West Kiertorata rests near the mouth of the
Scabbard, across from its sister island of the name East Kiertorata. Home to the Ig Avi people, West Kiertorata was an independent group brought into the
Augury early in its formation to protect them from the
Shellbay island of East Kiertorata.
Geography
West Kiertorata is home to thin tropical beaches that give way to bayous and swamps. The majority of the soil is waterlogged and incapable of growing most of the
Augury's primary crops, though the excessive mangrove forests provide sufficient funding for the island as they produce high-quality wine with the fruit. The island stands in contrast to its eastern counterpart, which is mostly rocky coasts with few opportunities to grow food. Behind the mangrove forests are any number of blue holes and caves with unique biology and opportunities to catch fish. Fields of dry lands exist behind the mangroves and dunes, along with dried limestone formations that quickly dissolve holes due to water erosion. A majority of the local crop growth will be seen in the vast mudflats across the islands.
Integration, Local Culture, and the Augury
While the Ig Avi were assimilated into the
Augury, the empire takes little interest in the people themselves. The predominant theory regarding their integration is in relation to
Shellbay, who had their eyes on the island for decades but never took advantage during the reign of the
Saltkrigere Empire. The
Augurs likely received a premonition regarding the
Saltkrigere finally taking West Kiertorata, which would provide a substantial strategic benefit with regard to information transfer. In contrast, if the
Augury took the island, they could keep tabs on
Shellbay and learn of potential navy maneuvers ahead of time.
The
Augury has a small military base on the island, but the main interest they take is the Ig Avi's distilled drink known as "Ijara," an alcohol distilled from the Sunset Mangrove Apples, often considered one of the best drinks for mixing. Otherwise, the majority of crops are left for the locals.
During the initial settlement of the island, the Ig Avi were an autocracy. The settlers were only familiar with the pirate lifestyle but were forced to settle as the
Saltkrigere Empire began brutally patrolling the
Scabbard Sea. As time went on and the pirates became isolated from outsiders (being highly defensive of their land), they would develop into a Chiefdom with one individual making decisions for several villages across the island. When it became unfeasible for a single leader to overlook the population, the locals turned to democracy, selecting a leader from each village. Most regions on the island grew into their own independence before the
Augury began taking an interest in trade, which sprung into trade within the island itself.
The different villages on the island tend to make use of presents naturally available on the island, aside from rice crops grown on the mud flats. The bayous provide substantial fishing opportunities and the mangrove fruits (while mostly toxic) can provide subsistence for small groups of individuals.
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