It's a valid point re. islands and interaction. It may as well be a whole group of individual worlds if we're not careful. Perhaps it should all be pinned back to a continental land mass somewhere, masterplanned by one individual?
---
Just posting this here.
I know it's slightly out of kilter with the 'rules' of giving a piece of writing to a named artist, but I thought it might help to generate discussion on how we could go about writing for the islands. I have obviously taken a very 'factual' approach.
Brief Guide to The Geometra IslesIntroductionThe Geometra Isles consist of three small islands in the North Eastern seas, unimaginatively known as North, East and West Geometra.
North Geometra is the largest of the three islands, being a narrow East-West strip of land measuring approximately 20km in length. At its widest, close to the Eastern tip, the island is 5km wide and it tapers to approximately 3km wide at the Western point.
East and West Geometra are each of similar size, being approximately 4-5km in diameter, generally round in shape. They each sit approximately 5km South of the coast of Northern Geometra, in line with the East and West tips of North Geometra respectively.
All the islands are characterised by centrally mountainous regions, which would be considered high given the relative small size of the landmasses. This is in contrast to a deep circular trench (known locally as ‘The Abyss’) dropping centrally to the three islands. The two smaller islands connect to the North Island by shallow-water straits (approximately 3m deep at low tide) which encircle the East and West rims of the trench. The trench opens up to the ocean to the South. Long beaches and coves cover the South and West shores of all the islands.
The islands are so named due to the geometric nature of some of the rocky coastlines. The first striking feature to travellers arriving from the South and South West would probably be the perfectly spherical pock-marks cut in to the South Eastern cliffs of West Geometra, while those arriving from the East would notice both large and small crystalline-appearing cubes of rock seeming to grow out of the Eastern cliffs of North and West Geometra. These shapes are all known to be formed out of a similar type of rock, although little is known about the properties or origin of this rock. Scientists have had little exposure to these, although (among other things) they are believed to be of volcanic source (possibly some kind of inner earth expulsion) as these coasts are geologically very different from the rest of the islands.
The islands are sparsely populated, with somewhere between 200 and 400 families living permanently on the island, primarily under self-sufficient mixed-origin tribal entities. All the families have arrived at the island within the past 60 years from various parts of the realm, successfully taming portions of the rough inner land with pockets of temporary and more permanent civilisation, and limited farming. By far the majority of the population live around the shores on the South and West coasts of the islands, but there are also understood to be small nomadic groups surviving adequately in the central mountainous regions.
The main and only significant population centre lies on the centre of the South coast of North Geometra, and is called Pi. It has a population of approximately 400 people and is the ‘seat of government’ (The Curve).
The protected nature of ‘The Abyss’ (the central oceanic pit) allows for easy, plentiful fishing and supplemented by crops and imported fruit grown on the rising hillsides, the people are considered to be healthy, happy but hard working.
The low population, limited competition for resources and mixed population of first and second generation immigrants has led to a population that is inherently fractious, but peaceful. Small tribal structures grow, develop and disappear through the seasons but ultimately each tribe will always be respectful and peaceful of the rights of others, sharing resources willingly in all but the harshest of months. Upon the meeting of tribal groups for the first time in a year it is normal for a fight to be arranged amongst a group of the individuals. This fight is carried out in a vigorous manner, but always in good humour. Deaths are rare, but do happen on occasion. This fight is normally followed by a night of heavy drinking and the eating of slow-baked fish (baked in leaves under the sand). Mixed fruit ciders are the alcoholic drink of choice due to the ample fruit reserves inland. Most of the native fruit on the island is semi-poisonous when eaten raw, although the process by which the cider is manufactured neutralises this minor irritant. The cider is an acquired taste and has yet to gain widespread appreciation outside the isles.
All the tribes operate under the general principles and dictates as set out by the ruling group known as The Curve. Currently The Curve consists of four females who happen to be identical quadruplets at birth, despite each one of them rising to prominence and power on their own accord, under separate tribal entities. Instructions and dictates given by The Curve are sparse and they do not normally have a need to intervene in tribal life. The Curve will be called in to act as the final Judicial word in any disputes on the island, and opposition to them is negligible. They are unanimously recognised as the official Diplomatic and Military contact by all other nations and realms that have active relations with the people of the Geometra isles.
Economic activity is limited and most of the production of the island is used to provide for the inhabitants. Trade can take place in an impromptu fashion, and there is notably some demand for hides and furs - if the trader is willing to part for their load for the low value products of the people of the isles (largely fish, or rice). Markets take place occasionally in the largest permanent centre of population (Pi). These will normally take place at the end of the summer when food stocks are over-abundant, and are becoming increasingly popular with travellers due to the eclectic and eccentric nature of the locals, rather than the wealth of goods on offer.
A small permanent military garrison is present at Pi, formed in recent times shortly after the current iteration of The Curve came to power. Their role appears to be mostly ceremonial and one of policing, and it is believed they were brought in to quell an increase in crime and murder in Pi that was seen at around the time they were created. Ultimately they seem to have little call for action in the peaceful islands, although any member of this Garrison is, by law, unable to consume alcoholic drinks.
Other military needs are met by the impromptu raising of a militia, with most inhabitants eager and willing to fight as necessary.
There are no significant territorial claims to the islands from anyone but the current occupants.
The Geometra Isles are normally subject to fine, warm summers and mild winters. The prevailing wind comes from the East, and the higher elevations of the Eastern ends of the islands means the island is subjected to relatively high levels of rainfall and cloud cover. The Geometric cliffs of the island are often coated in mist in all but the finest of summer days.
The weather makes agriculture easy, although the landform does not lend itself quite so well to such an activity.
The isles have been unoccupied in living memory, only being re-colonised approximately 60 years ago, although the islands have a rich archaeological history. Stone footings of buildings and metal artifacts are constantly discovered all over the island, giving hints at a long-gone relatively advanced civilisation making their home here.
Very little is known about the previous occupants, although there is an increasingly large academic community making a semi-permanent base on the island attempting to understand and decipher these artifacts. The mists in winter make exploration inland particularly difficult and most academics will return home, although some choose to remain, having grown accustomed to the local culture.
The industry on the island is dominated by fishing, with some farming.
Cider manufacturing is widespread, although for local consumption generally and the product is rarely successfully traded with foreign merchants.
Some intricate craftworks are made by a small group of artists living in Pi, who make a living by trade with merchants and locals alike. The materials are generally sourced from the sea but also include some woodwork, and rock carving. They are acknowledged as a high quality group of artists, and demand for the work outside the islands is slowly growing.
Tourism to the islands is limited generally to rich individuals looking to get away from it all, and scientists, historians and archaeologists examining the strange relics and ruins peppered throughout the land. It is considered relatively easy and safe for adventurous individuals to explore the island on foot, as there are limited dangers in the form of flora and fauna that might get one killed. Normal procedures should be carried out (travel in groups, take sufficient food & water etc.) and most of the native fruiting plants will be at least mildly irritable if eaten raw, so care should be taken; the use of local guides can be beneficial.
Entertainment on the Islands is largely confined to festivities associated with the yearly meeting of tribes. These are not organised in advance, although with the constantly shifting picture of tribal entities on the island most of the tribes will have between 15 and 20 such events, concentrated around the springtime but still continuing (albeit less frequently) throughout the rest of the year. Foreign visitors are welcome to attend these events, although only tribe members can actively participate in the fighting. These events will not be organised for the benefit of anybody (not even The Curve) as the impromptu nature is valued as an intrinsic part of the tradition.
Various events may be held on occasion in Pi, with the local craftsmen organising regular exhibitions of their work through the summer. Music is limited on the island, and not highly valued as a cultural tool (people will often say they prefer the noise of the sea).
The mild climate of the Geometra isles allows for rich and diverse plant life. Inland forests are largely deciduous and exist throughout the islands, apart from occasional pockets of moorland where the soil is of insufficient depth and/or quality to support high levels of vegetation.
The western geometric cliffs are mostly bare, although pockets of ‘Squareroot’ a native grass unique to the island do exist in these areas. Squareroot grows up to 1m – 2m, generally vertically but contains various dendritic branches of decreasing significance up the height of the grass. It is unusual in that it has no apparent root system despite being sturdy at full grown heights. It is credited with various medicinal properties, but can be highly psychoactive and is not considered safe.
A large amount of the trees on the island are fruit-bearing, and in many cases will resemble those which may be more common to a traveller, including the Geometric Plum, Apple, Pear and Lemon trees. All the fruiting bodies on the island are significantly different in taste to those we might know, and generally they will be slightly poisonous, but only dangerously so to the weakest individuals. Nevertheless it is not recommended to eat the fruit without the input of a local guide, as the taste and irritability of the poisons can vary from tree to tree.
The fruiting trees support a large population of birdlife, including many finches throughout the islands and a significant population of parrots concentrated around the forests of West Geometra. Ospreys fish around the islands during the spring and summer, with no other resident bird of prey populations.
Interestingly there are no ground-dwelling mammals on the island, although large populations of Grey seals visit the southern and western beaches during the winter to breed.
A ground dwelling bird unique to the islands, the Geometric Cassowary, has been able to flourish with the lack of ground predators. It is large and normally sedate, although this is believed to be a side effect of the native fruit which they consume, as Geometric Cassowaries have been shown to become irritable and extremely violent when kept off their natural diet for any reasonable length of time. For this reason they rarely present a danger when encountered in the wild, but care should be taken as they are large, strong birds capable of causing great harm with either an enlarged middle talon or heavy, sharp beaks.
The central oceanic trench to the three islands supports a wide variety of marine life, including large amounts of mackerel and sardines, as well as large predators to feed on these fish (Whales, Dolphins, Seals).
Poll
2 (14.3%)
Author
Topic: Map project: Working on rules, open signups for both writers and artists. (Read 5574 times)