The Bonekeep
The Island of Whispered Dread
Location Type: Remote, Uncharted Island
Population: Unknown (rumoured to be inhabited by the undead)
Notable Features: The Bonekeep Fortress, Shrouded Forest, The Bleached Shore, Obsidian Beacon
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (rumoured)
Overview
The Bonekeep, an island shrouded in mist and mystery, lies to the east of the mainland and south of Pike. It is thought to be one of the enigmatic residences of Grimbones, the feared and elusive god of death and decay. The island’s reputation stems from whispered tales of wandering undead and eerie phenomena observed by sailors daring to approach its shores. Despite its unsettling reputation, the Bonekeep poses no direct threat to the empire, as long as its isolation is respected.
While officially ignored by the empire, Pike and Southreach maintain covert surveillance of the island, wary of the potential danger it might one day present. Few dare to set foot on the island, and those who return often carry tales of spectral figures, unnatural cold, and the unsettling feeling of being watched.
Features of the Island
The Bonekeep Fortress
At the heart of the island, shrouded in mist, stands a decrepit fortress constructed of dark stone and weathered bones. Its architecture is alien and unsettling, with spires resembling ribs reaching toward the sky. Supposed eyewitnesses claim to have seen ghostly lights flickering in its windows, though no one who has entered the fortress has ever returned.
The Shrouded Forest
Encircling much of the Bonekeep is a dense forest of pale, sickly trees whose gnarled branches seem to claw at the sky. The air within the forest is heavy with the scent of decay, and the ground is littered with strange bone-like fungi. It is said that spectral figures drift silently through the trees, watching intruders with hollow eyes.
The Bleached Shore
The island’s coastline is a stark, lifeless expanse of white sand and jagged rocks. Bones, both human and animal, are scattered across the shore, bleached by salt and time. Sailors have reported hearing faint whispers on the wind as they pass the shore, though no voices are ever seen.
The Obsidian Beacon
A towering obelisk of polished obsidian rises near the fortress, visible even from the sea. The beacon emits no light but seems to hum faintly, the vibrations felt more than heard. Its purpose is unknown, though some believe it acts as a ward or signal to Grimbones himself.
Rumors and Mysteries
- Grimbones’ Abode: Many believe the Bonekeep to be one of Grimbones’ residences, though no conclusive evidence exists. If true, it may serve as a sanctuary or workshop for his macabre experiments.
- The Wandering Dead: Sailors tell of skeletal figures patrolling the shores, though they seem uninterested in anyone who does not attempt to land on the island.
- Unnatural Stillness: Animals avoid the island entirely, and the waters surrounding it are eerily calm, as if the sea itself respects its boundaries.
- Hidden Secrets: Some scholars speculate that the Bonekeep may hold artefacts of immense power, left behind by Grimbones or other long-forgotten entities.
The Bonekeep's Silence
"An Agreement of Neglect"
Both Pike and Southreach tacitly agree to monitor the Bonekeep from afar without engaging it directly. This fragile arrangement has kept the island’s secrets undisturbed for generations. The patrolling ships of Pike covertly redirect traffic away from the island.
The Bleached Shore
"Bones of the Forgotten"
The scattered remains along the shore raise questions about the island’s past. Are they the victims of failed invasions or offerings left for Grimbones?
The Wandering Dead
"Unseen Guardians"
The skeletal figures reported on the island seem to patrol its boundaries, ignoring those who keep their distance. What or whom do they serve?