The name of the planet you are on is called Onous, or Dweit, depending on
your land of origin. It has a
large, reflective (albedo near 90%) moon of large size that can be seen even in
the daytime sky. Eclipses are
common. Months are measured by the
rotation of the moon; one rotation is approximately 24 days. During the first 14 days of a month,
the moon is visible and this is considered an ill sign. Childbirth when the moon is not present
is considered a good omen. Many celebrate
the disappearance of the moon, and even a few religious sects fast when it is
present.
A year consists of the passage of fifteen and a third moons (368 days). Every third year has a different system of months. In the alpha year, there are fifteen months of 24 days followed by a month of 6 days. These last 6 days are considered a sign of chaos. For a beta year, there are sixteen months. The first and last months have 12 days and the rest 24 days. In a gamma year, the first month is 6 days long (the first day is the last day the moon is visible during a rotation). The fifteen remaining months have 24 days. Different religious sects attach varying significance to the moon and its passage during various months.
The sun appears smaller than the moon and has a white appearance. Each day is 24 hours. Solar eclipses are the worst omen. Infanticide is practiced for children born during a solar eclipse (total or otherwise).
The Homage Islands are about the same size, shape, and orientation as the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. They are located about 20 degrees above the equator and consequently have a warm, lower portion and a slightly more pleasant upper portion. South of Homage Islands is the Gloria peaks, two small volcanic islands, the peaks of which are barely visible to the naked eye from Lower Homage Island’s southern coast.
To the southwest and east of the Homage Islands are two large continents. To the west is the land of Tarbodo. Extending uniformly about the equator, it is quite hot in the center with pleasant regions above and below. The desert, which divides these two regions, also divides the cultures. The northern culture is tribal, but does have the technology to manufacture steel, build modest stone structures such as walls, and marginal sea going vessels. The southern culture is a feudal system, much like that of late nineteenth century Japan. Philosophy, martial arts, and inter-lord conflict are common. The level of technology is high giving access to magic, shipbuilding, and trade.
The land to the east is the continent of Daus. The eastern edge society is a model of mid-evil Europe including castles, magic, knights and nobility. The technology level is highest here and consequently shipbuilding is exceptional. Great trade vessels are manufactured and loaded to the gills for maximum profit.
Homage Island’s location is quite strategic in terms of trade. Trade has significantly influenced the cultural evolution of the Homage Islands. The southwestern Lower Island corner receives most of its trade from the feudal lords in Tarbodo, while the eastern portion of the Upper Island receives ships from Daus. These continents’ influences are obvious and will be described in subsequent chapters. Fortunately for the Homage Islands, it is too far away from either continent to be dominated by them (not that either hasn't tried, or isn't still trying).
Trade is the sole economic basis for the island's civilized regions and the Islands’ names. In the beginning, ships landed at the Islands to conduct a little trade. For example, the Islands’ conceal large deposits of mercury. Eventually ship captains came to realize that they could carry more cargo and earn more profit if they planned to stop at the Islands and resupply themselves with provisions. Travelers that wanted to be assisted by the natives were expected to pay homage by giving a tribute of gold, jewelry, gem, or metal artifact (sword, armor, etc.). Today, the influences of the trading cultures permeate Island society.
By virtue of thriving on trade, the Homage Islands are wealthy lands. Stockpiles of wealth exist in the hands
of the nobles, lords, and guilds.
All of the associated crime elements that come with wealth and relaxed
law enforcement also exist.
Backstabbing is not uncommon, pirates have bases along the seashore, and
mercenaries are ready to ply their trade for the right price. Assassinations are not unusual at the
lowest ranks (common, in fact, in the south), but get very rare in the upper ranks,
as these individuals are able to employ mages and psions to ward and watch
their backs.
Wealth also attracts dragons. Homage Islands has more than its fair share of younger dragons that have made their home along the shoreline, raiding ships as they pass by. Fewer are inland, and even fewer have frequent contact with humanoid kind (usually for the monthly bribe). In general, dragons are tolerated if they do not take a toll on the trade business. Red dragons are the most problematic in this sense, and often their greed clashes with the sensibility of trading guilds. For this reason, the bounty on red dragons is twice as high as that for any other dragon kind.
A perplexing question many commoners ask is why were the islands never dominated by the trading cultures? Sages have studied the riddle and determined the following set of facts each contributed. The influx of culture was gradual because of the distance from the main continents. Only the brave and foolhardy attempted the journey to trade between the continents. There is a limited supply of such individuals. The traders quickly determined it was in their best interest to establish a permanent base of operations on the islands. The first attempts were military in nature and failed. Even though the natives were technologically inferior, they still posse’s strength with The Gifts. Later attempts were co-operative and used the device of intermarriage to guarantee stability. Over time legitimate dynasties existed. Finally, the deposit locations for mercury and other unique and valuable resources have been kept good secrets.
The entire eastern section of Upper Homage Island is ruled by his majesty High King Mulcock the III. The society is knights and nobility, wizards and witchcraft. Psionics are rare here and mages outnumber psions at least 4 to 1. Little respect is accorded psions as they are considered traitors from down below. Mages are respected for combat abilities (fireballs and what not) and protective devices that ward off psionics.
This is the name of the ruling family in the southeastern part of the lower island. The capital city is named after the family. All lords in the region are sub-servant to Lord Boarbado in law, but not necessarily in practice. The culture is European with several hints of feudal Japan. The most noticeable of these are the feudal lord structure of the government and the practice of Toroque, a form of martial arts. The word Toroque is derived from the pronunciation of "Torrr-oque" by its practitioners when summoning every once of strength for a martial attack.
The influence of philosophy in this region is such that psions outnumber mages almost 3 to 1 and command a great deal of respect for their abilities. Lord Boarbado's personal bodyguard is rumored to be almost half psionic and psionic multi-classed characters.
A constant state of war exists between the upper and lower island rulers. Unlike the former cold war between the U.S. and Russia, open acts of aggression exist and occur on a frequent, somewhat predictable basis. The battleground for most scrimmages is the western-middle portion of the lower island. Undead are rather common in this region and humanoid villages are scarce.
The middle-east region of the Lower Homage Island is in a state of constant darkness. Sages hypothesis that the great number of undead, evil aligned wizards, and profane cults that make their homes in this region cause this unnatural darkness to perpetuate into the day. Not a lot grows or lives under these conditions. Consequently, the region is known as the Dead Lands. The western portion of this region is quite dangerous. It is populated with all of the usual undead terrors: ghouls, ghasts, shadows, wights, wraiths, and many ghosts of fallen warriors.
Magic-like powers, regardless of the source of the power, are collectively known as The Gift.
Armor is a status symbol on the Homage Islands. In particular, good armor is almost non-existent for anyone but a lord. Full and field plate armors cannot be purchased in the Homage Islands because no native of the land is able to manufacture such armor. Platemail is the highest level of native armor smith achievement. Other types of armor, such as chain mail and brigandine are not uncommon. All metal armors are 25% more expensive than normal for an AD&D campaign. Armors that use just a little bit of metal, e.g., studded leather, cost the normal amount. Metal weapons are normally priced as well.
The civilized areas of Homage Islands are primarily inhabited and run by
humans. They occupy the top 5%
positions of power, and hold half the remaining important political and
leadership positions.
Elves, half-elves, and haflings are most prevalent in Lower Homage Island. They are equally spread out among its great flat, rolling lands and forests. Dwarves and gnomes are most prevalent in the hilly, mountainous, western portion of Upper Homage Island. A few dwarf clans are located in the two mountain chains in Lower Homage Island.
The northern tip of the Upper Homage Island, known as Cut-throat Peninsula, is inhabited by orc tribes lead by half-orc leaders. They have stolen ships, which they use to raid and kill any ship that they can catch.
Demihuman races otherwise fit the descriptions given in the PH.
Copyright © 1999, 2002 John Lipp