Taneroa

A legendary island

Let me tell you something about something. I've heard that whole ship vanished. Came upon the Accursed Island in the night and were scuttled on a reef. Half the crew was et, by sharks the size of whales. Tis true. The rest of the crew, well they blundered ashore, but found only more horrors. They found men, but not men like you or I. These had green skin and they et other men! Only a handful of crew left at that point, but the worst was what they found in the middle of the island. Packed with jungle it was and full of the worst monsters you can imagine. But in the middle was a black stone that pulled the souls out of all living bodies. Only the first mate survived and escaped blinded, and missing a leg, probably et by some foul creature. Tis all true. I heard it from a fella who met the first mate right before he died.

- Old sailor in his cups

Geography

Taneroa was located and mapped by the crew of the The Galloping Domino. It was located far to the south of the Iri Islands beyond a magical feature known as The Veil. The main island is quite large with high cliffs on most sides and sporting several volcanos. Small surrounding islands are located on all sides of the large island, and there are also a number of coral reefs that can make navigation tricky.
Most of the island is covered in dense rainforest. Because of the volcanic nature of the island, there are mountainous regions, with jagged spires of rock jutting out all over the island. Taneroa also can a number of lakes of varied size. These are fresh water and act as a gathering place for local fauna. 
The main feature is a massive central plateau rising up in the middle of the island. The sides are steep and difficult to climb. Upon the plateau the climate is more temperate and covered in grass lands. An dead volcano lies in the middle of the plateau, with it's top crusted with snow. Inside the caldera of this volcano is a crater lake surrounded by more rain forest.

Ecosystem

Most of the main island is populated by animals that are unknown and believed to be precursors to modern animals. The crew of the Domino met enormous reptiles of various shapes. Some were able to fly, others swim with great ease. Some were predators that would tower over an ogre. While others were human sized, but deadly quick. The crew also discovered bizarre mammals of large size including bizarre furry elephants, giant sloths and huge boars. 
A dragon turtle was discovered in the southern waters of Taneroa. A large (and possibly undead) hydra roams the northern waters. 
It is believe that the raccoon/monkey folk of the island known as the Phanaton are indigenous to Taneroa, because as far as they know all their legends take place on this island. The fearsome cat folk, the Rakasta are visitors from the waters to the East - possibly Ejo. Also native to the area are the four elemental masters, who claim t be created by Kor himself. 
Finally there are several settlements of humanoids on the island, the largest being in the village of Taneroa. They claim to be descendants of previous voyages to the Accursed Island who were left to survive on the island.

Natural Resources

Gold has been found in a rich vein on the central plateau of the island. Taneroa is also abundant in fruit, fish, and other minerals.

History

According to the elemental masters of Taneroa, the island is one of the first land masses created by Kor at the start of the world. In this place he created all life and the elements. Eventually he crafted new land masses, plants and creatures across the world of Cadash. 
The gate to the underworld was also placed upon Taneroa on the central plateau and guarded by the spirit of one of his first creations. Nearby he also created a being known as Kopru, a bridge between chaos and order. Unfortunately this creature turned against his creator and started to craft the island in his own image.
Kopru used his powers to corrupt beings around him, especially the arachnid creatures called the Aranea. The gods realized that Kopru could be a central focus for Chaos to corrupt Cadash. They send their mightiest hero Red Talon and her companions to stop him. This ended in the death of the hero and eventual capture of the wizard Xelios. 
Harnessing the power and knowledge of Xelios, Kopru greatly expanded his powers and influence. Eventually dominating the humanoids of Taneroa, enslaving the elemental masters and creating the veil. Kopru was trapped upon the island due to his very nature, and feared the return of Red Talon and her axe (one of the few weapons that could actually destroy him). Luckily Red Talon continued to return by herself (or Kopru managed to kill or corrupt her companions before she arrived). 
Eventually his hateful reign was ended by Red Talon in the Age of Chaos (also called Lightening Before Thunder) and her companions. With their new found freedom those that dwell on Taneroa attempt to start a new life guided by Red Talon and her goddess Ashtyr.

Maps

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  Taneroa Map - Perimeter Map

  The known features of Taneroa Island (also known as The Accursed Island or the Isle of Dread).
  Compiled by Alonso Madu based on information collected by Gulja Silveraxe, Enna Dalathan, and Xelios.

Alternative Name(s)

Isle of Dread, The Accursed Island

Type

Island

Location under

The Sea of Dread