Swirling Sinkhole

The Swirling Sinkhole only came about after the fall of marblehaven and the creation of the Marblehaven Divide. The divide was struck again by the Sins during the first Pandora War, creating a permanent portal under the ocean, which has created a sinkhole.
While heavily avoided by mortal sailors. Those that know of the secrets of the Sinkhole; are able to use it to access the Infinite Staircase and the River Styx, and from their the Astral Plane.
One ship, the Last Voyage - Lead by Brick Bonesmith is one ship that consistently travels uses the swirling sinkhole when not ferrying souls of adventurers to their final resting plane.

Geography

Located at the heart of the Marblehaven Divide, the Swirling Sinkhole appears as a massive whirlpool, its center descending into darkness. The ocean floor around it is scarred and uneven, with jagged rock formations and glowing fissures exuding a faint, eerie light. The portal itself radiates a kaleidoscope of colors, illuminating the depths with a spectral glow.

Ecosystem

The sinkhole's chaotic energies have created a unique ecosystem. The swirling waters are home to strange, otherworldly creatures adapted to the portal’s magic. Predatory entities from other planes sometimes slip through, blending with the abyssal aquatic life. Corals and anemones near the vortex glow faintly with planar energy, drawing the curious and the daring.

Ecosystem Cycles

The sinkhole’s ecosystem does not adhere to typical seasonal cycles. Instead, its activity fluctuates with the phases of the moon and cosmic alignments. During full moons or celestial events, the portal becomes more active, causing an increase in magical disturbances and the appearance of creatures from beyond the Material Plane.

Localized Phenomena

• Planar Riptides: The portal generates powerful currents infused with planar energy, capable of dragging ships and sea life into other dimensions.
• Phantom Echoes: The sinkhole emits strange sounds resembling whispers or distant screams, thought to be the voices of those lost to the River Styx.
• Ethereal Lights: At night, ghostly lights dance around the sinkhole, believed to be souls lingering near the portal or planar energy discharges.
• Temporal Drift: Time behaves erratically near the sinkhole, with sailors reporting moments of lost time or sudden jumps forward.

Climate

The waters around the Swirling Sinkhole are cold and turbulent, with storms frequently forming overhead. The area is perpetually shrouded in dark clouds, and the air carries an unnatural chill, even in warmer seasons.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

• Abyssal Bloom: A bioluminescent seaweed that grows near the vortex, feeding on residual planar energy.
• Styx Coral: Rare coral that thrives in the sinkhole’s magical waters, its branches emitting a faint, eerie glow.

Fauna:

• Void Eels: Long, shadowy creatures with shimmering scales that slip between dimensions.
• Phantom Rays: Manta-like beings that glide silently through the water, their forms semi-transparent and ethereal.
• Abyss Stalkers: Predatory creatures resembling sharks but with glowing eyes and magical resistance.

Natural Resources

• Planar Crystals: Rare, glowing crystals that form near the portal, sought after for crafting magical items or powering spells.
• Ethereal Essence: A substance gathered from the waters around the portal, used in alchemical and arcane practices.

History

The Swirling Sinkhole was created after Marblehaven’s collapse, a catastrophic event that reshaped the Marblehaven Divide. When the Sins struck the region during the First Pandora War, the chaotic energies of their attack ripped a permanent portal into the ocean floor. For centuries, the Sinkhole has been a site of fear and fascination. It became the focus of adventurers, scholars, and planar travelers who sought to harness or study its otherworldly power.
The ship The Last Voyage and its captain, Brick Bonesmith, became legendary for their mastery of the sinkhole. Acting as ferrymen of souls and guides for the brave, they are among the few who have unlocked its secrets and survived.

Tourism

The Swirling Sinkhole is a dangerous yet alluring destination for planar explorers, adventurers, and scholars. While not a conventional tourist spot, it draws those seeking to access the Infinite Staircase, the River Styx, or the Astral Plane. Brave captains and enchanted vessels offer guided approaches, though the risks are immense.
Points of Interest

• The Abyssal Gateway: The central portal within the sinkhole, glowing with kaleidoscopic colors and leading to multiple planes.
• Bonesmith’s Beacon: A spectral light said to guide The Last Voyage and its crew to the sinkhole, visible to those who seek passage.
• Marblehaven Ruins: Submerged remnants of Marblehaven’s collapse, scattered around the sinkhole, holding lost treasures and history.
• Fathomspire Pinnacle: A jagged, spire-like rock formation near the vortex, marked with ancient runes from the Pandora War.
• Eternal Wake: A region of calm water circling the sinkhole, where those who meditate claim to receive visions of their final resting plane.

Alternative Name(s)

Abyssal Maw

Type

Chasm, Underwater