Island of La Fleche Folly

Recently we have visited a group of islands with names that are remarkably alike. La Fleche Tordu, La Fleche Croissee, La Fleche Sans Poilles, La Fleche Cassee and La Fleche Folly. Al these islands are located not too far from a very small island known as La Grande Phare De Troy.
Actually there are quite a couple of islands that have names that do not start with La Fleche in the same area. As mentioned, the La Grande Phare De Troy island is very small, but the La Fleche islands are quite a bit larger and so we have come across a very strange habit here. Many people make their money breeding horses and training them. If we have well understood, at least twenty-five percent of the horses of Teolin can be traced back to these islands.
La Fleche Folly is one of the islands known for breeding heavy horses and rearing them for warfare. It is said that even the dwarves of Knis have been interested in buying some of these horses for the invasion or protection of Tralival. Even though the island is measures a mere fifty by eighty miles, many fine horses are kept here and sold if the money is good enough.

Movement

Compared to other islands, many people travel by horse. In fact most people who travel on La Fleche will take several horses with them, if only to improve on the stamina of the horses.
For this purpose, many paths are well kept, but hardly any of them are paved, as it is more practical to have not paved roads. The only paved roads one would find, are in the various larger towns and city's.

Geology of La Fleche Folly

Story's of the formation of La Fleche Folly are plentiful and probably the most fun one is where La Fleche Folly and it's neighbours are formed by the horse of the sky Petittonneau. This gigantic horse in the sky one day dropped his ordure in the sea and that is how this group of islands was formed. Ever since, the islands have been a fertile place for horses to breed on.
A more mundane explanation is that the island was formed when some tectonic plates collided and the eruption of volcano's well under the surface of the sea formed these islands.
Effectively, La Fleche Folly is a group of rolling hills in a rather shallow part of the oceans of Teolin.

Political situation

La Fleche Folly upholds a feudal political system where only knights of a certain rank are allowed to hold land in property.
Holding land in property is very important, since it is only possible to breed horses on La Fleche Folly, once you own land. As such, the King holds great power, as he is the only person who may knight people or change their knightly ranks.

Crime and Justice

On La Fleche Folly, crime is punished severely. Especially all crimes concerning horses can lead to disgrace for a family. In general, it is not only the criminal who is remembered for a long time, but also his or her family is held responsible for crimes committed.
Final justice calls are up to the king and once a month there is a mediation day at court. On this day, the twelfth day of each month, people gather at the court of the king. Some of the kings knights are appointed judges as well and even petty disputes like the ownership of a shovel can be brought before the court on this day.
The social status of the arguing people decides on the level of the person judging them. All disputes among land owners are decided by the king.

Magic

In this feudal state, with a high regard for chivalry, magic is regarded as a powerful, but not very knightly thing to use. As such most magic users do not achieve high social status.
In general, magic users from other places are kindly requested to keep their tricks for other occasions as their visit of La Fleche Folly.

Revered gods

Many realize that nature and animals are the cornerstones for society on La Fleche Folly. As such it should come as no surprise that Obad-Hai and Artemis are popular gods. Also the chivalry inclined Heironeous is rather popular on the island.

Main population

Some dwarven smiths have made their home on La Fleche Folly, mainly armour smiths specializing in barding and some weapon smiths that specialize in weapons that are easy to use from horseback.
Some of the more mundane inclined gnomes have found a trade in constructing saddles, bit, bridle and tack for the horses, however the main population is human.
Realize that at most horse farms there is at least one gnome or halfling as well, to train the horses in accepting and reacting well to smaller riders as well.

Economy

Like many of the other La Fleche islands, La Fleche folly imports lots of grain, grass and other green stuff to feed the many horses on the islands.
On the other hand, heavy war horses are the main export product, as are services like teaching knights how to fight from horseback or rearing horses bought in other areas of Teolin.

Since the islands of Teolin are rather small, horses are less practical for transportation. On the other hand taking horses from one place to another is relative expensive, thus horses on Teolin typically cost around four times the prices you would expect.


The Teolin Setting
Copyright 2001-2005 Ylorea's Adventuring
Last update 22-08-2004