Vignoble

Vignoble is one of the founding members of the United Federation of Independent Colonies and the largest producer of wine, grappa, and grape juice in the Fractured Skies. Originally a colony of Skyhome founded in the mid 200s A.F, it developed its own unique culture combining elements from both the Sapie and Kissed colonists and the native Akoran population. In the year 350 A.F, the island petitioned for its independence along with several other colonies, and in 352 A.F, the petition was granted. This establishing a route for colonies to vie for their independence from members of The Pact, and would later lead to the founding of the U.F.I.C for the purposes of mutual defense and trade regulation.
Vignoble is also the home of the Huntsman's League, a group of boisterous hunters who track and kill the deadliest beasts of the Skies for glory, Slivers, and honor. Their lodge sits above the town, and only opens its doors to seasoned hunters. Over the course of the year, dozens of aspiring applicants are turned away.

Geography

Vignoble is an island of levels. Layered like a cake, the island has a unique geography of gradually shrinking plateaus building up and up until reaching a zenith. The shape of the entire island can quite easily be compared to a very large, very spread out pyramid. Each layer is covered in gentle grasses and a dense nutrient rich layer of topsoil. Rivers are cut into the landscape that run from the top down, forming natural aqueduct that channel the water down and off the island, using gravity. The island's water attuned Source Crystals sits at its top in a small lake, from which all these rivers spring.

Ecosystem

Vignoble is mainly covered in grass, shrubbery, and small trees. Vines grow everywhere on the island, and from them grapes develop upon them in the warmer months before falling in mid Twilight.

Ecosystem Cycles

Vignoble has constant mild rains throughout the year, and a mostly stable temperature with only some fluctuations month to month. In the month of Terminus the rains tend to a little heavier, but outside of that, the weather is always warm and overall very pleasant.

Natural Resources

Vignoble's greatest export is wine, and their economy is largely dependent on it. In the past, this has caused problems due to the occasional failed harvest or poor growing season, but mostly, the island has been able to survive off of a single major export. 
Vignoble also has a small, but robust dairy industry, which principally makes cheese (which of course pairs excellently with the wine). The locals have to rely on grain from other islands to feed their animals however, making the practice a costly sub-industry. The final product is an expensive, but delicious, product, as the cheese farmers are as diligent about their craft as the wine makers.

History

Vignoble was originally (partially) occupied by a tribe of Akoran called the Oiseaux Doux. The Oiseaux Doux were a nomadic people, who lived on the nearby Jagged Belt for most of the year, but would migrate to Vignoble during Rebirth and Youth. During this yearly cycle, they began cultivating patches of wild grape vines and creating wine. When the first colonists came, they came in Terminous, and found the island deserted. They quickly established their colony, originally simply as a layover stop between Skyhome and Plenty, only to encounter the Oiseaux Doux the following month. Despite inital friction, the two factions were able to come to an understanding. 250 years later, the two cultures have combined, creating the modern people of Vignoble.
As the colonists lived on the island yearly, they were able to tend to the vines more regularly, and thus, dramatically up-scaled the farming capacity of the island. Combining that with the early techniques developed by the Oiseaux Doux, the people of Vignoble were able to refine the art of juice-craft to a near science. The most prevalent crop on vignoble is the grapevine, and there are several sub-breeds which they use to create different beverages.
Vignoble shuns any magical assistance for the growth of their produce, believing that it somehow contaminates the wine (although in practice, most wine-makers treat the use of magic more as cheating).
Vignoble is ruled by a citizens council. Citizenship is based primarily on land rights, although per the charter of the United Federation of Independent Colonies, all people born on Vignoble are considered citizens of the U.F.I.C and are granted all rights therein, even if they are not considered citizens of their home island.
The main religion of Vignoble is the cult of Dyonasia, an androgynous god of wine who combines elements of the The Air Titan, The Earth Titan, and The Water Titan. Said to be the god of joy and merriment, they are mainly worshiped via small home shrines and monthly festivals dedicated in their name.

Alternative Name(s)

The Garden of Earthly Delights, Dyonasia's Wine-rack, Terre de Liberté

"Where the bees are fat

and the people sing with the sweetness

of wine

and all is merry

praise Dyonasia!"