Olokapelli

In the Boiling Sea, Olokapelli is a marine caldera, the remains of a greater volcanic island that erupted and destroyed the southern half of the island. The main island, Olokapelli Iaku, or Greater Olokapelli, is a crescent-shaped island that possesses a horseshoe-shaped mountain range, surrounded by lush rainforest leading down to white sandy beaches in the north, with an interior that is comprised mainly of drier, more deciduous forests. A high cliff looks down onto the deep water inlets and bays that comprise its southern coastline.   In the rough center of the inlet bay of Olokapelli Iaku’s southern coast is the tiny volcanic island of Olokapelli Ilii, or Lesser Olokapelli. However, that name has typically fallen into disfavor, and is commonly called Paliokeolahou, or Crag of New Life, by its inhabitants.

The native inhabitants of Olokapelli are Treefolk and Salimar. The Treefolk on Olokapelli differ significantly from their mainland kin in that the volcanic earth has stunted their growth, so that they typically only grow to a maximum height of 4 to 6 feet, half of the height of their continental brethren. They otherwise possess all other aspects of Treefolk. These Treefolk, who call themselves the Alansai, live together in harmony with the surrounding nature, never far from their progenitor Soul Oak, La’au Akua. They govern themselves through a council of elders. There are very few laws, but the greatest is their prohibition against fire. Any Alansai injuring or killing another with fire is put to death.   The Alansai appreciate the arts, especially planting and tending large ornamental gardens, farms and orchards. Alansai take a long view of such artistry, knowing that the beauty of their plantings might not become evident for years. The Alansai also value public speaking and spoken poetry, although the rhyming poetry of the mainland would sound strange to them. An orderly people, they enjoy group activities and forming lines of friends to participate in competitive contests.   The Alansai, as a metal-poor culture, have in the past relied on tools and weapons made of wood and stone, especially obsidian. Since the arrival of the pirates, they have begun to use metal tools, especially for farming and other crafts. Alansai mainly fight unarmed, using martial techniques that involve hand strikes, short leg kicks, and arm chops.   The island Salimar, who call themselves the Molokai, or "fire dancers", live in small settlements on the islet of Paliokeolahou. They are larger than their continental cousins, typically reaching 6 feet in height, sometimes even taller. They worship Aho Nunui, believing the volcano god to have created them. They believe that Aho Nunui challenges them to continue to live on the slopes of the volcano, and will honor them for surviving in this harsh environment. They subsist on a diet of fish and root vegetables that were imported to the islet. The Molokai continue to mine and smelt metals from the volcano, making metal tools and weapons that they use and trade with the Ft. Thurston pirates.   At irregular intervals, the Molokai will swim to the main island with fire in waterproof lanterns. Once on the beaches, they attempt to set the tropical rain forest ablaze. The Alansai, once alerted, will counterattack, putting out the fires and killing any Molokai that do not retreat. It is unknown if this activity is some form of manhood ritual, or a religious ceremony dedicated to Aho Nunui.

It is unknown when they came to the island, but at some point, likely during the Second Age, a tribe of Treefolk emigrated to Olokapelli from the Lands of Legend, bringing with them a Soul Oak. Whether the Salimars came over with them or arrived later is unknown, but based on their shared folklore and legends, it is likely they arrived together, the Salimar perhaps even serving as the crew of the ships that brought them to the island.   The Treefolk planted the Soul Oak in the geographic center of the island, within the shelter of the mountains, and set up a civilization. The Salimar, meanwhile, founded settlements nearby the active volcano and started an iron age culture. They two separate people bartered and traded back and forth, until the eruption of the volcano. Afterwards, it seems that the surviving Salimar clung to the remainder of the volcanic islet that was left but ceased trading with the Treefolk. This may have resumed since the arrival of the third group, the pirates.   Pirates arrived on Olokapelli in the Third Age, running from naval authorities. Through painful trial and error, they mapped the large lagoon and the hidden reefs and shoals to establish a haven in a partially collapsed lava cave in the cliff that overlooks the great bay. The pirates named the islands the Black Sails Isles after the black volcanic cliffs, the great lagoon was dubbed Keelhaul Bay, and their settlement called Fort Thurston, after Captain Thurston who first landed longboats on the beaches. The fort, which is more like a walled town, is located in a partially collapsed lava cave in the cliff that overlooks the bay. There are dozens of natural cave tunnels, mostly formed by old lava tubes that connect to Ft. Thurston; however, more than one pirate has gone missing in these tunnels, never to be seen again. Only the small Treefolk from the island’s center seem capable of navigating the tunnels safely.   At present, there is a tense peace between the Treefolk of the main island's interior, the pirates of Fort Thurston, and the Salimars of Paliokeolahou. The pirates have become a middle-man between the two native groups, trading fruit, vegetables and wood for metal tools and sugar with the Treefolk, and delivering fruit and vegetables to the Salimar for metal tools and weapons. The pirates have introduced the Treefolk to the alcoholic drink rum, which has become a greatly desired trade item. In turn, they have asked for access to the island's interior to set up plantations, but have so far been very politely declined.