Temple Isle

(part of the Autia setting)

The island in the southern sea is inhaled by a reclusive and highly religious society. Every facet of the civilization revolves around the worship of a pantheon of various and enigmatic gods. The people are ruled by a council mage-priests, headed by a supposedly immortal Priest-King.

Outsiders are rarely welcomed easily, and are often forced to comply with the tenets of the faith.

Their warriors are zealots and they rarely make excursions away from their island unless it is determined necessary by the portends of the ruling priest class.

The ruling Priest-King is known as Ataam the Ever Blessed and said to have been given eternal life by the chief deity of their vast pantheon. This was supposedly done to ensure that the worship of the gods and the practices of their people would continue unbroken for all time.

This is (probably) a lie made up by the Mage-Preist council centuries ago. A particular member of the council being elevated to this position after the predecessor passes away. The Priest-King wears ceremonial clothing often including a face mask or veil and only appears before the people on the holiest of days. This person does have supreme authority (in accordance with the council) but is rarely seen by the commoners. The way they never reveal Ataam's face means that holy worship has, from the average citizen's perspective, always been directed by the same figure. A man worshipping today was lead through the ceremony by the "same" king as his great great grandfather.

The people of this island are highly devout, and rarely leave themselves. The only members that have consistent contact with the outside world would be the warriors of the island when sent abroad by the Mage-Preists and the sailors that participate in the maritime trade. This trade is also only possible when sanctioned by the priesthood and their primary export is fruit and exotic dye.

Three times a year, for a period of about a week each, the entire island opens and is made accessible to the outside world. People are invited from every civilization that will listen and they are permitted to participate in the grand and elaborate festivals that envelope the island in its entirety. These are very joyous and exciting affairs, but the outsiders are expected to observe the religious practices of the occasion.

This is vaguely sinister, however. If a visitor finds themselves lingering a little too long, and staying past the ending of the holiday week, they may not be permitted to leave.

The warrior class of the island are fierce, zealous, merciless, and without virtue to all that have encountered them. Stern and endlessly committed to their tasks.

They are sent abroad sporadically, rarely participating in the wars of other nations of the world unless it is deemed needed by the faith. Their primary function is protecting the island and venturing abroad for slaves/converts, magical or technological artifacts deemed by the priest class to be of value, and any and all items of material wealth and splendor. Artifacts of power or significance are distributed amongst the vast number of temples that dot the island and dominate every city. These raids are often swift and vast, hitting numerous coastal cities and peoples with little warning.

They worship a minor diety known as Kartun-Karkos, the bravest and most selfless of gods. Kartun was said to have cut off his own arm to save the world from an all devouring monstrosity from the unknowable beyond. The warriors live to emulate this sacrifice, believing that in selfless death they merge with Kartun-Karkos.

Once every ten years, an expedition sets out from the island to travel the entirety of the world. Two dozen of the most skilled or experienced warriors are sent abroad in groups of two or three to proselytize their faith, seek out mysteries of the land, and bring back prizes for designated gods. They wander foreign lands for years, serving as mercenaries or street preachers, bodyguards and bandits. Few of these specially chosen warriors ever really return, either dying on their journeys or finding preference for outside world.

Military:

The people of Temple Isle are limited in firearms, producing none of their own but repurposing those taken in raids or acquired from converts. Their means of warfare is less advanced than many of the great empires but they have a unique fanatical ferocity due to the religious fervor of the warriors. The mage-priest class is made up of any all magically adept members of their society, usually adopted into and raised by the priesthood.

Their magic wielders, much like their people, can come in a variety of shapes and ethnicities owing to the tendency for infrequent raids and the large festivals that welcome (and lure) outsiders to the island.

They owe their continued existence and independence to their zealotry. Their habit of occasionally sailing to the coast of a neighboring people and making off with goods and captives drew the ire of many powerful enemies.

One such instance has seemed to secure their safety for generations. The Mage-priests interpreted an omen to suggest that a supply of human sacrifices would be needed in the coming years, so a fleet of warriors set out to plunder the islands to their east. Mostly they would target the weaker tribal peoples that inhabit this archipelago, but a daring commander chose to assault a community belonging to the Alkor Empire.

This was bold, but maybe foolish for such a small and less advanced society. The raid was a success, but it was quickly followed by the forces of Alkor sending a fleet to subjugate the Temple Isle and its people.

The fleet sent a force ashore on the southern coast, and made quick headway through a dense but small city on the island. The resistance was fierce, with members of citizenry seemingly carelessly throwing their own lives away to slow the steady march through the city, supplementing the warriors fighting to their deaths.

Religion:

The chief diety of the Temple Isle is known as Ean-Deag-Bor, the god of twilight. He is believed by these people to be the originator of the world and the supreme god of balance and temperance. Through him all things may be understood. Religous ceremonies are held in his honor every single day in the hours of twilight, both morning and dusk. The most common sacrifice for this god is that of the fertilized but unmatched egg. A creature formed inside yet unborn. In dire times it is said that the priests will instead pull and unborn child from a pregnant mothers belly. A human formed inside yet unborn.

The god of the day is Ean-Deag. He is warm and caring and represents the work and strength of waking hours. His hour of worship is high noon. When the sun is fully in the sky he is said to see all things and observes all tasks undertaken. The sacrifices made to him at this time are the products of labor, often produce or material goods burned atop temple alters.

The goddess of the night is known as Deag-Bor. She represents the rest that occurs at night, the warmth of the mother, and the comfort of home. She is capricious and mysterious. Her religious observances coincide with moon cycles, with great reverence given at the full moon and resting observance given at the new moon. The primary sacrifice made to her is the blood of womanhood, burned deep inside the temple structures are the weeds washed ashore by the tides.

These three gods together head the pantheon of nearly countless gods. They alone are worshipped every single day. Ean-Deag-Bor is said to be the one and truest of gods, while the other two are extensions of his existence and purpose. The day and night being cast out in radiance and shadow from the twilight.

Writefaggotry:

Temple Isle is open!

Today is the first of Shama, the beginning of the new year on the Eannite calender. That means, for two weeks, the Eannites will open their island to any and all who wish to partake in their grand celebrations! Every city and village will be alive with music, dancing, feasting, and of course religious observances!

The harbors will fill with all manner of vessels and the skies will be choked with air ships!

Come! All who desire respite from war! Come! All who seek pleasures of the earth! Come! For a fortnight the island is open to you! Taste delicacies from every corner of the world! Purvey your wares in the bustling bazaars! Relish the merriment of a people of deep faith and their famous hospitality at this time of joy and ceremony!

When the Eannites invite the world to their island, beings from all walks of life flock here. The island is well unknown for the fanaticism of it's people, but it is equally renowned for the festivals that last without pause for weeks at a time. It is a rare opportunity to witness their culture and faith, for under all other times of year the islanders are very reclusive and do not normally allow outsiders to leave the docks from which they trade their goods. The Eannites are also well known for the habit of launching sea raids upon weaker and tribally oriented peoples, taking treasures and slaves alike. This seems to matter little when they turn their disposition to one of unmatched hospitality.

Something of a hermit society, they are often neutral in the affairs of the outside world and virtually never partake in the larger wars that envelope the surrounding nations. This means their island is often untouched by the chaos and destruction of these conflicts. It also means that when war is raging, the island offers a neutral ground for mediation and even espionage when their grand celebrations unfold.

The Eannites are well aware that their cities become the staging grounds for assassinations, kidnappings, and even ordinary diplomacy during their highest of holidays. This seems to bother them little, so long as all in attendance partake in the observance of their religious ceremonies, and that these gatherings and processions are not disturbed.

These holidays are held several times a year and every time for two weeks the population of the island is swelled by outsiders. Some come for a break from wars, while others choose the opportunity for a sort of pilgrimage to learn more of the faith of the Eannites, and still even more simply seek the excitement and revelry of such magnificent celebrations. The sparse street preachers of this faith that are far flung throughout the world work hard to create converts, and these holidays are the only opportunity many will have to truly be welcomed and inducted into the faith and society of the Temple Isle.

Every city and village is cleaned and made ready, the streets are blessed and the inns are lavishly decorated. The more peculiar aspects of the faith and religious practices of the people are moved out of sight and everything is made palatable to the likes and needs of the outside world.

The travelers are welcomed and encouraged to bring their goods and services to the island with them. In this way, a visitor may sample or see aspects of nearly every people group in the world. Ornate Belkan silver sold next to Balorian tartans. Napan silks offered alongside Khurultai puzzle boxes. An ogre slave can be purchased and Harlbourg mercenaries can be hired.

The streets are choked with crowds. The cities fill with the aromas of every cuisine imaginable, tempting watering mouths and empty stomachs. All manner of intoxicants are available. Wines and liquors flow freely, herbs are smoked without pause, and magically enhanced delicacies overflow from every corner. The cities are enveloped in a cacophony of bartering, partying, singing, and dancing.

If there is some good you desire, or sustenance you crave, or perhaps some vice you pursue, it can be found here. There are few places where one can find so much of the variety that life has to offer than the Temple Island.

The true purpose of this warm welcoming of the outside world is not truly known to outsiders, though there are many that may suspect the truth.

The reality is, the faith of the Eannites of Temple Island is one of thousands of gods, and many of them require some form a sacrifice for both blessings and appeasement. At the most important of holidays this will take the form of human sacrifice.

While parties rage and visitors revel in elaborate parades and dance to whirring tunes, the guards and warriors of the island are closely observing all that attend the festivities. From the minute one walks ashore they are being noted and considered for selection. Those that are unfortunate enough to be chosen will be whisked away in the night or at the height of raucous merriment to be taken deep within the nearest temple complex. From here, these unfortunate souls often meet grisly and gruesome ends at the hands of a murmuring Mage-Priest for any number of countless deities.

These practices are kept away from the eyes of the outsiders. While people from every continent celebrate in the streets, hapless victims have their life essence given up to the gods at the tops of temples or deep inside the mazes of their inner sanctums. None are allowed here outside of the priesthood or their selected guardians.

When the weeks long holiday has passed, the people from abroad filter back to their vessels and set off for home. There is little choice in the matter, for the hosts offer two options to the visitors of the isolated island. You will either leave, or you will join the faith. There are no other choices granted. Refusing to depart while also rebuking the opportunity of conversion will result in nothing short of death. Either at the hands of the grim and zealous warriors or under the alter of some enigmatic god. Those that find themselves left behind on the island from a dazed stupor from excessive celebrating are granted the same choice, which is often an easy one.

Converts are very welcome, however, and the Eannites would almost prefer some stay and join them in their lifelong observance than return from where they came. This is truly the other main purpose of the massive festivals, to obtain new adherents to their faith. The Eannites are always looking to increase the number of the faithful, and the opening of the island is intended to offer a chance of swaying people to their particular practices of worship without needing to sail their fleets abroad for captives.

Many from the wider world truly have little interest in joining the Eannites. The island opening up to the world often provides the great powers a place to play their games of diplomatic missions and clandestine machinations.