The Fractured Isle of Lazuli
Empire of the Empty Throne
King Johnathan Crun St. Challender (Missing)
Prince Sir Kieran Fawls St. Challender (Assumed Power)
Race(s): Forced to endure howling winters, treacherous blizzards, and frigid climates, the inhabitants of Mycoria’s northernmost isle represent perhaps the strongest and bravest among the whole province. Humans predominately make up this class, though a native orc population dwindles to the East. Like the isle’s crowding snowfall, the humans here typically retain light or sort features: blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. However, those considered to be more
rugged display admirable traits, including dark hair tones and firm, strong features. Those with stocky or brute-like builds survive best, while the slimmer among them fall to the isle’s unforgiving elements at a quickened pace. The orcs that inhabit the land similarly have adapted to match the cold atmosphere, having blue skin tones and large, meaty builds to sustain heat. Their eyes, often soulless, appear in black or brown tones like their hair, which furthers their already hardy nature. Despite their tremendous size and strength over humans, however, their history renders them as lesser citizens among the isle’s main inhabitants; with only the bravest daring to interact with the homosapien-class.
Location: The northernmost isle encompassing arctic seas and bleak mountain-scapes.
History: Bearing its name from the rich lapis lazuli veins and diamond-mines discovered across its southern coast by the early Gaüllos people,
The Fractured Isle of Lazuli once served as a prosperous region to the greater wealth of Mycoria and the broader empire. Travellers came from far and wide just to witness the isle’s magnificent stores, now expertly extracted by the Gaüllos people. The holds always filled to the brim with ice-like riches of blues and sapphires. However, as the Gaüllos’ greed grew, so did the region’s shortage of natural resources, until it became apparent only the strong would survive. Barbarically, native (and passive) inhabitants—consisting mostly of small, scattered orc tribes—were driven out during the Gaüllos’ pursuit of riches; with the isle’s harsh cliff faces and bleak mountains serving as excellent ports to enact unlawful executions or exile. Since then, however, these truths have largely been extinguished from history texts and official reports in a manner to save grace.
Following the Gaüllos’ insatiable undoing, every inch of the isle’s mineable land was upturned. Pickaxes dug deep, labourers worked tirelessly, even slaves were imported; but nothing could stop the fact that resources had drawn thin. The landscape had become near barren after the escapade, with miserable diggings and rock-wells replacing the greaterhalf of the region’s once lush pine forests and frosty environments. Harsh winters threatened the few who remained, often those too consumed by greed.
It wasn’t until the late Emperor thought himself
generous, did he bestow the land to a wealthy human noble by the name of Marcus St. Challender—in exchange for political backing, of course. Wrongfully thinking the isle as some magnificent region splendid in resource, St. Challender accepted, and with the Emperor’s assurance, both him and his people ascended to its shores expecting sovereignty and independence. Instead they were met with unbearable conditions and solitude; experiencing frequent blizzards and deep snow that dwindled their supplies, leaving them with barely enough to survive.
Taking to the isle’s sparse resources again, however, eventually the human people scraped enough together to bear settlement. Farms were erected across grassland where select crops and livestock could be maintained; while buildings made from hauled stone and chopped pinewood functioned as shelter. Despite the region’s cold winters which prevent further development across the isle, the human population has since managed to erect a few townships and castles along the isle's initial mining routes. The eastern part of the isle remains relatively unexplored, though is said to house increasing orc populations—descendants of those sentenced to exile long ago.
Currently, the isle remains under monarchical rule by the St. Challender royal bloodline; though it adheres loosely in greater service to the broader Empire. The isle's ruler, King Johnathan Crun St. Challender, however, has recently gone missing during an alleged expedition to the east intended to form treaties between the passive orc and human populations. His son and royal heir, Prince Sir Kieran Fawls St. Challender, has therein since assumed power, though he retains his beneficiary title.
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