Island of the Light Apes

image of the isle of Safashiik on the isles map

The Isle of **Safashiik**, better known as the Isle of the Light Apes, is an isle located in the eastern isles within the realm of Taijita. It is directly north of the isle of the dark apes, and is currently home to the Kingdom of Safashiik, the nation of the Light Apes.

### History

#### Light Ape Arrival

Safashiik was first settled circa 2553 BLC by Emperor **Brutus** of the Light Apes, who fled the central isles during the fall of the light ape empire. There, he established a stronghold for the remainder of the light ape species, of which there were less than 2000, according to historical record. The light apes and their regarded the isle upon which they had been shipwrecked as the promised land, and their arrival there the will of Safashu. The stronghold founded by Brutus would grow to become a great and prosperous kingdom, completely isolated from the central isles from which its inhabitants had once fled. Self sufficient and confident in their purpose, the light apes used the teachings of Safashu as the bedrock on which their kingdom would be built. For one hundred years, their peace was undisturbed, and a dynasty of Brutus' descendants would be established known as the **Sun-blood Kings,** who would follow in the steps of the Light Ape Empire

#### Dark Ape Wars

However, little did the Light Apes know that they had a neighbor to their south with which they would be lock in an extensive history of warfare. For on the same day that the light apes washed upon the shores of Safashiik, a pursuing vessel containing King **H'Lath** of the Dark Apes washed ashore on the Isle of the Dark Apes, or **Creeduk**. Bound in destiny, the two tribes would first encounter one another in 2300 BLC, after which a great and lasting war would be fought. For the next several thousand years, Dark and Light Apes would be locked in almost continuous conflict over two millennia, which would later be divided into **Six Great Wars** by historians.

1. **The Ignition War** (Year 0-200): The first war of Taijita ignites with a ferocity as intense as the midday sun. The Light Apes, led by King Dualtar, son of Brutus, perceive for first time the presence of the Dark Apes on their neighboring shores, and view their reverence for Creed as a blasphemous eclipse upon their beliefs. Fueled by religious fervor and zealotry, the old enemies clash, their hearts and minds inflamed with the conviction that their respective deities shall triumph. The war drew to a stalemate, with both powers inflicting heavy losses which would keep them from major conflict for the next century. In the meantime, the inhabitants of Safashiik and Creeduk would hone their weaponry and magics for when they would embark once again into war.
2. **The Sun's Crusade** (Year 2300-2000 BLC): An especially bloody war, the sun's crusade was conducted by the Grandson of Dualtar, King Faraduk, who organized the Light Apes into a legion of significant magical ability. Descending upon the dark ape lands, they slaughtered hundreds until they reached the capital of their settlements, H'Lath's Landing. There, the Light Apes laid siege, hoping to vanquish the dark apes once and for all. However, they were expertly repelled by King Qizul of the Creeduk, and their armies were forced to beat a bloody retreat over water and back to their homeland. Despite this ultimate loss, the war was considered a victory by the light apes as they had decimated nearly the entire Dark Ape Isle.
3. **The Cataclysm Convergence** (Year 1800-1700 BLC): As the centuries pass, a foreboding prophecy emerged, foretelling an cataclysm that would destroy both the realms of light and shadow. The tribes, haunted by this prophecy, descend into the depths of war once again. The Cataclysm Convergence sees the tribes battling not only each other but also the encroaching darkness that threatens to engulf their very existence. The kings of each tribe sought to manipulate event for their own ends, their ambitions reaching new heights of desperation, and bloodshed. it In the end, however, the great cataclysm never occurred, and the origin of the prophesy was proven to be false. Safashiik and Creeduk remain at terrible odds, their hatred only stoked to new, fearsome levels. The Dark apes won their first decisive victory in this war, capturing and beheading King Heldathon of the Light Apes and sending Safashiik spiraling into chaos. However, the dead king's heir eventually wrested power away from the dark ape foe, and restored much of the Kingdom's original territories.
4. **The War of One Million Fires** (Year 1500 - 1000 BLC): This war was sparked in large part by a magical and technological revolution achieved in the Light Ape lands. A reorganization of government saw the establishment of a Church Covocation, a ruling body within the Light Ape government formed in response to several rebellions within the state. The convocation was based off of the ancient Holy Senate of the Light Ape Empire, and was comprised of 100 priests from the various provinces of Safashiik. These priests formed a significant magical mind, and together devised a weapon of mass destruction, which they named "The Beams of Safashu." Taking the shape of a massive golden sun, and transported overseas via boat, the great device wreaked havoc on the dark apes, focusing the rays of the sun itself with terrifying power upon Creeduk. War followed, in which the Dark Apes were overwhelmed with the advanced weaponry and armor of the light apes and were utterly defeated, and pushed underground for a century.
5. **The Ascendant Struggle** (Year 900-500 BLC): As the fifth war dawns upon the islands, a new generation of apes emerges, yearning for liberation from the shackles of ancient enmity. The Ascendant Struggle witnesses the rise of charismatic leaders from both tribes, who rejected the religions of both Creed and Safashu in favor of a united society bereft of the bloodshed which had marked Taijita for centuries. A wave of enlightenment gradually swept across Safahiik and Creeduk, with many apes banding together with the mission of collaboration and peace. However, the remnants of hatred and fear prove hard to vanquish, as the past casts its long shadow upon the fragile hopes of peace. The Ascendants were declared heretics by the kings of both Safashiik and Creeduk, and were hunted en-masse with brutal method. Their candle was effectively snuffed out, and any mention of their hopeful movement was erased from the chronicles of official light ape history.
6. **The Shadow Blight** **War** (Year 400 BLC-50 ALC): Through some cunning magic, the Dark Apes of Creeduk created a deadly a pestilence of great proportions, which they released upon the life of Safashiik. The pestilence, known as the "Shadow Blight" wiped out countless crops and forests, wrapping them in sickly infection and darkness. Thousands of light apes starved to death, as their fields went barren and their livestock died. However, the plans of the dark apes backfired, when the pestilence began effecting the lands and livestock of Creeduk as well. The war then became a struggle for resources, as both Light and Dark Apes stooped to new lows in order to maintain their civilizations. The Shadow Blight persisted for centuries thereafter, devastating and decentralizing the power of the twin isles. Circa 50 ALC, the effects of the plague subsided and life on Safashiik reemerged in incredible splendor. But the states of the Light and Dark apes remained greatly depleted and disorganized, the dynasty of the Sun-bloods having been ended by these dark times. It was in this era, circa 180 ALC, that Levi arrived on Safashiik.

### Geography

The island's terrain is an enchanting blend of lush rainforests, rolling hills, cascading waterfalls, and hidden caves, all bathed in the warm glow of sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. The jungle is dense, with towering ancient trees forming a verdant canopy overhead, creating a sheltered and mystical ambiance.

The primary feature that sets Safashiik apart is its unique relationship with the sun. Due to a fortuitous alignment of the island's position, the sun's rays reach Safashiik at a nearly perpendicular angle throughout the year. As a result, the island enjoys an abundance of sunlight, extending the duration of daylight and creating a vibrant ecosystem that thrives on solar energy.

The inhabitants of Safashiik are as captivating as their surroundings. The island is home to a rich tapestry of life, both plant and animal. The flora of Safashiik is a true spectacle, characterized by an array of radiant and luminescent plants. Flowers bloom in vibrant hues, emanating a soft glow that illuminates the forest floor, while bio-luminescent mosses and fungi decorate the trunks of ancient trees, transforming the jungle into a mystical realm after sunset.

The animal life on Safashiik is equally diverse and fascinating. Numerous species have adapted to the sun-drenched environment. Brilliantly colored birds with iridescent feathers flit through the treetops, their plumage shimmering in the sunlight. Amphibians and insects thrive in the humid undergrowth, their wings and bodies adorned with striking patterns and iridescent hues.