Lindisfarne
Every single you see on this island, from plant, to animal, to guests, to even the shape of the land is only here because I or one of my ancestors CHOSE specifically to include it. Never forget how easy it would be for me to remove you.Lindisfarne, also known as the Healing or the Garden Island, is one of the most famous of the island estates owned by the royal family of Albion. Originally a lifeless rock constantly ravaged by lava flows, it became famous as a passion project by the early kings and queens. Its botanical gardens and elegant architecture is quickly becoming famous sector wide, although guest lists are kep deliberatly small and exclusive. In many ways it is the template by which all similar estates are judged.
Cultural prestige
Star nations closely connected with specific Earth cultures, ethnicities, and religions, tend to consider biomes tied to that past as prestigious or sacred. For example, star nations settled by cultures hailing from regions with wide open steppess, such as Mongolia or the American Great Plains, will often romanticize similar biomes on their new planet. Likewise, star nations colonized by settlers from equator nations often consider tropical regions to be particularly desirable. For the settlers of Albion, with their background largely coming from the British Isles, special importance is given to coastal and island regions. The issue this creates is that while these biomes may be culturally significant, like on all planets, there is only so much available on any single world. Because of this, prized cultural biomes typically become property of the elite, aristocracy, or religious and government institutions. For the nobility of Albion, owning an island estate is considered neccessary to become socially relevant. The royal family often awards new additions to the aristocracy with mining rights to a region of the system's asteroid belts, reserving actual land grants for allies and those who have exceptionally proven themselves. When the royal family does award territory on planet, more often than not the title will be to lands within the continental interiors where new settlements are wanted. Nobles often find the royal family more than willing to trade portions of those titles for islands from the royal reserves (though never at a one for one rate).Claimed from the Fire
In the year XXXX DE a mountain erupted on the largest of an unnamed volcanic island chain along Albion's equator. Within hours lava flows swept the island clean of all life, leaving a smoldering hellscape in its wake. The event would have passed as a footnote in history, were it not for the interest of the Albionic king Aedan Pendragon. Instead of restoring the natural environment, he worked closely with biologists, landscapers, and architects to create a garden sanctuary worthy of royal attention. The earth was tilled, and beautiful plants from private collections planetwide were sent to be planted with meticulous care. Underwater excavation funneled lava flow into the narby ocean, enlarging the island shelf where additional coral was planted. As these efforts begain to bear fruit the decision was made to name the island Lindisfarne, meaning Healing Island. Over generations it has become a pet project of the monarchy, with each king or queen adding to the biome and architecture. The first thing that visitors to Lindisfarne will notice is Aedanton palace rising from the island's peak, its towers surrounded by spiralling eathworks that form the walls. Thousands of rushing streams radiate out from the palace, first as cascades lining the wide steps and streets, before branching out organically to ponds and estuaries throughout the island. Only the royal family and security is allowed to fly in, everyone else must arrive by boat at the dock, with its stone terraces descending into the ocean like a giant's stairway. From there, visitors are escorted to a large boulivard that winds through the island's many gardens on its way to the palace base. Coastal Gardens The second thing most guests notice, after the palace itself, are the grand staircases descending into the surrounding coral reef. These stais take scuba equipped visitors down into a nautical garden filled with walkways and sculptures, all slowly being consumed by the native coral. On land beautiful coastal palms and ferns sway in the wind, shading stone streets that lead further in. Ornamental Woods Lindisfarne is large, a little over 10,000 km², and most of the island has not yet been divvied up into planned gardens. Instead it features deep forests of hundreds of tree species, each chosen for their size and overall beauty. The underbrush, beautiful ferns and shaded bushes, also hides depressions and carefully placed rock formations that make it difficult for anyone trying to take an unofficial route to the palace. For those sticking to the main path there are large bridges passing over the island streams, each with resting rooms (and guard stations) built in. Party Grounds Upon leaving the woods, visitors arrive at the party grounds. The royal family hosts celebrations and events throughout the year, and it switches between these grounds and the place itself to hold them. Fountains and topiary estblish the perimeter of the grounds, which are left open for any layout needed for the silk tents. Rugby matches, fencing, and gymnastics are often held here, with exedras providing guests with places to watch from the shade. Mazes One of the island's most famous attractions, the Lindisfarne mazes have their hedged walkways rearranged every four months. This provides a new experience for repeat visitors, but also makes it more difficult for unwanted guests to reach further inland. Clairvoyees may show the correct path, or merely be windows to mirrors and statuary. Bowers are placed on paths with less traffic, offering lovers a spot for their ardor. Walking Paths Allees cut through the woods, leading visitors on a more natural experience. The walking gardens rise and fall with the land, passt streams and brooks to hidden dells and grottos. Large stone gazebos and waterfalls are scattered throughout the paths, offering breaks in the tree cover to allow views of the palace. Healing Gardens Hidden away from paths with the most traffic are hermitages, small homes reserved for trauma survivors who have served the nation in some spectacular fashion. Berceau frames covered in flowering ivy lead to small shaded courtyards where guests meet with doctors, therapists, and family near softly bubbling fountains. Small herb gardens provide guests with a chance to work and physical sensations that distract from their pain. Night Gardens The night gardens were constructed by Queen Naomi Pendragon, an insomniac in need of a garden better suited to late night walks. Wide moss beds, carefully maintained and soft as silk, grow under tall shade trees. Breaks in the canopy open onto fountains that gurgle in the moonlight, while pavillions furnished with soft beds are maintained for those who finally succumb to their tiredness. Machinery hidden in nearby statues coat the gardens with artificial mist, providing a dream like quality to the surroundings. Productivity Gardens Even on Lindisfarne, the monarchs of Albion find themselves kept busy with state business. Offices line enclosed peristyle garden courtyards, where portable walking desks are placed near fire pits or basins of chilled water based on the season. Often these productivity gardens have small botanical gardens, where monarchs keep watch on cuttings of some new botanical obsession.
Lindisfarne is the largest and most prestigious island in its volcanic chain, but the others have made names for themselves as well.
Durham: Home to many resorts open to the public, where most visitors stay when invited to Lindisfarne.
Ely: The "Orchard Isle" to Lindisfarne's "Garden Isle", this island is famous for its fruit orchards that supply most of the produce for the island chain's residents.
Canterbury: Home to the vacation homes and boatyards of the wealthy, who enjoy living so close to Lindisfarne and its festivities.
Salisbury: The "Working Isle", home to good fisheries and an outpost for the Royal Research Society. It is also home to large cutting gardens, which provide the flowers used at Lindisfarne in temporary arrangements.
St George: The island with the roughest terrain, and home to bases for the Royal Navy and Marines.
"We did not travel so far to remain squatting in minimalist hunting lodges for the rest of eternity. We came to create, to beautify, and to express, through form, humanity's shared progress. To do less would be a betrayal of those who sacrificed so much to come so far."Many visitors never think to question the winding organic paths that lead to the palace, which feel so natural despite their very thoughtful landscaping. Unknown to many, the layout of the gardens has seen heavy input from military and security officer. These proffesionals have worked hard to make sure that hostile trespassors can never take a direct route to reach the royal family, instead having to choose between the long garden paths or dense foliage between them.
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