Goldmonger
[tracker=/t1979-dax-morgan#10865]
Name : Dax Morgan
Epithet : Goldmonger
Age : 25
Height : 6'5"
Weight : 250
Species : Human
Faction : Pirate
World Position : Shichibukai (Future)
Crew : Gold | Works
Ship : Cleopatra
Devil Fruit : Goru Goru no Mi
Bounty : [ber=r] 27,900,000
Quality Score : S
Income Bonus : +0.20 (to all allies); +0.11 (from turf)
Shop Discount : -25%
Crew Pool : [bel=u] 251,075,000
Balance : [bel] 0
[[hardboiled]][[berryprinter]]
[[ancientzoan]]x2[[logia]][[firstaidkit]]
Turf : [turf=/t353-turf-details-rubeck-island#1168]Rubeck Island[/turf]
Posts : 231
Rubeck Lore Description
Fri Sep 13, 2024 11:35 pmBrief Island History
Island Geography and Points of Interest
Important Characters
Flora and Fauna
- Spoiler:
Rubeck, a small island nestled in the cold, unforgiving waters of the North Blue. For centuries it was nothing more than a smuggler's cove, used for cover in times long past by criminals whose names we will never know.
Twenty years ago, two factions rose, each controlling a portion of the island accessible to the waters. Moletown to the Northwest, a shanty town of scum and villainy that had sprung up from the smugglers of days gone by.
To the South, nestled in Rubeck's southern rocky harbor sat Pebble Beach—a ramshackle fishing town populated with retired yakuza and their families looking to live a peaceful life. While no official title was held, the townsfolk looked to the legendary yakuza The Demon Barber, Okuma.
Several other gangs united under the Demon Barber and called Pebble Beach home. However, many of their leaders either died in the second Moletown war along with Okuma or have since taken jobs in Las Costas or Gold | Works.
During the breakout of the first Moletown War, a young, bright-eyed doctor happened to sail into the shanty port for the first time. A doctor who would one day be known the world over as the Plague Rat Richard Maxwell and go on to be a central figure in both the first and second wars.
Thanks to Maxwell, the first war resulted in little bloodshed, toppling the former ruler and replacing him with Venoronica Belladonna; a woman that entangled the good doctor in more ways than one, and on more than one occasion. This status quo would stay for twenty years, which Moletown spent amassing power and resources while Pebble Beach struggled to survive.
The second war was far more deadly, with Belladonna pulling the strings from behind the scenes. She amassed an army of smugglers, criminals, and any other dastardly fellow willing to help conquer the retired yakuza town.
Unfortunately for her, no matter how well laid out the plan, two unexpected players can make all the difference. Whether it was destiny or bad luck, once again Richard Maxwell happened upon the island at just the right time for destiny to once again use him as her instrument of change.
His arrival also coincided with that of the Goldmonger Dax Morgan and through a series of events the pair were wrapped into the island affairs. Eventually crossing paths and forging ahead together. Where they vanquished the evil Venoronica with the help of the great Okuma, who gave his life to allow the pair of heroes to live another day.
The Goldmonger and Plague Rat owe their lives to the beast of a man that was the Demon Barber and have since spent every day honoring his legacy.
Using their combined skill, cunning, intelligence, and resources, along with the help of those on the island. They have transformed what was once an afterthought into North Blue's number-one tourist destination.
Gone is Pebble Beach, now replaced by the gem shining in the fog, the city of sin, where hedonism and greed reign. Las Costas.
Moletown while still there in a sense, has undergone an intense facelift, no longer a shanty town of scum and villainy. Replaced by bustling docks, brothels, hotels, and corporate buildings as the home base of Gold | Works. With the operations seemingly extending well into the Maw of Moletunnels.
Island Geography and Points of Interest
- Spoiler:
Much of Rubeck's coastline is unforgiving cliffs and deadly currents, however, there are two major ports on the island, and as such, two major locations, with several minor points of interest sprinkled about.
The towns are separated by a dense pine forest, mountainous terrain, and range, as well as severe changes in altitude. At the base of the mountain range and the alpine forest, there is a deadly swamp where the snow turns to rain and a thick fog never seems to leave the area. The temperature here increases by about ten degrees in some locations and allows for unique flora and fauna to thrive.
Las Costas The glowing jewel of the North, the lights from the town are visible for miles even when wrapped in a blanket of thick fog. It is located in the southern rocky harbor where Pebble Beach once stood. Much of the large rocks, cliffs, and tree line have been pushed back to make room for the town. Thanks to Maxwell, there is a small hospital here to service patrons and guests, primarily dispensing antibiotics for certain diseases that seem to run rampant on the island.
There are fifteen casinos, thirty-three brothels, twenty-seven restaurants and thirteen hotels on the island, with all but seven venues located on the Las Costas Strip and headlined by the big three Casinos.
The Golden Imp, is run and owned by Dax Morgan a Shichibukai pirate who has placed the island under his protection. It is the home of Cuzco Cash, known to play live shows exclusively at the casino several times a week. It takes the shape of a giant golden cobra looming over the city with two large red ruby glass panes for the eyes. This is where Dax's lounge and office are. It is located at the head of the strip at the center of town, overlooking it all.
The Cubs Lounge is run and owned by Hina, Okuma's daughter known as the Bear's Cub. She is also the mayor of Las Costas and does not take kindly to those who make trouble on the island. It is nestled in the eastern corner on the pathway to the lighthouse. It is not located on the strip and is the least tolerant of the clubs, giving it a more "elitist" status.
The last of the big three casinos is known as the The Wagon's Wheel, the smallest but most tolerant of the strip. It is located in the center of the strip. Its owner is not known to the public at this time and operates with a staff that is constantly covered and masked at all times. Leaving their appearances unknown and a uniform look to them all. None have been seen with a white hat.
Golden Fountain, at the midway point of the strip is a fountain of gold that casino-goers have taken to tosses a gold coin into for good luck.
Bear Cliff is the southeasternmost point of the island that overlooks the main shipping lanes for Las Costas's harbor. On it sits a massive ivory lighthouse with golden accents. In its shadow, there is a golden statue of Okuma holding his legendary razor.
Foggy Boggy is the lowest point of the island to the west of Las Costas, buried deep within the fog and trees there is a deadly quagmire. Rumored to be haunted due to the thousands of disappearances over the centuries. It is filled with deadly flora and fauna, proving a death trap for even the most seasoned explorer.
Mole Hill is the highest point of the island, a massive snow-capped mountain nestled in the center of Rubeck's interior mountain range. It is filled with a massive, seemingly unending labyrinth of tunnels dug by the native Digger Mole's that inhabit the subterranean tunnels. The tunnels are rumored to have an uncountable amount of secret rooms and passages.
At the top of Mole Hill, there are Hot Springs that were once home to the mountain monkey clans before being recruited to Las Costas's security force. They are now commercialized for Rubeck's benefit and one can take scheduled Digger Mole rides to the top the top to bathe in them. It is not uncommon for passengers to get lost or go missing during these trips as the tunnels are vast and dark.
The tunnels are rounded and flattened, containing no stalagmites or stalactites, something that is rare for caves and fascinates scientists.
Gold | Works Headquarters Having been funded by the mysterious Mr. Au, Moletown has received a facelift that would make anyone jealous. The streets and buildings are all brand new, with docks now able to accommodate a modest fleet of large ships at any given time.
It is located to the Northwest and sits at the Maw, a large gaping hole that is one of the many entrances to the Mole Hill labyrinths. It is here that most of the illicit business is rumored to take place, though not have made it out to prove it.
Thanks to Maxwell there is a small hospital here that has been trained and funded to provide medical services to sailors and employees. The Good Doctor also operates a large two-floor restaurant and bar that doubles as his primary office called the Prideful Centurion. Behind it there is an overhanging cliff that has a perfect cut, seemingly having been cleaved in half at some point in the past.
Important Characters
- Spoiler:
*Note, please speak with me to interact with these characters, as it may require a conquest.
Hina, Okuma's daughter, the Bear's Cub, inhumanely powerful, smart, kind to everyone but Kazu. She has since become the mayor of Las Costas and taken on the responsibility of publically running the town. She is unaware of the more unsavory side of Gold | Work's business deals.
Kazu, Hina's adopted brother and Okuma's second apprentice, he is a delinquent with a heart of gold and the former leader of the wharf rats. He has since become the leader of the monkey troup and defacto head of security for Las Castos.
Okuma, a legendary figure in Rubeck lore, he is honored on Bear Cliff with a statue in his likeness. The statue holds his famous razor that cleaved Moletown's cliff in two.
Cuzco Cash, a famous musician who has taken up residence at the Golden Imp casino as its main performer.
Jiro, the disgraced former leader of the mountain monkey troup and Okuma's former apprentice.
Venoronica Belladonna, the horrible villain who was slain by the heroes Richard Maxwell and Dax Morgan for killing the legendary Okuma.
Flora and Fauna
- Spoiler:
Fauna- Spoiler:
*The following notes were submitted by a third-party biologist sourced out by the World Government
Rubeckian Ram, affectionately called the "Grandpa Goat" by locals and biologists alike. They are known are known for their thick, powerful legs, heavy white coats, and four horns. And an uncanny resemblance to elderly man with large amounts of facial hair.
Due to the type of bark they eat, the sap of the pine acts as a natural beard and mustache wax. Styling each goat's facial hair uniquely. With the eldest and strongest sporting wild eyebrows, mustaches, and bears, along with a long gray mohawk running down the center of the males backs.
They are only found at the highest of peaks, using their ability to climb essentially anything to stay elusive and aloof. It took me weeks to catch sight of a herd worth studying. The mountain monkeys at one time kept herds of them to use as mounts. It is unknown if this practice continues since the troupe having become employed in Las Costas.
The high range for males is about eight feet, with the smallest females being around five feet. Weighing around eight hundred to two thousand pounds respectively. The largest recorded ram in history was supposedly twelve feet tall, though its weight is unknown and this source has yet to be verified.
Digger Mole, large, blind, moles that wear small yellow miner lights on their heads. Having acquired them from smugglers centuries ago, they have adapted them into their way of life, as the light allows them to detect shadows. Giving them some semblance of the vision they've never known.
Their coats are black dense fur, coarse and rough, and full of dirt. Though they smell surprisingly sweet for creatures who spend their entire lives digging in the mud.
They are extremely docile and have no issues with humans using them as a mount. Something that the locals of Rubeck have monetized with their "Mole Taxis", taking advantage of the creatures kindness by using them to cart tourists up Mole Hill.
The Mole Hill itself is a structural marvel, the tunnels they dig are a work of art. Smooth and long-lasting, caves that stretch for an told amount of miles that have survived centuries. Dug out by generations.
It is outstanding and I recommend further study on the creatures.
Sea Wolves, an interesting collection of wolves that seemed to have adapted to the islands unique way of life. I've been told by locals that the beasts had once roamed the entire island, but those days have long since passed.
Now, these creatures stick to the rocky coastlines, inhospitable and unforgiving. In all my years of study, I would have never guessed wolves would have been capable of what I witnessed during my time on Rubeck.
Physically they differ very little from their cousins across the world, the biggest difference I noticed was a taller, more slender appearance. With a coat that was built to withstand a wet climate, resembling that of other semi-aquatic mammals. Like Otters and Beavers.
The wolves have adapted to the unique struggles of the island by learning to use the ocean to their advantage. I witnessed the pack scale down the cliffs with ease, and then using pieces of wood, they paddled out into the choppy surf.
I was amazed, these wolves using their mouths and forelimbs paddled out like surfers as they braced for the waves and pushed through. Then, when they had reached their destination, they would dive deep into the water. Only to reemerge sometime later with fish flopping between their teeth.
There are very few times I have been more surprised by a species I had come to think I had known all there is to know about. I recommend further study on these unique behaviors.
Bananawani Gar, is arguably the most unholy abomination I have ever come across in all my years of study. A non-native species that has since adapted to the island to the point of becoming its top predator. It has decimated the ecosystem. Single-handedly pushing the native sea wolves to near extinction.
Growing up to fourteen feet long and weighing over two tons, this creature matches its namesake's monstrous ferocity. The largest of these creatures have a ten-foot jaw span, a gaping maw capable of swallowing a grown man whole. Assuming its razor-sharp teeth don't tear them apart first.
They are surprisingly agile on land, moving more like a snake than a fish while on solid ground. They can breathe air and survive on land without water for up to three days. This ability, along with their ability to survive in fresh or brackish water makes them a highly invasive species to an island with a wet climate.
I HIGHLY recommend killing them on-site to prevent further reproduction and destruction of the environment.
Mountain monkeys , are an offshoot species of Humandrill with communal tendencies that have uniquely adapted to the way of Rubeck.
It is well documented in the World Government that centuries ago a shipment of Humandrills was being smuggled and had gotten loose on the island. There was originally a local primate population living the mountains already, and the two eventually bred until we ended up with what we have now.
They still retain their cousin's unique ability to copy not only their physical abilities but also the culture of those they emulate. This has resulted in the local population taking a delinquent-like culture based around the size of one's pompadour.
The symbolism is not lost on me.
Interestingly enough, they are smaller and more "monkey-like" than their more Baboon-esque cousins. Though, I speculate this is probably related to their more forested, mountainous habitat.
While not the I have witnessed, one was such a peak physical specimen that seemed to be the shining example of the best his species could offer. The creature was strong and sinewy, with a pompadour that frankly I was envious of. However, I dared not get closer to him or the troupe, no research was worth my life after witnessing what they did to a lost hiker...
Flora- Spoiler:
Al-Pine, massive pine trees that grow in the rocky, wet soil of Rubeck. They produce a sweet sap that is a popular ingredient in hair care products, candles, and candies. They live for hundreds of years and the oldest can be over sixty feet tall.
Rubeckian Mangrove, a rare mangrove that can grow in lower temperatures, though it can only be found in the Foggy Boggy. Forming dense, shrub-like stands throughout the quagmire.
Wild Rubeckian Blueberries, Rubeck is known for producing extremely sweet wild blueberries. It is an extremely popular ingredient in producing Blueberry Wine.
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