Mysterious Islands

Summary

Legend has it that, around the world, there are secret islands which the rich have not been able to conquer. Many claim to have seen these islands, though reports vary as to what exactly they looked like and where they were found. Those who have seen them and recorded the exact location (longitude and latitude), have returned with others to prove it only to find them vanished, as if they were never there. Those who claim to have attempted landing on the shores say they were thrown off, or that the slides were too steep and high to get to.

Historical Basis

/*As it turns out, these islands are real. They are monstrously large turtles that come to the surface to breathe, and have lush plants growing on their shells. The plant life is unique in that it can survive both under and above the water. The turtles rarely stay above the surface for more than a couple of days, therefor wiping out any human life that may have tried to settle on them. The backs of some turtles show remnants of attempts at civilization, such as the beginnings of buildings.*/

Spread

Everyone knows about these myths. Despite the amount of alleged sightings, unless someone has seen one of the islands for themselves they will rarely take them seriously.

Variations & Mutation

Descriptions of the islands vary greatly. Some say they are miles long and look like lush jungles covered in green grass and thick, fruit-baring trees. Others say they are small enough to walk around in minutes and covered in little but mud and clay.

/*This is because the turtles that are seen are at different stages of development and have spent time in different areas, so have developed differently.*/

Cultural Reception

Most cultures don't take much stock in the legend, but the [insert name here] people, those whose settlements consist mostly of rafts floating along the ocean's surface, vehemently search for the islands every day, believing them to be signs of luck. They see themselves as similar to the islands, as they also are never in the same place twice, and follow the whims of the water.