The Abominable Isles
The Abominable Isles serve as a catch-all homeland or origin point for any races that the players might want to use for their player-characters that are not part of main storyline of this setting; whether they be from other world settings, editions, games, or homebrew material. The internal workings and the exact inhabitants of the islands are left vague, so that the player (with the DM's permission) might bring in a player race not native to this world and construct a back story for them.
The character might be a native inhabitant of the island, or have been brought there (intentionally or unintentionally) from another world by powerful magic or technology, or have been created (intentionally or unintentionally) by powerful magic or technology.
So for example, if a player wishes to play a Tiefling, she could have come to The Abominable Isles through a portal from a hellish realm. Or if a player wishes to play as a Warforged, it could have been created by a mad gnomish artificer exiled to the island.
Sitting a few days sail from the western coast of The Civilized Lands are The Abominable Isles. These feared and cursed lands, are avoided by sailors and travelers at all costs. Even making sight of them on the open water is an occasion for sailors, ever superstitious, to say a silent prayer to The Holy Lady to keep them safe.
Rumors & Legends
The Abominable Isles are so named for the rumors and stories of the horrible abominations that spring to life there. Tales tell of a lost empire of snake cultists, of mad mages working to create their own life, of men with demonic blood delving into forbidden magics, of flightless bird men punished by unknown gods, and many other unnatural beings. Many sailors have tales from mouths of their most trusted friend or his friend who have seen thunder-less lightning crackle over the island during the clearest of days or heard mournful cries calling them by name coming from the island. Educated scholars know little more. Some scholars theorize that a horrible disfiguring disease has infected the islands and that is the source of the legends of "abominable creatures". Others theorize that the islands are the sight of powerful Imperial era magical devices that have been left to decay, and as they do, superstitious sailors are witnessing there unpredictable effects. Some theorize that the magical weave is warped on the isles and that creatures from other worlds have made their way through these tears into our reality. Finally, some scholars attribute all of these tales to the usual superstition of uneducated sailing men. It is known that the isles are inhabited. Small settlements and the smoke from fires can be seen from the sea. Through spy glasses human or human-like figures have been seen walking the beaches and rugged cliff faces. However, one queer anomaly is that scrying magic does not work properly when directed at The Abominable Isles, forbidding mages from looking into the interior of the isles.Island Prison - No Escape
The Abominable Isles have been used by many governments, lords, and ship captains, throughout history as a prison for exiles. When "mercy" has been wished to be displayed against mutineers, rebels, and traitors, they have been given reprieve from death by being sentenced to exile to these islands. Usually the sentence is executed by placing the condemned in a small boat within sight of the coast and giving them instructions to row for land. Most presumably die as their tiny craft is broken apart by the fierce waves pounding on the rocky shoals. But, some have been seen through a spy glass to have made it to land. Their fate from that point is unknown.Geography
The Abominable Isles is an archipelago approximately 500 miles from the coast of The Civilized Lands in The Ocean Sea. It consists of three main islands and dozens of smaller islands.
As the islands are not traversed by beings from the main land, not much is known of the interior. What is known is what can be seen from the deck of a ship off the coast. The coast consists of rocky beaches, jagged cliffs, and razor-rocked shoals consistently whipped by crashing waves, treacherous to sea faring vessels. As a result, no safe point for docking or landing a ship is known.
Rising from the land are some lush grass lands, verdant forests, and rugged mountains and smoking volcanoes.
The Shimmer
The three main islands form a large atoll or ring around a small sea known as The Abominable Sea. Few sailors have risked their vessels sailing through the heart of these cursed and treacherous waters. But, several reports from sailors who were blown off course and into the Abominable Sea tell of a large glowing shimmer. The Shimmer as it is called, is reported to be a luminous vortex pulling in sea water and the clouds alike, obscured by waves of heat like those seen rising from the ground in the desert. What deviltry lies at it's heart is unknown.
Alternative Name(s)
The Isles of Exiles
Type
Archipelago
Location under
Related Ethnicities
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