Nierite wrote:
Do they need to? I should point out that there is a Ymandrake Embassy there and the Ymandrakes have a rather cordial relationship with the ruling Maghir and the people of the Far West. As such, why would they use Harvesters to get arcanely gifted people when they can openly campaign or buy them at auction at the slave market?
This does raise a question that I've had before in my mind. What happens to those that volunteer to go to the isle? I know that horrible things happen to those captured, but it seems that a lot of those with the spark brought voluntarily or young to the isle are raised as the elite (arcane casters) of an elite island. Some can leave as "The Trackless" (CA pg 211) after mastering their power, and others seem to travel abroad a fair amount. So it seems that the Ymandrakes can make a good argument that those with the spark should come to them. I'm not saying that's true, but how many know the horrible things that can happen to those that go to the isle if the Isle advertises when it treats someone well? If the Ymandrake's are well respected in the region, why wouldn't those with the spark generally volunteer to go there, rather than be abducted? Especially if they advertise they can sure the shakes?