Introduction to the Arctic Islands

RabidFox

Hierarchy Role-playing Status: Controlled by JamesG (King Nikolaus Skjöldebrand)

The Arctic Islands, the Rike Arktik in the native tongue, are made of the main island, Talini, and the four minor islands, from biggest to smallest, Chiup, Slimtla, Ertla, and Gelta. There are many other smaller islands (including the Crystal Island, Mairak), but most don't have established towns or cities, and are not located on the map of all of Feila.

The peoples of the Arctic Islands are dependent on fishing as their major source of food and economy. Due to the extremely harsh climate, there is no agriculture to speak of, though agricultural products from other countries are quite the rage. The Islands, like the Northern Continent of Astrila, were only recently discovered. Strangely enough, they were discovered by a ship of fishermen from Yamaha who were blown too far North while out on a tour. After the discovery, people have been flocking to the exotic new islands.

Talini literally means 'snow angels.' Despite being the biggest island, it is the most desolate as most of the land is far from the sea. A few coastal towns dot the southern shores, with at few facing the islands of Chiup, Gelta, and Ertla. Every 5 years, a sled-dog race is held in Talini, starting in the western most town of Naklin ("forgotten snow"), and ending in the easternmost city of Klin ("remembered snow"). It's open to natives and nonnatives alike; all you need is a sled and a team of non-sentient dogs.

Chiup is known for its whale-hunting. Every year, as the whales pass by for migration, a large hunt is held by the natives. The products taken from the whale are usually meat, bones, and blubber that is sold to foreigners to make oil. The whale hunts are great attractions for the tourists; the equivalent of our Running of the Bulls. For a price, you can walk away with whatever you want.

Slimtla is the only minor island on the southern side of Talini. When diplomats from the other countries first came to the islands, they set up the capital of all the islands here, called Shiya. Since it's establishment 10 years ago, it has become the main center of politics and trades. Many well-to-do nobles and the like have established summer houses in Shiya, solidifying the city's power. Most of the largest cities have been established near Shiya, including Anernerk, Sedna, and Olikpok.

Most Common Species: Wolf, Husky, Malamute, Hares
Unique Species: Dall Sheep, Muskox, Collared Lemming, Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, and Caribou.
Rare Species: Penguins, Seals
Note: There are no native feline species.

Due to its previous isolation both politically and socially, there is no single ruling species. Most tribes are separated by species. The 'unique' species are species whose genealogy can only be traced back to the Arctic Islands or Astrila. Though a rare few can be traced back to the northern-most parts of Yamaha, suggesting migrations in the far past.

The rare species of penguin are the only native group of Avians found on the Islands and are always beaked (a skin penguin would freeze in the waters). Additionally, they are not accepted within the 'traditional' Avians of their neighboring Territory of the Ravens due to their inability to fly. The penguins are excellent swimmers, though they can only remain in the icy waters for limited times before their body temperature drops.

The hares distinguish themselves from each other as Arctic, Tundra, and Snowshoe. It's not wise to try to assume on a hare's classification, as it is usually a blurry separation to non-lagomorphs. There may be some forms of rivalry between hares of different classifications, but there have been no major battles in recent years. The battles that did occur previously were usually of territory and not separatism. A similar trend can be seen between the huskies and malamutes.

Politics:

The Arctic Islands have the most unique political system. At first, Edwin and Domus officials tried to take control as a joint power, but it soon deteriorated as the local people revolted against their hierarchy. Political experts from Yamaha traveled to Shiya to side with the natives, teaching them how to establish and run a hierarchy. After a three years of blood shed, a tribe of Dall Sheep established the first monarchy. They were in power for only a year until a second revolt occurred, and a royal coupe was ordered. Afterwards, a family of caribou who had a strong hold on the newborn trading empire, bought and fought their way to monarchy, and created the second Dynasty. With their knowledge in trade, and a growing bond with the wolves, their reigned has so far been steady and unchallenged (except a few uprisings here and there, but nothing uncontrollable).

The current leader of the Islands is His Serene Majesty Nikolaus Skjöldebrand. The royal council consists mainly of wolves due to the two clan's heavy ties.

Further Reading on the Arctic Islands and Map

Islands

Talini - Talini is divided into four fiefs, Talini Väst, Talini Syd, Talini Nord and Talini öster. They are loosely run by four barons, whom answer to the monarch. The Northern parts of Talini are seasonally embraced by ice, the frozen sea of the North. Every winter, the sea is frozen, but only as far South as Stavanger and Kiruna. The furthest reaches of the island are permanently frozen in, though only as far South as Narvik.

Slimtla - Southernmost island, ruled directly by Royalty. Rarely sees a frozen sea. Home of the capital of the Arctic Islands, Shiya. The Barons of all islands must meet with the monarch here every year.

Gelta - Smallest island, the Northern half permanently frozen in, the South experiences the frozen seas seasonally. Governed by one baron.

Ertla - Ertla is permanently surrounded by a frozen sea, and as such is only accessible by walking or sledding. Experiences the foremost of blizzards. Governed by one, very reclusive baron.

Chiup - Second Largest island to Talini, the North permanently frozen, however its whalers in the South rarely have to deal with ice damage to fishing boats. Governed by one baron.

Major Towns

Shiya - Largest town of the Arctic, home to the Arctic Island Royalty and Royal Council. Since Wood is a rare commodity in this climate, permanent structures like buildings and walls are made of stone. The Islander's basic knowledge usually includes building homes quickly in harsh conditions, so Shiya is well made. Wood is a popular import for furnishing the insides of homes, the most wood is imported to the Royal Palace. A notable feature among such towns as Shiya is the Shiya Lighthouse, one of the most tall structures ever built, that burns wood constantly, at no time, day or night is the flame extinguished. Red powder imported from Yamaha is burnt in times of trouble, such as a blizzard, as a bright red torchlight for ships and travellers alike to find the city in the snow.

Andalsnes - Fishing and Trading Port North of Shiya. For travellers to the Arctic Islands, one generally gets to Talini Syd, Talini Väst and Talini Nord via Shiya and Andalsnes. The Andalsnes Lighthouse is the best guide to find it in poor weather.

Klin - Second most popular travel destination, as it is not as frigid as further North, whilst still recieving generous snowfall. A tourist-orientated town and home of the finishing line for the once in 5 year sled dog race. 'Klin' means 'Remembered snow'. The Klin Lighthouse serves as a guide most often for the dog sled race, though as with all such lighthouses, the flame is permanently lit.

Naklin - A less popular town, home of the native sledders, sled dogs and the starting line of the race. Only sledding fans would bother gonig to Naklin, its name conveniently meaning 'Forgotten snow'. It's lighthouse often burns red, the town regularly recieving heavy snow.

Stavanger - The direct link between Talini Väst and the island of Gelta. Mostly used as a merchant town, importing and exporting between islands, as fishing may only occur in warmer months, when the seas in the North are not frozen.

Frederikshavn - The name is not mispelt, it is Frederikshavn. It is the only town of Gelta, the rest of the island populated by non-permanent ice villages. Linked to the main island by Stavanger.

Kiruna - Kiruna is provider of of most of the Island's whale export, and is primarily inhabited by whalers, and as such is not a greatly popular tourist destination.

Narvik - Narvik is sometimes called 'The Dark Town', as unlike the above towns, it does not illuminate itself by lighthouse, having not the stone import quantity to build one. As the Northernmost town of Talini Nord, it is a long journey through snow to get to, and generally a very quiet town that mostly imports from Kiruna, and exports from a small crystal mine. It is said if one truly wanted to escape from the world, head for Narvik.

Korsar - Korsar might never have been established, the most Northerly town, up where the blizzards are harshest and the sea is unquestionably frozen over, summer or winter. But it was, as it had one redeeming factor, the second largest crystal mines in the Arctic, second ony to the unmapped isle of Mairak. It's main link to Talini Väst is by the small permanent village of Västerås. Korsar is a mining town that can be walked or sledded to over the frozen sea, identifiable by a usually permanent red burning light form it's lighthouse. Blizzards occur often, so the lighthouse is the most thickly built structure, so it's height is not blown over in a storm.

Minor Towns/ Permanent Villages

Västerås - Västerås is a small, but permanent village between Naklin and Korsar. They do moderately well for themselves, being the next step in a traveller's path North, leading to the mining town of Korsar, as well as having a high export and import of red powder from Yamaha, for the near-permanent red light of Korsar. Pronounced "V-AH-ster-AW-s".

Örnsköldsvik - South of Kiruna, Örnsköldsvik's primary function is a link for the whale trade between the whaling town and the rest of the Arctic Islands. It is used less frequently as the bridge between more Southerly towns and Narvik. It is only possible to walk to Narvik, the sea further North is permanently frozen, and would be a tremendous hazard to ships. Pronounced "OR-nsk-OLL-dsvik".

Sedna and Anernerk - These two minor towns are mostly in existence due to the inability of several travellers and merchants coming to the Islands to locate Shiya, round the North side of Slimtla. The amount of wrecks and lost tourists that end up on the South of the island called for a settlement to bridge the distance between the Southern Coast and Shiya. Thus Sedna and Anernerk were built, and the only minor towns to also build lighthouses, the town's most expensive structures, to direct in water traffic.