The Far Islands

The Far Islands are a legendary land of trade and wealth, said to be the most blessed of the lands that revere the God of Wealth, all of its people are hard working, for good or for ill, they put every ounce of effort into their goals.

People and culture
The people of the Far Islands are as diverse as the islands therein, no one race significantly outnumbers any other race. While this can lead to violence, giving the Far Islands the dark alias of the Blood Islands on occasion, the profit and gain far outweighs any petty squabble that may occur.


 * Middle Class
 * The majority of the people of the Far Islands fall into this category, there are no particularly noble classes though there are wealthy families, they are far too few and far between to consider having a niche in society.


 * Lower Class
 * Many lower class citizens exist in the Far Islands, many of them are gatherers, miners and fishers, anyone who does not have an artisan trade usually falls into this class, but they are not looked down upon as they are a valuable boon to the system of trade in the Far Islands.

Society
The Far Islands have an intricate society often compaired to that of Harvthenia, everyone has a place and everyone knows their place. Each and every one of these niches however combine to work the "machine" that gives their country the reputation it has.

Customs
Trade is a key part of the society of the Far Islands. Therefore bazaars and flea markets are a common custom that is held far more often than that of other markets. The largest bazaar in the world is held on the holy day of The God of Wealth known as the Day of Golden Fruit. This bazaar known as the 'Allmarch' is held in Blue Jupiter in the heart of the Far Islands.

Language
The languages of The Far Islands are as diverse as their people. Though almost everyone speaks common or undercommon, while the large trading and crafting guilds tend to use Thieves Cant to communicate amongst their members. Or rather a unique dialect of it known as Trademan's Plith. Though it is easily mistaken and understood by those fluent in Thieves Cant

Geography
The Far Islands are a large and broken mass of hundreds of islands, many large, but many more tiny. They are all enclosed in Northwind Bay off of the western coast of Greater Siv. Each of the islands are often 'ruled' by a wealthy family or guild, though they all adhere to the Golden Treaty, an ancient pact made long ago to keep the body-count low and the wealth high for all of them.

Bodies of Water
Northwind Bay is the body of water in which these islands were born. It is a large bay on the western coast of Greater Siv.

The Kraken's Grasp is a series of deltas that seperate the islands in the south-eastern part of Northwind Bay by wide rivers. There are a large number of bridges in the region, though many have been destroyed by the elements.

Fool's Sea is an eastern part of Northwind Bay significantly enclosed by three of the larger islands. This land is known as a haven for pirates from Northmourn, a feudal country to the east.

Islands
There are hundreds of islands within Northwind Bay. Some of the major ones are listed here.

Joker Island: Far to the north on the very edges of Northwind Bay, lies the small island known as Joker's Island. It is ruled by the wealthy Jademoon Family. The most significant detail about Joker Island is a large underground Casino found in its small bay known as Jademoon Rock. Characters starting here get a +1 luck bonus on any check made that involves currency.

Wight Island: While Wight Island is well in the territory of The Far Islands, it is an ancient burial island for the country of Northmourn the island is dotted with crypts and cemetaries and is not inhabited by the living. however a large catacomb known as the Deathwind Depths is often explored by ambitious treasure hunters. Characters starting here tend to start with a minor wonderous item.

Fish Island: Fish Island, named for its odd shape, is a heavily fortified island ruled by the Order of the Gilden Shield; a guild that takes the responsibility of protecting the Far Islands as their primary objective. Unlike the majority of the guilds in the Far Islands, the Order is the one guild that does not focus on trade or craft. Their headquarters, Castle Brimstone, is also located here on it's North-Eastern Peninsula. Characters starting here are always proficient in shields.

Blighter Island: This island is the largest and most populated island in the Far Islands Region, sadly the majority of the cities here are massive slums. While poverty isn't very relevant the healthcare in the Far Islands is strongly lacking in quality, and disease runs rampant. Though people here tend to have stronger immune systems due to the exposure and have a +1 on fortitude saves against disease.

The Rocky Gauntlet: While not an island in its own right, rather a group of several small islands. This is the largest mining settlement in the Far Islands, the rocky islands here are filled with valuable minerals which are transformed into priceless tools and other equipment on the other islands. Characters starting here have +1 perception.

Rune Island: This considerably large island is ruled by the Wizard Lord Jaques D'Orelais and his family. This island is a haven to spellcasters and is the primary source of magical items in the Far Islands. Jaques D'Orelais started his career as a Sea Wizard and Pirate and is one of the few living souls who know the true name of 'The Vast' making him a powerful mortal. Characters starting here have +1 to spellcraft.

Hail Island: This island located on the southern shore of Northwind Bay is known for its odd weather systems. Located very close to the mainland, this island shares in it's violent weather, namely hail, nearly year around. Characters starting here get a +1 dodge bonus to AC against projectiles.

Pear Island: This island located just south of Blue Jupiter, is known for it's fruit trees and regardless of its name, citrus fruits are primarily grown here. The climate isn't really good for it, however it is magically sustained by sorcerers from Rune Island. Characters starting here have +1 to survival checks.

Shattered Island: This island was struck by an earthquake in days past, and is largely mishappen, cracked down the middle the coasts of each section have sunk into the sea while the center's have raised up making this area treacherous to build on and a haven for all manner of winged beast, including dragons. Characters starting here have +1 to acrobatics.

Stingsticker Island: This island is primarily a large tundra and is home to very few people. Not due to its odd environment which would be ideal for building of a city or number of settlements, but rather due to its wildlife. This island his home to many large creatures including dinosaurs but the most feared of these creatures are the Wyverns that nest on its Mesa. Characters starting here have +1 to stealth.

Simmer Island: Simmer Island is found to the north of Stingsticker Island and is a small island. Its most significant trait is the large number of hot springs found there. Characters starting here have fire resistance 5.

Grave Island: This small island is much like Wight Island but rather than Northmourn crypts it is the home of the Supreme Temple of Finality. The largest temple to the God of Finality in the modern world, and many important people from around the world elect to have their remains buried here. Characters starting here have +1 to save against death and fear effects.

Blue Jupiter Islands: Known as the location of the largest city in the world. Characters starting here have +1 to diplomacy.

Blue Jupiter
Blue Jupiter is the largest city in the world, it is named for a large granite statue of an ancient king known as The Blue Emperor Jupitelle III. Not much is known about the king as the statue was here before the city was founded by pirates in the year 312. It has been greatly restored over the years and strict laws dictate that no structure in the city is allowed to be built higher than the crown of the statue. The city boasts a population of over 2 million citizens, which is greatly superior to any city in the world, the closest city, Akaro, City of Emperors, boasts a population of 1.1 million citizens and is located in the Long Sea. Making Blue Jupiter nearly twice the size in population as its closest competitor.

Port Aburd
Port Aburd is a large port in the southern shores of Northwind Bay. The city itself is not significant, but it boasts a powerful navy.

Navy and seafaring
The Far Islands have the most expansive navy in the world, rivaled only by the navy of Akaro in the Long Sea, and the Southsea Swords, a navy found on the Hidden Sea far to the south. Ships here don't follow many naming conventions.

Founding of Blue Jupiter
Blue Jupiter was founded by a pirate organization in the year 312. It has a long history of violence and bloodshed, and its streets are said to be haunted by the ghosts of ancient pirates long ago. It wasn't until the Golden Treaty was signed in the year 401 that this bloodshed gave way to trade. Though the city, as large as it is, is still not without crime and death. Though an estimated 300,000 pirates were killed between the time of its founding and the time of the signing of the treaty. Their bones left to rot as the city strange up over them.

The Guild of Golden Water
The Guild of Golden Water, founded in 410 is the ruling guild of Blue Jupiter. Headed by a young upstart who inherited the leadership of the guild, he has done a number of things for the city and is only a score of years old. Many people try and have tried to dethrone him, or at least behead him, he has proven slippery. Some say he is blessed by the God of Wealth.

Notable Inhabitants

 * Arben Answerth "The Golden Child" (Swashbuckler 11)