The Stagonids
"I must confess that you don't look like the usual tourists." The woman at the desk adjusted her spectacles as she peered up. "A little too heavily armed. What can I do to assist you today, Magistrate?"
Cara motioned, and her escort sat down heavily on one of the loungers in the lobby. The magistrate turned back to the receptionist and drew a small charcoal sketch from her vest. "Have you seen this man?"
"That could be anyone." The woman was nonplussed. "A common face with no distinguishing features? I could have seen him a half hour ago outside the fish fry cafe when I was taking lunch. Anything notable about him?"
"He is a wizard, gone missing for a number of weeks. His last known location was at the ferry landing here on Llestin, and there were no records of him leaving the island. Yours is the only hostelry here." Cara leaned forward, the pendant of her office glinting in the sunlight. "No magical incidents? No guests that stood out? Search your memory, if you would."
A slow blink. "None at all. Though you seem to be discounting a possibility."
"Oh?" The magistrate folded her arms. "And that would be?"
"That the person you seek left the island by private sail or outrigger. There are plenty of fishermen around who would probably take a passenger." The receptionist leaned back and popped a chew into her mouth, working it slowly with her teeth. "There are many places in the Stagonids to go if one wishes to not be found, Magistrate. I wish you luck."
Geography
The Stagonids are an island archipelago just off the southeastern edge of western Saibh, composing a portion of the great circle that encloses the Bui Sea. Along with the Etoile Capital City, the Stagonids serve as starting points for expeditions into the eastern islands. Unlike the Capital, which straddles a peninsula that reaches deep into the frontier, there is a shallow, three kilometer wide strait that separates the western mainland from the first of the islands in the chain, and the principal transport is by sail rather than by Power-Wagons.
The archipelago itself is comprised of over one hundred islands, the largest being the walled island-city of Nenuph, and the smallest mere sandbars that appear and disappear in the tides. The islands are relatively closely positioned, and each island is visible from the one to its west or east in sequence. The ease of inter-island travel has led to the Stagonids being well settled in comparison to the frontier communities deeper in the east, and the islands are a favorite vacation destination for citizens of Etoile due to the natural beauty of the seascape and the presence of vast underwater coral formations.
Fauna & Flora
Formerly cursed by naval captains as dangerous shipping hazards, the coral formations in and around the Stagonids are a natural wonder, a riot of colorful sea structures with incredible diversity in fish and aquatic life. Naturalists from The Academy of Etoile maintain a permanent outpost on one of the smaller islands to study the seascape. The islands themselves are home to exotic bird life, but extended Etoilean settlement has replaced most of the natural ecology with ornamental cultivated gardens.
History
The Stagonids have been settled throughout recorded history, and their position is a strategic one; the strait between Port Yves on the mainland and Corrir Island is the major crossing point between the Lower Feryll and Bui Seas on the great circular trade route, generating high incomes due to transit tolls. Prior to the Principality of Etoile, the Stagonids were subject to bitterly contested territorial claims between neighboring states, with naval wrecks and abandoned fortresses littering the region. The general lawlessness also promoted piracy, and the Stagonids were for a time the most dangerous part of the trader's route. The conquest of the Principality put an end to the fighting, and now Nenuph is home station to a major Principality Navy formation.
Since The War of Unification and the remediation of much of the land, several consortium groups have partnered together to build tourist resorts and facilities in the area to take advantage of the natural beauty. The Principality has for some time planned to link the islands together with ocean-spanning bridges to facilitate power-wagon travel, an engineering feat and the first of their kind.
Tourism
The Stagonids are relentlessly promoted in Etoile Capital City journals as an ideal vacation destination, and they attract a cross section of Etoilean society. The wealthy stay in exclusive resort islands dedicated to their every whim; members of the Foremost families often maintain vacation homes (a few even own their own small islands outright). The rest content themselves with stays at local hostelries and small inns, with the more adventurous setting up their own campsites on the beaches.
Regardless of station in life, Etoileans arrive here to escape the bustling city environment and enjoy the weather and sights. Beyond the clean beaches and clear water, power-sail ferry trips between islands are themselves attractions for tourists, as well as underwater excursions with glass-bottomed diving vessels. The constant transit of trade vessels ensures that a steady supply of goods and luxuries are readily available in the main islands, though supply can be harder to find deeper east into the Stagonids.
The ever-increasing population of visitors has created some strain between the tourists and the local inhabitants, and incidents of bad behavior and development-related damage has created some political headaches for the local District Commander.
Type
Archipelago
Location under
Included Locations
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
Related Myths
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I absolutely love the conversation at the start. It drew me right into the article. In fact I am now curious as to what happens next!