Butchers Rest

Butcher’s Rest – The Lawless Haven of Tonerock Island

Rising from the jagged cliffs of Tonerock Island, Butcher’s Rest is a ruthless city built by outcasts, pirates, and exiles who refused to kneel before Greymere’s rule. Once a mere haven for smugglers and deserters, it has grown into a chaotic stronghold where gold speaks louder than law, and survival favors the ruthless.
The city itself is a patchwork of haphazard docks, ramshackle taverns, and towering wooden fortifications, all built from stolen ships and salvaged wrecks. Every street teems with scoundrels, mercenaries, and merchants dealing in stolen goods, rare contraband, and secrets worth killing for.
Governance in Butcher’s Rest is dictated by strength and cunning, with no central authority beyond the iron grip of whichever pirate lord holds power at the time. Blood debts are settled in dark alleys, and betrayals are an everyday currency. The city's infamous fighting pits and underground gambling dens make it a place where fortunes can be won or lives can be lost in the blink of an eye.
Despite its lawless nature, Butcher’s Rest thrives as a key player in the region’s black market, serving as a hub for those who wish to evade Greymere’s watchful eye. The waters surrounding Tonerock Island are treacherous, protected by natural reefs and pirate fleets that strike at Greymere’s supply lines before vanishing into the mist. To those cast aside by society, Butcher’s Rest is a second chance. To everyone else, it is a wretched hive of danger, deception, and opportunity—if one is bold enough to seize it.

Timeline of Butcher’s Rest (990AR - 1140AR)

A history of treachery, bloodshed, and defiance, charting the rise of the pirate haven on Tonerock Island.
990AR – The Exiles' Landing A band of pirates, smugglers, and outlaws flee Greymere after being branded as criminals. Led by the ruthless pirate captain Garrick "The Butcher" Vayne, they establish a hidden refuge on Tonerock Island, scavenging wrecks and building a crude settlement.
1002AR – Blood on the Shores Greymere’s naval patrols discover the growing settlement and attempt to eradicate it. The battle ends in disaster for Greymere as ships are lured into hidden reefs and wrecked. The survivors are executed, and their bodies are hung from the cliffs as a warning—earning the island its grim name, Butcher’s Rest.
1015AR – The Corsair’s Pact With Greymere’s naval power growing, the pirate crews of Butcher’s Rest form a temporary alliance known as The Corsair’s Pact, agreeing to defend the island from outside threats while competing for wealth and power within.
1030AR – The Fire Tide Raid A fleet of privateers hired by Greymere launches an assault on Butcher’s Rest, burning part of the city. In retaliation, pirates from the island orchestrate the infamous Fire Tide Raid, pillaging Greymere’s outer settlements, sinking merchant ships, and crippling trade in the region for years.
1048AR – The Rule of the Crimson Council Following decades of internal bloodshed, the pirate lords establish The Crimson Council, a loose governing body made up of the wealthiest and most dangerous captains. While chaotic, the council prevents full-scale civil war and maintains Butcher’s Rest as a hub for piracy and smuggling.
1063AR – The Dagger Treaty Greymere and Butcher’s Rest reach an uneasy truce. Greymere agrees to turn a blind eye to the black market trade so long as the pirates refrain from attacking its supply lines. The agreement is made in secret, with both sides prepared to break it at the first sign of weakness.
1077AR – The Age of Black Sails Piracy reaches its golden era as Butcher’s Rest thrives, attracting exiles, mercenaries, and merchants looking to profit from illegal trade. The city's shipyards expand, and a booming economy emerges built on plundered goods, gambling, and mercenary contracts.
1095AR – Betrayal of the Black Storm A rising pirate lord, Varo "Black Storm" Dain, breaks the Dagger Treaty by launching a devastating raid on Greymere’s docks. In response, Greymere deploys its navy in full force, blockading Tonerock Island. The siege lasts three years before Greymere withdraws due to mounting losses.
1110AR – The Rise of the Tideborn A powerful pirate clan known as the Tideborn seizes control of Butcher’s Rest, ruling through fear and wealth. Under their leadership, the city enters a new era of prosperity, becoming a major player in the region’s underground trade and mercenary operations.
1128AR – The Silver Hunt Greymere, seeking to rid itself of the pirate menace once and for all, begins the Silver Hunt, a brutal campaign targeting pirates at sea and hunting down captains associated with Butcher’s Rest. Many flee or are executed, but the city itself holds firm under the Tideborn’s rule.
1140AR – Present Day: Tensions Boil Over With the Silver Hunt weakening Butcher’s Rest’s power, the Crimson Council fractures. Rival pirate lords plot against each other, while Greymere’s forces gather, sensing an opportunity to strike. The fate of Butcher’s Rest hangs in the balance—on the brink of either resurgence or destruction.