that are related to grasses and connect to one another via a network of roots. Each plant has a single white-yellow crescent-shaped flower whose petals produce light during the night. They are used as street lamps throughout the towns of Crescent, their roots reacting to changes in pressure within the ground made by people walking, thus allowing the plants to conserve their energy when there are no pedestrians nearby. A smaller, more readily portable variant is often used in the mines of Smith Fort to provide much needed light in the tunnel depths.}
• _{Eleafator
  A poor pun on the professor's behalf, the Eleafator consists of thick and sturdy foliage upon a strong and equally durable stalk. Still considered something of a luxury due to how long they take to cultivate, the stems of these plants are naturally coiled up tightly, but will progressively unwind when exposed to sufficient pressure changes around the roots. Special structures increase water pressure within the stalk, causing the plants to raise higher in times of high moisture content, but recoiling when the water supply is lower. When fully uncoiled, the Eleafator stalks can reach several stories tall, making them valuable pieces of technology in the taller buildings of Crescent Central.}
• _{Mondola
  Used primarily in Waterway, Mondola are small boats crafted from the enormous leaves of the Mondola Trees, which are cultivated specifically in the Lunar Circle Laboratory. They are used on the canals of Waterway City as a form of public transport, capable of supporting the weight of around four average people. Because the Mondola Trees are deciduous, Mondola are only usually seen during the spring and summer months, and not during the colder seasons. Unfortunately, Mondola Trees only seem to grow efficiently in the soils of Crescent.}
• _{Dousing Vine
  This species of Mondoria is used by fire fighting teams and other establishments throughout the Crescent Moon Islands, coming in both a small and large variety. The main body of the plant is a bulbous tuber which can swell and store large quantities of water, while the stems of the plant form as flexible, rubbery vines that end in distinctly fleshy and trumpet-like leaves. When the leaves are squeezed tightly, they increase the pressure of the xylem, causing a large volume of water to travel from the tuber and be ejected from the leaf in a stream. They are used to extinguish fires within buildings, while a handful of larger variants are kept in use by local fire departments in order to tackle more ferocious blazes.}
• _{Boarnip
  A form of naturally occurring plant upon which the Curly Tusked Boars feed, it seems to have something of a pacifying effect on the otherwise highly aggressive males. However, the natural version does not last long, so a stronger variant was cultivated which is now fed to boars in order to domesticate them and use them for public transport purposes. The stronger variant resembles a light blue leaf, but is exceptionally chewy. It can take an average Curly Tusked Boar the best part of an hour to chew the leaf completely.}

Curly Tusked Boar
A type of wild pig native to the wooded areas of the Crescent Moon Islands, these creatures can grow to impeccable sizes, with full-grown males typically weighing in excess of 650 lbs (300 kg) and growing as tall as an average man at the shoulder. Some have been purported to grow even larger, with the most prominent specimens reaching up to 12' (3.65 m) and weighing in at over a ton. These Goliath individuals rarely occur and are thought to dwell only in and around the base of the Crescent Mountain Range, where they demonstrate incredibly territorial behaviors towards all. Their thick, light and matted hair provides immense protection, but their most distinguishing features are their tusks. Thick and curled, not to mention as tough as solid steel, these massive tusks are designed more for crushing opponents against boulders and trees than piercing flesh. Females have smaller tusks, while the young are hairless and pink for several months until they start to reach maturity. These boars are also used as a form of public transport across the bridges that connect Waterway City and Marshfield to Crescent Central, towing wagons of hefty payload across the bridges.


Inhabitants
The primary inhabitants of the Crescent Moon Islands are human in origin, with no particularly unusual traits standing out among individuals. They are generally notable for their chiseled features and lighter eye coloration, while hair color varies quite heavily between fairer and darker. The typical skin tone is moderately tanned, with the people of Smith Fort tending to have a fairer complexion and those of Waterway being more noticeably bronzed. The average height of men is approximately 5'10" (178 cm), while women tend to average at about 5'5" (165 cm).


Prominent Organizations
Crescent Moon Council
A league of the most powerful political individuals within the Crescent Republic. They are the spokesmen and women for the people, instating laws and regulating the progress of the island as necessary. There are a total of five seats among the Crescent Council, each dedicated to one of the four settlements of the Republic - Crescent Central, Waterway, Smith Fort, Marshfield - and another to the Royal Daibukai who helps govern and protect the island.

Republican Restoration Committee
Beneath the Crescent Moon Council are a number of other individuals who hold a political sway in the functionality of the Republic. Among them are several subsidiary groups which help to support the various political, economical and judicial methods of the people. Generally, they have a better connection with the people than that of the Council, being higher-ranking members of farming organizations, law enforcement and so on. It is thanks to their efforts in particular that the country has managed to recuperate rather heavily from the former tyranny of Selethen.

Crescent Enforcers
Formerly, these individuals served as the primary militaristic force under Selethen. However, they have long since reclaimed their position as the chief law enforcement and peacekeepers of the Crescent Republic, working with the people to maintain a sense of safety and perseverance in the face of potential dangers. Unfortunately, they are one of the only lines of defense available to the people and, while they might be eternally wary of individuals such as the Royal Daibukai, they certainly appreciate the aid in the defense of their country. Their leader, Rustan, is an impeccable fighter and wise individual.

Lunar Circle Science Team
A very well-known group of scientists who specialize in and research the various flora and fauna of the Crescent Moon Islands, dedicating themselves to the scientific betterment of the Republic through the domestication and cultivation of various forms of wildlife and vegetation. Thanks to their research and development, many of the hardships of the island have been overcome, including food crises and economical limitations. Selethen's defeat has allowed them to focus on more beneficial tasks, such as medicine, which has greatly improved the quality of life for many people.

The Jade Mandate
Though the tyrannical reign of Selethen has come to an end, a group of his most dedicated followers has begun to collect themselves within the shadows of the Crescent Republic. Believing heavily that the former King's ruthless rule made the people of Crescent as strong as they are today, the Jade Mandate silently serves to reinstate the tyrant's rule and regime. Their exact numbers and plans are unknown to the masses, let alone their identity, but their numbers (though small) are comprised of a great deal of strong and clever individuals about whom all should be wary. They appreciate strength, physical and mental alike, and show little tolerance for the weak and feeble.


Trends
Fashions
Cultural fashion focus tends to be rather simplistic, with men and women alike wearing more simplistic attire; shirts and shorts, dresses and so on are all rather common. Floral patterns seem to be something of a preference.

Laws & Politics
Many of the Crescent Moon Republic's laws are developed by the people, specifically by the Crescent Moon Council and its supportive Republican Restoration Committee. Though some of Selethen's laws remain intact, many people (including the Enforcers) choose to ignore such things in favor of healthier, less brutal approaches. Generally, the laws are rather logical, penalizing thievery, bodily harm and all the general things one would expect. They are not directly associated with the World Government, bound only through the connection formed by the Royal Daibukai Nero Trojan, which has thus allowed the people to maintain their way of life without intervention from the Marines.

The Republic is primarily democratic in nature, hosting biannual polls regarding the integration of new laws and options of development. Such laws are first considered by the Crescent Moon Council before being presented to the public, though many are developed thanks to the connection between the Republic Restoration Committee and the general populace. The Island is strongly associated with benevolent piratical activity, remaining proud allies of the Gold Dream Pirates as well as the likes of the Nero Trojan.

Industry
Each locale of the Crescent Moon Islands focuses on a particular industry. Marshfield Village is a primary farming location of rare plants and medicinal herbs, while Waterway Village is more heavily focused upon the fishing industry. Smith Fort focuses on quarrying and mining and, during Selethen's rule, served as a hub of blacksmiths and other weapons crafting. Crescent Central does not have much in the way of particular industry, but it is here that the Lunar Circle work on and develop various works of botanical marvel. Indeed, Crescent has recently become famed for its use of special plants.

Cuisine
Due to its apparent abundance of plant life, fruits and salads are a common meal. Meat it considered something more of a luxury, though it has become progressively more affordable thanks to commercial growth within the Republic. Still, finer cuts of meat are typically reserved for festivals and similarly special occasions, such as the annual celebration of Selethen's defeat at the hands of the Gold Dream Pirates. A famous dessert known as Gold Dream Pudding has recently been developed, consisting of a lime jelly base, cream and a layer of caramelized brown sugar that adopts something of a golden hue. It is a culinary tribute to the events that saved Crescent from the tyrant's rule.


Non-Player Characters
Wilson, Councilman
Chairman of the Republican Restoration Committee and one of the five members of the Crescent Moon Council, he is one of the most respected individuals in the country, possessing a jovial personality and kind heart. Being at the very least in his seventies, this gentleman is wise and full of knowledge to share. Despite his tendencies, the people respect him and follow his lead. He holds a lot of sway in regards to the policies of the island. He is rather slender, with whitened hair and pale eyes, but otherwise looks extremely healthy and bright despite his age. He walks with a cane.

Rustan, Captain of the Enforcers
A brave and honest man who works tirelessly to uphold the law and maintain peace throughout the country, diligently striving to make something of the Enforcers in the wake of Selethen's defeat. As one of the men who worked to overthrow Selethen, as well as a former denizen of the streets, Rustan is a man whose presence certainly demands respect. He can seem rather gruff at times, stressing about various situations and rarely switching off, but is all the same a kind man. Tall, dark-haired and bright-eyed, he looks a little older than he actually is, being in his early thirties. He is a skilled fighter, both armed and unarmed, and is considered one of Crescent's strongest.

Professor Mondon, Scientist
The head of research for the Lunar Circle Science Team, Mondon is something of an erratic and eccentric individual who tends to drive people away because of his unpredictable bouts of silliness. However, he is highly respected for his scientific progress, having developed various forms of flora which serve to benefit the lifestyles of the people. His laboratory is located within Crescent Moon Central, though unlucky individuals may soon find themselves coerced into one of his various experiments. Short and stout, with wild auburn hair and light eyes hidden behind thick spectacles, he is a rather iconic fellow.
His exact age is unknown and, when asked, he never seems to give a straight answer. He is at least forty, as confirmed by some of his interns.

Neith, Blacksmith
The most famous blacksmith is all of Crescent, Neith is a legend among the people, residing in Smith Fort. He is somewhat notorious for being a bit of a loner, interacting with people only when sale of his wares is involved, and has so far turned down offering an apprenticeship to any of the island's own aspiring smiths. Powerful in build and bronzed by the heat of the forge, his eyes are very sharp and his head shaven, save for a rough beard. Despite being in his late fifties, he doesn't look it! Though his fees are often expensive, the quality of his craftsmanship is worth every Beri spent. Though once offered a seat upon the council, he refused it, though he his still loyal to the Republic.

Zenith, Leader of the Jade Mandate
Head of the cult that worships Selethen, Zenith never actually worked under the tyrant, but strives to reinstate his malevolent rule upon the people all the same. Powerful, durable and cunning, Zenith is known to fight without weapons and is purported to be more than capable of matching Rustan in mortal combat. Though he has attempted once or twice to overthrow the Republic, he has yet to make a lasting impact, but is still seen as a terrorist by the people. Fittingly, his eyes are green and his body bears numerous green tattoos symbolic of Selethen's regime. He is relatively young, sitting in his late twenties, but is far wiser and cunning than his age would suggest.

Nero Trojan, Royal Daibukai
Trojan is a powerful pirate who recently instated the Crescent Moon Islands as a part of his territory. He is a bright and joyful individual, albeit a bit blunt and invasive in his methods, and sees the island as more of a home away from home than a focus of his rule. He is perhaps one of the most powerful individuals in all of Crescent, but rarely sees a need to exercise his power (his combined Devil Fruit abilities and Haki mastery) on the island itself.

Octavier, The Exorcist
A tall and (once) handsome man in his mid thirties, standing approximately eight feet tall, with short dark hair and cool blue eyes, the people of Crescent formerly revered him as a benevolent and wise hero. However, in truth he is charismatic and manipulative, not to mention a skilled martial artist. His Devil Fruit, the Hara Hara no Mi, allows him to pull a person's spirit from their body and turn them into a ghost, or place them into another uninhabited (living) body. In the wake of his defeat, he experience severe injuries, but managed to retreat to an unknown location.


Settlements & Places of Interest
Crescent Central
The capital city of the Crescent Moon Republic, Crescent Central is situated on the islet locked within the inner sea of the interlocked archipelago. Despite its status as the primate city, it cannot be easily accessed from the sea, as a naturally occurring barrier reef prevents all but smaller vessels from reaching the inner edge of the crescent. However, it can be accessed via a series of lengthy bridges that connect it to such settlements as Waterway and Marshfield. The city itself covers most of the central islet, being quite iconic thanks to its tall buildings and housing the headquarters of numerous organizations that inhabit the island. Very few buildings are less than three stories.

Lunar Circle Laboratory
Located within Crescent Central, this is the site of research and development for Professor Mondon and his fellow scientific minds. The building itself resembles an enormous complex of greenhouses, approximately four stories tall at its highest point. It is here in which the professor works upon countless ways of improving the lifestyles of the people, cultivating plants for various reasons.

Crescent Castle & Coliseum
Formerly the site of Selethen's tyrannical rule, Crescent Castle has recently been reconstructed by the efforts of the Republican Restoration Committee and its (formerly) close ally Octavier. It now serves as a historical site, welcoming people into its walls, and is oft used as a banquet hall in the wake of high prestige events. It is situated within its own estate upon the central island, the grounds accessible from Crescent Central.

Within the grounds of the castle is a recently completed stadium. This arena hosts various games, including the celebratory Battle Royale; an improved and less brutal version of the games which Selethen used to run during his time. The stadium is of moderate size, consisting of several raised sets of spectator stands surrounding a sand arena. Within the middle of the arena is a raised stone ring upon which most competitions take place, though an underground mechanism allows it to be raised and lowered according to the coliseum's needs.

Waterway City
The second largest city on the Crescent Moon Islands, Waterway is situated on the tapered end of the crescent, hosting the largest port in the republic. It is (usually) the first port of call for travelers venturing down the Grand Line and also serves as a primary focus of foreign exchange and trade, hosting numerous markets and catering establishments. The city is architecturally known for its elaborate stonework structures, waterwheels and canals; numerous mills (powered by the flow of water) provide flour and such, while fishermen often deliver their wares here, making it something of a haven for cooks of various calibers.

Marshfield
Located on the opposing end of the crescent to Waterway, Marshfield is situated within a forested swamp region of Crescent Moon, making it something of a hub of agricultural development and progress. Despite being surrounded by thick swamp, the town is perhaps most famous for the variety of crops and medicinal herbs grown within the surprisingly rich and fertile soils in the area. The town itself is not very large in terms of population and is rather spaced out, consisting of various timber and brick buildings.

Smith Fort
A bastion situated near the peak of Mount Crescent, Smith Fort is the smallest settlement in all of the Crescent Moon Republic. Heavily fortified, it was originally only accessible via a rather difficult hiking trail up the mountains, but technological advancement has recently created a gondola system which allows easier access to and from the fortress. It is primarily home to miners who quarry and harvest ore from the tunnels within the mountains, and the blacksmiths who refine and forge the ore into weapons and other articles. Quarried stone is often shipped down the mountain and delivered to places such as Crescent Central and Waterway City, or otherwise used to help reinforce the structural integrity of the fort. Smith Fort has no direct route of access to Crescent Central, but rather relies on Waterway City as a way point, or otherwise shipping across the inner sea.


Plot Hooks

• _{Fight with or against Zenith and the Jade Mandate as they fight to reclaim Crescent Castle and bring back the tyrannical regime of Selethen.}
• _{Participate in the Battle Royale, a tournament which now prohibits the use of weapons in favour of pure martial skill.}
• _{Seek tutelage from Neith, the Blacksmith, or perhaps attempt to better him in a craftsman's competition?}

Island History
An island formed naturally by the volcanic activities of the Grand Line, Crescent Moon owes both its abundance and appearance to the geological activities that forged it. For quite some time the compact archipelago housed little more than a small settlement on the tapering southernmost end of the island, but steadily society grew and developed into something greater. Humanity took root as deep as the plants of Crescent, eventually founding a small kingdom who focused themselves upon the central islet.

Over the centuries, this kingdom prospered, ruled by a dynasty of no less than twelve benevolent kings (and a couple of queens in the process). As the kingdom grew, new decrees were forged, with settlements forming in the depths of the swamps as well as at the peak of the mountains. Fishing, mining and farming alike caused the economy of Crescent Kingdom to expand again and again; foreign trade aided the island further in its development.

The Tyrant
However, eventually the island would meet its match. A man by the name of Selethen, a brutal and ruthless piratical raider armed with a legion of fellow raiders and seemingly Devilish powers, would stake his claim to Crescent. In a fierce and bloody clash, Selethen the "Jade Silencer" overthrew the present monarch - a king without viable heir - and took the kingdom under his own crooked wing.

Under Selethen's rule, numerous horrors were enacted. The borders of the island were closed, horrid taxes were enforced and punishment for even the pettiest of crimes was made brutal and horrific. Most frightening of all was the Battle Royale; a tournament in which warriors from across the country were brought in to fight to the death, all for the sake of entertainment. Great in numbers, comprised of numerous pirates disciplined under his leadership, Selethen's army was nothing short of monstrous and went for a long time without critical opposition. For his army, it was strength and dedication to the tyrant's rule that determined rank.

Gold Dream Uprising
The iron rule of the Jade Emperor would continue for years, up until the arrival of the Gold Dream Pirates. Banding together with the people, the benevolent crew waged civil war upon Selethen and his corrupt regime, resulting in a bloody but eventually successful campaign which saw the tyrant forced to flee his kingdom. In the wake of this chaos, the people began to rebuild, rising from the ashes and dedicating themselves to the Gold Dream Pirates as outspoken allies. Without a king or queen to rule in Selethen's stead, the islanders instead formed a democratic republic.

Trojan Arrives
In the wake of Selethen's fall and the Gold Dream Pirate's departure, Crescent soon found itself in an odd predicament. Proclaiming their allegiance to a pirate crew presented a political challenge to a country so prominently positioned in the Grand Line. Silent threats from the World Government posed a burden to the island, up until a Nero Trojan became a valued member of the newly instated Royal Daibukai.

Deciding that the country posed a promising mix of niceties, Trojan decided to adopt it as a new home of his own. In doing this, the Crescent Moon Republic could breathe a sigh of relief; no longer did they have to worry about the looming threat of intervention by the regime of the World Government.

The False Hero
Eventually, a man known as Octavier arrived upon Crescent. Offering his aid to the people, the benevolent seafarer worked to help the republic heal from its most recent wounds. However, this man's influence held a dark secret, but one which he kept hidden from prying eyes for far longer than any might have expected. Using his Devil Fruit abilities, he worked to take control of Crescent for himself, albeit with a different regime in mind than that of the previous tyrant.

However, when Pluto and Scarlette Grimm-Rosa arrived, things took a turn for the better. Guided by a myriad of coincidences, the duo eventually participated in a Battle Royale, overcoming Octavier's henchmen (fellow participants) despite various handicaps imposed upon them and eventually confronting the Exorcist himself in a brutal final fight.

Octavier's defeat came about at the hands of a young boy named Ben - a resident of Crescent - whose emotions and tenacity proved too much for an otherwise insurmountable opponent. Thanks to the efforts of Pluto and Scarlette prior, Ben was finally able to defeat the criminal and shed a new light on what was actually happening.

With Octavier's defeat, the people of Crescent now rejoice, grateful for the fact that their country has once again been spared from disaster. However, there are always threats upon the horizon; even with Octavier's works of evil undone, shadows still dwell within the Crescent underworld. Zenith has gradually been gathering followers, the defeated Octavier purportedly among them now, and quietly works to bring a new tyrannical order of strength to the Crescent Moon Islands once again.