Pala

Pala, historically known in Milagon as Moscada, is blessed with beautiful white sand beaches and the most stable climate in the Spice Islands, rarely seeing the trpocial storms that pass through the other islands.
In recent years, this island has become almost as famed for its tourism as much as its sugar and spice exports.

Diary of Arnaldo Guilliero

Guilliero records the following about Moscada:

Unable to make dock at Moscada. Used long boat to make landfall on beach. Met by welcoming natives who placed a garland of flowers around my head. Using a native guide picked up at Canela, we were able to communicate an interest in the local fauna. We were given a tour by an amiable savage, who bored us with the local agriculture: sugar and raising of domesticated boar. More interesting was the nutmeg groves, which are inhabited by a large species of Lepidoptera arcana. Beautiful to the eye, they also seem to possess some form of rejuvination ability. Several samples have been taken for future study. This greatly upset our savage host, who rapidly ushered us from the island.

Thanes of Order

The Thanes visited this island as a part of their search for the Forgotten Land. Whilst here, they enjoyed the time at the resort and spa. Karu and Rhathgar visited the Caves of the Ancestors. Whilst here, Karu underwent an unprecedented @Mie Saban. They prevented Obliviati-related poachers from acquiring valuable potion components, one of whom was another exile of Daenor, Vhoorhin Tyrneatlarn, like Lavanel. Lavanel summarily executed him. The party visited the Tala’aga and exchanged stories.

Geography

Pala is surrounded by shallow, white beaches for almost its entire circumference. This is fantastic for tourism, but means no major shipping is based there. Most cargo and passengers are tendered to shore by smaller boats. 
The centre of the island, like most of the The Spice Islands, is hilly, verging on mountainous. There is also a substantial flat area, frequently jungled, but often cultivated for sugar and vanilla.

Ecosystem

Pala has some rare and unique plants and animals. The rarest, its known range limited to a single nature reserve and vanilla grove on the island, is the Cleric Butterfly (Lepidoptera arcana). A closely guarded secret, the cocoons of this insect are a potent ingredient in healing potions. It is said even being landed on by one of these butterflies can restore one's health.

Tourism

Having seen the success of the tourism industry in *Sun Elf Island*, Pala has developed a range of hotels and attractions to draw guests from across Ara.

Notable Attractions

The Butterfly Groves

A nature reserve, known to be home of rare flora and fauna. Vanilla vines, Ax-beaks, giant scorpions and the Cleric Butterfly can be found here. Poachers beware!

Caves of the Ancestors

A series of caves with the dead are sent to decay, and be remembered. Relying on the The Constellations and Firmaments of Ara, the caves are named after the constellation of the Fixed Firmament:

• Draco Minor – The Lesser Dragon
• Travis – The Bridge
• Khondus – The Barbarian
• Volo – The Beholder
• Sextus – The Sextant
• Iasha – The Pike
• Domus – The House
• Clepsydra – The Time-Keeper
• Alexa – The Amphora
• The Great Balance

Pala Resort & Spa

The Pala Resort has been around for about 5 years, trying to expand Pala’s exports beyond sugar and vanilla into tourism. Patrons are common from Mitzu and Milagon, in fact, teleporation circles to those locations exist. A further circle to Ebrion is planned, but the current war has delayed this. However, the owners are keen to get Ebrionian customers to recommend and treat them well.
At the resort, customers can enjoy:

• A Lobby bar (more formal) and a Beach Bar (relaxed, party attitude)
• The Spa – massage, then the rubbing of scented oils and salts, the seaweed wrap, the sauna, and a rejuvenating the mud bath
• The Tala’aga - the lore-keeper for the islands, was persuaded to make her home here, to gather and share stories with tourists
• Fighting pit – Test your skill – they’ll try to match you with an opponent of equal skill for hand-to-hand combat

Alternative Name(s)

Moscada

Type

Island

Location under

The Spice Islands

Owning Organization

Kulubadu

Contested By

• Milagon

Characters in Location

• Tala’aga

Inhabiting Species

• Lavender Salve Moth