Endless Isles: The Semarian Archipelago - Revision history

imported>Administrator: 9 revisions imported

2023-06-21T04:03:47Z

9 revisions imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 04:03, 21 June 2023
(No difference)

imported>Administrator: 1 revision imported

2023-06-18T23:37:25Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:37, 18 June 2023
(No difference)

129.107.45.164 at 17:22, 18 April 2011

2011-04-18T17:22:14Z

1d4chan>Captain Blood at 23:54, 27 May 2010

2010-05-27T23:54:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 27 May 2010
Line 1:		Line 1:
			''This Page is here thanks to The Walrus' great writing''

	'''Overview'''		'''Overview'''

1d4chan>Captain Blood: /* The Island Lyrll */

2010-05-27T23:10:47Z

The Island Lyrll

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:10, 27 May 2010
Line 172:		Line 172:
	''Coates.''		''Coates.''
	</div>		</div>
			--

			Medreon closed the letter, and stared at the wall for a while. Had it really been a good idea to send Coates after all? Destroying a ship, maliciously murdering it's crew, stealing a blacksmith's hammer and using it to kill a man and 6 children, even before his first week had ended in the archipelagos!

			Perhaps there were too many sinners in the Semarian islands. They should have sent more clerics. What a pity. Still, the Warden was effectively an observer to Coates' mission, and the large stack of unopened letters was reassuring - the man might still be alive, even now. It was tempting to continue, but it was getting late, and there was work to be done tomorrow. So much work. Perhaps Rivers would be more co-operative...

			Warden Medreon placed the opened letters in a new pile next to the unopened ones, blew out his lamp, and closed his eyes, drifting off to the wails of the captives in the dungeons.

1d4chan>Captain Blood: /* The Island Lyrll */

2010-05-27T23:06:29Z

The Island Lyrll

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:06, 27 May 2010
Line 143:		Line 143:

	They don't deserve this beauty. None of them deserve it. If anything has<br/>		They don't deserve this beauty. None of them deserve it. If anything has<br/>
	convinced me that these archipelagos are the spawn of all that is evil and <br/>		convinced me that these archipelagos are the spawn of all that is evil and <br/>
	wrong, it is that such divine grace can be twisted in such a way.<br/>		wrong, it is that such divine grace can be twisted in such a way.<br/>

1d4chan>Captain Blood: /* The Island Lyrll */

2010-05-27T23:06:03Z

The Island Lyrll

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:06, 27 May 2010
Line 139:		Line 139:
	</div>		</div>
	--		--
			<div style=margin-left:2em; padding:1em; ">
			'''31st July, 1822'''

			They don't deserve this beauty. None of them deserve it. If anything has<br/>
			convinced me that these archipelagos are the spawn of all that is evil and <br/>
			wrong, it is that such divine grace can be twisted in such a way.<br/>

			Last night, shortly after the completion of my previous letter in a dark <br/>
			alley away from the animal-passions of the cursed citizens of this place, I <br/>
			was approached by a man trailing a dozen or so children, chained together by the <br/>
			left ankle. This made me suspicious, but I never would have guessed that he would <br/>
			ask me if I wanted to 'rent' one of them.<br/>

			I feel dirty to even be a member of the same race as these people. Perhaps I am <br/>
			not and they are less than human; a study for a future date, perhaps. He felt the <br/>
			cold end of my hammer. And again. And again. If he is Deathless, then I will hunt <br/>
			him down when we have secured our monastery here and ensure that he lives for a <br/>
			very long time indeed.<br/>

			The children, of course, were irredeemably tainted; I could see in their hollow eyes. <br/>
			It pained me to do so, but I released them from their torture. See the atrocities that <br/>
			I must commit to save the souls of these damned animals! It was not a prudent idea to <br/>
			stay longr; if I were to be discovered, the locals might descent upon my purity with <br/>
			the force of an ocean smothering a single bonfire.<br/>

			I write this now from the underbelly of a patrol boat I managed to latch onto. As I <br/>
			leave the twinkling lights and innocent sounding music of Leryll behind, I have to <br/>
			wonder if this trip was a good idea. If the rest of this archipelago is as wicked as <br/>
			that island, perhaps we should be thinking of conquest and rehabilitation, rather than <br/>
			of co-operation.<br/>

			''Coates.''
			</div>

1d4chan>Captain Blood: /* The Island Lyrll */

2010-05-27T23:01:24Z

The Island Lyrll

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 Five years of paperwork to catch up on. Thankfully, that amounted to little more than the few letters from his immediate family, and whatever progress Brother Coates had made out to the east. This, in fact, turned out to be a modest stack of letters and parchments, all a little damp, but all safe. Transporting the fruits of Coates' efforts to his chambers, Warden Medreon removed his armour (an unnatural feeling after this amount of time!) and made notes on his height, skin condition and weight in his ledger. He shaved himself clean, head and face, and then knelt in brief prayer to the God of Fortitude, asking for the strength to continue diligently in his duties for another day. Them, he settled onto his sleeping board, dimmed the oil lamp, and opened the first letter...
 <div style=margin-left:2em; padding:1em; ">
 '''13th July, 1822'''
-The approach to the Semarian Archipelago has been smooth so far, as it should be in charted waters. <br/>
+The approach to the Semarian Archipelago has been smooth so far, as it should <br/>
-Although it loathes me to pen such a comment, the brigands I have secured passage with have been reliable,<br/>
+be in charted waters. Although it loathes me to pen such a comment,<br/>
-if a little untrustworthy. How I long to bring them to justice, but alas, they are necessary for now. As long <br/>
+the brigands I have secured passage with have been reliable,<br/>
-as they do not ask about my past and homelands (and they won't, considering how much they were paid to carry me) <br/>
+if a little untrustworthy. How I long to bring them to justice, but alas, they<br/>
-I should be fine.<br/>
+are necessary for now. As long as they do not ask about my past and homelands <br/>
-The captain is a gruff man, every bit the brigand we were warned of in the monastery. I wouldn't trust him with my old <br/>
+The captain is a gruff man, every bit the brigand we were warned of in the monastery. <br/>
-robes, and yet here I am letting him sail me across leagues of dangerous ocean! Nevertheless, he is good at his 'job' - <br/>
+I wouldn't trust him with my old robes, and yet here I am letting him sail me across <br/>
-see my enclosed notes on the operation of a typical pirate crew for more detailed information on his practices.<br/>
+leagues of dangerous ocean! Nevertheless, he is good at his 'job' - see my enclosed <br/>
-The captain has informed me that the first port of call on his trip to the archipelago will be the island-state of <br/>
+The captain has informed me that the first port of call on his trip to the archipelago <br/>
-Leryll. That will be where I stop off and begin my investigations into that heathen place. For future record (as I am <br/>
+will be the island-state of Leryll. That will be where I stop off and begin my investigations <br/>
-permitted to say at this juncture), it is my most sacred task to ascertain if the Semarian Islands are acceptably free <br/>
+into that heathen place. For future record (as I am permitted to say at this juncture), <br/>
-of Piratical taint, and if not, then to find and secure sympathetic ears in order to found a new monastery to the East.<br/>
+it is my most sacred task to ascertain if the Semarian Islands are acceptably free of <br/>
 We shall see.
@@ Line 83: / Line 89: @@
 ''Coates''
 </div>

1d4chan>Captain Blood: /* The Island Lyrll */

2010-05-27T22:43:03Z

The Island Lyrll

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:43, 27 May 2010
Line 61:		Line 61:

	--		--
			<div style=margin-left:2em; padding:1em; ">
	'''27th July, 1822'''		'''27th July, 1822'''

Line 82:		Line 82:

	''Coates''		''Coates''
			</div>

1d4chan>Captain Blood: /* The Island Lyrll */

2010-05-27T22:41:06Z

The Island Lyrll

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 27 May 2010
Line 59:		Line 59:
	''Coates''		''Coates''
	</div>		</div>

			--

			'''27th July, 1822'''

			<The warden noted the significant dribbles of ink on this letter - water damage had gotten to this more than most>

			Storm damage notwithstanding, we have made it in one piece to the archipelago.<br/>
			The typhoon has dampened most of my parchments, but they are drying now. Sorry <br/>
			if this is a little smudged. Nothing else of note to report, save for the <br/>
			brigand who tried to take advantage of the foul weather to rifle through my <br/>
			belongings. Fortunately, I had decided to take my meal in my cabin that night <br/>
			so when I invariably caught him in the act, I -

			<The comment was smudged beyond legibility here, no doubt due to the dampness of the parchment. Or was that the sign of a damaged quill nib?>


			- Leryll tomorrow. I cannot wait to be rid of this ship. The looks I get from <br/>
			the crew are starting to disconcert me. Do they know?<br/>

			It doesn't matter if they do, I can probably swim from here if I have to.

			''Coates''

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 18 April 2011
Line 3:		Line 3:
	'''Overview'''		'''Overview'''

	Founded a little over 100 years ago by the famed Reacher Garadh Semar, the Semarian Archipelago is a network of ten large islands and numerous smaller spits of land situated on the very edge of the known. Several months journey ~~easwards~~ from the Core Isles, the archipelago is the last bastion of ~~civilisation~~ before the uncharted waters and islands beyond. As such it has fast become a crowded settlement, a warren of life and activity where pirates rub shoulders with reachers, and gazers trade their wares and secrets to both, safe from the prying eyes of the Crusade.		Founded a little over 100 years ago by the famed Reacher Garadh Semar, the Semarian Archipelago is a network of ten large islands and numerous smaller spits of land situated on the very edge of the known. Several months journey eastwards from the Core Isles, the archipelago is the last bastion of civilization before the uncharted waters and islands beyond. As such it has fast become a crowded settlement, a warren of life and activity where pirates rub shoulders with reachers, and gazers trade their wares and secrets to both, safe from the prying eyes of the Crusade.

	'''Geography'''		'''Geography'''
Line 11:		Line 11:
	The largest, most northerly isle, named Ykris, is largely avoided by the populace due to it's more remote location and windswept features. Strange natural rock formations loom from the sea around its coasts, and many vessels leaving for the unknown lie wrecked here, their journey ended before it has begun.		The largest, most northerly isle, named Ykris, is largely avoided by the populace due to it's more remote location and windswept features. Strange natural rock formations loom from the sea around its coasts, and many vessels leaving for the unknown lie wrecked here, their journey ended before it has begun.

	The westerly forest-island of Barrock, eternally shrouded in a thick, cloying mist. The Lumber Baron Stromm makes his home here, and employs those deathless bold, or foolish enough to make their living on land to clear the pinewood forest of its ferocious natural predators so that lumber can be extracted. They generally do not return, giving ~~credance~~ to the ~~rumour~~ of shadow-eaters in the fog...		The westerly forest-island of Barrock, eternally shrouded in a thick, cloying mist. The Lumber Baron Stromm makes his home here, and employs those deathless bold, or foolish enough to make their living on land to clear the pinewood forest of its ferocious natural predators so that lumber can be extracted. They generally do not return, giving credence to the rumor of shadow-eaters in the fog...

	Finally, Lake Strange to the southeast of the formation is a massive freshwater lagoon of indeterminate depth. Who knows how deep the lagoon is, but certainly no one has ever seen the bottom and the freshwater reserves do not seem to deplete, no matter how much is siphoned off to sell. ~~Provisionner~~-Baron Lyle makes his home here, using the fresh water to fuel his intensive farming regimes to maximum effect.		Finally, Lake Strange to the southeast of the formation is a massive freshwater lagoon of indeterminate depth. Who knows how deep the lagoon is, but certainly no one has ever seen the bottom and the freshwater reserves do not seem to deplete, no matter how much is siphoned off to sell. Provisioner-Baron Lyle makes his home here, using the fresh water to fuel his intensive farming regimes to maximum effect.

	'''Infrastructure'''		'''Infrastructure'''
Line 19:		Line 19:
	The islands of the Semarian archipelago are linked by a network of ferries and bridge systems, a system made possible by the Boatworker's Union - an organisation with much political sway in the archipelago as a result. These trade routes are best connected to the central isles of Garadh, Plarath, Brolgotha and Leryll, as well as major secondary routes from Barrock and Lake Strange to Garadh. Being the central island of the archipelago, Garadh is the nominal capital of the islands and accordingly houses the largest single settlement - Garadhkhar, a high-walled fort-town. By and large, the Boatworkers Union serves as the primary defense force for the waters of the islands, ensuring that, for the most part at least, high-seas piracy does not happen within reach of the land based operations that make the archipelago so successful.		The islands of the Semarian archipelago are linked by a network of ferries and bridge systems, a system made possible by the Boatworker's Union - an organisation with much political sway in the archipelago as a result. These trade routes are best connected to the central isles of Garadh, Plarath, Brolgotha and Leryll, as well as major secondary routes from Barrock and Lake Strange to Garadh. Being the central island of the archipelago, Garadh is the nominal capital of the islands and accordingly houses the largest single settlement - Garadhkhar, a high-walled fort-town. By and large, the Boatworkers Union serves as the primary defense force for the waters of the islands, ensuring that, for the most part at least, high-seas piracy does not happen within reach of the land based operations that make the archipelago so successful.

	Governance of the islands is generally conducted on an as-and-when basis, with the ~~govenor~~-barons of each island paying a nominal tithe to the ~~Govenor~~ of Garadh each Oathday. Law is seen as very much a subjective business, and it is up to the leaders of each settlement to decide the punishments meted out.		Governance of the islands is generally conducted on an as-and-when basis, with the governor-barons of each island paying a nominal tithe to the Governor of Garadh each Oathday. Law is seen as very much a subjective business, and it is up to the leaders of each settlement to decide the punishments meted out.

	'''Education and Employment'''		'''Education and Employment'''
Line 25:		Line 25:
	By far the largest employer of young talent in the archipelago is the Boatworkers Union. Union operatives will routinely screen the young men and women of the islands for technical or intellectual talent, and literally buy them from their parents. In the case of the rare prodigies that appear, the Boatworkers have been known to use any means necessary to ensure that their talents are put to guild use; either by buying, threatening, kidnapping or in some cases, orphaning. As a result, the best and brightest in most fields tend to be paid up members of the Boatworkers, or apprenticed to a member. This gives the Union a complete monopoly on every shipyard, cartographer and hire agency in the islands.		By far the largest employer of young talent in the archipelago is the Boatworkers Union. Union operatives will routinely screen the young men and women of the islands for technical or intellectual talent, and literally buy them from their parents. In the case of the rare prodigies that appear, the Boatworkers have been known to use any means necessary to ensure that their talents are put to guild use; either by buying, threatening, kidnapping or in some cases, orphaning. As a result, the best and brightest in most fields tend to be paid up members of the Boatworkers, or apprenticed to a member. This gives the Union a complete monopoly on every shipyard, cartographer and hire agency in the islands.

	The second largest employers are, of course, the Trade Barons, who employ those not taken by the guild or the lure of the open sea to work the land or perform vital maintenance of the infrastructure of the islands. Following closely are the numerous innkeepers, street ~~peddlars~~ and houses of ill-repute that operate within the archipelago, always open with a friendly smile and often more to those with the coin to pay. Rumour has it that a thriving black market of rare treasures brought from the Edge operates in the Night Stalls of Plarath, but these rumours are unconfirmed.		The second largest employers are, of course, the Trade Barons, who employ those not taken by the guild or the lure of the open sea to work the land or perform vital maintenance of the infrastructure of the islands. Following closely are the numerous innkeepers, street peddlers and houses of ill-repute that operate within the archipelago, always open with a friendly smile and often more to those with the coin to pay. Rumour has it that a thriving black market of rare treasures brought from the Edge operates in the Night Stalls of Plarath, but these rumours are unconfirmed.

	==The Island Lyrll==		==The Island Lyrll==
Line 37:		Line 37:
	The man sighed heavily, and longed for the feel of the breeze on his face and his hammer in his hand.		The man sighed heavily, and longed for the feel of the breeze on his face and his hammer in his hand.

	Five years of paperwork to catch up on. Thankfully, that amounted to little more than the few letters from his immediate family, and whatever progress Brother Coates had made out to the east. This, in fact, turned out to be a modest stack of letters and parchments, all a little damp, but all safe. Transporting the fruits of Coates' efforts to his chambers, Warden Medreon removed his ~~armour~~ (an unnatural feeling after this amount of time!) and made notes on his height, skin condition and weight in his ledger. He shaved himself clean, head and face, and then knelt in brief prayer to the God of Fortitude, asking for the strength to continue diligently in his duties for another day. Them, he settled onto his sleeping board, dimmed the oil lamp, and opened the first letter...		Five years of paperwork to catch up on. Thankfully, that amounted to little more than the few letters from his immediate family, and whatever progress Brother Coates had made out to the east. This, in fact, turned out to be a modest stack of letters and parchments, all a little damp, but all safe. Transporting the fruits of Coates' efforts to his chambers, Warden Medreon removed his armor (an unnatural feeling after this amount of time!) and made notes on his height, skin condition and weight in his ledger. He shaved himself clean, head and face, and then knelt in brief prayer to the God of Fortitude, asking for the strength to continue diligently in his duties for another day. Them, he settled onto his sleeping board, dimmed the oil lamp, and opened the first letter...

	--		--
Line 128:		Line 128:
	perversion of tranquility! For at night, it seems that Leryll becomes the <br/>		perversion of tranquility! For at night, it seems that Leryll becomes the <br/>
	playground of the debauched, a carnival of unwholesome, wicked things. Thrice was <br/>		playground of the debauched, a carnival of unwholesome, wicked things. Thrice was <br/>
	I accosted by some painted harlot on a street corner. Six times I was ~~appraoched~~ <br/>		I accosted by some painted harlot on a street corner. Six times I was approached <br/>
	with the offer of narcotic substances or worse. This is not a place of beauty at <br/>		with the offer of narcotic substances or worse. This is not a place of beauty at <br/>
	all, but a facade for the twisted fantasies that lie in the black heart of the <br/>		all, but a facade for the twisted fantasies that lie in the black heart of the <br/>
	heathen and the brigand, where people drop their illusion of ~~civilisation~~ and <br/>		heathen and the brigand, where people drop their illusion of civilization and <br/>
	wallow like animals in a mist of drink, drugs and evil ~~passtimes~~!<br/>		wallow like animals in a mist of drink, drugs and evil pastimes!<br/>

	I think I have managed to escape from the ~~iner~~ part of the city. Fortunately, <br/>		I think I have managed to escape from the inner part of the city. Fortunately, <br/>
	there was a blacksmith nearby. He was drunk, much like everyone else. I have a <br/>		there was a blacksmith nearby. He was drunk, much like everyone else. I have a <br/>
	hammer now. I feel safe.<br/>		hammer now. I feel safe.<br/>