"There is no habitation in sight, no market, very little in the way of a maintained dock. A stretch of sand thickens into damp, black earth, from which sprout stunted... Palms? Not quite: tall fungal growths with frond-like caps, as if someone sculpted the idea of a tree from a mushroom."[1]
"As you step on to the quay, you hear clamour, shouts, and shooting; you can see, off in the distance, smoke rising from beyond the hill, and dots of fire flecking the horizon. Two tiny figures stand a little further down the quay."[2]
Within the the tendrils of the zee-weed and fungal fauna of the Snares, there lies an unassuming island uninhabited by men. But it is, indeed, inhabited. This is Pigmote Isle.
"London will never believe a b____y word of this."[3]
Pigmote Isle is home to two groups of accidental settlers; a group of cavies (guinea pigs!) stole a ship from the docks of London[4] and accidentally took a stowaway band of Rattus Faber with them. After floating on the Zee for months in the dark (cavies are not good at sailing, you see),[5] they were shipwrecked on Pigmote and founded a new nation.
Pigmote is now in a state of civil war. The rats and cavies are fighting over the Isle's most precious artifact, a piece of blue scintillack that the rats call the Rat Star and the cavies call the Lady's Eye. They have each formed a nation of their respective species.
Blue scintillack is a valuable thing indeed, as a gem that can emit apocyanic light reminiscent of the sky of the Surface.[6] As such, more parties than just the rodents of Pigmote are interested in such a treasure.[7] Pirates target the island's scintillack harvesters;[8] agents of Visage claim that what the cavies call the Lady's Eye is actually the island's Left Eye;[9][10][11] and the Fathomking seeks the return of what he and his drownies call the Thalassine.[12]
"The Seneschal led me to the southern side of the island, skirting the Chickenwoods. We passed through a number of raised mounds of earth mixed with fortifying strips of mushroom flesh, which I supposed to be makeshift walls. The settlement was dazzling: this side of the island appeared to be absolutely wreathed in scintillack. The Cavies' dwelling was awash with silver phosphorescence."[13]
The cavies have established the Kingdom of Cavia on the southern half of the Isle. Pigmote's greatest treasure, scintillack, is abundant in their territory, adding to the resources gleaned from their stolen steamer.[14] As such, they have essentially made themselves the well-armed gentry of Pigmote Isle. According to the Seneschal to King Gracegnaw,[15] the King and his armies have fully conquered southern Pigmote, and now seek to conquer the rats and win back the Lady's Eye for the House of Cavy.[16] They see the rats as mere "rabble,"[16] and their knights take great pains to sharpen their teeth to better rival the rats' in combat.[17]
The cavies worship the Eye as a deity, claiming its light guided them to Pigmote[18] and attributing miraculous healing powers to it (or perhaps Her); it apparently warded off a sickness many of the cavies contracted on their journey.[19]
Cavia is a rather splendid little kingdom. Founded around the remains of the now-wrecked steamer that took both the cavies and the rats to Pigmote, the area is festooned with color and sparkling scintillack.[20] (This is not explicitly stated, but considering the decorations and the fact that one guinea pig is even seen wearing a scrap of Parabola-Linen,[21] it may be deduced that the ship carried a great quantity of fabric.) Cavia's greatest landmarks beyond the steamer are a training grounds, and a gazebo of sorts where King Gracegnaw keeps council.[20]
"The Chief Engineer led me to the northern side of the island, skirting the Chickenwoods. We passed through a number of what can only be termed check-points, as fierce-eyed rats shouldered their derringers and saluted the Chief Engineer. Soon we come upon a small colony, smaller than some of the infestations I had encountered in London flats: perhaps only fifty Rattus Faber all together, working diligently to fortify their side of the island."[22]
The Rattus Faber stowaways and their descendants have established a strong presence on the northern half of the island. According to their Chief Engineer, they fled London to make a home away from their predators and human exterminators.[23] After they found the Rat Star, however, the cavies attacked the rats' settlement to claim the gem for their own.[24] Ultimately, the rats of Murinia wish to be left to their own devices.[25] To them, the Rat Star is a morale booster[26] and something interesting to study, perhaps for the purposes of future tinkering.[27]
By contrast to Cavia, Murinia is a much humbler settlement - but it is fully equipped with mining tunnels, a fishing operation, and a barracks.[28] While they have access to abundant food from fish and chickenwood mushrooms, their military is outnumbered and wanting for weaponry, as their only firearms and ammunition come from raids on the well-equipped cavies.[29]
↑Guinea Page, Sunless Sea"A scholarly creature from a warlike nation of aristocratic guinea pigs whose progenitors stole a steamer to escape the locked hutches of a London essayist. Apparently."
↑The Crossroads of Pigmote Isle, Sunless Sea"Two vessels are docked at Saints-Haven. From the island of Visage comes a commandeered pirate ship. Its figurehead is a dying bull, transfixed with a spear. Next to it floats a decaying wreck barely held together by barnacles. Tales of Pigmote Isle have spread, and the powers of the zee have taken notice."
↑A Dilemma On Pigmote Isle, Sunless Sea""Those beastly raiders keep coming for our precious scintillack," it squeaks, shaking a paw in impotent furry rage. "How can we protect our shores, Hairless Adviser?"""
↑Speak with the Hippo, Sunless Sea"I felt the light of the Left Eye that might buy my passage home. The Eye will call to others, and they will bring Jackals to this place. [...]"
↑The Crossroads of Pigmote Isle, Sunless Sea"The Left Eye of Flourishing-of-Years called to us from across the waves. It is ours by birthright and ours to claim, yet let none say we are not generous. In exchange for its return, we offer both our friendship and our wisdom. Secrets, Captain, that can guarantee the prosperity of a nation."
↑The Crossroads of Pigmote Isle, Sunless Sea"The Drownie bows. "His Complexity's blessings upon you. My lord will be pleased to see the glorious Thalassine returned to the deeps. In gratitude, he will reach his soggy hand over Pigmote, in justice and protection.""
↑Chapter III: A Knight Out Of Habit, Sunless Sea"The settlement was dazzling: this side of the island appeared to be absolutely wreathed in scintillack. The Cavies' dwelling was awash with silver phosphorescence."
↑The Tale of Pigmote Isle, Sunless Sea"I am Lady Augusta Devereaux Swinch of the Blackwater Swinches, Seneschal to our King Gracegnaw, First of His Name."
↑ 16.016.1I spoke to the Seneschal, Sunless Sea"Gracegnaw the King, our Lord and Sovereign, / Full seven months had sojourned on the sea, / Conquered this land, and won the Southern main. / Now no fortress against him shall remain, / No city walls be left for him to gain, / Save the RATS! That squeak behind mountain! / Unlikely was the Lamb of our deliverance, / Assured shall be our glories and their fall, / When Our Lady's Eye restored be to our hall!" [...] "We saw truth and beauty by the light of Our Lady's Eye on Mount Cavyat. But the rats, with their guns and their chatter and their peasants' politics, stole it from us. We will subjugate them and take it back. They are a rabble, and we will rule them with the steel-shod velvet of our paws. Will you join us?""
↑I visited the barracks, Sunless Sea""The rats have no weapons! None to speak of. What is a gun without a bullet? A sword without a blade! Ours are the supplies, the knives, the soft-stuffs and the glory. Their teeth are sharp, it is true, while ours ... " The Page hesitated as the Knights glowered at him. "...are sharper! [...]" One Knight preened while another grunted indifference, working a whetstone along its top front teeth. As I watched, a particularly vigorous swipe knocked a whole incisor out of place. It landed on the ground in a black and bloody mess."
↑I visited the steam-pinnance on the beach, Sunless Sea"[...] the Zee is black and unkind; we were lost in the dark for weeks, and no one speaks of those terrible times. But out of the darkness came the light of Our Lady's Eye, guiding us here, to our own Isle! In time we will ride the waves again, perhaps, once we have recovered our Eye. Is it not splendid?"
↑I visited the hospital, Sunless Sea""Many of us sickened during the voyage - a rotting in our teeth, a weakness in the flesh. This Isle was our salvation; the stronger among us made a pilgrimage towards the pool of Our Lady's Light, and then, miracle of miracles, they were cured! They bathed in Her, they drank Her sweet waters, and the strong brought the weak to Her in turn. Soon we were thriving again, bearing our children and raising them to love Our Lady's Eye and see in it our deliverance. [...] "Since the rats stole Her, the sickness has returned. All this light is but a mockery of Hers, and we gain from it no benefit. The only thing [...] that helps our condition is the flesh - the very hearts and livers - of the rats who stole Her from us."
↑ 20.020.1Chapter III: A Knight Out Of Habit, Sunless Sea"The settlement was dazzling: this side of the island appeared to be absolutely wreathed in scintillack.[...] It was a large colony; most noticeable was the steam-pinnace - the 'Impossible Lamb'? - that had run aground, from which Cavies came and went, bearing supplies. To the right of the ship, farther down the beach, a large group of Cavies lay on bundles of colourful cloth, whining and wailing as if in pain; to the left of the ship was a ramshackle tent of poles and linen in front of which guinea pigs clashed against each other and sharpened their teeth. In the centre of the village was a covered dais, veritably festooned with colourful cloth and guarded by well-decorated knights. I suspected this was where King Gracegnaw kept council. "Be welcome, Captain, in the Kingdom of Cavia, Capitol of our Isle and Blessed by the light of Our Lady's Eye." The Seneschal spoke solemnly, but with a hint of sadness to her words. "Or so it was, and shall be again. [...]""
↑I spoke to the Chief Engineer, Sunless Sea"We came to this island to make a home for ourselves away from London, its cats and Snuffers, its Rat-Skin Suits. We came to live as citizens of our own Republic! We came with our tools, our teeth, our clever hands, and we made a beautiful city by the light of the Rat Star that shone bright and blue on Mount Ararat."
↑I spoke to the Chief Engineer, Sunless Sea"[...] we plucked the Rat Star to be our light; our beacon. But the Pigs of Cavy saw the light, and they lusted for it; they sent armies to rule us and steal our Star! We will not permit them to take what is ours! We will resist to our last breath!"
↑I visited the rats' barracks, Sunless Sea" But that's of no consequence - all we want is to be left in peace to build our Republic. And the Rat Star," she added thoughtfully, after a moment. "Of course. We want that too.""
↑I headed down to the beach, Sunless Sea"But the fishing would never be so good without the Rat Star. [...] I think it only draws good fish, and keeps the scary ones at bay. I know the Chief Science Officer doesn't believe it, but I do. That light is our livelihood.""
↑Chapter III: A Rat In The Making, Sunless Sea" Soon we come upon a small colony, smaller than some of the infestations I had encountered in London flats: perhaps only fifty Rattus Faber all together, working diligently to fortify their side of the island. The first thing I noticed was a brilliant light, beaming out from a stump of Chickenwood [...] By its light I could see several raised mounds of earth, suggesting shallow tunnels. An efficient fishing operation was set up by the water [...] Further inland was a barracks, where a sergeant barked drills at a small squadron of fighters. [...] "Welcome to Murinia," said the Chief Engineer, voice warm with pride. "It's not much to look at now, but it will be once we've rousted the Cavies. Take a stroll around while I summon the war council.""
↑I visited the rats' barracks, Sunless Sea""There's more of us below ground [...] but not enough. The Cavies are bigger and there's more of 'em. We're better with weapons, but haven't got the stuff to make 'em with; most of us came here as stowaways and brought nothing but food, tools, and the fur on our backs. We can fish [...] but we can't make guns out of trees. The Cavies came with their own steamer, and seem to have endless supplies - we raid 'em, sometimes, but there's so few of us, and we can never hold on to territory gained for long."
