Fiban Strait
"Take care when passing through the Fiban Strait, or you'll find yourself shipwrecked and turned into a goat." - cryptic Sailor advice
The Fiban Strait is the body of water separating the islands of Saba and Vipa in the Sabaen Archipelago. It is one of the busiest waterways in the Southeastern Region, as ships coming to and from the city of Tarshish compete with hundreds of small fishing vessels for space. The shores on both sides of the strait are lined with villages that survive on fishing and salt farming, and most of the salt eaten on Saba is harvested from this waterway.
The largest settlement along the shores of the Fiban Strait is Nahala, located on the island of Vipa. It is known for its palatial residences, and is considered a place for the wealthy of Tarshish to go when they wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the great city. The shoreline south of Nahala is kept clear of villages, and is used only by those nobles who own homes there. An invitation to a Nahala estate is considered a privilege and a luxury, and those who receive one are considered to be moving up in society.
Notable Spirits
Zat-Bakat is the Deva of the Fiban Strait, and is worshipped by communities on both sides. She is the patron of all those who make their living from the water, and it is customary to thank her whenever something of value is taken out of the strait, be it seafood, salt, or some other commodity. The island of Jazīrat al-Bakra is considered to be particularly sacred to Zat-Bakat, and is forbidden to all except those in the company of a priest of the goddess. According to legend, anyone who violates the sanctity of the island will be transformed into one of the big-horned goats that live there and are eaten during special holidays.
Geography
The Fiban Strait is an expanse of water that stretches for nearly two hundred miles. At its widest point, it is almost 180 miles across. There are several islands located inside the Fiban Strait, the largest of which is Jazīrat al-Bakra, or the "Island of the Goats". Jazīrat al-Bakra is about sixty square miles in area, and is best known for its population of wild big-horned goats.
Geographic Details
Location: Southeastern RegionLatitude: 5.28 degrees North
Longitude: 28.3 degrees East
Length: 196 miles
Maximum Width: 180 miles
Maximum Depth: 1,066 ft
Area: 34,300 sq mi
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This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
Transforming into goats and eating them as a meal reminds me of Circe.
In this case, I was inspired by a different goddess from Arabian mythology, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are connected.