Editing Temple Isle (section)

==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.

[[Category:Homebrew Settings]]