The Tempest Isles found in the southern part of the Grey Ocean (about 3 days' journey south of the Horrifying Island) are named so because they are surrounded by chaos magic-laced storms which not only isolate the islands from the outside world, but would also isolate the islands for each other were it not for some drastic natures taken by the natives.

The Tempest Isles are an alicorn enclave, but of a particularly interesting sort. Rather than keeping a homogeneous whole like most enclaves (the Aesir are alicorns with an influx of earth pony, valkyrie, and longwing pegasus genes, with a minor trace of sleipnir ancestry, for example, but still overall have a similar body morphology, barring the occasional eight-legged individual), the alicorn population of the Tempest Isles have diverged into several types, some of which could rightly be counted as new species, or at least subspecies, which will be covered in detail elsewhere. This overview shall focus on the two main species/subspecies and the "pure" alicorns of the Isles.

The Psyfinders are easily distinguished from the average alicorn by their plate-like horns, noctral-like ears, and four eyes. The eyes themselves are intense blue- the whites, irises, and pupils.

Psyfinders are native to the southernmost island in the Tempest Isles, but are found throughout the archipelago due to the fact that they are the only ones capable of directing ships through the storms, making them an integral part of travel.

Gryns are massive, bulky, and dimwitted. Incapable of flight despite having fair-sized wings, Gryns tend to tackle problems head-on, using their short, powerful horns, backed up by their incredible strength. Normally used as guards on crossings between islands (they're good at defending against monsters and are surprisingly good swimmers), Gryns are steadfast and show unwavering loyalty to their employer.

Finally, there are the Utopians. These are standard alicorns, but with an incredibly advanced healing rate, and healing magic so advanced that death is more of a minor inconvenience, like a stomach bug- you die, you go to a "revival center", and you're out in anywhere between a few hours to 3 days at the most. The one exception is individuals who die by burning to death, as for some reason they cannot be brought back to life.

Adding to this essential immortality, these alicorns have a method of "turning the corner", as they refer to it, essentially resetting their body's physical age down to about 21 at the most.

Among some problems caused by this conquering of death is the blur of time. Most Utopians only keep track of their age until their first "turn", and after some time will often lose track, guessing a ballpark estimate within the nearest decade. No adult on the island is anywhere over 300... save for possibly a few exceptions.

After the end of "the age of mortality" for the Utopians, crime rates became non-existent, and food was well-regulated. There is no official system of government, and for all intents and purposes, Utopian society is... well, a utopia.

However, the Utopians of course realized that effective immortality would not deter the urge to reproduce, meaning some form of population control was necessary. This is where the Scythes come in.

Scythes are distinguished from other Utopians by their flowing, hooded robes and horn rings. Scythes are allowed to choose any color for their robe- every color except black.

Scythes are responsible for the duty of gleaning- that is, keeping the population at sustainable levels. The majority of Scythes do not enjoy their job- an actual requirement needed if one is to gain apprenticeship.

Scythes live aside from normal Utopian society, distanced by what they do. The only ones safe from the gleaning process are the Scythes themselves, their families, and those who have gained immunity.

Immunity is not a permanent thing. A Scythe will often grant it to the immediate family of one who has been gleaned, channeling magic through the ring on their horn and granting them one year's immunity from the gleaning process.

The Scythes themselves are immune to gleaning by other Scythes, and the position only ends when a Scythe takes his or her own life willingly. The families of Scythes are immune as long as the Scythe is alive.

Scythes follow a simple code of conduct:

1) Thou shalt kill

2) Thou shalt kill with no bias, bigotry, or malice aforethought

3) Thou shalt grant an annum of immunity to the beloved of those who accept your coming, and to anyone else you deem worthy

4) Thou shalt kill the beloved of those who resist

5) Thou shalt serve for the full span of thy days, and thy family shall have immunity as recompense for as long as you live

6) Thou shalt lead an exemplary life in word and deed, and keep a journal of each and every day

7) Thou shalt kill no Scythe beyond thyself

8) Thou shalt claim no earthly possessions, save thy robe, rings, and journal

9) Thou shalt have neither spouse nor spawn

10) Thou shalt be beholden to no laws beyond these

Scythes do not own houses, but some do have buildings where they frequent often enough to be considered a home (most other Utopians will avoid these places). The 8th law is often somewhat bent, as Scythes do require various items needed for their line of work, save for those who use a special martial art form for gleaning.

How a scythe determines who to glean is a matter of personal choice. Some base it on statistics of who would have died back in "the age of mortality", for example a heroic athlete with a love of swimming and dogs- one of a small percentage who would have died in a drowning incident while attempting to save their beloved pet. Others choose based on how "stagnant" an individual is- someone who subconsciously knows it's time to move on. Others have different methods but one thing is always the same- the actual individual selected for gleaning is random. This said, most Scythes, despite being reprimanded, will avoid gleaning children.

The Scythedom is governed by a council, and all the Scythes in the archipelago meet three times a year in order to discuss business, determine if certain Scythes have met their gleaning quotas, and induct new Scythes.

Scythes choose apprentices, those with the right qualities to be a Scythe- a keen mind, a kind heart, and an aversion to actually taking the job. Apprentices are trained for one year (during which their family gains immunity), and are then either accepted into Scythedom, or, if they fail, are allowed to return to their normal lives.

The Scythes are seen as a necessary part of Utopian life, and ironically gain an almost celebrity status due to their position.

This said, Utopian culture is stagnating. There's no drive or will to do much of anything, and what does happen in society is more to alleviate boredom than anything else.

NOTE:

The Psyfinders are easily distinguished from the average alicorn by their plate-like horns

Something like this guy, but just the top half of his "horn":