Koj

Koj is a small island in the Summer Isles. Koj separates the Smiling Sea to its southeast from the Summer Sea to its west. Southeast of Koj are the Isle of Birds and Omboru, while Lotus Port on Walano is to its north. To the south and southeast are the Isle of Love and the Singing Stones.

Despite not being one of the three large main islands in the chain, three-quarters of all swan ships in the Summer Isles are made by the famed shipbuilders of Koj. Malthar the Mapmaker, a prince of Koj, is regarded as having been the greatest shipbuilder from the isles. Adventurers from Koj are rumored to have explored much of Sothoryos and the Sunset Sea. The Princes of Koj reside at the Pearl Palace.

The Pearl Palace

Despite its name, the Pearl Palace does not shine white in the sunlight, its exterior looks downright plain by Summer Isles standards. However, with a quick glance around the interior one will immediately understand the name. The insides are covered by ornate carved pearl and ivory decorations, tapestries, bas-reliefs, and wooden sculptures. After a thousand years of gathering all the ornaments and decorations they can find, there are scarce few inches left uncovered in the palace.

In the throne room of the palace lie its famous collection of maps, charting all the way from the coasts of Sothyros, to the far reaches of the Jade Sea, to the frozen ice caps north of Westeros and Ibben.

The People of Koj

The ruling family of Koj, the Xaqs, trace their ancestry back to Malthar the Windrider, the first man to build their now famous Swanships, and one of the first princes of the isles to lead an expedition over the vast distances from the Summer Isles to the rest of the world. The maps he charted on those first journeys formed the beginning of the Xaq family's now famous map collection.

The rest of the people of Koj are strong and proud, they are not great in number for the isle is small and does not excel in agriculture, but most families have passed down the art of shipbuilding for thousands of years, each generation growing more skilled than the last. Children build small boats of bark and twigs, sealed with sap, and compete to see how long they can stay afloat on the island's inland lakes. Later, they shadow their fathers and learn the secrets of the swan ships.

Though about six tenths of the island's men work in the shipyards, not all feel the calling to bend timber and shave bark. The second sons, daughters and free spirits of Koj will often embark on those same Swan Ships and travel the world, charting new shores, trading rare goods, and hearing the tales and lore of all the wider world. Those few ships brave enough to strike out into the unknown as their ancestors once did bring their discoveries back to the island, and add maps of their own to the collection at the Pearl Palace. None, not even the Maesters in the Citadel, can rival the closely guarded collection that the Xaqs hold so dear. Others take up the art of archery, wielding the coveted Goldenheart bows as so many others in the rest of the Summer Islands do.

The Isle Itself

The isle of Koj is rich in rare birds, plants and spices to make up for its lack of wealth in the riches of the earth. It is humid and hot all year round, and winter's grasp barely reaches it. The summers are brutal and oppressive, despite the islanders' thousands of years of acclimation. Few trees grow beyond a story or so tall on Koj, except for the Talking Trees which record the records of the journeys of Kojan voyagers. The rest are used for the construction of the islands famed Swan Ships, which it produces more of than every other Summer Island combined. The parrots of Koj are purple and yellow feathered, and over the years have been trained to have great ability in reciting speech. The best of them can be trained by a dedicated master to recite entire poems in the language of the Summer Isles.

As well, the people of Koj cultivate what they call Stone Seeds, which are harvested from the fruit of small shrubby trees. The seeds are bitter, but when eaten in large enough amounts give the eater energy, focus and wakefulness. Most Kojans will carry a pouch of them with them, and chew them throughout the day. They are an special favorite of the men who work in the ship yards, some of whom eat almost a hundred a day.