Overview

The scattered isles of Islerama rise from endless ocean depths, each landmass home to a culture that has evolved in near isolation. Separated by treacherous waters patrolled by the colossal Mighty Hogfish, these disparate peoples have developed unique adaptations to their environments and distinct worldviews.

For centuries, contact between cultures was limited to occasional daring voyages and the sporadic raids of the nomadic Nerkern. But now, a great change has arrived. The Knowledge Seeker—a massive, intelligent flying octopus with immense magical power and an insatiable curiosity—has appeared in the skies above Islerama, observing and interacting with the peoples below.

The Knowledge Seeker's arrival has triggered a cultural awakening across the isles. As it visits each land, sharing discoveries from elsewhere, the isolated cultures of Islerama have become aware of each other in new ways. Ancient rivalries are rekindled, potential alliances emerge, and the possibility of cross-cultural exchange becomes more tangible than ever before.

In this time of transformation, each culture faces a crucial question: Will they use this new knowledge to build bridges or fortify their shores? Will they share their unique gifts with others or jealously guard their secrets? And how will they respond to the Knowledge Seeker's probing questions about their history, traditions, and aspirations?

Playing the Scenario

Players take control of one of the four major cultures of Islerama, guiding them through this period of unprecedented interaction and discovery. Unlike scenarios centered on resource competition or territorial conquest, Islerama focuses on cultural exchange, diplomatic manoeuvring, and the pursuit of knowledge.

The Knowledge Seeker serves as both catalyst and complication. Its visits bring opportunities for learning and advancement, but its questions often challenge cultural assumptions and expose vulnerabilities. Players must decide how open or guarded to be with this powerful entity, knowing that their responses will shape both its impression of them and the information it shares with others.

Victory in Islerama can be achieved through cultural prestige, technological advancement, diplomatic influence, or even by satisfying the Knowledge Seeker's curiosity so completely that it designates your culture as the most worthy of preservation. But beware—the Knowledge Seeker's patience is not infinite, and it harbours the power to eliminate cultures it finds stagnant or unworthy.