Basically, this is an island where fairytales and supernatural myths of the like are real. I'm not sure if this is a correct assumption, but the people on the island play out their stories, which pleases the Rulers, the people who run this abysmal speck in the waters.

Something happened, and the people are gone, so we're being pulled here, against our will, to replace them. The Rulers have no intention to let us leave, and believe me, we've tried.

They pretty much try to make us the character. Clothing, voice, appearance...and in exchange for all those forced goodies, they take our metahuman abilities. If you're lucky, your character is a powerful wizard of some sort. That means that, eventually, you will have their magic. If not, then you're just a badass normal.

Welcome to Story Book hell.