The “Isles of the Otherworld” are all directly inspired by real-world myth, legends, and folklore.

The Isle of Youth is inspired by Tir Na Nog of Irish legend. Tir Na Nog means Land of Youth, and is one the many Western Paradises common in Celtic stories. Modern sources on Fairy Lore tend to neglect what was primary in many of the original accounts – the Good Folk want human lovers, and are not shy about abducting them to the Otherworld, leaving a changeling in their place. Of course, those who are chosen to live with the Good People are said to lead lives of joy and beauty, removed from the misery of the mundane world.

The Isle of Apples is inspired by Avalon of Welsh and Arthurian legend. The “mighty human king” who will return is Arthur, of course.

The Isle of Cakes is from Cockaigne, a land of plenty and ease in medieval folklore.

The Phantom Isle is based on many different Irish stories about disappearing islands, most notably the legend of Hy Brasil.

The Isle of the Warrior Queen is inspired by the 16th century Spanish story of California, realm of Queen Calafia. The state of California is named for it!

The City of the Golden Man is inspired by the legend of Eldorado, which literally means “The Golden Man”. The Spanish conquistadors appeared to have misunderstood stories about a South American tribe whose king was ritually coated in gold powder, and bathed in a lake.

The Isle In The Sky is inspired by a Medieval French story about “Magonia”, a land in the sky inhabited by weather wizards, and which occasionally sent ships down to earth. Jacques Vallee discussed the story in his book “Passport To Magonia”, where he called attention to the striking similarities between modern UFO reports and the Fairy lore of the Middle Ages. UFO lore also includes crop circles, of course, which seem more like elaborate practical jokes than serious messages from an advanced civilization. In the real world crop circles are made by hoaxers with boards and rope, but what if they were actually works of Fairy art?

The Western Isle is inspired both by the Celtic idea of the dead dwelling on an island in the West, and Haitian ideas about the wild and raunchy character of the afterlife. The Haitian Loas Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte are both said to love dancing, strong drink, and dirty jokes. Interestingly, Maman Brigitte is the sole Caucasian Loa. She is said to have come from England, and is symbolized by the image of the Irish Saint Brigid (who shares her name and legendary powers with Brigid of the Tuatha De Danann). After Christianity the Tuatha De Danann became the Aes Sidhe, or “People of the Hills” – better known as the Good Folk, or Fairies.