Virni

Overview

The 

Climate

The 

Public Culture

History

The 

Modern History

Overview

The Islands of Stanu are an isolated nest of islands that practice 'braiding', said to rejuvenate and extend life.

Climate

The Islands are fairly temperate with cold winters. The south island rarely has tsunamis. 

Public Culture

Braided threads symbolise life and regeneration, but also triumph of man over nature. A single thread means weakness, double means unity and triple threads means strength. Braided threads are common accessories, such as necklaces, bangles, bangles and even hair accessories, though those of the northern islands consider only threads made of natural fibers or sinew to be proper incarnations of the of the original threadmaker, Giana Petallis's design as a symbol of might against nature. 

Those of the southern islands commonly adorn themselves with metallic and chained braids, and is often seen as the superior material for long-lasting braided accessories that can be remelted and recast near-indefinitely.

Braided accessories are often stitched and adorned into every article of clothing or bag as it is said to shield one from sickness, or even misfortune to some. Falling ill means that a braided accessory is losing power and must be remade, discarded or replaced, with the exhausted threads often kept and used as decoration. To make sure one knows what braid has lost power, it's customary to hold only one braided accessory at a time. Aesthetic braids are still acceptable to wear at any time.

An accessory braid can be become a normal braid when it is 'imbued with intention' to shield and protect. What this means is oft kept to family and individual interpretation; some feel simply desiring a braid to hold power is enough, while others may venerate a braid with a ritual like surrounding a braid with healthy fruits overnight, or boiling it in a pot of water and flowers until the house or surroundings is aromatic.

Dates of celebration include: the 1st of September, which is the date Queen Cajarr landed on the Islands of Stanu, though this date is commonly contested to be the 31st of October or 2nd of September instead; and 27th of February, the date of Giana Petallis's death and is also symbolised to be a date of renewal. 

It is considered a crime to steal a braid belonging to another, but in the modern day reprobates steal and then replace others' braids with a single braid to show their weakness and make them vulnerable.

Colours! and abstraction are very popular. Colours and shapes are important for self expression. Styles and aestheics change nearly every generation, giving the youth something new to build off of and their own identity. New generations of families often repaint walls of their homes to their liking.

History

The first inhabitants of the Islands of Stanu came from Ryreland from the west, seeking a new life from the troubles of a rapid paced expansion of human nations. The islands were promised to these first settlers if they could survive. The First anointed Queen of Stanu, Queen Cajarr, was once the youngest child of the monarchy from Ryreland and sought to create her new home and kingdom. She and her people endured hardship after hardship, and Cajarr lost her husband and the King of the island. His death was the first of disasters that led to famines and epidemics, and the island became isolated and sour. 

Queen Cajarr was hardy, some may even say stubborn, but even she had to set aside her brashness for the good of her people. She began to prepare boats to the mainland and prepared to face the mockery of her friends and family alike.

Until a subject stepped forward - an old woman by the name of Giana Petallis. She created illustrious threads made of plant fiber, said to provide life and renew vigor.

The farms blossomed, their cities flourised, and their islands became connected to one another. Giana grew fond of the northern islands and made her home there, trusted by Queen Cajarr and her children. Giana, too old to bare children of her own, assigned another to lead in her stead, Plinth Petallis, who took the surname "Petallis" to honour Giana.

Giana may be long gone but her gift and the hope she gave to her people was never forgotten. Islanders from all over the nation still take part in thread-weaving and it is a common hobby.

Queen Cajarr's eldest child, Princet Eldrar, was said to dislike Plinth and the North Islands as a whole, blaming Giana for making their mother look weak. Their dislike was more passive, halting resources sent to the north islands and assessing north-south visitors with scrutiny. The greatest stated that "magic is not real. It is the farmers themselves that used their own strength and power to make us strong, not some woman and her imagination". They dismissed threadmaking as a wasteful act.

Modern History

The early 1900s were wrought with strife as visiting foreigners brought disease and caused an island-wide epidemic and the people openly blamed a downward trend of following the teaching of Giana for this. The islands closed their borders and it seems they did it for good as the teachings of Giana. The islands grew more isolated and fell behind in science and technology. 

The northern islands are perceived to be 'primitive' and 'tribalistic', even by the southerners. Electricity is sparse and the buildings are alien when compared to the city and the palace of the south, being made of clay and hay, or even being built in caves. So-called 'descendant' of Giana, Konstance Petallis leads the northern islands and is a impressive fisherperson, often hauling food that all are free to take. They are backed by their Fronds - people from specific areas of the north that act as leaders, much like mayors do.

It isn't a secret that the Royal Family of Stanu and Konstance Petallis rarely talk, and the two would rather keep it that way, though the more people of the north have slowly migrated south or to the mainland to engage in society bereft of isolation.

Princess-Consort Matan'Ceta is known to have hailed from the north, and though she did not receive the former-Queen Cajorn's blessing, it was speculated her marriage to the now King Drayan was a recent step to rejoin the islands in unity but the King's recent actions have proved otherwise. He and his closest associates further drained resources from the north.

Having an internet connection is a luxury, even into the 2020s.

Former-Queen Cajorn passed away in 2026 from health complications.

Hints of History

When Queen Cajarr moved from her home, she took some practices with her. Knights are guards of royalty but have since changed with the modern times, officially becoming a higher rank of police officer but beholden to serving royalty than the public but may be dispatched to handle public affairs if necessary. The Knights are headed by a Knight Captain, and a Knight Commissioner is the occupation to communicate between police, knights and the government of the people.

Luckily the modern royals are not so archaic otherwise. The royal family has only half the power over the islands, while the government wields the other half. They keep each other in check.

The first queen also took with her a single Blade, separated from their other half - an assassin in title only but not in deed. Blades are born twins, picked once every two decades from the most recent set of twins to be trained in stealth and subterfuge. They answer only to the ruling royalty and act on their behalf, though their place in modern society is seen as unneeded.