<center>![zarakesh.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTksTc7aKBtNeuXDwJsBPc8froaku3zeP35TxHVhnd22i/zarakesh.JPG)</center>
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Zarakash is a prison island in the central region of [Manaia](https://steemit.com/art/@lordless.exile/manaia-world-map).

The island is under the jurisdiction of [Euchao](https://steemit.com/fantasy/@lordless.exile/manaia-the-continent-of-euchao). But criminals from [Shevarah](https://steemit.com/fantasy/@lordless.exile/manaia-the-continent-of-shevarah) and raiders from the [Wetlands](https://steemit.com/fantasy/@lordless.exile/manaia-introduction-to-the-wetlands) are also exiled there on occasion.

While there are many violent criminals who have been shipped to Zarakash, there are also many political prisoners, citizens who were unable to pay their debt to the [church](https://steemit.com/fantasy/@lordless.exile/manaia-the-sobanite-religion) and wrongfully accused persons on the island. As well as those who were born on the island and have never known anything else.

Exile to the island is a punishment that is final. Once per week, a ship departs from [Shipeva](https://steemit.com/fantasy/@lordless.exile/manaia-the-city-of-shipeva) and loads up more exiles at Peresi, and then makes its way to a mile off the coast of Zarakash. From there prisoners are forced to jump, or thrown overboard. Not all manage to make it to the island, which is why the surrounding body of water has come to be known as the *Sea of bones*, with bodies and skeletons often washing up on the shores of the greater continent.

Twice in documented history the Euchaon military has been forced to *cleanse* the island of its population in response to organised efforts to escape from the prisoners. The most recent attempt was almost 150 years ago, and was proceeded by the burning of the vast majority of woodlands and forestry on the island on orders from the Magna of Euchao - a decision made to solve the problem of prisoners who had begun to make rafts and even ships. 

With 44 miles of harsh waters from Zarakash to the nearest shoreline, the swim is impossible for any normal human being.

With the island left to its own devices for so long, little is known about its happenings by outsiders. However, a rapist who chose hanging over exile claimed to have escaped the island, and swore on Hehu that he had been held prisoner by the prisoners of Zarakash, who had organised under a Queen committed to rebellion and the downfall of the church. The Magna was advised by many to invade the island in response to the man's accusations, but refused.