Inky Bay

Inky Bay, once a picturesque and tranquil coastal region of Ofrana, now lies under a haunting and eternal storm, its waters permanently darkened by the swirling clouds overhead. The bay earned its name after the War of the Giants in 542 AD, when the Storm Giants—former lords of Realmshatter—were forced into retreat by their giant kin. After being cornered in this desolate region of Ofrana, the Storm Giants, unable to face total defeat, ascended into the skies, vowing never to return to the earth under threat of annihilation. In their retreat, their immense, cloud-like forms expanded across the bay, creating a never-ending storm. Now, Inky Bay is a place where the sea and sky seem to merge into one, the water taking on the appearance of swirling ink as storm clouds perpetually churn above. Lightning often strikes the darkened waters, and the eerie howling winds echo through the cliffs that surround the bay. It remains a highly contested and dangerous area, sought after by the Orcs of Xublouze and the Drow of Yilas, both of whom seek control over this mysterious and powerful land.
Points of Interest The Obsidian Pier The Obsidian Pier is a striking structure that juts out into the heart of the Inky Bay, made from black volcanic stone that has absorbed the essence of the constant storms above. The pier, originally built by the Storm Giants, was once a majestic docking point for their grand vessels. Now it is a crumbling ruin, frequently used by the Orc raiders of Xublouze as a staging area for attacks on the surrounding coastline. The air around the pier crackles with static energy, and some say that fragments of ancient Storm Giant magic still linger here, allowing those who tap into its power to command the weather—if only for a brief moment.
The Howling Cliffs Towering over the bay, the Howling Cliffs are a set of jagged, wind-swept rocks that form a natural barrier around much of the Inky Bay. The cliffs are named for the constant shrieking of the wind that tears through the narrow gaps and crevices in the stone, creating a haunting sound that can be heard for miles. Legends say that the Storm Giants left part of their essence within the cliffs when they ascended to the sky, and some adventurers believe there are hidden passages or tombs within the rock that contain relics of the giant wars. The Drow of Yilas have begun using the cliffs as a defensive stronghold, their scouts and sentries often spotted patrolling the perilous edges, watching the bay for signs of movement.
The Eye of the Storm At the very center of Inky Bay, there exists a strange phenomenon known as the Eye of the Storm. Amidst the relentless swirling clouds and crashing waves, this small patch of water is completely calm, as if untouched by the violent storms surrounding it. The Eye is said to be the focal point of the Storm Giants' magic, a place where the laws of nature bend and strange occurrences are common. Ships that have ventured into the Eye of the Storm speak of visions of the past, hearing whispers of ancient battles or encountering shadowy forms that flicker in and out of existence. Some believe it to be a gateway to another realm or a hidden sanctum of the Storm Giants, though none have ever stayed long enough to confirm.
The Sunken Titan Just below the churning waters of the bay lies the wreck of an ancient Titan warship, known as the Sunken Titan, which belonged to the Storm Giants during the War of the Giants. The ship is said to be infused with their celestial power and was sunk during their final stand. Its remains are scattered across the seabed, with massive, barnacle-encrusted bones and chunks of metal lying tangled in the dark depths. Orcish divers and Drow scavengers often try to retrieve artifacts from the wreck, but many who dive too deep into the bay are never seen again, their ships swallowed by the mysterious currents. It is rumored that those who successfully retrieve a piece of the Titan’s wreckage may gain a sliver of the giants' ancient power.
Stormward Tower A mysterious Stormward Tower rises from one of the islets at the edge of Inky Bay, its origins shrouded in legend. This spiraling tower of dark stone was supposedly built by giant-kin long before the Storm Giants’ retreat, a place of worship and arcane study where the secrets of the storm were harnessed and recorded. Though abandoned, the tower remains mostly intact, save for the eerie glow of blue lightning that occasionally flickers around its peak. It is said that powerful relics of storm magic still reside within the tower, fiercely guarded by elemental spirits and wards placed by the giants. Few have dared to explore its depths, as the combination of arcane traps and the unrelenting storm make it a nearly impossible task.
Inky Bay remains one of the most dangerous and intriguing locations in Astrium, its history steeped in the ancient conflicts of the giants and its present filled with the fierce competition between the Orcs of Xublouze and the Drow of Yilas. The bay’s mystical storms and haunted waters continue to draw those brave enough to seek its power, but few leave unscathed by its dark and swirling depths.

Geography

Inky bay is covered by the moonscape moor, which allows for its appearance of dark black water.

History

The Inky Bay used to be a shiny and serene bay, until the war of the giants in 542 AD. The other giants had cornered the storm giants who used to lord over realmshatter, and cornered them to down to a abandoned part of Ofrana.
During the war the Storm Giant leaders were forced to retreat into the sky to avoid death, with a vow of the other giants that if the storm giants were to return down to the ground they would return to finish the job. This caused the Storm giants to expand their cloudlike bodies across ofrana creating a permananent storm that covered the bay, meaing the water would appeared inky with the rolling clouds looking like ink swirls in the ocean.
Today, the Inky bay serves as a highly contested area for the Orcs of Xublouze and the Drow of Yilas.

Type

Bay