Port Antillia
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Port Antillia
One of the last planets to be colonised, Port Antillia had great ambitions of being a vital port between the Jewel Worlds and the Serene Republic of Elyra. Due to its novel colonisation, it faced severe struggles, which were exacerbated by frequent natural disasters. Ultimately this resulted in its early collapse - only really seeing itself somewhat stabilised nearly a century later. It has its roots within the nations which formed the Caribbean Federation, who found themselves facing extinction from the ecological crisis that Earth endured.
Despite millions becoming part of the colonisation effort, no one truly knew the dangers present on Port Antillia. Due to its relative youth on the cosmic scale, the planet experiences earthquakes rather frequently, which produce tsunamis that pose a threat to cities that dot the coasts of Port Antillia. Additionally, volcanic activity is yet another persistent danger with some of the largest eruptions across the inhabited parts of Orion Spur being registered to the planet. Many of the major population centres are equipped to deal with these problems, but there are still minor settlements that have to contend with the hostile geological activity of the planet, with most residents having accepted that they are simply a part of life on Port Antillia.
Port Antillia is now a malleable colony within the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, with limitless potential for the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. Juggling its integration into the Republic of Biesel with its own internal struggles, the volatile circumstances of the planet allow it to be the perfect playing ground for any who wishes to mould its progression.
Due to Port Antillia’s rather insular and unstable history as the singular colonisation attempt by the Caribbean Federation, characters born on Port Antillia will have names and appearances consistent with the peoples of Antilles. Only those native to Port Antillia may take its accent. This is enforceable by server moderators and admins.
Environment
Geography & Climate
Port Antillia predominately has chains of islands, along with a singular large continent that is surrounded by atolls, isles, islets and cays. The majority of these are shield volcanos that have experienced millennia of erosion as the tides break on the beaches - alongside the rather frequent tectonic shifts and the ensuing tsunamis. The varied topography of Port Antillia includes misty plateaus, craggy ocean cliffs, tropical coastal areas, and lava deserts - all of which are surrounded by jungles of native flora. Despite the fertility in some areas across the planet, volcanic ash has destroyed much of the possibility of life from spreading in other regions as a result of the phosphorus that settled within the soil, thwarting any attempt from native flora to survive.
The planet enjoys a tropical climate with two discrete seasons. September through February - referred to as Fresano - is the dry season, less humid and considerably colder, with temperature highs and lows between 23°C and 27°C. March through August - or rather Veruroso - is a significantly warmer period where humidity skyrockets and the temperature frequently hits heights between 33°C and 42°C. Both allow for an almost year-round agricultural season which permits the quick blooming of native food crops to sustain the evergrowing population across Port Antillia. These conditions also routinely allow for extreme monsoons to develop during a short period between Fresano and Veruroso - while not always destructive, some have developed into problematic storms that have resulted destruction. There have been several news approaches with the assistance of new technology to help deal with the consequences of these frequent natural disasters as Antilleans adapt.
Regions
The Fètil Chain
The Fètil Chain exists as a link between Centro del Mondyal and Guayamouc and now forms the Saint Lawrence province. The archipelago has almost three dozen islands within its geographical region, some of which devote themselves to a simple agrarian idyll lifestyle, where vast industrialization was avoided across the islands - except those closest to either Centro del Myondal or Guayamouc, that have become important trading ports. The Chain is considered crucial to the maritime trading that occurs between the eastern and western hemispheres, where the Fètil Chain has leveraged its importance to remain largely successful and as a result, the region sees itself as somewhat more well-off compared to others across the planet - even in spite of the frequent earthquakes that impact it.
Guayamouc
Guayamouc is made up of four major islands and numerous smaller islands that are remnants of a long, partially volcanic island arc, which now forms the provinces of Arthezé and Agüeybaná. During the initial colonisation of Port Antillia, Guayamouc was considered one of the more fortunate regions thanks to its presence of Spindlekann, and its overall fertility that allowed for agricultural practices to take hold. However, industries outside of crop cultivation were almost nonexistent as the mineral riches were just out of reach, deep within the oceanic basin that it was nestled upon. It is considered one of the least developed regions of Port Antillia, however, is the one with the most potential to excel if the means were acquired to exploit the province’s deep-sea mineral deposits.
Mayabeque Isles
Five volcanic islands that are just off the eastern coast of the central continent, the Mayabeque Isles are now considered the province of Nueva Havana. Each island has at least one volcano, most have more, that erupted countless times to form the isles that exist today. Due to this, there is a significantly higher percentage of phosphorus within its soil, making it difficult for agricultural practices to take hold - whereas those on the island have instead relied on fishing and hunting to stave off malnutrition until the limited cooperation between Port Antillia’s nation-states commenced and those with more fertile agricultural regions within the east helped fill quotas and supply the isles with their excess crops. During the attempted Antillean recovery, it focused on becoming a critical trading hub within the western hemisphere. Some shipyards and drydocks still produce and repair ships, but most have been retrofitted into factories to expand their industrial profile. Today, the Isles are considered the most affluent region of Port Antillia, despite all its setbacks during the early days of the planet’s colonisation.
Woodhall Atoll
Whilst, not an actual atoll, Woodhall Atoll is a rather large island that has an enormous lake nestled within the extinct volcano crater that sits at its centre. It comprises a large majority of the Caymanas province, and is quite far off the northern shore of the central continent, where is it known as a labyrinth clutch of houses clasping to the side of Mount Saint Catherine. Frequently called the “Windy Atoll”, almost every nook and cranny of the island has been built over, with proposals of possibly draining the crater as the problem of overcrowding continues to hinder them. Similarly to the problem that the Mayabeque Isles face, Woodhall Atoll has had to heavily rely on fishing to keep its population fed, which has become a critical industry to the continued survival of the region. Other cities within the region utilize stilts and expand over the shallow waters to keep overpopulation at bay. It is considered one of the poorest provinces on Port Antillia.
Centro del Mondyal
The central continent of which the other islands surround, Centro del Mondyal is ecologically diverse. Sharing similarities to both what can be found within the western and eastern hemispheres, where the provinces of Mirabel and Carrington have established themselves on opposite ends - essentially dividing the mainland into two as they expanded throughout the history of Port Antillia. A rivalry of sorts does exist between the two as they assert territorial claims against each other, however, they have developed an economy that relies on the survival of the other, forcing them into peaceful cooperation to sustain their existence. Due to the size of the central continent, and the abundance of resources present, its developed regions are considered well-off, however, the rural outskirts have found themselves cast aside in favour of progressing the inner districts of the city-states.
Flora & Fauna
Flora
Port Antillia finds itself home to a plethora of flourishing flora, as a result of the fertility that remains behind following the rather frequent volcanic activity the planet experiences. Areas in which flora has managed to take hold and bloom typically find themselves jungles composed of native ferns, tropical trees, and enormous flowers that give the planet its hallmark natural beauty. The flora of Port Antillia is adapted to the heightened phosphorus contents within the soil - to an extent - where some regions lay bare as a result of the overwhelming quantity of the mineral, there are many others that have a thriving ecosystem. The abundance of phosphorus in the soil proved to be too much for the Solarian agricultural transplants brought by colonists, who had to rapidly adapt themselves to the native flora or face starvation. Poorly situated colonies at the beginning of the colonisation of Port Antillia - specifically, settlements established on the more desolate islands - were unable to adapt, resulting in their subsequent disappearance as their numbles dwindled.
Notable Flora
- Glowshrooms are considered the most notable among Port Antilleans. Depending on the amount of phosphorus present within the soil it grows, these flowers can shine as bright as a floodlight. Glowshrooms have also been known to be used by those within the rural regions of Port Antillia as an alternative to candles - ones that don’t necessarily require replacing. They most commonly grow in close proximity to either extinct or dormant volcanos or the fringes of lava deserts.
- Spindlekanns are a popular, fast-growing crop found across Port Antillia. One of the easiest agricultural products to grow, Spindlekanns have been instrumental in the “success” of Port Antillia. The inside of the Spindlekanns is a nutritious, sweet mesocarp that is a staple where the hard, spiky bark used to conceal the interior is a good building material - similar in colour to bamboo. While nowadays only the more rural, or those prone to earthquakes, regions of Port Antillia use Spindlekanns as a building material, while major population centres still rely on the mesocarp that it hides within as a staple for their diet.
- Giant Column Sponges are yet another common sight across Port Antillia. Taller than two men standing atop one another, the Giant Column Sponges make great cattle fodder for the domesticated fauna of the planet. While slow growing, these gigantic plants are often shredded and used across ranches due to the extent that a singular column can stretch. They have also been used across the Fètil Chain to make shock absorbers to lessen the damage inflicted by the region’s frequent earthquakes. Many have attempted to make cuisine out of the sponges, but it has a remarkably bitter aftertaste that can take days to get rid of. It is a common prank among friends to spread shredded sponge into meals.
Fauna
Life is still somewhat “underdeveloped” across Port Antillia. Reminiscent of prehistoric mammals on Earth, much of the fauna present appear similar in appearance to creatures that have been extinct for millions of years. A vast majority of the creatures live beneath the waves due to the large percentage of the planet being underwater. Those that do manage to survive on the surface are predominately composed of herbivores that congregate in herds. Omnivores and carnivores are significantly smaller, usually feasting on insects or fish. Similarly to the attempted Solarian transplants of crops, animals quickly found themselves out-competed and phased out shortly thereafter as the high phosphorous content created health issues.
Notable Fauna
- Antillean Unicorns are a rather common animal that exists across the eastern archipelago of Port Antillia. Despite the mythology that surrounds “unicorns” on Earth, Antillean Unicorns seem to be a combination of both deer and giraffes, with a similar appearance to the Quagga that existed across the plains of Southern Africa - obviously with a singular horn protruding from their skull, with some of the largest horns measured at an astounding meter. They were domesticated and later ranched following Port Antillia’s colonisation.
- White Papiyosa is a butterfly-like insect that has largely been regarded as a pest by Antilleans. The White Papiyosa relies heavily on Spindlekann in order to reproduce, laying their eggs, infesting and afterwards rendering the stalks inedible as during the larval stage it feasts on the fleshy interior of the plant. Despite their status as a pest, they are an incredibly stunning species, with a wingspan of 1.2 feet (36cm) that shows various hues of lilac. They previously dominated the southeastern regions of Port Antillia, but following the extensive use of Spindlekann have spread across the entire eastern hemisphere. There is a rather small movement attempting to petition for the White Papiyosa to be regarded as a protected species, however, it has been unsuccessful so far in achieving its ambition.
- Bayollas are frankly some of the largest species within the Orion Spur. Similar in appearance to whales, Bayollas reach almost 60 meters in length and can weigh as much as 360 tonnes in mass. They employ similar feeding strategies to maximise their feeding efficiency as seen in Solarian blue whales - assisted by the phosphorus-rich oceans of Port Antillia that are significantly more abundant in plankton. They primarily reside within the deepest segments of the planet’s oceans, with very few sightings across the shallower, inhabited coasts.
History
Humanity as a species stretched from New Hai Phong to Xanu Prime by the time that Port Antillia had been colonised, in 2336. However, many had been left out of the colonial fervour, most notably of which was the Caribbean Federation. These dotted island nations had neither the influence nor wealth to commence their own colonisation efforts during the initial wave that engulfed Earth during the early days of the Solarian Alliance. Many suffered greatly as Earth’s spiralled into ecological collapse, where the smaller islands found themselves swallowed whole. Overpopulation and overcrowding quickly became significant issues across the islands that had survived the swelling seas, and despite the efforts to repair the damage, it would not soon be alleviated. Soon, the provinces that previously made the Caribbean Federation found themselves offered opportunities for better living amongst the stars - Port Antillia, a tropical paradise that would be instrumental to interstellar trade in the region.
Tension was high among the fleets by the time it reached the planet. Spread across the various regions of Port Antillia, each became more and more insular as refugees were fed into the fledgling colonies. Problems quickly started piling up as time went on. Almost immediately it was discovered that the agricultural attempts could not survive the high phosphorus content present and it was necessary to adapt to native flora - eventually yielding the discovery of the Spindlekann. Those within the more phosphoric regions resigned themselves to a combination of hunting and fishing where possible. Even the most barren colonial outposts managed to teeter between surviving and starvation with supplemented food parcels from both the more fortunate colonies and the Solarian Alliance. However, the unstable success of Port Antillia quickly ended following the first major natural disasters.
Having barely gotten off the ground when the planet’s active tectonics began to threaten the colonial outposts, Port Antillia became one of many colonies that struggled to survive as incoming supplies dwindled. By the time the Solarian Alliance had attempted to institute precautionary measures, whatever colonial government that existed had collapsed, and the surviving communities were forced to retreat and rely on the resources on the planet in order to maintain their survival. While contact with one another continued briefly, it came to a stop in 2348. The Solarian Alliance had assumed that its attempt had failed, and resigned the project as having collapsed into an anarchist state. The next fifty years saw notable moments that then became instrumental in the creation of the current social, economical and political situation of Port Antillia as they attempted to survive their newfound “sovereignty”.
Without the means to sustain their populations, and being fearful of alien diseases, natural disasters, or other potentially malicious situations, these settlements turned to cooperation among themselves in order to sustain themselves in an attempt to assure that some, if not all, would survive the trying times ahead. While contact with one another continued briefly following the collapse of the overarching colonial government, eventually the dwindling resources available forced the settlements to steer all available efforts into fueling whatever food industries existed or nascent industries - which allowed maritime trade to bloom, where it became important, both as a means of communication and continued survival as supplies arrived. Some, in time, managed to overcome their new environment and fared rather well. Others had to fight to simply stave off starvation, and find clean water.
During the early days of the attempted Antillean recovery, earthquakes had started to become a common occurrence across the Fètil Chain, most affected were the islands centred around the regional capital of Saint Lawrence. Many perished as their hastily built residences collapsed as a result of the equipment restricted from them during the initial colonisation planning, eventually resulting in several advances relating to the ability to withstand the earthquakes - many of which averaged towards the higher end of the Richter scale. Tsunamis became rather frequent as a direct result of these earthquakes as well. Cities across the Fètil Chain found themselves washed away along the coasts, forcing many to move higher up to escape these repeated onslaughts. Eventually, houses across the Chain saw themselves constructed across higher altitudes and eventually implemented with shock absorbers, mostly made from the Giant Column Sponges, to resist the motion of these sizeable earthquakes.
The lack of developed infrastructure had significantly halted Port Antillia’s progression. From the colonial outposts across the planet arose new, emergent city-states that relied heavily upon trading with their other colonial counterparts and the resources within their immediate surrounding region in order to survive. Despite these attempts, Port Antillia never saw any full recovery of sorts and remained a rather insignificant colony within the Solarian frontier. So much so, that the Solarian Alliance had only begun reconnecting to the descendants of the original colonists in 2398 when it felt it necessary, despite the planet having required its assistance decades earlier.
Unfortunately, twenty years after the first major instances of earthquakes within the Fètil Chain, it was believed a similar occurrence was happening across the Mayabeque Isles. It wasn’t until the violent eruption of Monte Sauveur on an islet near the regional capital of Neuva Havana that they truly realised the hidden dangers buried within Port Antillia. Obvious signs of the impending detonation came too late for those in the area to realise their fatal mistake with mass evacuations only called just four hours prior to its eventual eruption. It is considered one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events to have occurred on Port Antillia. The explosion could be heard over three thousand miles away. Those within seventy kilometres of Mount Sauveur had their eardrums ruptured by the pressure wave generated by the enormous explosion. Hot ash began to settle across the Mayabeque Isles first, killing thousands from the fires that it ignited. It generated a tsunami so great it destroyed several cities along the western coasts of Centro del Mondyal. Port Antillia was enshrouded by a volcanic winter that dropped the average temperature 4.7°C, and mud rain fell regularly for months following the eruption. The skies burned red for almost eight years after Mount Sauveur’s detonation, a beautiful sight for such a tragic incident in the history of Port Antillia. Volcanic eruptions would continue to occur rather regularly across the planet, not as large as Mount Sauveur, however.
By 2423, the majority of the after-effects of the Mount Sauveur Eruption had settled, and life began to return to new normalcy, where these natural disasters were expected and prepared for to the best of the colonists’ abilities. Despite all its shortcomings, Port Antillia managed to keep its head above the water, eventually developing a rather strong intraplanetary economy, reliant on maritime trade instituted by a barter system between the now-established city-states. The next forty years saw little change in the progression of Port Antillia, restrictions placed upon the colony by the Solarian Alliance had prevented any possibility of advancing, and regression had even started to occur in some regions across the planet. Megacorporations were unheard of, and instead, intrareliance on one another was practically forced in order to continue surviving.
By the time the Solarian Collapse had occurred, Port Antillia found itself in extremely volatile circumstances, where it was forced to juggle its integration within the Corporate Reconstruction Zone and its own internal struggles. The political, social and economic scene of Port Antillia is incredibly malleable, where the planet had not yet decided its position on anything, but more importantly the megacorporations, and the boons and curses that come with either standing with or against them. Largely ignored in the immediate aftermath, Port Antillia has become the new focus for many megacorporations as they realise the possibilities of a largely untapped planet that has remained somewhat out of touch with the wider interstellar community.
Government
Port Antillia prior to its integration within the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, did not have an official government, instead, each nation-state functioned as an independent power. Each formed from a singular colonial outpost and expanded across the region they found themselves within, creating their own complicated and complex political environments. However, its introduction as a potential planetary state within the Republic of Biesel has forced the hands of the nation-states and resulted in a bifurcated state referred to as the “Union of Port Antillia” that currently exists as a transitional government meant to build the foundation necessary for the planet to enter into a new era.
The Union of Port Antillia has largely not taken any steps in building a foundation with which the planet can progress. Premier Incumbent Toño de Avila is primarily regarded as incompetent and unable to lead the people of Port Antillia. Halfway through his first term in 2464, Toño de Avila announced his intention to resign, where his position would be filled by an individual selected by the people of Port Antillia in an early election, bringing an end to the transitional government, and ushering in an era where Port Antillia would decide its future.
Provincial Authority
The former nation-states now find themselves being recognised as provinces within the Union of Port Antillia, each with its own elected Chancellors. As part of the agreement that resulted in the creation of the Union, Chancellors would have far-reaching powers within their own provinces - where their authority closely resembled that of a federal republic, despite claims that the supreme authority would be the office of the Premier. A minority still calls for amendments to such, however, many have further added that it is a contingency in the event of yet another failed Premier. The provincial states are as follows: Nueva Havana, Caymanas, Carrington, Mirabel, Arthezé, Agüeybaná and Saint Lawrence.
Culture, Society & People
Fashion
The diverse nature of the original colonists of Port Antillia allowed for a vibrant fashion to develop across the planet, where it found its roots in the Caribbean Federation. Antillean fashion emphasizes practicality with colourful flairs of personalization. While the colony of Mictlan has a taste for outlandishly bright colours, Antillean fashion tends to be either white or muted dark shades, with limited bright red or gold flairs. Sewn into the jacket or plum on the outside, flairs can be many different things, from single red lines running up the seam of a jacket, to a small complex pattern on each shoulder.
Many Antilleans add flairs to their clothing either themselves or by having a family member do so. Too many flairs are considered gaudy and uncultured, the mark of a fashion sin, where the normal amount fluctuates between two or three per outfit. Formal clothing will have expensive and time-consuming flairs, whereas everyday clothing or work clothes may only have single sewn lines. Fashion across Port Antillia will usually be loose-fitting and flowing, made of native Antillean fibres or other thin-breathing materials to deal with the heat and humidity across the planet.
Headwear is also yet another common sight in Antillean fashion, where wide-brimmed outback hats are used by the common labourer to keep the sun out of their eyes. Formal occasions see cattleman hats worn by men, whilst women employ unique headscarves – these formal headscarves find themselves becoming heirlooms passed down to the next generation of their families, those without an inheritance find themselves creating a new one – a process which is both expensive and time-consuming.
Notable Clothing
- Guayamouc Shirts
A loose cotton shirt with four front pockets, these shirts were originally from the Caribbean back on Earth but are now ubiquitous across Port Antilla. Coming in both formal and casual styles, most Antilleans will have several of these shirts in their closets. These are worn mostly by men during formal occasions.
- Fètil Dresses
A vast, flowing dress normally cut below the shoulders, Fètil dresses are the go-to fashion for Antillean women. These dresses are primarily worn during parties, or on holidays where dancing is commonplace. These dresses are known to tear frequently, to the annoyance of their wearers who must either pay for a fix or do it themselves.
- Antillean Suits
A short-sleeve suit jacket made thinner than usual, Antillean suits are designed for hot, wet environments where not even wearing an undershirt will help you stave off the sweat and heat. While most of the spur regards them as an oddity, they have found popularity on Mictlan where the similar climate makes them far more useful and comfortable than normal suits.
Language
Antilleans have developed into two linguistical categories, where they either predominately speak Solarian Common or Tradeband, as a result of the planet’s collapse early in its colonisation. The provinces of Arthezé, Nueva Havana, Agüeybaná, and Mirabel encompass the Tradeband-speaking regions of Port Antilla, whilst the Caymanas, Carrington, and Saint Lawrence have proliferated Solarian Common. While it is not uncommon for Antilleans to be able to speak both, many only have an incredibly rudimentary grasp of their second language.
There are two distinct dialects present on the planet, one that sees heavy lifting from Tradeband and the other more influenced by Solarian Common. It is relatively easy to identify the differences between each, Antilleans influenced by Tradeband sound more nasally and rhythmic, whereas those that grew up in regions where Solarian Common are more soft-spoken, and annunciated compared to other colonies.
Since the planet’s integration within the Republic of Biesel following the collapse of the Solarian Alliance, many found themselves having to learn Tau Ceti Basic in order to attempt to adapt to their newfound circumstances. There was a push by the transitional government for Antilleans to learn the language through state-run programmes, which saw some success within the more developed regions and provinces, however, the rural countryside still clings to their native tongue – unwilling to learn a language that has very little influence on the planet. While adoption of Tau Ceti Basic has been slow, the planet does have a large number of speakers who have at least a basic understanding of the language, and census data shows that a minority of Antilleans self-report as polyglots as a result.
Education
Despite the struggles faced by Port Antillia, it has managed to foster a vibrant academic environment that is often surprising to those that hear of the problems faced by the planet. Antilleans adhered to stringent guidelines provided by the Solarian Alliance during the colonisation of the planet, where the colonial outposts ensured that the next generation would be able to adapt to their new environment and be taught critical skills necessary for the development of the planet with their tertiary levels of education focusing predominately on technical skills. Even during the planet’s fractured status, Antilleans were free to choose from any institutions that Port Antillia had to offer. Additionally, Antilleans that traditionally wished to immigrate often did so by advancing in academia.
Papiamentu University of Geological Sciences
Located in the Arthezé province, the Papiamentu University of Geological Sciences was originally founded to study the planet’s volcanic formations. The school gained prestige during the Fètil Chain earthquakes, as scholars were the first to study the causes of the constant tectonic activity. Today, it remains an important centre for geological sciences in human space. Papiamentu is also considered a prestigious mining school, with a long history of mineral engineering. Although alumni are prepared to coordinate large-scale mining operations, some misfortunate graduates have only found job opportunities as overqualified miners or engineers.
Mayabeque School of Health Sciences
Nestled within the Nueva Havana province, the Mayabeque School of Health Sciences has been instrumental in dealing with the high phosphoric diet that often resulted in health issues within Antilleans, where they made strides in medical research that resulted in innovative treatments that tackled the primary issue. It is believed that one day the Mayabeque School of Health Sciences will one day become a leading centre in medical research, where even today its alumni quickly find themselves employed when they venture within the greater interstellar community. In addition, the Mayabeque School of Health Sciences oftentimes finds themselves deployed following natural disasters, where they often put their learned skills to use as they tend to the injured.
Carrington Institute of Technology
The Carrington Institute of Technology has become a renowned higher polytechnic education facility, offering a variety of different courses, across Port Antillia and has played a key role in the development of the planet since its establishment in 2383. The use of the Giant Column Sponges as shock absorbers for earthquakes impacting the Fètil Chain – or the province of Saint Lawrence – was an idea by students from the Carrington Institute of Technology’s school of engineering. They have since produced countless figures important to the history of Port Antillia, including Premier Toño de Avila and Chancellor Julien Guerrier of Arthezé.
Sports & Recreation
- Foutbol
Foutbol is the national Antillean sport, believed to be derived from football and beach volleyball. Unlike traditional soccer, foutbol players can only touch the ball with their knees, hips, and elbows. Because of its relatively simple rules, foutbol can be played in all kinds of improvised fields. Foutbol is considered the national sport, with professional teams being some of the most popular. Foutbol clubs have a deep sense of rivalry, stemming from the days when Port Antillia was an insolate planet with local governments. Some hooligans have taken their differences to the extreme, causing chaos in major foutbol games.
- Cricket
Cricket has remained a popular sport, even when separating from its colonial roots in the Caribbean Federation. It has become an important pastime among Antilleans, where teams have cropped up from the various provinces leading to regularly-held games to determine who truly is the best. The Antillean Cricket Cup is a well-liked tournament that has become an annual celebratory period and kicks off sometime in late June, where many take days off to congregate with their families and support their teams. Additionally, it is a widespread children’s game across primary and high schools.
- Dancing
Antilleans are known for their love of dance and music. Many forms of dance are celebrated across the provinces of Port Antillia, where the dances of the planet mostly are comprised of social dances, performed at social functions and celebrations – where learning the salsa, mambo and rumba has become important stepping stones in reaching adulthood for Antilleans, where rumba is particularly important for marriage ceremonies, where those marrying must perform the Danza del Matrimonio to “solidify” their union.
- Sailing
Due to the aquatic nature of Port Antillia, sailing is yet another popular recreational avenue among Antilleans. With the planet’s internal economy heavily relying on maritime routes, it is no surprise that it has spilt over into leisure instead of work, where cruises are a common sight, as well as boat racing across provincial courses. Similarly to the Craterview Boat Racing Competition, Antillean sailing tournaments are a global phenomenon that is closely watched by many as races occur around the clock, across Port Antillia.
Cuisine
Heavily inspired by its colonial roots of the Caribbean Federation, Antillean cuisine finds itself having adapted to the native flora and fauna of the planet – with Spindlekann being a rather consistent staple of Antillean diets. Some dishes have found themselves becoming important to regional cultures, where there exist caveats between the various provinces in the preparation of a meal. The original colonists of Port Antillia quickly discovered the issues they uncovered the high phosphoric content of the planet’s soil – where some regions were forced to either hunt or fish to stave off starvation as a result of the lack of easily farmable land, as a result, some regional cuisine is often fish-based or meat-based, while those within the eastern hemisphere have a more plant-based diet thanks to its fertility.
Notable Dishes
- Pescadora
Pescadora, also known as fish sandwich, is either raw or pickled fish with cheese made from Antillean Unicorns between two slices of bread. It has become a popular food item across the Caymanas due to its relative cheapness and availability thanks to the province’s fishing-dominated economy. It is rarely appreciated outside of the Caymanas, but some cities along the northern coast of Carrington have begun enjoying the meal.
- Kann Rum
Having originated from the province of Arthezé, Kann Rum has quickly found its way across the entirety of Port Antillia. Crafted from the fermented juices of the Spindlekann, it has become a common drink to enjoy over dinner privately or to celebrate with at parties. Several flavours and variations exist, however, Spiced Kann Rum continues to be the most well-liked.
- Roasted Antillean Unicorn
Cooked similarly to other red meats, Roasted Antillean Unicorn is commonly drizzled with juice extracts from Spindlekann as well as its boiled fleshy mesocarp, allowing for a rich, sweet meal to be made. It is not uncommon for upper-class Antilleans to have their meals garnished with the shavings of the creature’s horns. It is a common dish within the province of Nueva Havanna.
- Baked Spindlekann
Baked Spindlekann has become critical to the cuisine culture of both Arthezé and Agüeybaná – where it often serves as a side dish in almost every meal, from breakfast to dinner. Easily able to be prepared, really only needing some kind of oven to produce. It is a staple for both city-dwellers and those that live in the more rural regions of the provinces and has seen some minor commercialisation as it become incorporated into both junk and fast food avenues.
- Sugared Papiyosa
The prevalence of the White Papiyosa across Port Antillia, and their tastiness, has allowed for them to become a delicacy – where they initially found themselves soaked in Spiced Kann Rum and baked until crunchy. It has since evolved into a candy of sorts, popular amongst both adults and children, where it serves as a snack between meals thanks to its high protein and sweetness.
Folk Beliefs
Much of Antillean folk belief centres around the tumultuous nature that has dominated the planet and its newly settled peoples – the most prevalent of which is the eruption of Mount Sauveur, and the resulting fallout. Though many eruptions had plagued the planet before, and indeed continue to do so, Mount Sauveur’s explosion is notable for the widespread damage it caused to the agricultural economies that are the backbone of almost every colony. Descendants of fishermen, farmers and other workers took after the lessons which their fathers had learned. A general belief system established itself through several generations, characterized by humility, a frugal lifestyle and indifference to loss. These Antilleans reason that if the natural world can take away so much progress so quickly, one should always be prepared to lose it all, and accept the current of life no matter how turbulent or calm. Outsiders remark that this fairly widespread attitude gives Antilleans an air of casual serenity, even through the worst disasters. It should be noted that not all residents of the planet share this thinking, particularly the newer generation who, having the opportunity to live a less rural lifestyle, are often frustrated with this carefree stereotype.
Flora and fauna are similarly respected, with various traditions surrounding the harvest and consumption of the ever-abundant Spindlekann. Antilleans are almost never seen eating any dish made out of this plant with utensils, usually explained as a way of remaining closer to the precious earth that bore the food. The same applies to Antillean Unicorns, the ranchers of which have complicated slaughtering practices that include letting the animal age at least five years so as to respect the animal’s ‘sacrifice’ in return for nutrition. Handlers also keep the horns of the Unicorn in the belief that it stores the spirit of the creature, later using them as charms. The modern age has of course morphed this tradition, with the horns now used as a delicacy for those who are willing to pay a high price. Indeed, the only practice that has not been touched at all by the passing of time is the superstition regarding Bayollas. Despite vast economic benefits, Antillean fishermen have historically refused to hunt these rare creatures in fear of retaliation from the sea itself. The belief comes the idea that these titanic beings control the waves through their swimming patterns, summoning tsunamis and tide floods based on their mood and safety. Common fishermen believe that to hunt and butcher such a majestic being is tantamount to inviting the wrath of their brethren, while others simply find their beauty something that must be preserved. The most fervent of these believers tell legends of a sort of King of the Bayollas, an even more massive and ancient beast that can be distinguished by the vibrant colours that it is enshrouded in. Whether true or not is impossible to determine, as neither prospectors nor researchers are allowed to disturb these rarely-seen creatures.
Religion
Following the colonisation of Port Antillia by the Caribbean Federation, the religions that took hold of the Antilles region of Earth found themselves cultivated and subsequently proliferated across the various provinces of the planet. The sects of Christianity present themselves as the most followed – across the entirety of Port Antillia. In particular, Roman Catholicism has remained steadfast as the most followed religion by Antilleans, where it exists as the official faith of many of the provinces. However, the Caymanas, Nueva Havana and Arthezé have notable beliefs present outside of Christianity, with Rastafari, Santeria and Haitian Vodou having footholds in the respective provinces. Whilst some adhere only to Haitian Vodou, many across Arthezé practice both the former and Christianity simultaneously – where they exist in an unofficial syncretism as they did within the Caribbean Federation. Santeria finds itself in a similar position as Haitian Vodou within Nueva Havana.
Major Holidays
- Celebración del Volcán
In remembrance of the volcanic eruptions that have shaped Port Antillia as those from the Mayabeque Isles know it, every year the locals organize a festival to commemorate the volcanos across the islands and the power that they hold. It is held annually every August, in addition, music festivals and fireworks are commonly associated with the celebration. It is not as popular outside of the Mayabeque Isles, however, some cities across Woodhall Atoll have been known to partake to celebrate the volcano on which the island rests.
- Kanaval a Sezon
A massive social celebration across Port Antillia, Kanaval a Sezon occurs during changeovers of the seasons – Fresano and Veruroso. While some Antilleans prefer to partake privately, provinces find themselves host to dozens of carnivals consisting of masquerade, dance and music. Street theatre has also become a popular occurrence during the Kanaval a Sezon, with some of the largest being a sought-out experience by Antilleans during both Kanaval a Sezon festive periods.
Economy & Industry
As a result of its turbulent history, lack of investment and unstable physical geography. Port Antillia’s economy lags even to this day behind the rest of the former middle-ring Solarian colonies. A low rate of industrialization leaves many areas of the planet still focused on fishing or farming for subsistence whilst in more urbanised regions the lack of investment and connection to the greater spur hampers development beyond basic industries built on what is readily available on the planet itself. Despite this, Port Antillia has plenty of potential for growth, and its recent introduction into the Corporate Reconstruction Zone has drawn the attention of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate and its constituent megacorporations. Some of the planet's most urbanised areas are beginning to see a trickle of corporate investment.
However, despite this, the trials Port Antillia has faced have led to the development of a robust and strong intraplanetary trade network. With access to the vast planetary sea being easy and cheap, countless trade ships move goods across sea lanes of the planet, with several staple ports serving as hubs for trade and the heart of the planetary economy. The core of this trade is focused on the trade of staple foods such as Spindlekann and Fish from rural regions in exchange for goods produced in the more urbanised regions of the planet, allowing for the planet to support populations in areas that otherwise would be incapable of such, and providing less developed regions with necessary goods they lack the expertise and equipment to produce.
Provincial States
Nueva Havana
Nueva Havana is one of the largest provinces across Port Antillia and predominately consists of descendants of colonists from within the Caribbean Federation’s Cuba. Spread out across the Mayabeque Isles, the province is home to three prominent population centres that contribute considerably to the industrial profile of Port Antillia, where without them significant shortages of consumer goods would occur. Urbanisation has become rampant within Nueva Havana, however, it has not proven to be a problem. It has seen a significant drop in unemployment and poverty and has subsequently skyrocketed the quality of life within the province. The largest cities are Velazco, Marbella and Arcos de Canasí. Despite the volcanic activity that interrupts the lives of those living in the province, it has exposed surface minerals that were easily minable and subsequently jumpstarted the region's development, even in spite of the deficiency of agricultural land present.
Caymanas
Still coming to grips with the planet’s integration within the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, the province of Cayamanas experiences the most problems across Port Antillia. Its limited space to expand has resulted in overcrowding and overpopulation issues cropping up across the region of Woodhall Atoll. The descendants of colonists from Jamaica predominately make up the demographic of the province, where they have filtered into three major metropolitan areas that find themselves wedged against the craggy cliffs of the region: Eden, Durhamville and Orchard. Some portions of these cities find themselves growing outward across the shallow shores, sitting on stilts. Its industries focus primarily on fishing, crucial to feeding the evergrowing population of the province. Though some nascent industries exist, many are simple drydocks or small canning facilities devoted to preserving the supply of fish.
Carrington
Carrington is one of the luckier provinces that exist across Port Antillia, where it found itself situated within the abundant region of Centro del Mondyal, where a combination of fertile agricultural lands and surface minerals allowed for it to prosper. Its largest cities of Paragon, Bayleys and Greenridge are also the most developed, and the quality of life within them is comparable to the Solarian Middle Colonies. Despite the rivalry that exists with its continental counterpart of Mirabel, they have created an economy that relies on one another – especially as a method of exporting its goods to the eastern hemisphere. Founded by colonists from the Bahamas, Carrington has become one of the more affluent provinces, which has allowed its people to focus on academic and tertiary industries within its more developed regions, as opposed to its rural population that is cast aside in favour of progressing the inner districts.
Mirabel
Founded by those from the Dominican Republic, Mirabel has prospered similarly to Carrington, thanks to the abundance of resources within the region it finds itself having expanded across. Different to Carrington, Mirabel has focused its development along its coast, where towards the inner continental landmass there exist lava deserts that span kilometres. However, disregarding these barren wastelands, the province has done remarkably well managing its limited space – where a majority of the province has seen significant development in one way or another. Mirabel does rely on Spindlekann imports, where a large portion comes from Carrington and is supplemented by both Saint Lawrence and Arthezé. Its largest cities are Toza, Luisa and Hicotea. Its capital Toza has become instrumental in off-world trading, where the largest Antillean shuttleport exists, boosting its provincial economy quite significantly – where it has had an easier transition into the Republic of Biesel and the greater Corporate Reconstruction Zone compared to other provinces.
Arthezé
Colonised by those from the Caribbean Federation’s Haiti, the province of Arthezé finds itself in a tenuous position with the integration of Port Antillia within the Republic of Biesel. Many recognise that it needs outside assistance in order to begin developing into a state equal to the other provinces, but it also sees the negative consequences that such support will come with – where many have realised the dilemma that Arthezé finds itself within as one that is particularly dangerous as the megacorporations circle overhead like vultures. The majority of the province’s industries revolve around agriculture thanks to its abundant fertility, which has allowed enormous fields of Spindlekaan to sweep across its countryside. Existing within the region of Guayamouc, Arthezé comprises the four major islands, where it finds itself neighbouring the small volcanic island chain held by Agüeybaná. Its major population centres are: Sevré, Paradis and Benoil.
Saint Lawrence
Saint Lawrence has become critical to the maritime trading that occurs across Port Antillia, where the Fètil Chain comprises the entirety of the province and a crucial wayfaring route between Arthezé, Agüeybaná and Mirabel. The majority of Saint Lawrence is across dozens of small islands that are commonly only large to support a singular city. It frequently experiences earthquakes and the subsequent tsunami’s that it generates – but those across Saint Lawrence have begun adapting to these circumstances through engineering marvels created with the help of both giant column sponges and light building materials made from spindlekann. It finds itself descended from colonists from Barbados, with its three largest cities also serving as important ports: Fairview, Hopewell and Portland. Outside of these cities, the province is considered to be home to the most rural municipalities, many of which have developed into simple agrarian societies that form communities around the farming of spindlekann and the ranching of the Antillean Unicorn.
Agüeybaná
In a similar position to Arthezé, Agüeybaná has realised in the wake of the Solarian Collapse the necessity to broaden their horizons, and move forward with the rest of Port Antillia. It fares slightly better than its other Guayamoucan counterpart thanks to small-scale mining operations across the more mountainous islands that form part of the volcanic chain it has established itself on. Its largest cities also serve as important ports in the region and are Casela, Benlloc and Salavinera. Its capital Salavinera is the only one where limited resource extraction occurs, which previously fueled its expansion across the smaller islands as it grew during the attempted Antillean recovery. It works closely with Arthezé, where the two regularly trade its surplus goods, with Spindlekann being a notable import to support the Agüeybaná population.