Storm Islands

### History

“It is said that long ago a people from south of the islands discovered the Storm Islands when they were still mastering the ship. A number of these people emigrated to these newfound lands, They they met a strange native people: an albino race of humans. The albinos interbred with the newcomers, creating the modern storm islanders that are known today. The storm islanders then were small, scattered tribes. However when a dangerous and powerful empire reared their head across the sea in this year 3600 GE the druids of the storm islands united the people and used their combined power to raise the mighty gale that surrounds the islands to this day. This gale protects us from dangerous outsiders, and gives us a peaceful and joyful life here on our island”

This is what is written in the Fargulsnstone. Named after the adventure turned historian Fargulsn, who thought it would be best to carve his writing into stone to preserve it for the future people of the islands. It sits weathered on a small hill outside the town where he lived, and is scarcely visited.

The Lore behind the Lore: The Native Storm Islanders were inbred descendants of scientists from the ancient advanced civilization. The geo-thermal energy from the volcano was long ago utilized to power a HAARP like machine within the volcano. The inside of the volcano was sealed off to become a safe chamber, housing the HAARP, like how people seal nuclear reactors. This machine was used to utilize wind currents to keep the inhabitants of these islands safe from nuclear fallout, and to keep the dust from totally blotting out their sun. The Veil of Storms was lifted when Gloria-Etalia came to earth, and the initial Westrasi migration was welcomed as much needed diversity to their gene-pool. The veil was raised again when Gloria-Etalia left and the peoples of the world began to clash. The Druidic class pass down the knowledge of the HAARP to keep the Island safe, and upkeep the infrastructure as much as they can. No one except the highest ranking members of the Druidic Family would know this.

### Government

Although lacking an official government there is a adhered to social order and structure enforced by tradition. It is based very much around the spiritual beliefs of the islands inhabitants. Islanders born with primarily albinid traits such as pale white skin, silver eyes, and white hair are believed to be sacred by their peers. Known as the Cloud People they are trained as the societies’ rulers and druids and are tasked with protecting the island through the sacred magical art of storm magic. They hand down the teachings, rulings, and judgements to their heirs, and lead their people forward in times of uncertainty. There are not many rules to stifle the lives of Storm Islanders, just basic social contracts. A Storm Islander may not kill another Storm Islander unless it is in self-defense. A Storm Islander may not go out of their way to cause harm to nature if they gain no resource from their actions. Storm Islanders are expected to actively participate in the well-being of their society. This includes taking some profession like whaling, beer brewing, or something else. It also includes the duty to spar and train for combat on a regular basis with their peers. This allows them to act as a standing levy and aid the men at arms and knights in a time of need. It is said that a Storm Islander that violates these social contracts is sent to sea in a small boat, giving him his complete independence that he must desire to shun the islands.

### Culture

The plants and animals that live on the Storm Island have evolved in a unique way because of the dangerous climate. The Storm Island Sheep and the Storm Island Seal are bigger, fiercer, and hardier than elsewhere in the world. The sheep provide wool, hide, meat, dairy, and the ram's horns are fashioned into instruments and drinking horns. The seals provide meat, furs, and a large supply of rich fats, used for anything from candles to preservatives, soaps, and more. The only known birds on the Storm Islands are large scavenging Corlids and fish eating Sea Eagles. It is uncertain why so many fish and whales live in the extremely stormy waters around the Storm Islands. It is as if they are swept there. There are many trees found on the Islands. They are all subspecies of mainland Westerasi trees that evolved for the climate. Broadleaf trees are harder than the hardest mainland oak, growing twisted and gnarled. Conifers which can bend completely in half without breaking. These unique woods are the backbone of Islander culture. They form their spears and bows, their storm-weathering architecture, and the only boats that can withstand a fishing expedition on their stormy seas.  Storm Islanders are warriors, farmers, and fishermen. They live hard and recreate hard. They have an insatiable appetite for the dark ales and whiskeys that they brew, made with wild herbs that grow there. Some are brewed with rarer herbs that cause much stranger effects. There are even stranger fungi, which have been seen to create wondrous and terrifying illusions when crushed. The Islanders are hard but fun loving, and ever adaptable because of their environment. A Storm Islander can be thrown from a fishing boat, climb back aboard unshaken, and share a good laugh about it. Storm Islanders cover themselves in tattoos. They mark status, deeds, personal beliefs, and virtues. A deed for a Storm Islander may also count a funny anecdote, which will likely be repeated often. There are three inks used. The most common is black from the special charcoal of the Boradleaf Tree. The indigo woad ink is reserved for those more well off or those committing greater deeds. The rarest, a crimson ink, is reserved only for the albinid druid class. They will often mix in blue and black ink purely for aesthetic reasons. Albino Islanders are mainly born within their own group, but when this phenotype manifests among the other islanders they are married into the main druidic albino family. Because of its isolation and monoculture, it has strangely developed little in cultural identification. People instead of being categorized by towns or provinces are simply people in the eyes of the Storm Islanders. The only significant destination made is between the albino class and normal humans.

### Diplomacy

Trade with Storm Islanders, as well as the conquering, and resource extraction by greater empires; has been staved off by impracticality, because of the constant fog and storms surrounding the island making travel to and from the Island treacherous at best. However they are not outwardly hostile to any un-enterprising outsiders and are quite welcoming and even more, fun with them.

The various menfolk are regarded with a supernatural suspicion. Many folk tales and legends revolve around them, and it could be said that merfolks are one of the only subjects that Storm Islanders are serious about.

### Economy

There is only a barter system in place on the island. Goods and services are exchanged for other goods in services, or are given to the community with the expectation that everyone else will give too. Outside trade works on this idea as well, when it happens.

### Geography

The unique climate and the volcano on Cloud Island give the Islands a unique black iron sand that looks almost iridescent in certain lights. The parts of the islands that aren't covered in black sand are covered in rolling hills of grass and trees. The seas are dangerous and rough due to the magical storm barrier put in place by the druids. Traveling between the islands is usually a lot safer and easier with calmer waters. The volcano is massive, and looms over the islands. It can be seen for tens of miles around. It rails often, usually storming from the magic surrounding the islands. Storm Islanders are not bothered by this, and take a sort of religious pride in their weather.

### Religion

The Storm Islanders don't believe that Gloria-Etalia completely abandoned the mortal races when they left. Rather they believe they sent angels to Ari to lead them. Storm Islanders believe that their people expressing the albino phenotype are Gloria-Etalia's angels reincarnated into a mortal form. The albino druids are the emissaries to god and what they say is the word of god. If the way Storm Islanders live contradicts what people believe Gloria-Etalia stands for, it is because that is what she said before, and the Storm Islanders know what she says now. The sleeping volcano on Cloud Island is the site of ceremonial power for the druids, and it is rumored that the magic they do there protects the island with it's fogs and storms. Although not part of their religion, they believe the fish people from that live around the islands to be supernatural beings. They may bestow a boon upon you, for a price.