Dreaded Abyss

The Dreaded Abyss is a foreboding stretch of ocean in Astrium, a vast expanse of deep, black waters lying near the island of Coshar and the tempestuous waters of the Swirling Peninsula. Shrouded in fearsome legends and whispered tales of horror, the Dreaded Abyss is a place of ominous calm and hidden terror. The surface appears unnervingly serene, but below the waves lurk unfathomable horrors and ancient sea creatures, unknown to the world above. Ships vanish without a trace, and sailors speak of ghostly mists that cling to the surface, while eerie sounds echo from its mysterious depths. It is said the ocean itself hungers for the souls of those who dare to traverse it. The Dreaded Abyss was once a lawless sea, home to vicious pirates—particularly orcs, Simic Hybrids, and Shifters—who raided the coasts and sailed these treacherous waters. The most infamous battle in the Abyss occurred in the year 567 AD, when the ruthless orc warlord Durxum led his armada against a flotilla of Shifters and Simic Hybrids, resulting in the greatest single genocide in naval history. The aftermath of this massacre left hundreds of ships and thousands of bodies scattered across the ocean floor, forming a massive ship graveyard. It was an event so tragic and devastating that it forever cursed the waters.
In a desperate attempt to restore the Shifters' dwindling population, a gnome necromancer named Kreknel attempted to raise the dead sailors back to life. However, his magic backfired, warping the souls of the fallen and transforming the Dreaded Abyss into a haunted sea. Now, ghouls, banshees, and ghosts roam the depths, the cursed remnants of Kreknel's failed resurrection. Today, the Dreaded Abyss is feared by sailors of all races and is avoided by all but the most desperate treasure hunters, who hope to recover ancient treasures from the sunken wrecks.

Geography

The Dreaded Abyss covers hundreds of miles of ocean, bordered by jagged coastlines and volcanic islands. It is characterized by:

• Still waters: The surface of the Abyss is deceptively calm, often devoid of waves or wind.
• Submerged wreckage: The ocean floor is littered with shipwrecks, forming a chaotic and eerie underwater graveyard.
• Depths of darkness: The seabed plunges into deep trenches like the Maw of Durxum and Coshar’s Trench, some of the deepest points in Astrium’s oceans.

Ecosystem

The Abyss supports a bleak and terrifying ecosystem, shaped by necromantic energy and the harshness of the deep. The waters are home to strange, bioluminescent lifeforms, undead sea creatures, and massive predators adapted to the abyssal environment. Top Layers: Ghostly marine life, such as spectral fish and jellyfish-like creatures glowing with faint necrotic light. Mid-Layers: Undead predators, including skeletal sharks and zombie-like eels. Abyssal Depths: Enormous leviathans, including krakens, sea serpents, and eldritch horrors.

Ecosystem Cycles

The ecosystem follows a corrupted cycle driven by the Abyss’s necromantic energy. Undead creatures hunt and consume the living, sustaining a macabre balance. Natural life exists in small pockets, often warped or mutated by the Abyss’s influence.

Localized Phenomena

• Eerie Mists: A persistent, ghostly fog that clings to the water’s surface, reducing visibility and confusing navigation.
• Ghostlight Storms: Sudden electrical storms that produce glowing green lightning and eerie, distant wailing sounds.
• Whispering Waves: Sailors often hear faint, mournful voices emanating from the water, believed to be the cries of drowned souls.
• Phantom Tides: Invisible currents that drag ships and swimmers into the Abyssal depths, often without warning.

Climate

The Dreaded Abyss is perpetually overcast, with thick gray skies and sudden, violent storms. Winds are unpredictable, and the region’s proximity to the Swirling Peninsula amplifies its chaotic weather patterns.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

• Abyssal Kelp: A dark, luminescent seaweed with necrotic properties.
• Soul Coral: Coral structures that emit faint wailing sounds, said to trap the souls of sailors.

Fauna:

• Ghostfin: A spectral predator resembling a shark, semi-transparent and glowing faintly.
• Wraithfish: Small, skeletal fish that swarm intruders in a frenzy.
• Leviathans: Rare, ancient creatures, including a kraken rumored to slumber in the Abyss.

Natural Resources

The Abyss offers cursed treasures, ancient shipwreck artifacts, and necromantic reagents like Soul Coral and Abyssal Kelp. However, harvesting these resources often comes with great risk.

History

The Dreaded Abyss is a foreboding stretch of ocean in Astrium, lying ominously near the island of Coshar and the turbulent waters of the Swirling Peninsula. This vast expanse of deep, black waters is shrouded in fearsome legends and whispered tales of ships vanishing without a trace. The ocean's surface is unnervingly calm, but beneath it lurk unknown horrors and ancient sea creatures said to dwell in the unfathomable depths. Sailors speak of ghostly mists that cling to the waves and eerie sounds that echo from the abyss, as if the very ocean hungers for those who dare to cross it. Navigating the Dreaded Abyss is perilous, as treacherous currents and unseen forces pull ships into its blackened heart, making it a place that few survive and even fewer dare to return.
The wooden remains of warships, pirate galleys, and naval vessels lie scattered across the seabed, tangled in twisted wreckage and overgrown with dark sea flora. Legends tell of the vengeful spirits of lost sailors who roam the deep, and ghostly ships that sail the misty waters, never to rest. The cursed presence of these wrecks and the dangerous, unpredictable nature of the abyssal waters have given rise to a sense of dread that even the most fearsome sailors cannot shake.
Now, the Dreaded Abyss is a region avoided by all but the most desperate or foolhardy. The ocean itself seems to hunger for ships, dragging them into its depths with eerie calm and sudden, deadly currents. Whispers among sailors claim that the abyss is not just haunted by the dead, but by something far older and darker, lying in wait within the blackness of the ocean.
The Dreaded Abyss was a stretch of ocean that was wrought with pirate activity particularly from the orc, and monstrous humans (Simic Hybrids and Shifters specifically) much Naval warfare has lead to sinking ships and a huge ship graveyard which is dreaded by even the most fearsome sailors. A fearsome Orc Sailor; Durxum in the year 567 sent his armada against a flotilla of shifters and simic hybrids. Which caused the greatest single genocide in naval warfare. In an effort to restore the numbers of the shifters a a gnome called Kreknel; a scholar in the magical school of Necromancy; attempted to raise them back to life, but the necromantic magic created a ghostyard filled with ghouls, banshees and ghosts.
Today, the dreaded abyss is avoided at all costs unless you are looking for the treasures of teh depths below.

• Pre-Curse Era: A notorious pirate haven and trade route plagued by lawlessness.
• The Battle of Durxum’s Fall (567 AD): A massive naval conflict among orcs, Simic Hybrids, and Shifters. The genocide that followed resulted in the deaths of thousands and cursed the Abyss.
• The Necromancer’s Folly: Kreknel’s failed resurrection spell turned the region into a haunted sea, cementing its reputation as a cursed place.

Tourism

Few dare to visit the Dreaded Abyss, but thrill-seekers, treasure hunters, and necromancers occasionally brave its waters. Guided expeditions are rare and exorbitantly priced, and most never return.
Points of Interest
The Ghostyard: This is the heart of the Dreaded Abyss, a region where the sea itself is choked with the twisted wreckage of countless ships. This massive graveyard of vessels—warships, pirate galleys, and merchant schooners—lies scattered across the seabed, tangled with dark seaweed and strange, luminescent flora. Some say that the ghostly ships still sail these waters, captained by undead pirates and crewed by spectral sailors. The waters here are thick with undead, and even the bravest divers and salvagers hesitate to plunder the riches hidden among the ruins. The Maw of Durxum: A deep chasm in the ocean floor, believed to be the final resting place of Durxum's flagship. Legend has it that the orc warlord’s ship was swallowed whole by this abyssal trench during his final battle. The Maw is said to be a gateway to an even darker realm beneath the waves, where primordial sea creatures—ancient leviathans and abyssal horrors—lurk in the darkness. Sailors say that eerie green lights sometimes rise from the depths, accompanied by the distant sounds of battle and the cries of the fallen.
Kreknel's Laboratory: Hidden beneath the ocean’s surface on a small, rocky islet in the Dreaded Abyss, this ruined tower is where the gnome necromancer Kreknel conducted his experiments. Though his physical body has long since decayed, his spirit is said to still haunt the tower, and the island is a source of powerful necromantic energy. Strange phenomena occur here—storms that appear without warning, and eerie, disembodied voices that lure ships to crash against the rocks. Some adventurers seek out Kreknel’s laboratory in hopes of finding his lost tomes and necromantic artifacts, but most are never seen again.
The Depths of Coshar: Near the island of Coshar, the ocean drops off into an incredibly deep trench. This area, known as the Depths of Coshar, is rumored to be inhabited by ancient, powerful sea creatures, many of which are said to be under the influence of the abyss itself. Legends tell of an ancient kraken that once served Orcus, now slumbering within the depths, guarding an ancient artifact of immense power. Some claim that the kraken awakens only to sink ships that stray too close to the trench, while others say it has already been awakened by dark forces.
The Weeping Isle: A small, desolate island in the middle of the Dreaded Abyss, where the sand is said to be made from the bones of sailors who perished at sea. It is named for the haunting, wind-like wails that can be heard echoing from the cliffs. Some believe the island is cursed and that the souls of the drowned are bound to its shores, forever mourning their lost lives. There are stories of cursed treasure buried on the island, but anyone who seeks it is doomed to share the fate of the souls who haunt it.
The Abyssal Currents: A treacherous and unpredictable series of currents that cut through the Dreaded Abyss, these powerful underwater forces are believed to be controlled by the abyss itself. Ships that get caught in the Abyssal Currents are pulled into the depths and never seen again. Some say these currents lead to an undersea city, a place where the dead from the ocean's depths have created a kingdom of their own, ruled by a dark, malevolent force.
The Dreaded Abyss is a place of nightmares, a realm where the dead outnumber the living, and the ocean itself seems alive with dark intent. While the treasures of the Pandora War and ancient naval battles may lie beneath its waves, so too do the cursed souls of those who perished here, doomed to haunt the abyss for eternity.

Type

Abyss