Glassy Gulf

Situated in the northern reaches of Ofrana, the Glassy Gulf is a serene yet unsettling coastal expanse. Its calm, mirror-like waters have an almost unnatural stillness, reflecting the sky so perfectly that it’s hard to tell where the sea ends and the horizon begins. What sets this gulf apart are the countless gem and glass orbs that mysteriously wash ashore, ranging from clear spheres to vibrant, gem-like colors. No one knows where they come from, but many speculate they are remnants of a bygone civilization or magical phenomena from the depths. These orbs, while beautiful, are regarded with suspicion due to the eerie sense of quiet that pervades the area and the troubling history of the region.
The Glassy Gulf is infamous for being the origin of the disease known as Relicglass Syndrome, having its first recorded case in 861AD - A Kalashtar explorer named Zizi.
Points of Interest: The Shattered Sepulcher: This ancient, sunken ruin lies beneath the waters of the Glassy Gulf, rumored to be the birthplace of Relicglass Syndrome. The Sepulcher was once a vast underground vault where a lost civilization conducted experiments with magical artifacts and ancient relics, attempting to harness the properties of glass and crystal for unknown purposes. However, these experiments backfired, unleashing the disease that ravaged their people. Now, the ruins are submerged, their once-great halls filled with fragile relics and the remains of its doomed inhabitants. Adventurers brave enough to explore these depths may find valuable artifacts, but they must also contend with the remnants of the magic that caused the Syndrome, which still lingers in the waters, threatening to reawaken the long-dormant disease.
The Orb Shores: Along the northern coast of the Gulf, the beaches are littered with mysterious glass and gemstone orbs. These objects, though beautiful, possess unknown properties and origins. Many believe the orbs hold latent magical power, with some acting as conduits to other planes or serving as keys to unlocking hidden secrets within the gulf. Others warn that the orbs are cursed, linked to the tragic fate of those who lived here long ago. The Orb Shores have become a popular destination for treasure hunters and scholars, but the strange, otherworldly energy in the air often leaves visitors disoriented or disturbed after prolonged exposure. Those who touch the orbs may experience strange visions, leading some to believe that the orbs contain memories or messages from the past.

• Citadel of Winter’s Embrace

Perched on the cliffs of the Gulfs bleak, wind-swept landscape is the Citadel of Winter’s Embrace, the Raven Queen’s former seat of power. The citadel is a looming, gothic fortress made from a combination of dark, ice-covered stone and iron, its design blending the harshness of winter with the cold finality of death. Frost clings to the walls, and the air around the fortress carries an eternal chill that seeps into the bones of all who dare to enter. The citadel is not easily found, often revealing itself only to those who are nearing death or who have been chosen by the Raven Queen for a greater purpose.
Within the citadel, the corridors are silent save for the soft echo of footsteps, and the ever-present caw of ravens can be heard in the distance. The Throne of Lost Souls, located in the heart of the fortress, was once where the Matron of Ravens held court, her dominion over fate and death absolute. Here, her most devout servants—known as the Soulwardens—continue to keep watch over the cycles of life and death, ensuring that no soul escapes its destined path. The Soulwardens tend to the Cloister of Echoes, where the faint whispers of those who have passed still resonate, offering cryptic advice to those who dare to listen. Though the Raven Queen no longer reigns, her citadel remains a place of reverence for those who respect the balance of life and death.
The Glassy Gulf is a place of quiet allure and hidden peril, where adventurers seek both knowledge and treasure while contending with the lingering traces of a deadly past.

Geography

The Glassy Gulf spans a crescent-shaped bay bordered by smooth, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. The waters are shallow near the shore, gradually plunging into deep, unexplored trenches where Veluthraxis lies. The surrounding coastline features dunes speckled with driftwood and clusters of wind-blasted trees.

Ecosystem

The Gulf supports a unique ecosystem influenced by its tranquil waters and magical anomalies. Bioluminescent marine life thrives here, illuminating the depths at night with an otherworldly glow. The shores are home to hardy vegetation and birds adapted to the region's quiet and stillness.

Ecosystem Cycles

The Gulf’s ecosystem exhibits peculiar fluctuations linked to the waxing and waning of the moon. During full moons, the orbs along the Orb Shores seem to emit faint, rhythmic pulses of light, and the waters teem with increased activity from its marine inhabitants. These periods often coincide with a surge in adventurers and treasure hunters drawn to the orbs' potential power.

Localized Phenomena

• Orb Pulses: The mysterious glass orbs glow faintly and hum during lunar events, disrupting nearby magical spells and technology.
• Echoing Stillness: The Gulf absorbs sound unusually well, creating an unnerving quiet that deepens as one approaches its waters.
• Visions in the Reflection: Travelers gazing into the water often report seeing fleeting images of unknown cities, figures, or their own future.
• Relicglass Infusion: Objects submerged in the water for too long become fragile, as if partially transformed into glass.

Climate

The region has a temperate maritime climate, with cool breezes and moderate rainfall. Summers bring soft, golden sunlight that enhances the gulf's reflective quality, while winters see heavy mists rolling over the water, obscuring the coastline.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

• Glasskelp: A translucent underwater plant that sways eerily in the still waters, rumored to possess healing properties.
• Orb Blossom: Rare flowers growing along the Orb Shores, their petals resembling shattered glass.

Fauna:

• Crystalfish: Small, semi-transparent fish whose scales shimmer like gemstones.
• Wraith Eels: Elusive, shadowy eels said to emerge only on moonlit nights, feared for their aggressive nature.

Natural Resources

• Glass Orbs: The orbs are highly sought after by arcanists and collectors, believed to contain traces of ancient magic or memories.
• Kelp Resin: A substance extracted from Glasskelp, used in the creation of potions and enchantments.

History

After the fall of the ancient city Veluthraxis in the year 2355AD due to a mistake on their own volition, which had left the edge of the continent to fall into the ocean. While much time as past and the water doesnt move even though there is known swell and winds.
Today it is an odd focal point for adventurers who seek to uncover the secrets of the glass orbs, despite the legends warning adventurers of the dangers of the depths of the glassy gulf.

Tourism

• Veluthraxis Ruins: The sunken city where the Shattered Sepulcher lies, filled with ancient artifacts and the origin of Relicglass Syndrome.
• The Shattered Sepulcher: A submerged vault beneath Veluthraxis, containing dangerous magical relics and fragile remnants of the lost civilization.
• The Orb Shores: Beaches littered with enigmatic glass orbs, where adventurers search for magical treasures and face strange visions.
• The Wailing Caves: A series of coastal caverns that emit ghostly howls when the tide shifts, believed to be the voices of Veluthraxis’s doomed inhabitants.
• The Crystal Beacon: A tall, jagged spire of natural glass-like rock at the Gulf's center, thought to be a marker or remnant of Veluthraxis's magical experiments.

Alternative Name(s)

Mirror Sea

Inhabiting Species

• Glasskelp
• Orb Blossoms
• Tiefling - Levistites