About Oracles Isle

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Oracle's Isle

Geography

The Oracle's Isle is surrounded by reefs and treacherous streams. Very few people have ever visited the isle without becoming a monk. So there are no descriptions as to how this isle may look.

The Isle is not large, only 12 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide at its widest point. It is orientated on an east west axis with its longest line almost directly on this axis. Surprisingly its widest axis is aligned nearly perfectly north south. The Isle is somewhat tear shaped, with the large drop like end to the West and a narrowing point to the East.

Generally visitors arrive at a natural harbour on the south west corner of the Isle, however, those seeking the Isle will find themselves washed up on a long beach on the very North East tip of the Isle.

A small range of hills exist on the North West shoulder of the Isle, it would an insult to real mountains to describe them as such, as they only rise to a height of several hundred feet above sea level. A wood stands on the lower reaches of the hills and from here many of the herbs required for the Isle are sourced. Also several small streams flow into a moderate sized river which meanders from the hills through the main settlement of the Isle before flowing into the sea. The mouth of the river forms part of the well protected natural harbour of the Isle.

The eastern part of the Isle is generally rolling plains, much of which has been made over to agriculture. The Isle is fairly self sufficient, although supplies do arrive from outside, generally as tribute to the various gods in residence.

From the introductory thread, it is clear a path winds from the beach on the North East through these cultivated reaches of the East to the main townsite. The main townsite is located on the intersection of North South axis and the East West axis of the Isle.

The main town comprises several temples, as well as dormitories a refractory, a bath house and laundry. Houses are found between the main town center and the harbour. Most of the farming population live in homesteads on their properties.

The Oracles Temple is directly on the intersection of the axis’s, with the rest of the building rambling away generally to the north and east of the temple. The river runs through the town site and winds behind and around the temple before flowing into the harbour.

Several bridges of varying design cross the river allowing easy access to both sides. One interesting feature of the river is a large horse bend not far north of the temple. The resultant island has been called Temple Isle for the number of temples that have sprung up there over time. Maybe in earlier times the isolation caused religious types to establish their temples there, but in modern times it is easier to find a bridge than the river through this horseshoe bend.

All temples to the gods are on the north western side the river, with the secular part of the township on the south eastern side. This is a generalisation as the river does meander, although it does trend from the north east to the south west.

Politics

One can hardly imagine the Oracle's Isle to be free of politics, but all religious orders remain silent on it. What can be seen from the outside, is that two kinds of people emerge from the isle: monks and warriors. The monks invariably take up high positions in the existing orders. The warriors are always paladins, who often act on the Oracle's behalf for specific missions. It is believed these paladins are organized in military orders. The most famous paladin coming from the Oracle's Isle is Sosa, the founder of the Purple Guard, who came on a mission to safeguard the steward Lagnora. Although she failed at this task, she remains to protect the Ceasar.

People

It is not known how many races live on the isle. The way of the Gods remains a mystery. But it is certain they do not show favour to any particular race, pulling potential monks towards the isle from all parts of the Empire and all walks of life. The monks never again leave the isle, and visitors seldom speak of what they have seen.


History

Even in the oldest records, the Oracle's Isle is mentioned as a holy place; revered by all the religious orders. In times of peril, the Oracle has guided people with its prophecies. It truely is one of the oldest institions on Tazlure. As to it's acutal history, that still remains a mystery.

Language

All languages are spoken.

Flora and Fauna

Flora

Oracles Isle has a temperate climate, with a significant woodland to the North West and rolling plains covering the rest of the Isle. Almost every Herbaceous woodland plant can be found on the Isle in the woods, and most temperate climate plants with medicinal properties exist somewhere on the Isle. The wood is predominately evergreen, although several deciduous trees, including oak and beech are also present.

There is only one plant unique to the Isle and that is the Maeve Lily. Found in the upper reaches of the river running through the Isle, this rare lily is a water plant thriving in small still pools. In spring the plants throw up spectacular blue and white flowers, often on spikes over 4 feet high these flowers are the size of a small dinner plate. It is said that the root of the plant contains more medicinal properties than any other know plant.

Fauna

In general there is not many animals and fish on the Isle, although birdlife abounds in the woodland and on the small section of cliffs to the south east. The most unusual wildlife are the giant crabs which inhabit the beach to the north east where travelers are often washed ashore. A small dear unique to the Isle also exists in the woodlands. Local custom has it that the souls of those dear to the Mother inhabit these shy and graceful creatures. They are never hunted, and yet their numbers always seem pretty constant.

Of the birds the magnificent sea eagles of the south east cliffs are the most outstanding. With win spans of up to 6 feet these glorious white eagles are said to be able to take a tuna from sea. They are able to dive under the water for up to a couple of feet, and still have the power to hoist a huge fish into the air.

The seas around the Isle teem with fish, which is a staple food of the locals. Also several edible seaweeds and kelps are found along the shorelines, along with mussels and other shellfish.

One other animal of interest is the huge freshwater crustacean know as the Oracles Bug. This crayfish like creature is found in all reaches of the river, but the largest and most sort after are found in the mouth of the river. A much sort after delicacy, the Bug is the basis of many local dishes.