Ormkalos

Ormkalos is a small island in the southwestern area of the Sea of Jars, roughly equidistant from the cities of Ramoros and Chogyos.

Substantially uninhabited due to its improvident soils and rugged, hilly terrain, the island features two substantial freshwater streams flowing down from its rocky, inhospitable interior - one emptying into a cove on the east coast, the other feeding a large boggy mudflat on its southwest coast. Significant colonies of turtles and penguins also live here.

These make Ormkalos a popular staging point for shipping in the western sea, particularly that originating from Chogyos. Ships can therefore often be found anchored on its coast, taking on water and hunting for meats. Few of these crews spend much time here, however; bivouacking on Ormkalos tends to be an overnight operation.

The island is noteworthy to thaumatologists as the reputed site of a prehistoric temple of Hayan. This temple was supposedly tended by the cleric Thamyan until she was seduced by the god Zargyod and left her calling to be his mistress. The result of this union was her son Chonyos, the reputed founder of the city of Chogyos.

This story is recorded in some detail in the full edition of The Book of Favour kept in Chogyos, but is often excised from copies of the text found in other cities. Its archaeological basis is hard to ascertain as the island has yet to be properly surveyed for ruins.