Rumrunner Isle
Geography
Rumrunner Isle is a pirate desert island in the Starfall Expanse. The island's geography is diverse and unforgiving, with rocky coastlines featuring hidden coves and treacherous tidal pools, sparse sandy beaches littered with wreckage and ocean debris, and a dense interior jungle concealing ancient ruins, hidden springs, and pirate hideouts. The Cutless Ridge, a central mountain range, peaks at 1,200 feet, boasting jagged cliffs and hidden caverns, while the Saltflats stretch vast and dry, reflecting the starry night sky.
Notable landmarks include Blackswan's Bay, a natural harbor sheltering pirate vessels and smugglers; The Grog Pit, a notorious tavern hidden within the jungle; and the Wreck of The Shadow of the Seas, a legendary shipwreck rumored to hold ancient treasures. The Caverns of the Ancients, mysterious tunnels said to contain ancient artifacts, and the Lookout's Perch, offering panoramic views, are also coveted destinations.
Rumrunner Isle's climate is harsh, with scorching summers bringing blistering heat and scarce rainfall, punctuated by turbulent storms threatening ships and island dwellers. The island's inhabitants include ruthless pirates seeking fortune and adventure, clandestine smugglers exploiting hidden coves, stranded castaways struggling to survive, and enigmatic island natives rumored to possess ancient knowledge.
Treasures abound on Rumrunner Isle, including golden doubloons, rare spices, ancient artifacts, forgotten charts, and legendary rum recipes. Those brave or desperate enough to venture onto the island may find themselves charting a course for Blackswan's Bay, uncovering secrets within the Caverns of the Ancients, seeking The Shadow of the Seas, joining pirate ranks, or unraveling the island's mysteries
National Flag (unofficial)
Largest City
Bloodwake Bay
Bloodwake Bay is the notorious pirate capital of the world. It is hidden within a vast crescent-shaped bay surrounded by sheer cliffs and riddled with secret coves. The bay gets its name from the crimson hue of its waters during sunset, though many say it’s stained red by centuries of battles and betrayals. The capital itself is a chaotic sprawl of ramshackle docks, taverns, and markets built from salvaged shipwrecks, with towering masts and tattered sails marking the skyline.
Ruled by the ruthless pirate king Red Marrow Kane, Bloodwake Bay is a place of lawless freedom where loyalty is bought with gold, and betrayal is an everyday occurrence. Whispers of hidden treasure and cursed relics draw adventurers and outlaws alike, making it a hub of intrigue and danger.
Points of Interest in this nation:
Golliath's Skull Cave
On Rumrunner Isle's rugged coast, a colossal, ancient giant's skull forms the entrance to a mysterious cavern system. The Goliath's skull, half-buried in the rocky cliffside, appears to have melded into the stone itself, as if it has sat there for millennia. Weathered and worn, the skull's massive jaws gape open, revealing a dark passageway that beckons explorers. Over time, the surrounding rock has grown around the skull, incorporating it into the island's geology. Vines and creepers snake through the skull's eye sockets, while crystalline formations glint in the fading light.
As adventurers venture deeper into the cave, they'll discover narrow, winding tunnels leading into the island's depths, adorned with ancient petroglyphs depicting forgotten rituals and civilizations. Hidden caverns filled with glittering crystals and ancient artifacts await discovery, along with secret chambers containing mysterious relics and forbidden knowledge. The air within the cave seems heavy with ancient energy, as if the Goliath's presence still resonates.
Legend whispers that the Goliath, a titan from a bygone era, once roamed Rumrunner Isle, and its skull holds secrets of the ancient world. However, treacherous traps and guardians protect the cave's hidden treasures, deterring even the bravest explorers. Dangers lurk within, including unstable tunnels, rumored golem patrols, deadly creatures, toxic gases, and ancient curses.
Despite these perils, rumors of untold riches and forgotten knowledge draw adventurers to the Goliath Skull Cave. Will you dare to explore this ancient wonder and uncover its secrets? The whispers of the Goliath's past echo through the caverns, beckoning those brave enough to listen.