Motu

The people of Motu worshipped a giant, Neskull, who was believed to watch over the island.
Neskull is incorrectly identified as a giant. He is in fact a Dark Power, whose vestige lies within the shadowy realm of Barovia.

History

Humans arrived on the Isle of Motu around 1250 years ago and claimed the land for the eponymous settlement. They developed a strong, if small, farming community and traded freshwater fish from the cave system below the island. The caves were inlaid with the carvings of giant men, the largest of which the islanders named Neskull, and gigantic sea creatures doing battle.
Neskull came to be revered as a god by the Islanders. The community saw the fish as a gift from Neskull - they preserve the balance of fish life and capturing them for sustenance, seeing the lesson of preservation and strength.
As islanders across the Bygone Isles developed better craft, those from less-resource rich isles fought those from more wealthy islands. The people of Motu carved the face of Neskull onto their boats and trained their warriors in battle. Motu's barbarians became feared for their ferocity and controlled, restrained rage throughout the isles.

Customs and Traditions

Once per generation, the elders of Motu disappear into the caves beneath the island to convene with Neskull. Neskull marks an infant for his own and the islanders raised the child to be the finest warrior the island could produce. These infants were extraordinarily quick, strong of arm, and passionate. On the 17th nameday, the infant, named Protector, would be sacrificed to Neskull to keep his favour and continue keeping the island under the protection of Neskull. This sacrifice is never spoken about in terms other than "protecting the island" and "receiving the axe of Motu".

Important Persons

Sirilonwe Direnni, one of The Nine from the First Age was buried on the island with her blade, Tide Breaker. She was surrounded by artistry of her battles with giants and their defeat. However, Neskull, who has a strong fascination with giants, destroyed all traces of Sirilonwe and the giant's vulnerabilities from this art on Bygone Isles" href="/w/ilarium-Hardiman12/a/motu-article">Motu and instead made the art a shrine to their being.

Geography

Around 6 miles across. Main settlement is named Motu, after the Island. There is a port large enough to hold two medium-sized trading vessels, although this has fallen into disrepair as the population of the island has remained low for the past few years following the slaughter of 275 T.A.

Fauna & Flora

See Bygone Isles.
Freshwater cave fish grow in an underground cave system.

Natural Resources

See Bygone Isles.
Motu has good quality earth on the higher sections of the island due to being sheltered by a large rock outcropping on the east side of the island sheltering the land from the worst of the weather and reducing the strongest wind buffets bringing salt water on the breeze. Plant and tree life thrives and crops perform well in the fertile soil.

Type

Island

Location under

Bygone Isles