The Gray Archipelago

This low belt of islands lends its name from the fact that it rains there almost all year long, rarely turning to snow during winter. Since the actual dry land is sparse, a lot of the population lives on platforms on the water extending from the land, either built on poles or simply floating. It is commonly known as a pretty lawless place, where shadier figures tend to gather and illicitly acquired goods are traded in bulk. The figures in power mostly muscled their way up the ranks and it isn’t uncommon that they’re overthrown when there are too many unhappy with their rule. There is one constant in the rule of the island, the ( ) family. Until about 16 years ago there was a central figurehead that governed over the island, Lord( ), until he passed away under unknown circumstances. Some say it was an accident or a natural death, others believe he was assassinated, by either a third party or perhaps someone closer. However, the case was never resolved and these days openly uttering blame on any party or another is very likely to get you in trouble or even killed. Lord ( ) left behind 6 sons and 2 daughters, each of which desired to be the next successor, none of them could agree on who should lead and after several fights and assassination attempts the counsel of nobles intervened. It was decided that there will be a contest between all siblings and the winner will rule it all. The rules were that each sibling chose a part of the archipelago as their own territory and ruled over that part for 10 years, during which they are not allowed to interact with one another. After those 10 years they are free to engage each other as they please except all-out war, making it a battle of cunning instead of shear man power, and the last one standing takes the crown. So far only one son has fallen and no one can predict when the conflict will come to its end.