Alok (aˈlok)

"After three weeks at sea, it is a great delight to reach Alok. We put in at Kara, and the crew was as eager for shore leave as I had ever seen them. The new boy Tom has never been to Kara before, and they plan to initiate him into the knowledge of Talaru's Peppers - may the god have mercy on him." - excerpt from the captain's log of the merchant ship Linanna

Alok is the easternmost island in the Mangimoi Archipelago, and a part of the Harafora Islands. It is over seven hundred miles west of the port of Taraunga on Atu Motu. Between Taraunga and Kara, there are no major ports, only the small harbors maintained by the Ring of Light for the remote lighthouses, and most ships will go from Atu Motu to Alok nonstop.

Alok is considered to be one of the most welcoming islands to the sailors of the Great Ring. Hospitality is a sacred charge to the people of the Harafora Islands, even more so than in other parts of the world. Visitors are treated as honored guests, and the temples of Tabarunai provide food and lodgings to their guests without demanding payment. A poor sailor on Alok will eat better and sleep more comfortably than a merchant might on other islands. And while the temples do not serve wine or beer, there are many taverns where a sailor may purchase them, or seek entertainments to suit any taste.

Notable Spirits

The Hyang of Alok is the god Talaru, who resides beneath the surface of the island and is responsible for the hot springs that erupt from underground. One of the earliest stories of Talaru dates back to the time when humans first arrived in the archipelago. The god Tabarunai, who rules over all the Hyang of the Harafora, wished to welcome the newcomers with gifts, and instructed all of his subjects to create a new plant to present to the human arrivals. Talaru did not wish to extend his welcome to the strangers, but did not dare disobey Tabarunai. So he created a plant known as the Talaru Pepper. The native Kikipua ate the pepper and found it sweet and delicious, with a berry-like flavor. But for the humans, it was filled with the intense heat of Talaru's springs. However, this did not end as Talaru expected - the humans came to like the fiery pepper, and made it a central part of their cuisine. Today, the Talaru Pepper remains one of the island's best beloved plants, and has even entered into the culture of the sailors, who use it as part of the initiation of those new to their trade.

Geography

Alok is a hilly island, measuring about fifty miles long and twenty miles wide. The city of Kara is located at the northern end of the island, and many smaller settlements line the coast. There are many minor islands located offshore, most of which are uninhabited. The hills are heavily forested, and are home to many species of plant and animal, including the catlike Alokian Drake. Hot springs are common on the island, and many of them are reputed to have healing powers.

Type

Island

Location under

Harafora Islands

Included Locations

• Kara

Geographic Details

Location: Southern Region
Latitude: 3.45 degrees South
Longitude: 10.06 degrees West 
Average Elevation: 39 ft
Highest Point: 640 ft
Lowest Point: -3 ft
Area: 643.4 sq mi