{14,-5} The Salt Islands
Hex Description
This hex stretches out for miles across an incredibly salty patch of ocean. It's dotted with various islands all with coloured crystalline cliffs made out of salt, quartz and hard rock. The islands are mostly arid, with small patches of forest growing in areas sheltered from the salt which gradually coats everything within this hex.Lore Summary
The Salt Islands are a haphazard collection of 17 islands scattered many miles apart in a desolate, dessicated environment where salt hangs thick in the air and slowly coats everything within this hex. These islands are surrounded by bright, crystalline cliffs of various colours and shades. Upon initially entering the seas of this region, the exploring party was caught within bubbling, churning waters as the sea slowly began to boil and grow red. Vast columns of water exploded from oceans, instantly evaporating into scalding steam which burnt the flesh of all nearby. Trapped with no exit in sight, the party was rescued by an enormous humanoid sea creature, 700ft feet tall with thick blubbery skin. The Ocean Strider Arnaaluk stood upon the surface of the water and calmed the seas, opening up a path between their ship and a distant, glittering island. Upon making their way through a winding gap in the sheer white and black crystalline cliffs of the island the party discovered an abandoned dock and a desolate landscape, covered in salt with only the occasional piece of struggling life. Near the centre of the island they found the abandoned town of Theryn, it's library dark and thick with the powerful odour of rotting sea-life. They began resettling the town over the next few weeks and exploring the surrounding area, hoping to discover why the previous inhabitants fled. During their travels they found another crystalline island to the west, this one teeming with a shocking abundance of vibrant, green life. There they discovered the semi-aquatic Leothran druids. The druids guided them to Arnaaluk who hinted at a foe who lurked beneath the waters of Theryn. This discussion was interrupted as the Boiling Sea erupted once more, this time with a vast tentacled monster, wreathed in flames. The party later freed Arnaaluk from it's clutches and together they managed to slay the creature, severing its link to the Plane of Fire and extinguishing it beneath the sea. Upon returning to Theryn they found it's waters choked with rotting, dead fish and the new settlers sick and on edge. Upon entering the library the space was flooded with foul waters and one of their companions dragged down the sinister rockpool at the building's centre. They travelled down, swimming for hours through completely submerged tunnels before finally locating the vile three-headed hag, Elisne, in her lair. Their light stolen, their air taken, the party finally emerged victorious dragging her corpse to the surface. The land restored, the people secure, Theryn has at last been cleansed.Story Hooks
- Gooseberry Jam: Within one of the abandoned buildings of Theryn are three large Communication Crystals labelled "Theryll, Outpost and Merrdrah". The Crystal labelled "Merrdrah" connects to an elderly gnomish woman with little patience and a penchant for jam.
- Where did they go?: The town and isle of Theyrn have been purged of the dark forces which drove out its populace, but where are these people now?
- Beneath the Boiling Sea Jaytowners have helped Arnaaluk the Ocean Strider fend off an invasion of fire elementals and magma beasts rising from the sea. But where did they come from and will they return again?
Environment: Coastal, Wasteland
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Status: Explored (5/5)
Uncovered by: Crouch (DM), Kai, Nazım , Don Freeman
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