The Islanders

Fellenstel SPOILED SAND

FELLENSTEL is a large island in the southern temperate zone, long and narrow, running west to east. A range of mountains, Dentres dos Ilôts, divides the island into three climatic zones.

The southern coast is cool in summer, cold in winter, and troubled by sudden storms and unexpectedly powerful tidal flows. A brisk prevailing wind from the south-west, the HERBEAN BLACK SQUALL, brings sleet and rain, but ensures the southern faces of the mountains are always green and fertile. The Dentres range provides high alpine pasture, with deep winter snows and some winter sports activity. The northern side of the island, a broad coastal plain with several long sandy bays, enjoys a warm and stable climate: winters with a cool but pleasant rainy season, and a dry and sunny summer. Flowers and trees grow in profusion, the lush vegetation attracting holiday-makers all year round. The eastern promontory is a bird-watchers’ paradise.

Although the principal economic feature of Fellenstel is tourism, there are many light industrial units in the small inland town of Juggre, providing employment for the local people and prosperity for the region.

Intending visitors require a visa, which must be obtained locally before departure. Standard inoculations are mandatory. Visitors should also be advised that Fellenstel has strict erotomane laws in place. Random searches and gene testing at port of entry can cause delay and in some cases embarrassment if the paperwork is not correct. Our general advice to intending travellers is always either to heed local laws or choose another destination — Fellenstel is a perfect example of this. It is a veritable paradise in many ways, but it uses retributive justice and the penal system is harsh. Being a visitor to the island is not regarded as adequate mitigation.

Tunnelling is prohibited throughout Fellenstel.

The search for the killers of Commis began on Fellenstel. Two men and two women, known erotomanes, were believed to have disrupted the artiste’s performance when he was visiting Paneron. They also wrote negative reviews. How they were thought to have travelled halfway around the world to the scene of Commis’s death was never revealed, but within a few days they had been arrested and taken in for questioning. The discovery of negative reviews of other theatrical performances on their computer hardware only made their situation worse.

They said nothing in answer to questions — the safest course of action given the harsh Fellenstel system of crime prevention and detection — and finally the policier were forced to release them. They remained under suspicion, however, and were unable to work for several months. Only once they had managed to leave Fellenstel were they able to resume their lives.

Currency: Archipelagian simoleon, Aubracian talent.