Pirate Islands
The Pirate Isles are located at the western boundary of the Southern and Western Oceans. They extend from Vinar southwest to Chult and then the Jungle Continent. These islands lie on the fault line between plates, and are extremely active, seismically. They are often referred to as the Fire Islands as well. You can include the Barrier Islands in this group - they sometimes are, sometimes are not.
These islands are all tropical, hot and humid (the Barriers are less humid, being closer to the open ocean.) They are all mountainous and covered in jungle and grassland, with dramatic valleys and peaks. The Barriers are also often surrounded by coral reefs.
These islands were isolated for most of their history, though there have been periodic discoveries and rediscoveries from outside, as well as periodic excursions to other areas. Around 1300-1400, though, outsiders returned, and quickly discovered the value of the spices and other resources on these islands. They have become nearly colonized in the years since, although this remains somewhat more contested than not.
Geography
Mountainous, volcanic islands, tropical, jungle covered, hot and humid.
History
For most of their history, these islands were isolated, though subject to periodic discovery and excursions to other areas. Between 1300 and 1400 they were discovered again, by sailors coming from both Vinar and the East. These newcomers valiued their spices and many other products - coffee, sugar, and so on - and soon established trading bases, then fortifications, then whole towns and cities. By 1400 or so some of these islands were basically colonies. This continued through the next two centuries. Plantations were established, and foreign powers - Vinar, Ottovilla and Pallas, Sao Paolo, then the Kingdom, and eventually even interests from Lenay and Bayport claimed islands and parts of islands, established strongholds, towns and forts. This created a complicated and exploitative political system in the area. They are dominated from outside - though the actual rulers are often only nominally connected to their home country. They do dominate and exploit the natives. Slavery is common through most of these islands (though different countries have different attitudes toward slavery.) This creates unrest and resentment, that often ends up encouraging natives to join pirates and other groups working in the area. It remains extremely unstable.
Alternative Name(s)
Fire Islands
Type
Archipelago
Location under
Included Locations
Included Organizations
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