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 Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:40 am
Isles of the Mokai is set in a world similar - yet different - from ours, located in the southern hemisphere on a country called Oamaru. It is prevailed over by a king, his queen, and a council of lords from various regions of the continent.
Electricity has not yet been invented; instead, steam provides the power for most 'modern' gadgets, and the combustion engine powers practically every modern device, from cars to trains to airships.
Until the turn of last century, the vast majority of the human populace of Oamaru lived in the western and central portion of the continent; the south-eastern portion of Oamaru has only been truly settled in the last 100 years, thanks to the invention of the airship and the discovery of several promising veins of gold and silver. A veritable rush of individuals, along with their families, have now settled in the bays and inlet areas, the most prominent community which is the thriving Kingston metropolitan port area.
An island chain is located only two hundred miles from Kingston: it consists of seven islands; two have been explored and one has been settled, while the rest remain largely unknown. The largest of these islands is Akoya, upon which the Huntingdon Settlement was founded. Excellent fishing waters, as well as the discovery of several extensive pearl-beds, initially provided the drive for colonization of the area.
Huntingdon Settlement was officially established sixty years ago from present time. While it is considered a colony and property of the Crown, it is largely self-governing, thanks to several mainland wars and its own unique monopoly over the Mokai. An entire two generations have grown up separate from the mainland, with little patriotism for their home country, and most recently, this has put a strain on relations between islanders and the Crown.
Upon colonization of Akoya, three packs of wild Mokai were discovered and pressed into service, once it was discovered that they had abilities that could benefit the humans. The current domestic Mokai are descendents of those packs, bred to conform to specific breed types.
The initial Mokai subspecies established was the pearl diver, but as time passed, the class of fighters took prominence. Rich individuals hailing from Kingston - and, later, all over Oamaru - gambled on the outcome of such fights, and now Huntingdon serves as something of a pleasure city for rich mainlanders. Pearl diving is still a very profitable practice, but the fighting rings are the quick and dirty route to prosperity - for both owners and gamblers alike. The pet subspecies was the last to be established, mostly to act as companions to wives or children of high-class families on the island.
Thanks to a rather shrewd governor, the Mokai are protected by Crown decree; they may not be taken off the island without permission, and therefore, for the moment, their future remains firmly in the hands of the islanders. Although mainlanders may purchase a Mokai, or shares in a Mokai, they cannot take their new Mokai off-island, and they must pay an extra tax of that Mokai's winnings or earnings to the local government.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:34 am
Isle Akoya
Easily the largest island of the chain, four times the size of the next-largest isle, Isle Akoya is also the only one colonized by humans, and is nearest to the mainland. On the northwest portion of the islands, fjords line the edge of the isle; it is in the inlet of one of these that the Huntingdon Settlement sits. The remainder of the island is largely mountainous, with some rolling hills to the southwest and treacherous ravines to the southeast. Like most of the island chain, Akoya enjoys a temperate climate, with all four seasons, although winter in particular is typically mild.
Isle Akaroa
Isle Akaroa is located directly east of Akoya, and the only other that has been explored a little by human visitors. While the coast of the island has a temperate layer of forests and streams, the interior, unfortunately, appears to be all desert and scrub land. Current thought suggests that the island will be unable to sustain a colony for long without extensive support from Akoya.
Other islands
There are five other islands - Isle Kumara, Isle Oreti, Isle Tekapo, Isle Rahotu, and Isle Raglan - which have not yet been explored.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:36 am
Humans
The humans of the Huntingdon Settlement are primarily pale to tan-skinned, depending on what part of the Oamaru continent they hail from. The most prominent eye colors are blue or brown, and the most common hair colors are blond or brown.
There are a very few darker-skinned individuals descended from countries in the more northern islands or continents, who traveled over to Akoya from Oamaru. Human slavery was abolished on the mainland several decades ago, although racial prejudices still exist, and they will find it much more difficult to hold higher-paying jobs or government positions.
Accents range widely depending on where on Oamaru the individual originated, although the most popular accent is similar to what we think of as a British accent.
See below for more information on society and culture, economy, and law for the Huntingdon Settlement.
You may RP as many humans as you wish! If you want to RP the governor/his family/captain of the watch or some particularly important post, though, please ask first to see if those are available.
Mokai
Kuparu
Kuparu are small, water-living beasts that resemble miniature sea lions. Small carnivores less than a foot long, they feed primarily on fish, although they are curious creatures that will try to nibble on practically anything to see if it's edible, including pearl divers. Packs of Kuparu can therefore be an incredible nuisance - and even a danger - at times, although Mokai can and will eat Kuparu. They cannot speak the Mokai language, and it is also doubtful if one could be forced to stay still long enough to learn to understand it.
Nakahi
A sea serpent-like beast that lives offshore, Nakahi normally don't pose an immediate threat to the colony - although they are a bane to sailors and fishermen further off the coast. Rarely, however, and sometimes due to poor weather conditions, young Nakahi have been known to come up the fjord inlets to the pearl beds, and will attack - and have been known to kill and eat - any swimming Mokai. Generally, a pearl diver sentry is posted to keep a wary lookout for such a creature.
Rapoka
In addition to a large population of different fish species, the fjords are home to two other species unique to Isle Akoya. Rapoka are peaceful, slow-moving reptiles that have, in the past, been shot for their meat by the human islanders. Fortunately for the Rapoka, their meat is tough and stringy, and is no longer a preferred choice of food. The beasts are approximately the size of a horse, have both dorsal and pectoral fins, slender, long necks, and graze on seaweed and kelp. They understand and can speak Mokai, although their vocabulary is often limited.
Rerehi
Horse-like creatures with antlers and lion-like tails, Rerehi are not native to Akoya; they were brought over with the humans from the mainland. A domesticated species, they can be found at work throughout the city, pulling carts or carriages, or ridden by local Watchmen. They typically bear two to three fawns in a season, and are old enough to work by two years of age. They do not understand, nor speak, Mokai, and are not thought of as sentient creatures.
Tia
Tias are small, fleet, deer-like creatures that populate the island, particularly in the mountain valleys or the hills to the south. They live in herds of both males and females, bear two to three young per brood, and are the natural prey of Mokai packs.
Teoteo
No larger than a house cat, Teoteo are a curious mixture of rat and bird; they have a lighter bone structure than the former, making them able to fly with the wings of the latter, and in place of a tail, they have tailfeathers. Like birds, the males Teoteos tend to be vividly-colored; the females are rather drab, and can bear up to seven pups in a litter. These creatures are scavengers, and will eat practically anything so long as it's no longer moving. They are pests in the human settlement, although some have been known to befriend Mokai. They are quick-witted, and often able to learn the Mokai language.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:37 am
The society is reminiscent of mid-Victorian era in our own world, although island living can still occasionally be more primitive, especially among the lower classes, as Akoya was only settled so recently. There is a similarity in the style of dress, prevailing attitudes, technology, and so on.
Entertainment
Obviously, Mokai fighting is very much in prominence among as a means of popular entertainment; generally, it is considered a sport for men, not women and children, and few females of the upper-class attend the fights, although the lower classes seem to have no particular restriction on this.
Theater and the arts are flourishing and in fashion; the island even has its own troupe of players and a stage, although for truly excellent acting, individuals must travel back to the mainland and attend one of the theaters in Kingston. Even the lower classes can likely afford the penny-shows that are put on now and again on Akoya.
There are a few dining clubs on the isle where gentlemen can go to play card games, drink, and gamble.
Technology
Steam powers everything in this day and age; several individuals on the island have cars, although most of the middle and upper-class get around by way of carriage, pulled by rerehi, horse-like creatures with antlers and lion-like tails. There is currently no railroad on Akoya, although there are currently plans to build one between the city and the coal mines, at the very least. Numerous boats dot the fjords; several larger ships are moored further up the coast, in their own private harbor. The most common transport among the upper-class, as well as to and from Kingston, is by airship.
The city has its own sewage system, so sanitation in that respect is not - generally - a problem, although the system in the slums of the city are not always well-maintained.
The city is heated - and lit - by gas. Most of the middle and upper-class housing have gas heating with their houses; individuals in the lower classes often still have to make due with fireplaces. The lamps along the streets, lit at night, are all shielded by gas mantles.
Health and Medicine
The city has several physicians - some of the wealthier households have their own personal physician. Many of the doctors, however, charge more than the lower classes can afford for their services, although there is a small hospital at the southern end of town who work for little - unfortunately, they are often overbooked and understaffed, and the conditions are poor. There are a few antibiotics available at this time; they are imported from the mainland.
There are about as many Mokai veterinarians as doctors, who are able to, at the very least, stitch wounds and bandage them, and set broken bones.
Schooling
Upper class: There is a very small university in the city that caters to the wealthy; however, many children are sent back to the mainland for their studies, and others have private tutors.
Middle class: The middle class is actually very tiny; there's still a considerable gap between upper and lower classes. Their children are generally educated in one of the few schools in the city, although the fees are normally very pricey. It is a mark of status if you can send your child to school.
Lower class: This is the laboring class, the working poor; their children cannot afford to go to school, and are forced to work to keep bread on the table for their family. Child labor in the coal mines or other work is not an uncommon occupation for a child of these classes. Any orphans found are often taken there and allowed to leave only when they reach adulthood.
Role of Women
Women were, until the turn of last century, thought of as 'second class' citizens; they could not hold the same kinds of positions men could. Although mainland life for women has started changing, partially thanks to the wars, islanders are a little slower to alter their beliefs. A woman as a nurse is fine; a woman who wishes to become a doctor will meet with considerable adversity, although there is nothing technically that forbids her from doing so. Among the lower classes, there is less of a distinction between male and female roles, but among the upper classes, those roles still tend to persist. Even if a woman is able to get a 'man's' job, such as a physician or mechanic, she is generally held to a higher standard and offered less in terms of wages and benefits.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:38 am
In present day, the primary source of income for the islanders is Mokai fighting. Although the prizes themselves have become quite extravagant for the high-level fights and tournaments, backed by wealthy patrons, the real money-maker is the gambling. For the higher level Tiers and other important fights, even individuals on the mainland can join in: individuals are allowed to place their bets and then be reimbursed by airmail, should they win. It's also a way for a gambler - or owner - to strike it rich, and several prominent Mokai trainers have arisen to fame on the island for their various techniques for breeding and training the perfect fighter.
The pearl trade, although not as profitable as the fighting trade, is still very much in demand. Pearls of all kinds can be found in the Blackpearl fjords, and they are exported to the mainland at high prices.
Some of the lesser trades that keep the island economy afloat are coal from the mines directly to the south of the settlement, in addition to export of some of the unique fruits that grow on the island.
The majority of food for the island inhabitants is grown and imported from the mainland; the islanders supplement mainland bread, vegetables, and red meat with island-grown fruit and fish. Although lumber is plentiful, metal is not, and mechanics are required to import metal and gas for their equipment. For these trading purposes, numerous airships, both private and public, constantly travel back and forth between Kingston on the mainland, and Huntingdon Settlement on the island.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:39 am
Law-making
The islands are subservient to Crown law. The governor, the top-ranking official on the island, is directly chosen by the king, and he stays in power so long as the king decrees. Despite this, many of the past governors have been previous islanders.
A small council of upper-class nobles and merchants, and wealthy tradesmen make and alter islander law after debate; a law must pass the majority before it can be put into practice. These individuals gain a place on the council either through birth or wealth, so laws are generally skewed to favor the wealthier or noble classes.
Judgement
Judges are chosen by the high council; they must come from families of good standing (i.e., middle-to-high class birth). There are several judges within the city, who will sit and access each case individually; some judges are more 'fair' than others in meting out judgement. In cases of high importance, such as a murder, the accused is tried by a jury.
Law enforcement
The City Watch are led by a single Captain, who overlooks the city's welfare and enforces the law. Unfortunately, since these individuals often join from the lower ranks of society, and the pay itself is poor, bribery can be fairly rampant in the Watch. Each Watchman is uniformed and carries a truncheon and a gun.
As mentioned above, law is skewed towards the upper-classes, so generally, in a conflict between laboring class and upper-class, the upper-class will typically (but not always) win.
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