Patera Project: Malacayog
by Andrew TheisenMALACAYOG
Location: Patera, Near Side. East of Rajahstan, west of
Myoshima.
Area: Approximately 116,000 sq. mi.
Population: 60,000 Rakasta of various breeds.
Language: Numerous tribal dialects.
Coinage: None (barter only).
Technology Level: Stone Age.
Government Type: Tribal.
Industries: Hunting and gathering, swidden agriculture.
Description: A series of scattered, thinly populated islands. The
population consists of numerous tribes of Rakasta. These Rakasta
are primarily hunters and gatherers, and make little use of tools.
They make use of some degree of swidden (i.e., 'slash-and-burn')
agriculture, and live in semi-permanent villages, migrating from
farm ground to farm ground, and warring with one another. They are
renowned for their cannibalistic tendencies. Some few tribes make
use of iron and bronze weapons and tools they have looted from the
bodies of explorers from outside their island nation. Coastal
tribes are known to make daring sea raids on surrounding nations,
primarily Myoshima and Rajahstan.
Notable Sites: None.
History: Myoshimans recall with great anger two massive invasion
attempts by the Malacayog islanders, one in 136 AC and one in 143
AC (Mystaran calendar). Both raids were repulsed, but at great cost
in lives. Myoshimans despise Malacayog islanders for these reasons,
and have recently begun attempts to colonise the islands and bring
Malacayog under their imperial heels. These attempts have been
largely unsuccessful thus far, but the Myoshimans are doggedly
continuing in their efforts. (Malacayog also makes a nice base of
operations for colonisation efforts against Rajahstan, not
coincidentally- at least as I envision it).
Important Figures: No notable figures have yet risen to prominence
(though I figure someone prompted those raids hundreds of years
ago... they correspond roughly to Mongol invasion attempts of
Japan, for those of you wondering).
Flora and Fauna: