The Shimmering Isles

The Shimmering Isles is a sprawling archipelago of islands; some are overseas territories of far off kingdoms, others are ruled by warlords, private companies, cults, pirates or operate totally independently and free. Much of The Shimmering Isles archipelago is lawless and exists as a haven for those wishing to get away from civilised society. Pirate dens dot the land opportunistically attacking ships along the main trade routes that cut through the seas. The major cities and port towns are sites of debauchery drawing thieves, rouges, cut-throats, whores, bounty hunters, treasure seekers, adventurers and pirates from all over the world. 

The Shimmering Isles is going through a period of rising tensions as rival political forces vie for control of the archipelago, seeking the wealth and potential in controlling the trade routes that flow through the seas. Powerful kingdoms seek to extract as much wealth as possible from their overseas territories regardless of the views of the locals. Pirate fleets grow ever bolder and richer as more and more merchant vessels overflowing with goods fall into their hands. Sailors who survive these pirate attacks report their crewmates being sold into slavery, causing outrage amongst the population who demand the authorities do more to protect them. Sinister cults plot for control from the shadows. Rumours of sunken treasure are whispered about in the docks. And something stirs in the deep, threatening to engulf the entire region in chaos and disaster.

The Deep consists of a few major cities and smaller underwater settlements. The four major cities are Sapphire City, Trident, Shoal City, and Waterdeep. The cities are governed by Sea Elves but are home to many different kinds of aquatic races such as merfolk, tritons, and water genasi. There are also several smaller towns and settlements along the Great Currents.  

Sea Elves are the dominant political entity in The Deep of The Shimmering Isles. The Sea Elves are fairly isolationist by nature and don’t trouble themselves with the surface world unless necessary. The Deep society is far more unified than that of the surface world with all the cities united under the rule of one Sea Elf clan. The clan is very welcoming of other aquatic races and the Deep is thus a relatively peaceful and prosperous place. Surface dwellers are viewed with suspicion in the Deep but are treated fairly if they respect the rules and don’t cause trouble.

The peace and prosperity in The Deep is under constant threat from Sahuagin who seem to be more organised than in the past. Rumours are beginning to circulate that large numbers of Sahuagin are gathering in the north…but why?