Mo Chen Island Chain
The Mo Chen Islands are more of an Archipelago West of the Continent of Ageron It was settled about 800 years before the Great Storms by a group of Monks and Colonists originally from the Cathay better known as the Gong Ju Empire to the far west. As word spread to Cathay of this new settlement more came and the Islands' population began to grow colonists wanted to free themselves from the more imperialistic influences of Cathay and take up a more peaceful Island life. The Mo Chen Island people became Adept, Fishermen, Farmers, Boat Builders, craftsmen of all sorts as the Islands had an abundance of materials for this simple yet peaceful living. As this small civilization grew the Monks worked in conjunction with the communities establishing religious-based teachings known simply as "fán róng yǔ níng jìng" or "Prosperity and Serenity" Symbols look as follows: "繁荣与宁静" teaching aspirations of productive simple life of serenity and prosperity.
The teachings became strong and respected among most of the residents on the island and quite effective in establishing mostly peaceful and vibrant communities but the Mo Chen Islands have not developed without challenges and strife. About 310 years before the Great Storms The Empire Cathay attempted to lay claim to the Mo Chen Islands at first by Royal Decree and then ll military force but this was soundly rejected by the Monks and the village Elders after a short oppressive occupation with heavy taxation and some imprisonment of monks teaching in the villages. A Rebellion led by Grandmaster Yuan Kang ousted the occupying army and its lord and established a declaration of Mo Chens Independence from Cathay.
To this day Cathay does not honor this declaration of independence but has not Gone militarily against the Islands it is rumored though that they have hired spies to retake the region from within and even gone as far as to fund or hire pirates from the Hold of the sea princes to sack Mo Shen's Villages or raid their shipping in hopes of drawing them closer or back to Cathays influence. The Monks of the Island in conjunction with Village elders did establish alliances with the Kingdom of Ageron and the Merchant Princes that have strengthened with mutual protection and help over the years. As the Towns grew larger it became necessary to establish town militias and Village lords to oversee the towns with guidance from the elders and monks.
The Island Still has some issues but for the most part, is relatively safe. The Village of Yuan Hai was sacked by pirates from the Hold of the sea princes a little over 3 years ago but combined forces of Local villagers and the remnants of the village Militia led by one of the Monks from the Monastery and impending arrival of Ageron Naval forces forced the pirates to withdraw before to much damage could be done or serious raid of the Towns Coffers could be taken.
The Northern Most Island of the archipelago is known as Hunag Gengxin it houses the Sizable Village of Yuan Hai with a population of around 14,000 including several Farms, Orchards, and even a silver mine in the surrounding countryside. It is a favored spot of Traders and Fishermen it is developing rapidly to accommodate the growth much of the town is built on piers out into the water. A great sea wall along with some garrison towers now protect the Village from impending storms and acts as a deterrent to pirates while its deepwater harbor is a blessing for trade from around all of Voltera. Even though the village is rapidly growing it still has much of the peaceful small village feel as many embrace the "Prosperity and Serenity" Philosophy.
The Largest Island Mo Chen Proper was the First Island settled it has the capital city which is known as Wu Yin it has a population of Nearly 35,000 its stone streets line the harbor and clamber up narrow runs into the nearby mountains and a large Garrison tower and Lords Keep at the road on the Northern end of The Town. The City is currently ruled by Lord Lǐng Zhǔ Xióng. Traders too love this town's Deep Water harbor and favor it as a trade hub and a site for many artisans, small shops litter the streets along with bustling markets. Small communities of fishing boats line the harbor as a form of a shanty district in the shallows of Wu Yin harbor.
On the Opposite side of the Island is the Great Gong Hang Temple Erected long before the Great Storms it Houses Mo Shen's History, Rare Artifacts and Tombs and Catacombs. It is maintained by Senior Cia Lim Monastery Monks and is only open to the General Population during Prayer Ceremonies of the Seasons and Events of Great Significance. It is a beautiful Temple of Marble, Green, and Red Jade its Great Bell is said to be heard nearly 40 miles out to sea when it is rung.
Near the Temple is the Quiet Village of Peng lai home to fishermen and farmers tending the Sacred Cherry Orchards the Run between the village and Gong Hang Temple. It is also home of families of many who work in the Mines up in the mountains overshadowing the village its population is around 8,000 it is well known for its Cherry Wine and quality Stone Masons and the Stone Mason's Guild. A thriving Jungle is on the southern end of the island that is a resource for many exotic kinds of wood and medicinal herbs and spices.
Lastly, The lone island of Cai Lim and the Cai Lim Monastery is like a lush jungle-covered Steep set of hills jutting out of the ocean. Home to The Cai Lim Monks there are two ways to get up the steep cliffside to the Monastery for most it is an arduous spirituality testing walk up the 1000 steps from the small fishing village at its base up to the Monastery or a ride in the Great mahogany platform Elevator that is only used on rare occasions. Yearly admissions into the order of the Monastery begin with Ringing of the Great Bell at Gong Hang temple as candidates gather there with their families then have a prayer ceremony and a feast followed by a pilgrimage parade to and through the streets of Wu Yin, Candidates are then to swim to Cai Lim Island and make their Journey up the 1000 steps. Many candidates attempt but drop out along the way from exhaustion once reaching the top remaining candidates must recite the religious principles of the Cai Lim monastery verbatim to the waiting masters of which maybe 2-3% pass all the tests to become a Monk of the Cai Lim Monastery.
Type
Archipelago
