Ebonvale

Ebonvale is the only settlement on Draylis Island, the smallest island of the Halterre Islands in modern day Vinato. It is touted as one of the greatest examples of Architectural Flora in the world as the village is built entirely of living plants, some buildings so meticulously cared for that they are original to the village's settlement.

History

Fleeing the Invaders

Draylis Island was uninhabited before The Great Invasion in the early teens AN. During the Invasion, a group of Phonro became separated from the rest of their tribe during their retreat from the invaders. Left facing death or the unknown of the Aticaster Sea, the refugees paddled away from the mainland and let the currents decide their fates. The currents brought them to the shores of Draylis Island.

Village Settlement

The group that ended up on the isalnd was primarily made up of those with Power of Flora, so they were able to use the connected energies of the vegetation on the island to aid in their survival. The group eventually settled in an area of the island near a spring where the trees had grown together in a dense canopy. Over the years, they were able to manipulate the surrounding vegetation into what resembled buildings and the island began to develop into a village the inhabitants would come to call Ebonvale.

Contact with Leland

Separated from the mainland, the inhabitants of Ebonvale knew nothing of the outcome of the Invasion or the unification of the tribes. In 62 SU, Ebonvale was discovered by a party of cartographers that had been mapping the Halterre Islands. Though the land was claimed by the Crown, the village was exempt from paying taxes and allowed to continue life as it had been so long as it cooperated with the queendom on other matters. Word spread through Leland of a "Village of the Trees" and before long it became a tourist destination.

Modern Day

The original Ebonvale settlement is treated as a historical site and is meticulously cared for by the descendants of the refugees who established it. Further development on the island has shied away from most modern conveniences, leaning heavily on the natural beauty of the environment and responsibly using what nature has provided. Ebonvale remains mostly inhabited by descendants of the original settlers and those residing there for academic and conservation purposes.

Tourism

Ebonvale is considered a place every Green Thumb should visit before they die, but the Village of the Trees welcomes tourism of all kinds. People are drawn to the island for the historical settlement, the charming modern village, and the natural environment where camping and hiking is popular. While tourists are able to stay on the island, most choose to stay a short boat ride away on the shores of Keeltara Island due to the more rudimentary nature of Ebonvale's facilities. Ebonvale is a popular wedding destination for those in Vinato.

Ebonvale Institute

Draylis Island is home to the Ebonvale Institute, an academic institution that focuses on the study of Architectural Flora as well as general conservation for the Halterre Islands. Acceptance to the institution is very competitive, but it is regarded as having the best Architectural Flora program in the world.