The Rook Islands were once considered a tropical paradise. They are filled with lush tropical jungles, rolling grasslands, thick swamps and steep mountains but years of violence and neglect have caused them to fall into a state of permanent turmoil. The once peaceful archipelago once belonged to the thriving native tribes, most notably the Rakyat, who once controlled the islands in their entirety. However, lawless pirates and militiamen have since violently taken over the archipelago.
In the 15th Century Zheng He, a Chinese warlord, passed the islands during a voyage to map the oceans. They proved an ideal location for one of his most loyal warriors - Lin Cong. After Zheng He left the islands Lin Cong stole one of his colossal treasure ships, the Chaoyang, which contained massive amounts of gold and treasure collected by Zheng on his many voyages and promised his crew wealth and power which he promptly delivered.
Once Lin Cong and his men secured and hid the ship, they set out to enslave the natives, the Chinese intruders forced the native slaves to build shrines as well as some towns and temples in his name. At this point, Lin Cong and his men were considered lords of the islands (with Lin still in complete control), the island's newfound empire was short-lived, however, as a vengeful Zheng He returned for Chaoyang and his traitorous old ally. After a relatively minor battle, Zheng He wiped Lin Cong's empire from the island for good (with the help from the Rakyat who took the opportunity to rebel), but not before Lin Cong could seal away his most prized possession: the Chaoyang. Rook Islands rumours and myths state that the ship was never found.
As time passed, the British and Irish colonials landed on the isles after finding considerable amounts of phosphate beneath the surface. The British then began enslaving the natives, along with the Irish and English convicts they had brought, and forced them to work in their mines. Sometime during the early 1890s the phosphate ore ran out, so the British packed up and left. The natives who were finally free, picked up the pieces of their homeland and rebuilt the Rook Islands, but with the island dry of resources, it saw another period of tranquillity from the outside world.
Decades later, a Japanese Brigade General named Takeo Masaki had his men land on the isles to start up a small air force/army base during World War II. The natives were then forced to the centers of the isles, with some being imprisoned and most being killed. The soldiers were then able to build bunkers and fortifications across the island's perimeter with the natives effectively driven back. However, just under a year after landing on the Rook Islands, the terrible news of Japan's bombings finally reached the island's radio station, Private Kashiwara, and Superior Private Shimizu. With tarnished pride, loved ones dead and faith in their country crippled, they spared their comrades from the devastating news by sabotaging the radios and radio towers. This caused great tension between Kashiwara, Shimizu, and their superiors, eventually leading the decorated Major Tanida to kill several of his own men, whom he believed were traitors working for the Americans. There were also two top secret projects, named Project Tenk and Project Kyouken, that were in the works led by a Doctor Fujita, under orders from the General. After being deserted on the island with the rest of the Japanese soldiers Fujita grew increasingly paranoid until he finally descended into madness, before he met his untimely demise.
Partial map of the North Island
During the 80's the Rook Islands had an economic boom from large amounts of money coming into the island from mining. Occasionally, Privateers will be heard discussing the topic. This was most likely the time when the Rook islands had some form of organized government like the one seen on billboards throughout the islands. Sometime shortly after the British left and the Rook Islanders attempted to govern themselves, Hoyt Volker landed on the island and brought on one of the darkest times in the Rook Islands already dark history.
In 2012, Rook Islands have not really progressed from its past issues. The population has grown tired and only wish to live their lives in solitude, no longer caring who inhabits the islands any more. The only resistance to the outside world is the people of the Rakyat, who believe the island was and still is rightfully their homeland. With the pirates still swarming the islands, the Rakyat are the only ones willing to fight back, and they prepare and wait for a sign from their deities.
After the events of Far Cry 3, the Rakyat reclaimed control of the islands. If the "Join Citra" ending was chosen by the player then the unnamed child of Jason Brody most likely ruled the islands, but if the player chose the "Save Your Friends" ending then it is unclear who would rule the islands since Citra would be dead. All that is known for certain is that the Rakyat will clean up their islands and return them to the way they once were.
Based on the wildlife, people, environment and culture seen in Far Cry 3, the Rook Islands are most likely located in Moluccas of Indonesia. In real life, an Island called Rook Island is located near Papua New Guinea and. However, according to the local language used, Malay language and/or Indonesian language, the location should be around Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and other countries in Southeast Asia where Bahasa Melayu and/or Bahasa Indonesia are spoken, but it most likely located in Indonesia since Indonesia is the only habitat for Komodo Dragon, Tapir, Bird of Paradise, and Sumatran Tiger.
Aspects of the Rook Islands that resemble Indonesia
Geography
Rook Islands: The Rook Island archipelago bears some similarities to the Indonesian archipelago.
North Rook Island: The northern island resembles a mixture of Nusa Tenggara, Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi and Komodo Island due to large jungles, large savannah, some beaches, small islands, farms and many towns can be found here. Komodo Dragons also common in this island but in the real life Komodo Dragons are in Komodo Island.
South Rook Island: The southern island resembles a mixture of Papua and Maluku Islands due to its mountainous nature, large jungles, and beautiful marine parks.
Beras Town: Bears similarities to the island of Java, Sumatra, and Bali.
Citra's Temple: Closely resembles temples found in Sumatra, Java, and Bali.
Demographics
Rakyat: The Rakyat people resemble the Dayak people. The names of both peoples strongly resemble each other.
Rook Islander: The people of the Rook Islands closely resemble Indonesians and Malaysians.
Pirates: Indonesia has long been ranked one of the highest countries for illegal piracy, similar to Vaas' Pirates on the Rook Islands.
Privateers: Private Military Companies are becoming increasingly common within South East Asia specifically Indonesia, bearing a similarity to Hoyt's Privateers in Far Cry 3.
Rook Island a.k.a Umboi Island in Papua New Guinea.
Trivia
In several places on the Rook Islands, such as in the Thurston Town on the South Island, billboards depicting the image of a man in a suit withwords such as President and Vote can be seen. This is a suggestion that the Rook Islands have, or had, or were going to have some form of organized government. Neither the name of the politician featured on the billboard or indeed any form of government is encountered in-game. The voting, which is referenced to by the billboard, may have been interrupted when the Pirates took over the Rook Islands.
Sometimes the locals will speak New ZealandMaori, 'Kia ora' meaning hello and 'ka kite' meaning goodbye. The pattern of speech is also similar, especially when a warrior yells "I will show you how a true warrior fights!"
There is a nod to the Rook Islands in Far Cry 4. If you happen to find a Knockoff GPS in random treasure chests or on the bodies of dead soldiers, the description in the guide book will read "Comes pre-loaded with a map of the Rook Islands, wherever the hell that is."
Gallery
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Videos
Far Cry 3 Official Island Survival Guide Welcome to the Rook Islands
