Therarask, the Jungle Paradise
Birds sing, insects buzz, and the winds howl together in a melodic and distracting symphony that emerges from within the jungle of the island of Therarask. The island itself is an enticing distraction, made even more so by the establishment of the various towns built around the tenets of the God of Pleasure, Hedonism, and Debauchery. Yet, despite the smiles, the flirtation, and the colorful hues and charming sounds the entice even the most stoic and resentful of creature to partake in all that it has to offer… is there a darker secret that lies within the island? What lies beyond the Golden Mist?
Overview
Soft sandy shores line the southern and eastern coasts of the large northern island. Towards the northern end, the silken beaches give way to rocky cliff sides carved by small eruptions of the past and the ever-present force of the crashing waves. A lush jungle paradise – filled with colorful flora and a vast diversity of fauna – occupies the rest of the island, kept warm by the ever-smoking volcano that rises steeply from the heart of the jungle on the island’s northern shores. Even from the southern shores, the faintest trace of a golden mist can be seen drifting and rising from the jungle, swirling around the base of the volcano, and rising to join with the darkened gray smoke.
Various towns have sprung up along the southern and eastern coasts primarily, where the jungle is thinnest and less likely to swallow a town overnight. Here, ferries constantly bring visitors – both temporary and permanent – from the main continent. Most of these “jungle-edge” towns are almost always centered on an open market and entertainment district with residential areas and other districts built around it. Although not as well-known as Carmenthia’s, the island does possess spas and hot springs, though these are more common in settlements closer to the base of the volcano.
In its many years of being inhabited, the island has not allowed itself to be domesticated. While paths may be carved through the jungle, it is rumored that they often change. Paths are overgrown seemingly overnight, but new ones often appear without any effort. The chaotic, changing nature of the jungle worsens the closer one is to the mist. The jungle itself isn’t antagonistic, but is believed to direct people towards what their heart desires most… or maybe the heart of the jungle wishes to keep something for itself?
Basic History
In times long past, scrawled in ancient tablets, and sung in various songs, Therarask was said to be a land incapable of being ruled. The Jungle lived and breathed according to its own rules. The people who desired to call the lush environment home were ruled only by their whims and desires, worshipping and living at the base of the volcano. The island was a refuge for all those who desired an escape from the mundane, from restrictions, or from responsibility. At the base of the volcano, debauchery, hedonism, fun, and frivolity reigned. Permanence did not matter. It was the moment. Yet there are records that survive of this time that speak of what lied beyond the golden hued lens worn by the fanatics at the volcano. For suffering was ignored. What place did it have in delights and fancies?
The shift in the island’s disposition was as sudden and seemingly fickle as the god themself. The people of Therarask were driven from the temple at the volcano and out of the heart of the jungle. A golden mist spread from the volcano, coating and obscuring the jungle. All who attempted to return found themselves returning to the spot of their entrance to the mist. Reluctant to leave and determined to return, the people founded the settlement at the edge of the wall of mist that would later be known primarily as Pleasure Row. Stories say of how the mist, upon its arrival, whispered to the people to turn from their frivolity. Be more devoted to your hedonism – make something of your craft.
Since the beginning, the island of Therarask has held very firm to an “open-door” policy, free of judgment. All people of all shapes, sizes, races, and beliefs are welcome on the island, so long as they do not inflict or interfere with the hedonism or devotion of others. As such, it is no surprise that blood witches have thrived there. Old stories tell of a compound in the jungle, not far from the volcano, where the first and foremost blood witch initiated new converts. During the Purge, Therarask served as a safe haven for blood witches… However, they could do very little to help those affected most gruesomely: the blood witches of Lark’Hal. Shortly after the Purge's conclusion, the blood witches vanished from common sight in Therarask. There has not been an active blood witch on Therarask in over a thousand years.
Commonly throughout history, the island of Therarask does not necessarily experience seasons – forever under the influence of the volcano’s radiating heat. Thus, the people have – since the earliest records – interpreted drastic changes in weather as an indication of the God of Pleasure’s mood. After the Purge, poems and other oral stories from that time depict clouds hanging over the island for two weeks time. They were plagued by rain, a symbol of mourning. Yet it would soon return to sunshine and gentle breezes, as if the God of Hedonism did not wish to linger on such sorrowful notes any longer.
On the edge of the mist’s influence, Pleasure Row developed quickly. Theaters, pleasure houses, gambling halls, restaurants, and spas line the stone-paved streets, illuminated by red and pink lanterns. There are countless stories, plays, and other works that arose from the time of the calendar’s institution (1 YAR) and the Dread King’s War that focuses on unexpected or unknown encounters with the god, Therarask. The most common and prominent is of a well-known escort and priestess of Therarask, Lucille. Her exploits on Pleasure Row have been converted into plays, songs, and poems. Although she never married nor had any children, her legacy carries on in the escort house she founded – Haven. Within its walls, you may be whatever you wish to be. During this era, Pleasure Row thrived.
On the edge of the mist’s influence, Pleasure Row developed quickly. Theaters, pleasure houses, gambling halls, restaurants, and spas line the stone-paved streets, illuminated by red and pink lanterns. There are countless stories, plays, and other works that arose from the time of the calendar’s institution (1 YAR) and the Dread King’s War that focuses on unexpected or unknown encounters with the god, Therarask. The most common and prominent is of a well-known escort and priestess of Therarask, Lucille. Her exploits on Pleasure Row have been converted into plays, songs, and poems. Although she never married nor had any children, her legacy carries on in the escort house she founded – Haven. Within its walls, you may be whatever you wish to be. During this era, Pleasure Row thrived.
And then the Dread King’s War began and Pleasure Row suffered. A war means funds flow less frivolously towards simple pleasures, but turn towards machines of war. In response to the war, the jungle was said to become more volatile – a reflection of the god’s desire to avoid war touching their soil, to protect and conceal what was theirs. Still, countless priests, priestesses, acolytes, and other escorts left their jungle home to travel towards the bitter fighting. Near the front lines in Oshiv’Ran, Varoona, Eredet, Ragna, and Lark’Hal, they served as entertainers and “relief” for those bleeding and dying to fight back a tyrant. When the war ended, Therarask simply continued… as the island always had.
Seasons became more volatile after that. While the island remained mostly consistent, a pattern emerged. Wealthier portions of the island – such as Pleasure Row – have put precautions in place to avoid any consequences to abrupt, severe weather. Other places, however, were consumed by the jungle or by the rising sea, lost forever. Periods of normality are followed by years of exuberance interspersed with volatile smoke from the volcano. And then, without fail, it is always followed by a year or more of gray, storm clouds and the rain never ceases… before it returns to normality once more.
Politics
The other regions of Dremora often have very clear political leadership, whether that is a theocracy, a ruling council, or another regent, such as the Ruler Elect. One of Therarask’s great mysteries… is who the hell is in charge. There are many who believe that the High Priestess of Therarask rules the island from their temple on Pleasure Row. Others believe strongly that it is the coalition of the most elite escort clubs. Who really holds power in Therarask? Despite there being no clear leader or indication of political hierarchy, everything somehow runs pretty smoothly. So although tongues may wag and wager, no one really questions the way of things.
Economy
While gold and traditional currency is certainly valued on the island of Therarask, it is more so a service-based economy. Bartering is quite common and trades encouraged in the marketplaces and even on Pleasure Row. If you cannot pay in gold, then you might be able to barter with labor, exchange, or service. Oftentimes, however, the safest bet is to pay in gold. Therarask is also the island of trickery after all.
The island is known to produce fine silks and garments to support their burgeoning performance and fashion industries. While most of these products remain on the island, a small portion is exported to various other regions. Spices, fruits, and other delicacies unique to the jungle line the marketplaces alongside other unique foods, herbs, and alchemical ingredients.
People
Given Therarask’s “open-door” policy, it is no surprise that there is a vast diversity of races that call the island of Therarask home. The island is believed to be the native home of the tabaxi race, the first to live amidst the jungle and worship Therarask. The only race to precede them is arguably the changeling race, which – by most legends – are believed to be descendants of Therarask themselves. The environment of Therarask caters to changelings. A group of changelings may operate an escort business, offering the services of a human, dwarf, dragonborn, and an elf… but any role could be played by any of the working changelings. The tabaxi have been blessed with an innate ability to navigate the jungle, moreso than any other race. The tabaxi themselves like to joke it’s because Therarask is a cat person.
Almost every other race can be found living or visiting the jungle island. Tieflings, half-elves, gnomes, halflings, Yuan-Ti, and humans are a sizeable portion of the population of towns and Pleasure Row. Reptilian races – such as lizardfolk and tortles – tend to be more present along the coastal towns that host the ferries. There are rumors that another cat-like race (Leonin), beyond the tabaxi exists in the heart of the jungle.
Religion
Therarask is a god of many domains: Trickery, Illusion, Debauchery, Hedonism… and Devotion. Their worship arguably includes any and all pursuits of pleasure, delights, and spectacles. It could range from indulging in a small sweet or indulging in all of the services offered at Haven. Of course, the pursuit of pleasure that would deny or interfere with the same pursuit in another is heavily frowned upon and, in many cases, considered a slight against Therarask if severe enough.
The Temple to Therarask… is not necessarily a temple. One might argue that all escort establishments and pleasure houses, theaters and performance halls, restaurants and bars, or any other establishment that caters to one’s pleasure would be a temple of Therarask. The establishment formally known as the Temple of Therarask, however, is one of the largest escort houses on Pleasure Row. It is overseen by the High Priestess of Therarask and includes many in the service of Therarask. There are priests, priestesses, and acolytes that specialize and oversee one or more of the domains. Generally, there is a divide between Debauchery and Devotion. The High Priestess, however, is considered a conduit for both sides of Therarask.
Marriage is considered an incredibly sacred rite in Therarask as it represents a unique form of devotion. More generally, rites of devotion are considered sacred, with marriage being only one. Friends may take rites of devotion between one another as well. Further, marriage rites need not be monogamous. What matters is that the parties involved have agreed to be devoted to each other. These vows are binding and sacred. Breaking them is considered one of the greatest slights to the God of Devotion… for mortals have but their mortal lives to remain devoted. Although generally a chaotic and benevolent god… Therarask has been known to support those who wish to chase down vow breakers.
The festival to Therarask, San Futas, is a multiday festival where the entire island submits to utter debauchery. It is concluded by a sacred and secret rite known only to the residents of Therarask. It is a testament to its importance that no one is willing to speak of it unless you have witnessed it yourself or participated in it.
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