Tempest Skerry
There are places in the world better left forgotten. Conversely, there are places that to forget could prove a detriment to the wider world. Places where the local phenomena can instill in people a reverence for the elemental forces of nature. The kind of place that can become enhanced and changed by the presence of creatures and entities with abilities beyond mortal understanding. Corruption, evolution, magical enhancement - whatever one might wish to call it is a process that breaks the natural order, and the results can be extraordinary or catastrophic - and often a little of both.
To turn such a place into a prison for heinous individuals and those with dark inclinations could be lack of foresight. Intentional cruelty executed by proxy of the world can often have unintended consequences. Of course, it might seem appealing to utilize the naturally occurring features of such dangerous places to ensure that the imprisoned are deterred from escape, the consequence of a merciless death being the obvious punishment. The easy thing to forget is that darkness always finds ways to persist when we stop trying to embrace the light.
Geography
Takes 5 days to travel from end to end under average circumstances.
The island of Tempest Skerry can be found off the western coast of Histaeria. Adrift, just north of the city of Redhesle, and south of the township of Heathercrest. The island has been so named because of the unnatural frequency with which it is subjected to extraordinarily violent storms. Howling gale winds, forks of lightning that shred the sky in a crisscross pattern, and rain that falls as heavy as stones from a sling have transformed Tempest Skerry into one of the least habitable places in Histaeria. The island’s western coast is a long wall of sharp stones and falling rock, constantly hammered by the large waves. Its southern shore has a rocky beach where the storms will occasionally discard the remains of ships of unfortunate enough to pass too close. Its eastern shore features a channel of violent churning salt water that render any sort of mundane passage impossible. The north side of the island though... Might be the most dangerous part. The northern mountains of the island are much taller and hold their own unique history to be uncovered by brave adventurers. In modern times, it has proven to be the section of the island most habitable - the prisoners of this land dwell in this region.
Ecosystem
The island ecosystem tends to hum with life! Exotic creatures have learned to carve homes out of the unforgiving landscape. The storms have deterred not only prisoners from escaping but also the encroachment of civilization. This means several species of animal and plant not often encountered by humanity live in this pristine wilderness. The island features coastal reefs that are protected from the storms within the northern coves. Swampland and coastal forest make up the island interior.
Localized Phenomena
The island is so named due to the unrelenting storms that have been known to occur sporadically throughout the year. Typically, these weather systems are only a hazard to the inhabitants of the island itself. Sailors have discovered that the storms, while intimidating, are generally sequestered to a mile or two off the island’s coast. Thus ships tend to safely navigate the surrounding straits by giving the island a three mile perimeter at minimum.
The exact reason for this consistent weather pattern has always been a mystery. Locals within the area have told tales of ancient legendary rituals that once calmed the region. Those traditions have been forgotten overtime and thus only remaining knowledge of those practices are held within the dilapidated ruins that litter the island. Rather than rediscovering the secrets of yore, the powers that be within the nation of Omeran have elected to exploit the island’s odd phenomena by using it to serve as a prison of sorts. One capable of keeping vast number of inmates with little requirement or investment of men at arms.
Fauna & Flora
Throughout the island there are numerous exotic plants. Those of particular interest and unique properties have served to preserve the island’s inhabitants. Such plants include the ever common Greenweave ferns which grow along the foot of the mountain range on the western coast but can be found throughout the island.
Cat’s Tail and Dragonwort are also a common feature on the coasts of Tempest Skerry. Dragonwort is often prized during times of plague.
Air plant is slightly less common on the coast but likely found as feature of that environment. Ecru palm trees are amongst the rarer species to be found - the most likely of places would be somewhere along the two sandy shores.
The interior swamps of the island also play host to several species of interesting flora. Buckle Berry bushes and the flowers of Lagentille Touchemort (commonly known as Sleeping Death) are common. Notably the Goblin-Traps can be found in the swampy lowlands where they commonly flourish. The tall stalks of Knitbone can also be found in the swamps but it does require some rather intrepid adventurers to harvest them. Rattlestalks bulbs floating on the brackish swampy water are abundant in the warmer months. Finally, the rarest plant that can possibly be found is the red leafed Tekkil, which also thrive in inland swamps.
Natural Resources
Hoodoo Loam deposits would be expected to be found in the in the swampy southern regions of the island.
It can also be expected that Maritime Quartz could be found along the rocky and untapped western shoreline, though its excavation could prove a dangerous affair.
Geologists and miners have theorized that the rare mineral; Stormphrax could also be present but it has remained an unconfirmed suspicion.
History
Tempest Skerry despite its unappealing charms does have a long list of former residents. Remnants of structures from ancient civilizations have been found on the island, but their secrets remain a mystery to this day.
In the modern age, this island has been used by the leaders of Omeran as a prison. A place to punish those that could prove a threat to society. While executions are a common means of handling criminals, sometimes it is not so simple. Sometimes enough blood has been spilled that by the time the topic of punishment comes along, imprisonment for life seems an appealing alternative. Sometimes, someone means to demonstrate a different type of punishment where the intention of inflicting long lasting cruelty is the real objective. A form of vengeance, not punishment, for the crimes against civilization.
Seventeen years ago, the young and newly elected human Senator of Redhesle, Caleb De Posto, banished the orc tribe, known as The Black Moon to the violent landscape of Tempest Skerry. The orcs lead by a particularly cruel orc named Jabok, the Elf-Ripper lead an uprising that lasted almost ten years. He rallied close to five hundred orcs and during this time he committed an unspeakable atrocity in his search for Ilyva Asari, the hidden city of the elves.
Six years ago, the Jaegers under the command of Commander Baan managed to slay Jabok, the Elf-Ripper and put an end to his rampage. What remained of his tribe, led by the priestesses of Luthic, agreed to exile on the island of Tempest Skerry in order to protect what remained of their people.
Alternative Name(s)
Storm Watch, Scary Skerry, The Island Prison
Type
Island
Owning Organization
