Information Request from the Isatis Royal Library

Information Request: Violet Archipelago political structure, recent history, and political alliances.

Type: Political, Alliance
Training Level: Semi-professional
Demonym: Archipelagans
Economic System: Mixed economy
The Violet Archipelago is comprised of 18 Kingdoms spanning 27 islands. This coalition is generally rather insular, with most trade going through Rabbit Bay on Kelpie Island before being transported further into the Archipelago by locals. Although Kelpie Island is a popular tourist destination few travelers can make a good enough impression on the locals to explore further. The current main political representative of the Archipelago to outsiders is Akemi Borjas Little is known to outsiders regarding the internal political structure of the Archipelago, beyond the surprising and unified distaste for outsiders. Many speculate that the population of the Archipelago far exceeds what outsiders have been led to believe, and their military strength remains a mystery. In recent history they have primarily become prominent trade partners with Isatis, providing a sizable portion of luxury goods such as sugar, coffee, tea, hardwoods, pepper, pineapples, and other tropical fruits in exchange for grains, mineral resources, cotton, wool, and timber. No official political alliances are known, but Isatian trade ships visiting Rabbit Bay have observed ships from the Pale Dessert, Altemerehd, and even the Goliath Hills and Bajwa.

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Information Request: Verderous Peninsula political structure, recent history, and political alliances.

The eastern portion of Isatis , once ruled by the Paradise Conclave until it was conquered by Serafina Dram. Currently under the governance of Stump Dram, who has left its oversight to Penelope Dewleaf. Political Structure: The Verderous Peninsula is the vassal state of Isatis after it was conquered under the rule of Serafina Dram in 628 AR. It is divided into 16 states, each headed by its own council of 11 elders and one high elder. Each elder takes on responsibility for the governance of a small piece of land and serves as the voice of the local populace. The high elders report directly to the governor; ostensibly Stump Dram, but in their absence Penelope Dewleaf. Penelope Dewleaf is the youngest descendant of the honored Varsha Dewleaf, the most powerful of the Paradise Conclave before it was destroyed. Because of the extremely fertile nature of the peninsula gained under the Paradise Conclave it now serves are the primary source of many agricultural resources for Isatis. Since the Peninsula was brought under Dram rule the population of Isatis has nearly doubled, and due to the Serafina Drams efforts in creating social support programs and infrastructural improvements the average Isatians likelihood of starvation is nearly nonexistent. Delegates from the Midlands have argued that placing it in such a critical position for the wellbeing of the Kingdom could threaten Isatian rule over the region, placing the agricultural burden on the Midlands to feed the Kingdom. Despite these protestations Queen Serafina has continued to take full advantage of the peninsula’s resources. Political alliances: As a vassal state the peninsula is primarily subject to the same alliances as Isatis, however they have a very strong trade relationship with the Violet Archipelago which remains primarily outside the scrutiny of the Crown. They also have minor trade agreements with those on the swamplands on their southeastern border, however these are considered negligible.

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Information Request: Comprehensive compendiums on magical items, use and creation of.

Information restricted. Authorization required from Head of National Security Gerald Borold.

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Information Request: Violet Archipelago myths, religion, and folk tales related to Lion Turtles

Various travelogues over the last few centuries mention the rare and wonderous powers of the mighty Lion Turtle. According to these accounts Lion Turtles served as pseudo deities in many parts of the Archipelago, as well as the northern Verdurous Peninsula, spanning back generations. They were revered as bringers of wisdom and prosperity, guiding the wisest among their supplicants to spiritual revelations while also causing the very world around them to bloom and fill with energy. If a community gained the favor of one of the elder Lion Turtles it was seen as utterly unassailable, as the power of one could destroy an army singlehandedly. According to one account by the human explorer Theo Othe the Lion Turtle population began to decline after a previously unknown group of warriors came to the Archipelago from the north, searching for an unspecified prize. They began hunting the Lion Turtles for their magical properties, crafting their shells into powerful protective items, eating their flesh to reinforce their own strength, and draining their minds to increase their own knowledge. The author recounts:

Aaravi sat on the beach, still as a stone as he had been for weeks. His eyes were closed, head held high as he meditated. His shell was spotless, polished to perfection after his attendants had washed and prepared him for his awakening. As always, I marveled at the sight of him; large as a house and still small compared to the ancient Lion Turtles such as Pryaa, who leisurely drifted through oceans like vast resplendent islands. The air hung heavy around him, and his attendants sat encircling him, facing outward.

A spear pierced the one nearest the edge of the forest, killing her instantly. In quick succession three more followed, arcing perfectly to the throats of those I had come to call my friends. My heart raced as I concealed myself within the wreckage of the Archwake, peering out as the battle unfolded. I will spare myself the horrors of reliving the memory, the blood and viscera staining the pristine white sand of that sacred place have long since been washed away, lost to time.

Aaravi kept still, either unaware of the situation or unable to break from his stupor to flee. My friend, on the cusp of his new life, was torn apart by these red-mouthed savages as they laughed and cheered at their good fortune. I trembled in that wreckage three days, too terrified of their presence to sneak away even as they slept. They ate and rejoiced, growing drunk on his blood as I watched them render him down to naught but another stain on the beach.

The remainder of his journal outlines his attempts to escape the island, but the journal was found when it washed up on Isatian shores sealed in a wooden chest, so his attempts may have been fruitless. The last mention of Lion Turtles comes from his penultimate entry:

My hosts tell me that the last of the lion turtles have either fled or been killed by their tireless hunters, whom they have dubbed ‘The Bloodied Tide’ in their native tongue. The Tide have killed indiscriminately, both beast and sapient beings are cut down before them. We are trapped. Those who have attempted to take revenge upon our assailants have not returned and our numbers dwindle each day. I pray to the gods for aid and receive only further trials in response. Is this my punishment? Am I at last forced to face retribution for leaving my family behind?

No further information is available on “The Bloodied Tide” or their attempts to massacre the Lion Turtle population. It can be speculated that they were successful in their endeavor, as there is no credible record of one being seen in nearly a century. Further research required.

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Information Request: Isatis birth records from 630-632.

Public records immediately after the subjugation of the Amber Savanah are considered unreliable and were almost entirely damaged during the rampage of the Silver Queen. Reliable birth records resumed in May of 632, after completion of the Angela Dram memorial hospital.

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Information Request: Business license application for “O’Reilly’s Otto Parts”, pawn shop, filed by one Otto O’Reilly.

Application attached.

Compiled by Tara Korian, junior researcher of the Isatis Royal Library.

Type

Report, Intelligence