Tengahpulau Archipelago

Oceanic Constellations

The Tengahpulau Archipelago stretches northwest from the northernmost tip of the mainland. Its scattering of small islands has often been compared to constellations in an ocean sky. Tectonic activity creates frequent earthquakes and with them bursts of waves that make long travels very risky. It also results in isolated islands with pockets of unique wildlife where mangroves and barrier reefs offer protection. The crew might encounter:

• Swarms of bioluminescent plankton or firefly squid at night, lighting up the waters like nebulas.
• Hermit crabs searching for "shells" in the debris of a ship dashed to pieces among the roots of a mangrove by a sudden tsunami.
• Unpredictable bursts of waves jostling the ship as the earth far below shifts every so slightly.

Volcanic Origins

All the islands in the Tengahpulau Archipelago are formed by magma being pushed up from tectonic boundaries before hardening into rock. Where the earthen plates push up magma to the surface it erupts out of island volcanoes, and where they push against each other, they form deep trenches well beyond the reach of sunlight. Wild magic often emerges alongside eruptions, corrupting the nearby wildlife with rock-like bodies and resistance to heat. Volcanic ash also provides rich nutrients to plankton and plants, making the sea and land grow lush once the lava flows have ceased. The crew might encounter:

• A glowing fiery island on the horizon as lava slowly flows up from the ground.
• Horrifying leathery eels, toothy fish, spindly shrimp, and luminescent jellies of the trenches that have neared the surface to feed at night.
• The surface of a small rocky island seems to be crawling; a horde of crabs with basalt carapaces living safely near lava flows.

Draconic Saviors

Its a widely known legend that the people of the archipelago fled from lands in the north and were given safe passage across the sea by a leviathan dragon. Art depicting dragons, especially in carvings, is thus very common, usually in shrines where small offerings are given to them. Wild magic seeping from the presence of dragons and volcanic activity, often taints people with dragon-like traits. Those with draconic features are said to have the dragon's blessing and are thus of the highest regard in society. The crew might encounter:

• Murals with gold-plated carvings of a dragon resembling a monitor lizard; offerings of insence, lanterns, fresh yellow fruit, and bits of topaz are left at its base.
• A dragon-blessed of a poor background try to adapt to unfamiliar court lifestyle.

Piracy on the High Seas

The vast scattering of islands and network of trade routes, make the archipelago prime territory for pirates. Its very common for larger vessels to be armed in someway, either for protection or plundering. There are a variety of marauding groups in the region, often resulting in conflicts between them over the same resources or because of controversial methods. The crew might encounter:

• A merchant ship, decked with cannons, harpoons, and a metal prow to defend their large cargo hold full of goods.
• Docks on a remote island slightly obscured with piles of leaves to hide a pirates' headquarters.
• Rumors of a swashbuckler's treasure trove hidden behind a waterfall from the plundering of a very wealthy noble's ship.

Type

Archipelago

Location under

Isle of Colaedwr

Cuisine Notes

Main Ingredients: Fish, Sugar, Fruit, Spices
Signature Dishes: Som Tam, Khao Niao Mamuang