Idylla
Idylla is one of the six major Islands that surround the Continent. It is located in the southeast of the mapped world. Idylla is responsible for providing the continent with farmed vegetation, and is thus the Continent's primary source of food.
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History
Idylla's history is fairly static; aside from advancements in irrigation and other water distribution systems, the island's people voluntary abstain from infrastructure and modern technologies. Popular travel commentator Jackson Brown calls Idylla "a living memory, a sphere of warm simplicity, an anachronistic utopia - could there be any other kind? - that has nursed a people fresh of spirit and without distraction: In a word, inspiring, and in four, the kindest on Earth." Such colorful descriptions have garnered the interest of would-be tourists, but the locals politely insist on limited visitation. The Bureau allocates most of the number they will allow to shipping companies, and the rest are left to Network-approved journalists and credit-wielding travel zealots.
YYS Sideways
The sole item of note in Idylla's long history, from a Continental perspective, occurred in 1936, when the YYS Sideways, a naval vessel from YOYO, docked unannounced in the former village of Allday Settlement at the mouth of Long Light Bay. The ship, part of pre-reform YOYO's standing military force, had been harassed by Ohmish pirates and forced into port. On requesting the ship's departure, the Idyllans were met with shows of force by the crew, and relented. Various abuses of the local population ensued and were filmed by the crew (likely intended for sale to YOYO News), among them forcing Idyllans to wield firearms and dress in women's clothing in addition to several counts of rape (camera use, working with the skin covered, and sex with outsiders are all forbidden by Idyllan custom), according to one Idyllan witness from Advent Village. These facts are established by such witnesses and the few remaining personal logs recovered from the ship's wreckage.
YOYO stopped receiving radio transmissions from the Sideways after seven days, and after another five sent a second ship to discover its condition. Unprecedented piracy levels delayed the already long journey several weeks, and when the vessel arrived it found no trace of either the Sideways or the Allday Settlement. Pieces of the Sideways were later recovered from the ocean floor, though major portions of the vessel were never found, nor was any indication of the fate of its crew or the villagers. This incident, in combination with the 100 Stories scandal, led directly to the founding of the Commission for Ethical Conduct, which would establish the Islands' role as providers for the Continent.
The Sideways has become a popular figure in ghost stories and urban legends.
Climate
Idylla features a long summer lasting from late March to early November, with two monsoon seasons beginning in March and early August, respectively. Forge scientists currently speculate the unusual second season results from sub-surface water currents carrying cold water from a rarely-documented glacial landmass further south. Daily temperatures peak at just over 40 C (~105 F), and remain relatively close to 35 C throughout the summer. As a result, the locals typically rise shortly after noon and work into the early hours of the morning, giving rise to the popular euphemism "an Idyllan day." Winters are balmy but dry.
