Purple Isles
| Purple Isles | |
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| Subdivision type: | Overseas Territory |
| Capital: | Eesdehaven |
| Population: | 1,008,229 |
| Largest Cities: | Eesdehaven |
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| Local Leadership Title: | Commissioner |
| Local Government: | Grand Council |
| Current leader: | Mitt Ketchen |
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| Local language: | Lac Glaceian (official) |
| Local Religion: | The Alpine Temple |
The Purple Isles are an overseas territory in northern Lac Glacei. It is Lac Glacei's only territory and as a rural outpost is undergoing development by the central government to stimulate the local economy and encourage growth. The locals consider themselves descendants of the Purple Bunny Federation.
History
The earliest known civilization to settle in the Purple Isles was the Purple Bunny Federation, whose inhabitants worshipped the Purple hare and were the first to discover the area's rich deposits of amethyst. The PBF became an early trading partner with the nearby United Imperium and thus was an early ally of Lac Glacei. However, prolonged conflict with the Republic of Blackrock caused its eventual isolation and decline. Minor tribes occupied the area until the Crandish conquest when the area was incorporated into the province of Jutien. The Purple Islanders were integrated but not subjugated by Cranda and became an integral minority in subsequent growth and success of Arminy.
After the collapse of Arminy, the area was conquered by Tokish tribes and eventually became absorbed by Gralus where it became the seat of Ostshon Kagan, a tribal confederation ruled by Keshian Tatars. Eventually the Tatars were pushed out of the mainland by various external forces, including and at varying times, by Alexandria, Gotzborg and others. The Purple Isles themselves eventually became the last stronghold of Gralus in the form of a diminutive Toketi, before that too eventually collapsed. The area was then violently subjugated by Stormark before their collapse. It was after the Storish expulsion that Lac Glacei approached the islands during the Riel Expedition in 1698 AN. Louis Riel then negotiated the inclusion of the Purple Isles into Lac Glacei as an overseas territory, vowing to help the locals reestablish their long-lost heritage. Mitt Ketchen, a local leader with deep ancestral roots, was elected as Governor.
With the opening of the Nurthaven and Antruusbuurg Canal in 1702 trade with the Purple Isles increased greatly and the port of Eesdehaven became an important stop for ships carrying goods across the northern straits. This increased wealth helped to modernize the city and swell the local population. Additional revenues generated by the Northstar Spaceport also improved the local economy. With this growth Governor Ketchen began pressuring the government to fulfill its promise to help the Purple Islanders regain their ancestral lands. Much of their original homeland had been overtaken by hostile tribes, most notably the Jutts, a barbaric tribe that had violently taken over the area several centuries ago. In response the Grand Duke authorized the raising of a local militia to support the Purple Islanders with a force of 50,000 soldiers. By 1705 Ketchen had amassed a strong enough force to began pushing back against the Jutts, expanding his control over the outlying territory around Eesdehaven. Following the formation of the Anglo-Saksen Commonwealth, a permanent peace was made with the neighboring Juttish kingdom.
Culture
Purple Islanders are one of the oldest cultures on Micras and retain much of their ancestral traditions, especially in their religion (the Purple Temple) and their affinity for all things purple. The local love of the color has become ingrained in the population after nearly five-thousand years of worship. But this stems back to when the area's earliest inhabitants came across the plentiful veins of amethyst and the affable Purple hare. The unique rabbit was often found near veins of amethyst, and thus early on became a portent of good luck. Between the natural ore and wildlife, the addition of effuse purple heather, endemic to neighboring Heathersland and Eesdeheito, made the purple landscape very impressive upon the minds of those early inhabitants. This impression manifested itself in the establishment of the Purple Bunny Federation, a loose-knit group of tribes who all worshipped the Purple hare. Under the leadership of Lord Kitchenmit, the PBF built an empire that came to include the Purple Isles.
Adherents of the Purple Temple believe that the Purple hare is a divine being, whose health is directly tied to the bounty of the land. If the rabbit population is strong and healthy, the land will respond with plentiful crops and healthy people. Conversely, if the rabbit population is poor and sickly, so too will there be drought, pestilence or other such disasters (or so it is believed). With the advent of modern science, much of this mythology has been debunked. But much of the rural population, whose access to a proper education is limited, still hold to these ancient superstitions. Nonetheless, both the color purple and the Purple hare have become integral parts of Purple Islander culture.
Geography
The Purple Isles consists of eleven islands situated in the Violette Sea and north of the large island of Rielrar Island, which is not considered part of the archipelago geographically, but is administered as part of the same overseas territory.
The islands are, from east to west:
- Scullery: At one time a pirate stronghold, the island's population was tamed by Gralus and it is now a popular tourist destination.
- Amaranthine: Another popular tourist destination, Amaranthine is renowned for its wealthy and immaculate estates.
- Culinas: Known for its rich cooking traditions, Culinas is a favorite among tourists.
- Storyash: Home to the Lac Glaceian Northstar Spaceport, Storyash was originally settled by Gralus, who built their space platform on the island.
- Mitte: The ancestral home and lands of the Mit Family, former rulers of the PBF. Although the family line has become extinct, the grounds and mansion are maintained as a national historic site.
- Freesia: Another pirate stronghold, Freesia was named for the "free men" who refused to bow to various invaders. Local folklore suggests that the original inhabitants came from Freenesia.
- Lila: The smallest of the island chain, Lila is a nature preserve and noted for being covered in lilacs.
- Torrin: A primarily suburban island with a strong Crandish population.
- Krerdar: The largest of the islands and has a large Gralan population and the town of the same name, which is composed of several hamlets.
- Boggen: A marshy island with a low elevation prone to flooding, most of the island has been designated a wetland preserve and its inhabitants resettled on Krerdar.
- Rabbit's Foot: In ancient times, Rabbit's Foot was the site of a temple dedicated to the Purple hare.
