History

Catena Island was settled in the fifth month of year 4. The island's first settlers were primarily Italian, with the exception of the Ruether family who were of Scottish descent. The island itself was named by Editta Arrigo, for the Italian word for "mountain chain", as the island itself was formed by three now-dead volcanoes. The first settlement was House Segno, founded by the Ruether and Sfraga families and named for the Italian word for "sign" - located on the rolling, gently-sloped plains, it was an ideal place to cultivate and breed several varieties of skirr and horses, which became the House's major export.

House Avcadan, the second house (founded by the Federico and Arrigo families), found great success growing cacao beans in the summer months when sufficient irrigation was provided. The rich grasslands provided good farming, and the House was able to grow wheat, oats, and barley, as well as raising cattle and sheep. To this day, Catena Chocolate is famous around Alskyr, and it is said that only a few members of Clan Arrigo know the jealously-guarded recipe.

In the year 7, Caer Catena was among the first Caers on Alskyr to be founded. The dragons had naturally inhabited a nearly ideal location in Catena Peak, and construction was begun to provide more adequate human lodging. Legend has it that the first human to Bond was Davide Sfraga (to whom Tiala Sfraga is a direct relative), to the black dragon Condurevitath.

Currency

The currency used on Catena Island is the lira nuova (literally, "new lira" - often it is shortened to simply "lira"). At the time when Italy's currency, the lira, became obsolete, there were nearly 1,500 lira to one American dollar. This made one lira an extraordinarily small amount, and the consensus among Catena Island's residents was that the lira nuova should be worth one hundred of the old lira. Thus, there are approximately 15 lira nuova to one dollar. (Other exchange rates for comparison - there are 19 lira nuova in one Euro, 28 in one British pound, and 11 in one Canadian dollar.)

Lira nuova (usually abbreviated by the symbol ₤, used once to represent the original lira) are produced as six denominations of coins (in values of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500) and in two denominations of bills (valued 1000 and 5000). Coins of 1, 5, and 10 ₤ in value are made out of nickel and are respectively one half inch, two thirds of an inch, and three quarters of an inch in diameter; those of 50, 100, and 500 ₤ are made of silver and are respectively two thirds of an inch, three quarters of an inch, and one inch in diameter. The three of lowest value are slightly thinner and lighter than the three highest.

(More information will be added as it's requested/thought of. If there's something you'd like to know, please contact Caerlady Ducea with your questions and she'll be happy to answer.)

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