IC information and glossary

[Baron Fowling]

This thread will be used for some detailed information about the world that would likely be known to anyone taking an interest in world events before their tiny island. I'll also put a glossary at the end for some general terminology used in this setting, including some terms from the original series, but the stuff in there won't necessarily be as widely known.

Places

Big Blue:

Plunder
One of the most famous islands in Big Blue despite its relatively small size, Plunder is truthfully little more than an outcropping of rock and sand a few miles across that has been developed by the constant flow of pirates, smugglers and merchants of ill repute into one of the most booming urban areas in the ocean. It is not a lawless place, and in fact due to how much the majority pirate population relies on the commerce of the honest folk living among them to sell them basic necessities and buy their ill-gotten gains the penalties for those who kill or steal are high. Brawls, duels and other violent disruptions are very common, however, though the civilian population have long since learned to keep clear of such.

Due to Plunder's location scarcely half a day's sailing from Green Line, it has become known as the last stop in Big Blue for those intending to travel to Dark Blue. As a result many of the pirates who gather there are hardened, experienced veterans of the sea with high ambitions. Many see the other pirates who gather there as more rivals than allies, and as such clashes are common. And while there is a Navy presence on the island, they know to avoid conflict by keeping to their own base and its immediate surroundings on the Eastern side.

As the economy of the town is so heavily dependent on pirates, their needs and their goods, the number of shops selling weapons, tools, charts, navigation equipment and the like almost outnumbers those selling food and other such basic goods. As the town is also often the first stop for those pirates that return from Dark Blue, it also boasts the highest amount exotic artifacts and materials that can only be found in those turbulent waters and lands.

Standish
The largest Navy outpost in Big Blue, it is ironically only a day or two's sailing from Plunder. Although the civilian settlement on its south side began simply as a home for the families of sailors, it has since become a bustling port in its own right, and a trade hub for the various smaller islands in Standish's vicinity. In addition to its ship routes, Standish is linked to the Navy Headquarters at Svarlbad and the Dark Blue outpost at Mirawa.

Standish is still mostly comprised of the huge Navy fortress, including barracks, training academy, officers' quarters, shipyard and storehouses. One area of particular fame is the execution stand, high enough to be visible from most of the island, where the Navy showcases the punishment of its most notorious criminals. Naturally, the Pirate King Barbadorada was himself killed there over 20 years ago.

As the Navy position of highest importance in the largest ocean of the world, Standish is more often than not watched over by at least one of the four Admirals, and during times of particular conflict the Fleet Admiral himself is known to oversee his fleet from his quarters there.

Dark Blue:

Easy Bay
For pirate crews hoping to reach Dark Blue with their ships, there are two possible routes, and one of them emerges in the ocean within sight of this wide, welcoming bay on the otherwise hostile island of Orslang, the sight of which has told hundreds of pirate crews that they have survived the first stage of their journey, and can now begin it in earnest. In years past this bay was something of a trap, its pearly-white sands and beautiful weather beckoning sailors of all stripes to its shore, where lulled into a false sense of peace amd relief they were often soon dispatched by the island's violent carnivorous wildlife. More recently the constant tide of pirates and explorers has slowly beaten back the treeline and created enough space for a lively town of ramshackle wooden buildings, where crews of so many ships have taken a few hours, days, or weeks to regain their footing before embarking again on their journey deeper into Dark Blue with renewed vigour.

Oddly enough, despite the difficulty of the Green Crossing and the hostility of the island itself beyond Easy Bay, only a tiny minority of crews and captains that successfully arrive here choose to turn back. Almost universally, the desire to adventure carries them forward.

People:

Imperial Navy:

Fleet Admiral Huang
A legendary warrior who was said to have clashed with the Pirate King dozens of times on his journey to the End of the World, Fleet Admiral Huang is known to lead the Navy with a soul of discipline and determination and an absolutist view of Justice.

Admiral Byakko
A warrior of the Navy who was famed among the people of all three oceans for her dazzling feats and explosive personality long before she attained her current rank of Admiral. She is known to occasionally leave her post to hunt criminals solo.

Captain MacDayne
The captain in charge of the Navy outpost on Plunder, MacDayne is a harsh man who pursues criminals remorselessly, but is also known for loyalty to the men under his command and his care and concern for the civilians under his protection.

Lights of Blacksky

Scarlet Robin
A former apprentice of the Pirate King, and the woman who is said to have inherited his will to change the world. Although her crew is the smallest among those of the Northern Lights, she is nonetheless said to be the one closest to conquering Blacksky.

Thunder Kanutt
A giant of colossal strength combined with the incredible power of a logia devil fruit. Has led his huge armada of pirates to Blacksky to conquer it simply for the adventure. Sometimes called the strongest in the world, but he has lost to Robin before.

Empire Privateers

Eagle Eye Ginniss
A native of the supposed weakest part of Big Blue, Ginniss succeeded in establishing a foothold on the Dark Blue island of Bircona and turned it into a highly popular resort for pirates. He has since become an agent of the Imperial Government.

Glossary

Aristocracy: Descendents of the king who united the world hundreds of years ago. They reside in Royal Blue mostly.

Big Blue: The planet's largest, central ocean. The most peaceful, and home to most of the world's population.

Dark Blue: The ocean located beyond Green Line. Full of mystery and danger, where the "End of the World" is located.

Devil Fruit: A magical object that bestows abilities on the one that eats it at the expense of the ability to swim.

Empire Privateers: Powerful pirates who have been enlisted by the World Empire to be their agents in Dark Blue.

Gold Line: A ring-shaped continent separating Big Blue from Royal Blue. Mostly formed of resource-rich mountains.

Green Line: A ring-shaped continent dividing Big Blue from Dark Blue. Covered in huge, deadly forests and jungles.

Haki: A term for a number of mysterious powers used by certain people, mostly experienced warriors and adventurers.

Imperial Navy: The largest military force in the world, servants of the Royal Empire, present in all three seas.

JustEyes: An organisation of spies and secret agents employed by the Imperial Navy to monitor the world's seas.

Lights of Blacksky: The pirate captains whose exploits in Blacksky and Dark Blue have made them famous over the world.

Pirate King: Barbadorada, the man who conquered Blacksky and brought back word of the "Keys to the World".

Royal Blue: The sea located beyond Gold Line, home to the bases of the World Empire and Imperial Navy.

Royal Empire: A government formed of representatives of the Aristocracy and more than thirty nations over the world.