The Sapphire Isles

"Just to the south of Port Carnival lies the glistening blue waters and uncharted jungle islands of the Sapphire Archipelago.The only patch of civilization you'll find out there is the port at Darkwater Bay. But I'd mind your coin purse if you seek safe anchor there. No telling where it might end up on those crowded streets." ~Captain Kidd, Valkyrie of Eldias.
One hundred miles south of the bustling trade port of Carnival lies an island chain know as the Sapphire Isles, or the Sapphire Archipelago to the uninitiated. Dozens of uncharted and dangerous islands dot the clear blue waters in that calm stretch of the Laurentian Ocean. A more idyllic paradise you could never find. But danger rests on the surface of those glistening blue waves. Pirates roam free along those shores, waylaying travelers and traders alike to pay the "toll of passage" if they want to continue their journey. Lest they be lost to the dark depths of the ocean below.
No one quite knows how the archipelago formed, though some say it was once a third continent of Teldaria. Until the conflict between the nature god Garrow and the dread serpent Vazanath all but destroyed the landmass. Others believe it formed before the arrival of the Twelve through undersea volcanic activity, which would account for the fertile soil found on the islands. All agree however, that the Ley Lines of magic that intersect that stretch of ocean are the cause of lightning storms, disappearing ships, dancing lights in the sky, and the unique flora and fauna residents of the islands. Some sailors also tell of an encounter that can only be described as an overlapping of the realm of the dead with the Material Plane. Describing ghostly apparitions holding lanterns lit with pale Soul Fire, sailing in small boats pulled by an unseen current to destinations unknown. Any attempts to win the souls' attention seems fruitless, as their eyes are fixed on the horizon. Variations of this phenomena exist, but all agree that the spirits appear to be at peace.
The pirate crews that sail amidst the Archipelago tell tales of sirens and mermaids luring their comrades into the sea, never to be seen again. Others tell tales of ships being torn asunder by a vicious Lion Turtle that roams the depths below. Of course there is tell of the Kraken as well, but tales of such a creature can be found in all port cities and below the decks of even the most modest of fishing trawlers.
Yet despite the tall tales of pirates and fishermen, there is civilization to be found among the Isles. The port town in Darkwater bay is one of the few Free Cities that remain in Teldaria. A pirate port, all vessels are free to dock and sell their wares, if they're willing to pay a modest fee to whatever pirate captain happens to be controlling the city at that time. A meager asking prices compared to the port tariffs and berthing fees charged in more honest ports, like that of Carnival. As a result, merchant captains looking to line their purses, and that of their crew, tend to frequent Darkwater a few times a year, despite the dangers in both the city and the surrounding ocean.

Localized Phenomena

Due to the unstable and often chaotic nature of the magic that heavily pervades the area, explainable phenomena and unique creatures can be found among the Isles.

• Storms seeming to form out of nothing with no warning
• Breathtaking and dangerous lightning storms
• Instances of Ball Lightning
• Ghostly dancing lights in the sky
• Ghostly apparitions sailing among the calm seas.

Type

Archipelago