Post by Kurosaki on Aug 10, 2010 20:07:34 GMT -5
Created by Pablo, revised by Weeks.Name of Island: Crysiland[/blockquote]
Size of Island: Roughly 50 square miles (A little smaller than drum island)
Location: Grand Line, Peace Route
Log Pose Time: 12 hours
Climatic Type: Autumn type island
Climate: Crysiland is a an island normally found with Temperate weather. Rain and slightly higher winds are quite normal most of the time, with patches of light snow during the winter and the rare heat wave during the summer. This usually means that you find chimneys stoked and the smell of burning firewood wafting around the island constantly. Visitors are obliged to remember their umbrella or raincoat.
Island Appearance: Crysiland is nearly oval in shape though geographically oblong. It is covered in old growth forests with blue hued crystals. The island is very green and covered in shrubs due to the high rainfall yearly on the island.
Still, while the island is classified as an Autumn island, it is more of less a temperate zone with mild snowy winters and dry summers. The changing of the leaves is common depending of the season, and much of the island is scattered with pathways what have been walked on for several hundred years.
The buildings, while the foundation and supports are made of crystal, many of them are build of stone and wood, witch retains heat much better. It is however common to find the roads made of crystal.
However, the island’s crystals that cover the island glow at night, most likely using the sun’s rays during the day and reflecting them out during the night. Any ship approaching during the day would be slightly disappointed by the sights of this fabled island, and it is the traveler who comes to port at night who finds a place found no place else in the world.
Flora and Fauna:Crysiland Crystals: The Crystals that are scattered around Crysiland “grow” out of the ground much like any other plant life on the island. They are by far the most interesting thing on the island occurring naturally. How exactly they are formed may forever be a mystery, but there are caves scattered around the island where they are found in abundance.
Light blue in color, they will sparkle in the sunlight and produce light at nighttime hours with a bright blue glow. This almost completely negates the use of candlelight. It’s very common to find crystal light lanterns and chandeliers inside of homes along with fancy streetlights dotting the countryside.
Jewelry made of the rare rock is also made, and though its popularity would become next to instant should the populace begin to mass produce it, they have decided against it as I would lead to a mass of merchants arriving to the island. However, among the populace the jewelry is a symbol of togetherness between each other, a mark to signify dedication to each other.
The crystals though looking much like glass, have more metal like qualities. They can be smelted down under extreme heat, and be melded into tough lightweight weapons and armor. However, once they have been smelted the crystals will lose their bright qualities, taking on a blackened color due to the extreme heat. This armor is easy to produce as the crystals pop up all over the island, meaning that creation of buildings and other uses for the materials makes the structures extremely resistant.
Agriculture: Seafood and fish dishes include squid, octopus, red mullet, and sea bass. Cucumber and tomato are used widely in salads. Common vegetable preparations include potatoes in olive oil and parsley, pickled cauliflower and beets, asparagus and taro. Other traditional delicacies of are meat marinated in dried coriander seeds and wine, and eventually dried and smoked, charcoal-grilled lamb, pork and chicken cooked over charcoal, minced meat wrapped in mesentery, and even stewed rabbit.
Fresh vegetables and fruits are common ingredients. Frequently used vegetables include zucchini, green peppers, okra, green beans, artichokes, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and grape leaves, and pulses such as beans, broad beans, peas, black-eyed beans, chick-peas and lentils. The commonest fruits and nuts are pears, apples, grapes, oranges, mandarins, nectarines, blackberries, cherry, strawberries, figs, watermelon, melon, avocado, lemon, pistachio, almond, chestnut, walnut, and hazelnut.
Most of the things grown on the island can be found naturally in select areas of the island, however it’s common for a household to have their own large garden and share and trade between households.
It’s joked among the populace that is Crysiland wasn’t known for its crystals, then It would be known for its gourmet dishes.
Common Animals: Crysiland holds many small mammals, as well as many forms of birds and insect life. The area of Crysiland is simply too small to support herds of larger mammals, as such, is home to smaller cuter creatures. Among them are Hedgehogs, Shrews, Moles, Rabbits and many forms of Mice.
Migratory birds make the island a stopping point along the Grand Line, with only one species making the island home. The Yellow Tailed Flicker as it is known on the island is brightly colored, yet extremely territorial. This is perhaps why no other bird species now live on the island as they defend their nests by piecing their beaks through anyone or thing who should haplessly wander to close. Any other animals such as sheep or cows are individually owned by the populace for private use, and are not found in the wild.
Inhabitants:The people of Crysiland are a curious one, and are regarded by the world government as perhaps some of the most peaceful people in the world, almost completely devoid of crime and have not been part of a war for perhaps over 500 years. This however make it hard for them to trust outsiders however. They are reclusive, keeping to themselves and nearly shutting themselves off from the outside world. This is not due to a xenophobic belief that they somehow better than any other group of people, but simply due their history and how they view the world as a whole.
Most of them have fairly pale skin due to the islands temperate weather. They are also known to dress warmly in simple clothing, much like peasants or farmers. On special occasions however they are known to wear elaborate dress clothing adorned with glowing crystals. Seeing anyone wearing this day to day however is seen as shameless.
Many of them are not educated, preferring to live the life of normal farmers or craftsmen. This causes most of the populace to remain strictly pacifist in nature, always remembering to be kind to their neighbor and greet all with kindness. They currently remain supportive to the Hoplites of the Mount, witch act as a self-defense force, famous for their fighting style. This in turn means that they are currently loyal to the World Government, who has agreed not to use the island as a base or plunder it for resources as long as the fighting school remains open to “Select Representatives” of the world government.
Prominent Organizations, Groups and Establishments:
Order of Hoplites: These warriors are a small army of highly trained, highly disciplined warriors known for their use of Rokushiki techniques. Perhaps the only army in the world who’s members all use at least one of these techniques, they devote themselves to the protection of the island and disciplines set forward by the founder of the order.
Though unknown when the order was formed exactly, it can track its roots back to around 100 years ago, with the return of a man who returned from a great war. When he returned home, he spoke to his people about men with the ability to move mountains, walk on water and even change the shape of their bodies. They however took his stories for fantasy, wondering if he was simply trying to entertain them all. However, they were amazed to find his deep offence to their disbelief, and showed them exactly what he meant, showing them his ability to walk on air, harden his body to that of steel, use his fingers as deadly as arrows, kick bone shattering currents of air, move faster than a bullet, make his body that of paper, and create shockwaves from his palms.
The master of these techniques remarked that these powers were that of certain people all across the world and even these paled in comparison with others. Still angry over the villagers ignorance, he rallied them, calling for anyone who would dedicate their entire lives to the defense of their island to aid him.
The rallying cry was heard, and from some of the most able bodies in the village, the Order of the Mountain Hoplites was born.
A society of its own, the orders teachings centered on a strict form of personal discipline, meaning that a member of the order was not permitted to own property, be married and give up many freedoms. However, while the combat taught to its member centers on Rokushiki techniques, its members retain to a code of pacifism, meaning that force is always a last resort in the use of the techniques.
Uniforms currently worn by the Order are simple robes, with no markings indicating skill level or rank. Very simplistic in nature, the Robes may not be decorated by a member of the order, as doing so would be an indication of owning property. They are brown in color, usually made out of simple burlap with large hoods, and light blue outlines. Armor however, is not as strictly governed. Armor is custom made for each member, however, these sets or armor and weapons are property of the blacksmith of Crysiland, meaning any member of the order who uses a set of armor or weapons leases it from the blacksmith and pay him a monthly fee. However, this also means free repairs whenever needed, but lost pieces must be paid for in full.
Using weapons and armor formed from the crystals around the island, they are perhaps some of the most elite warriors in the world, with a membership consisting of slightly over 100 members. These members range from ages 16 to elders in their twilight years, all of them retaining the right to leave at any time should they choose so. However, members are instructed that once they leave, they may never come back, and they must never use any of the techniques taught to them again for the use of force on an innocent person, or they will be banished from the island. This means that there are even a select few civilians that can use these abilities as well.
Members are advanced through the ranks by how many abilities they have mastered. The ranks are…
Cadet: A new member who has mastered none of the abilities of Rokushiki yet.
Ranker: Member who has mastered one ability.
Constable: Member who has mastered two abilities, eligible to patrol the
streets as policemen.
Superintendent: Member who has mastered three abilities, supervises 5 to 10 men.
Captain: Member who has mastered 4 abilities, supervises up to 20 men.
Commander: Member who has mastered 5 abilities, supervises up to 50 men.
Master and Commander: Member who has mastered 6 abilities, currently only one, controls the order as a whole currently and acts as steward of Crysiland.
Order Elder: Member who has mastered all techniques of Rokushiki, currently no member has attained this rank since the founder of the order.
The order currently resides in “The Mount” a small mountain fortress that is code named “The Schoolhouse” by the World Government.
It didn't take long for the World Government to hear about this warrior society and become quite worried about the use of these techniques being used improperly. Instead of simply wiping the order out however, they decided to make a deal with them, pledging that the island would not be used for any military purpose, economically or otherwise, as long as the order would train “Select Representatives” of the World Government and allow some of their own instructors to supervise their training along with the Order.
The Order agreed, realizing that they had much more to gain than loose from this deal. Another demand was created by the order however, putting any agent of the world government under the jurisdiction of the Order’s legal system. Meaning that any offence to the order of people of Crysiland would mean instant banishment from the island. The World Government agreed to these terms.
Any marine on this island is advised to remember that any “Absolute Justice” that is delivered the inhabitants of this island will be treated with hostility.
Trends:
Religion and Festivals
There are several festivals all year round on the island, as life can get pretty dull sometimes, and the festivals allow the populace to use the abundance of food on the island for pleasure rather than export.
Each season has a special festival associated with it, but they more of less are the same festival with the changing of the weather. A large feast associated with public games and entertainment between the community.
However, there is one festival that year round is more important that the rest put together, that being the "Mother Natures Blessing" event that happens once a year every winter.
The event happens on a sunny day in winter after the snows have fallen, and the moon is full that night. The Crystals will then shine brighter than all year round, reflecting the light off the snow and away from the island so that it looks like a bright blue moon floating in the middle of the ocean.
Once this event happens, the "Festival of Lights" will take place, an island party with feasts every day, of the event, and a tournament that takes place over the course of 12 hours on the second day of the event. The tournament usually pits all members of the Order of Hoplites in one on one combat, however, it is open to the general public, and even the lucky foreigner who may be present on the island. However, the tournament is point based rather than the other yielding. After every solid hit, a point is awarded. No points for shield blocks or weapon parries, first to ten wins. No ranged weapons allowed, and all bladed weapons must have the scabbard attached to keep the fight from becoming a blood bath.
On the third day when the lights begin to fade, the entire populace of the island will meet in the town square for one last feast, and to pray for the earth to grant them another successful year.
Though some might call this a religious event, it is more or less a sign of respect to the earth. The Crysilinians do not believe in an almighty god or gods, but respect the earth and it's creatures, preferring to live a more symbiotic relationship rather than a destructive one. They realize violence occurs in nature, but only to sustain life, not to live in abundance. This is perhaps the reasoning behind the festivals, to rid themselves of excess, while coming together as an entire island for the betterment of each other.
Politics
The island currently lends the Order of Hoplites with overall control of the island. The highest ranking member(s) of the order act as leaders of the island, resolving conflicts between the populace most often without the need for violence. In fact, Crysiland has perhaps the lowest crime rate in the world, and almost next to no violent crime leading to fatalities.
However, the order takes any crime or problems on island very seriously, always keeping the best interests of the public in mind. Since they don’t own property or keep themselves tied to emotional relationships, they usually come to very fair conclusions with the public supporting these decisions. The government is incredibly simple, and in truth, the community has the full power to govern themselves with only a town council.
However, the reclusive nature of the island makes foreign affairs almost nonexistent. They prefer remain reclusive, though not isolated. Though leaving the island is permitted, few choose to do so as life is quite comfortable and full of wonder on the island.
Industry
None. The island retains the rights to its mineral resources, and with the small population they choose not to industrialize. A blacksmith as well as other craftsmen can be found on the island, but it is rare for them to sell goods to outsiders.
NPCS:
N/A at this time.
Town(s)/Village(s)/City or Cities:
Crysiland Dock: This dock is just a simple fishing port, not built to accommodate any ship larger than your simple schooner. A few people live close to these docks, but only the local fishermen. Unknown to most, these people also act as lookouts for anyone entering the island, and will report anyone with foul intentions.
Quartz Village: A small village consisting of around 1,200 people, the village is nothing more than a quaint assortment of houses with a few businesses thrown in. Restaurants dot the town center, as well as a blacksmith, inn, carpenter and so on.
Built near the mountain where the Order of Hoplites reside, they are tucked away from view from the sea, making it nearly impossible to spot. Self-sufficient in itself, most of the people are quaint folk, who treat each other with enormous respect. Most of them know each other on a first name basis, as nearly every resident of the island lives either here or at the Mount.
The Mount: An ancient fortress built out of the Crystal that dots the island, it is strong and sturdy with an excellent view of most of the island. Housing a little over 100 members of the order and select marines, it’s spacious and full of cultural heritage. Any visitor will be stunned by the wonderful murals and use of crystal in the architecture.
Island Map:
Missions: N/A
Island History:
Not much is known about the island of Crysiland, as the island lacks a real sense of recording history, preferring to simply retell it’s story from word of mouth.
What we do know however is the island was hardly explored for hundreds of years. The reason for this oversight is most likely due to the very short amount of time a log pose takes to set to the next island at only a mere 12 hours. With such a short time, many captains could sail past the island without even realizing the Log Pose had set to the next island, turning away from it before it even came into sight. Another explanation can be attributed to the glowing light coming from the island, witch for a very long time was mistaken for some sort of odd reflection the moon was giving off in the night.
We do know however that the first settlers to the island were actually marooned civilians who became shipwrecked around 500 years ago. With no ships coming to their aid, they set up a small settlement with a mere 300 people. The reclusive nature of the people may be attributed to the fact that they simply did not have contact with the outside world another 300 years later. This explains their closeness with each other, and pacifism like lifestyle.
However, by this point, the 100 year gap in history takes place, and nothing is known of how the island began to interact with travelers or other organizations. What we can be sure of is that at the end of the 100 year gap, the Order of Hoplites came into formation from an aging member of the island who returned from a great war.
He saw the world as a dark place, full of violence and hatred, and decided that his people must create a force to defend themselves. This in turn created a powerful army that kept the people at ease, and much more open to communication with the outside world, believing that they possessed enough of an army to protect themselves.
The World Government wasted no time in taking advantage of the situation however, realizing that this remote island on the peace route could be the perfect place to teach Rokushiki techniques to members of Cypher Pol and well as other organizations in the Navy. The island formed this pact with the world government around 75 years ago, and ever since, they have strong ties with the Order though a very small presence.
Though anyone is permitted to come ashore onto the island, they are to be warned that the Order of Hoplites are not to be trifled with, and will not hesitate to force you off the island.