South Isles Overview
People
The South Isles inhabitants are a mix of races and cultures that have begun to blend into their own nation. The indigenous peoples, the Magirie, had lived for centuries in a primitive state, until the fall of the Mirvian Empire about seven centuries ago (The founding of the Tilth dates to the defeat and rout of Mirvian invaders, 763 years ago. That defeat, engineered by Elgin Quellor, broke the empire, and began the reign of the current ruling Dynasty of the Tilth). With the fall of the Mirvian Empire, the South Isles saw their first wave of new settlers, refugees of the years of civil war that heralded the decline of Mirvian Culture.
With the arrival of the Mirvians, the islands began to change character. The Mivian settlers were more interested in exploration, and, in some respects, conquest. Thus, the islands were no longer a secret, as Mirvian sailors set out from thier new homes in search of trade and plunder. The islands added westerners, Giorands and the odd humanoid tribe.
Climate
The South Sea is a warm sea, heated by dormant volcanic activity beneath it shallow reefs. Most of the islands are a base of volcanic rock with shallow top soil. There are two rainy seasons each about 3 months long during the Spring and Fall. Spring is follwed by a dry growing season, and Winters are extremely mild. Temperatures at night, even at elevations, rarely drop below 40, and Winter days are almost as warm as Summer days. Fall's rainy season lacks the violence of the Spring Monsoon season, when saling the South Isles can be an adventure for inexperienced sailors.
The summer season, while short, allows the islands to raise food crops (tropical fruits and a native cereal grain much like millet), and cash crops. Most common cash crops are hemp (which grows well on the rocky slopes of most islands), flax (for linen), bamboo and cotton on Bilikan Island.
Society and Politics
Several of the larger islands are the home bases of powerful pirates and privateers. Throughout history, the stronger of the pirate captains have formed a lose federation, mainly a mutual defense pact. The main advantage of the federation is that it's members would copperate against mainland interference, normally in the form of Giorand patrol boats. This federation has become the central authority in the isles.
The current leader of this federation is a Giorand named Zahkir, known as "The Sultan of the South Seas." This charismatic pirate leads more by force of personality than force of arms, which has lead to several challenges to his leadership. So far he has weathered the challenges by playing one faction against another. His permanent base is on Billikan Island, in the port of Pirate's Door Bay. In addition, Zahkir has a small fortress atop Billikan Mountain which is run by his closest advisor, the mage Marcus Semschit Legit, who claims to be a decendant of the legendary Garius Legit.
Economy
The islands export hemp, bamboo, fish, rope, cloth – some quite exotic – and native art. They import wood, iron, sailcloth and most worked goods. Weapons, armor and ship timbers fetch a premium price in the islands.
While it produces enough food to survive, the culture on the Isles thrives on trade and plunder. Free sails and pirates must walk a fine line between raiding enough to survive, and becoming a serious threat to trade. Western and Mirvian ships are often their favorite targets, as they are less likely to warrant reprisals. Attacking important Giorand vessles usually brings swift and firm counterattacks from the Giorand mainland.
