Crete
A society that has managed to escape time and society itself
Location
Crete is an island located near The Black Eye (the region southeast of Zion). However this is a hidden island that has been floating in the sky for over almost two centuries having managed to evade the passing the time. There is no flight outside of the Cretan's wings, as well as no computers or firearms. Players are to consider the time Crete is stuck in like the Classical Era (~480 B.C.). The only way to access this location is to have some sort of flight. This area is not intended to be an area where the group will spawn in. Due to Cretes' incredibly high altitude it makes recovering stamina incredibly difficult for people not familiar. Not only that, but the incredibly high altitude may effect any advanced technology that the group might have on them (it will be determined case by case)
Backstory
Almost two hundred years ago, Crete used to be a regular island floating out in what is now considered The Black Eye just Southeast of Zion. However, they now reside floating above the world due to a lack of trust in humanity. The island of Crete strictly follows Hellenism, the belief in ancient Greek gods and goddesses. However prior to floating in the sky, they were robbed by the outside world and this angered the gods and goddesses. So, the deities decided to take the devout followers as well as the island itself and raise it up to the sky, these people are known as the Cretans. The Cretans are kind people who never received guests since most of the outside world does not know of the islands existence. The Cretans are bird humanoids, having once been human, but now have been blessed by the gods.
These bird humanoids have the ability of flight, increased stamina and have some level of enlightenment. The Cretans are the sworn protectors of the temples they inhabit as well as guard the incredibly rare but equally powerful devil fruits inside of them. They are the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu, Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu. However, they did once possess the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix as well, but it was stolen by an outsider. Not only that, the thing they hold in the highest regard and the source for all of life on the island is the Flame of Olympus. Athough, during the theft of the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix, the intruder also stole the flame, this left only embers. The Cretans were able to luckily enkindle these embers and made a flame from them, however they protect this flame with their lives, since without it they would have nothing.
It should be noted as well the King of Crete, Minos ate the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Yamata no Orochi. Minos is the strongest Cretan and will protect his people and their beliefs at all costs if danger were to show itself.
Mission
The mission currently for Crete will be involving possibly going there to try to receive an item in order to turn the tide of the war between the adventurers and the Velikeer. Or another option, is that the adventurers can go and try to claim them as allies for the upcoming fight.
Events (spoilers)
Event 1: The group lands on the island and is promptly greeted kindly by the Cretans. These Cretans talk about the lack of people that come to visit, then begin to show the visitors around and introduce them to their culture.Event 2: Afterwards they are brought before the King of Crete, Minos. Minos is very kind and polite, a very easy going guy who is clearly well seasoned and educated. While in front of the Minos, the group is informed about the reason why the city of Crete is floating up in the sky.Event 3: Minos will proceed to ask the group what they are doing here, this will be a big determining outcome and however they respond will result in whatever event follows.Event 4: Minos will allow the individuals to stay on the island for the night and they will be asked to leave the following morning. Side note, the group can try to take a stealthy alternative and steal what they are looking for. However if they are caught, the consequences may be dire.Event 4 (alternative): Minos will be upset with the group, this will spark a argument between the Cretans and the adventurers. Ultimately they will be taken into custody and thrown into the Labyrinth.Event 5: The group will leave the following morning with blessings from the group and an alliance as well as a mutual understanding of their differences.Event 5 (alternative): The group will have to fight through the Labyrinth in order to escape. Once they escape, they have the option to leave the island, or go and try to take what they came for.Event 6 (alternative): Having escaped the Labyrinth the group will have to seek out the Flame of Olympus which is being heavily guarded by Minos and several guards. This is where the characters will have to fight Minos who possesses the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Yamata no Orochi. This devil fruit is an incredibly rare mythical zoan like the others they guard. As a result, he has the ability to turn into a 8-headed yamata dragon. This yamata dragon will have similar properties to a Lernean Hydra, extreme regeneration (if one head were to be cut off, 2 more would replace it), poisonous blood and breath (both capable of melting stone, metals, and disintegrating chakra), and heavily increased durability.Event 7 (alternative): The group can either kill or spare Minos, if the group chooses to kill him, they will have to quickly escape the island with the flame. If they choose to spare Minos, they will have to explain their situation and try to sway the Cretans into forming an alliance.Characters involved:
Minos - The King of Crete who is very intelligent and understanding. However the only exception is when it involves disobeying the gods.Orpheus - The first person the group will meet on Crete. He is a musician as well as a poet. Orpheus seems to be a very humble guy despite being extremely popular and renowned. He is also deeply in love with his wife (Eurydice), constantly referring to her in a kind manner.Minotaur - A strong