The Slumbering Abyss
The Slumbering Abyss
The Slumbering Abyss
Farthest north lies the Slumbering Abyss, a mysterious expanse shrouded in icy silence. Its dark waters conceal ancient secrets, hidden beneath layers of glacial ice and forgotten lore. Few dare to venture into its frozen vastness, where the whispers of the past slumber.
The Forsaken Deep
The Slumbering Abyss
The Slumbering Abyss
To the east, the Forsaken Deep stretches towards the horizon, its desolate waters a testament to the unforgiving power of the sea. Some say this ocean's darkness is born from the shadows of Luminaria's own forgotten history. Those who brave its depths may discover remnants of civilizations lost to the sands of time.
The Sapphire Depths
The Slumbering Abyss
The Starfall Expanse
In the south, the Sapphire Depths shimmer with an ethereal glow, as if the ocean itself held the essence of the celestial skies. This luminous expanse nurtures vibrant marine life and mystical energies, drawing seafarers and mystics alike to its radiant waters.
The Starfall Expanse
The Starfall Expanse
The Starfall Expanse
At Luminaria's heart lies the Starfall Expanse, a central ocean scarred by the celestial ballet of eons past. Asteroids, like diamonds from the heavens, crashed into its depths, forging craters that now shelter ancient wisdom. Within these impact zones, the Star Whales, Luminaria's first inhabitants, once roamed free. Their legacy remains, echoing through the Expanse's mystical energies.
No Man's Sea
The Starfall Expanse
The Whispering Waves
Westward, the No Man's Sea beckons the brave and the foolhardy. This unforgiving ocean, notorious for its treacherous currents and hidden reefs, guards secrets best left unspoken. Only the most skilled mariners dare to challenge its fury.
Legend holds that the closer one gets to The Glimmerthorn Wilds, the more beautiful albeit more dangerous this ocean becomes.
The Whispering Waves
The Starfall Expanse
The Whispering Waves
Between No Man's Sea and the Starfall Expanse, the Whispering Waves whisper ancient tales to those attuned to its soothing melody. This tranquil ocean's gentle caress belies hidden dangers, for beneath its serene surface lie mysteries waiting to ensnare the unwary.
Tides of Old
The Shattered Sea
The Shattered Sea
Where the Starfall Expanse meets the Forsaken Deep, the Tides of Old flow with a wisdom born from Luminaria's primordial past. These waters hold the memories of eons, their rhythmic pulse echoing the beat of the world's own heart.
Legend holds that in the dawn of time, when Luminaria's oceans were young, the Tides of Old cradled the primordial energies of the world. As the celestial ballet danced above, stardust infused the sea foam, imbuing it with magical properties. From this enchanted foam, the first unicorns emerged, their horns shimmering with an ethereal glow.
The Shattered Sea
The Shattered Sea
The Shattered Sea
Tucked within the northern continent, the Shattered Sea serves as a vital freshwater inland sea, connecting the five nations that envelop it. This sprawling inland sea facilitates trade, cultural exchange and strategic alliances between the nations. Glaciers, towering sentinels of ancient lore, calve icebergs that drift through the sea like crystalline monoliths. The Shattered Sea's surface, a tapestry of frost and slush, stretches towards the horizon, inviting exploration and danger. Beneath its icy veil, hidden caves and glacial ruins conceal mysteries waiting to be unearthed.
OCEANIC LEGENDS
The Maiden's Revenge
The Maiden's Revenge, a ghostly pirate ship, strikes terror into the hearts of sailors and pirates alike. Commanded by the enigmatic Captain Khaos Blackwood, the "Mistress of the Damned Seas," this spectral vessel with it's crimson lanterns, sails the oceans, seeking vengeance on the living.
Captain Khaos Blackwood's life was marred by tragedy. Once a beautiful and golden-haired human maiden, she was a feared pirate captain, raiding ships across the seven outer seas. However, her reign was cut short by a vengeful sorceress, who cursed Khaos for her brutal ways. The sorceress, seeking to punish Khaos' merciless heart, condemned her to sail the seas for eternity, never finding peace. The curse took hold, and Khaos' ship, The Maiden's Revenge, was lost at sea.
Years passed, and the legend of The Maiden's Revenge grew. Khaos' spirit, fueled by a hunger for vengeance, reanimated her and her crew. The undead captain's powers grew, allowing her to control the seas, summon storms and conjure tidal waves. Her gaze became a weapon, capable of petrifying her enemies. The Maiden's Revenge rose from the depths, its hull intact, with a ghostly crew bound to serve their undead captain.
Khaos' crew includes First Mate Barnaby Blackheart, Quartermaster Tomás "The Bull" and Gunner Elara "The Siren." Each has their own twisted tale of death and rebirth. The crew roams the seas, attacking ships without mercy, adding to their ghostly ranks. Those who cross paths with The Maiden's Revenge face boarding and battle, Khaos' judgment and the Curse of the Maiden.
The Maiden's Revenge remains a haunting legend, its existence a reminder of the dangers that lurk in the darkest corners of the ocean. Some say the ghostly ship still sails, seeking vengeance on the living.
The Scourge of the Sea
The Scourge of the Sea cuts through the waves of the seven outer seas. This formidable pirate vessel, commanded by the ruthless dwarven Captain Victor "The Butcher" Vex, strikes fear into the hearts of all who cross its path. With its menacing four-masted galleon design, black hull adorned with silver accents and gold trim, and a figurehead depicting a snarling skull, the Scourge is a symbol of brutality and power.
Captain Victor "The Butcher" Vex, a seasoned pirate veteran, earned his nickname for his merciless tactics and unrelenting pursuit of wealth. His reputation as a master strategist and ruthless tactician is well-deserved. Victor's past is shrouded in mystery, but rumors whisper he was once a naval officer in the Viridium Empire turned pirate. Under his leadership, the Scourge's crew, known as the "Butcher's Brigands," has become a motley assembly of seasoned pirates, each with their own dark past.
The ship's legend has grown, with tales of its ability to appear out of the darkness, its sails billowing like a ghostly apparition. Those who cross its path are doomed to face the wrath of Captain Victor and his crew. Some say the ship is cursed, its very presence drawing misfortune and destruction.
The Scourge has been implicated in numerous raids and battles, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Notable exploits include the Raid on Port Calanthor in the Viridium Empire, the Battle of the Iceborne Strait in the Frostheim Expanse, and the Plundering of the merchant port of Ocean's Edge in the United Commonwealth of Dorgesh-Kaan. Rumors surround the ship, including the presence of a hidden compartment containing ancient treasures and forbidden knowledge. Additionally, Captain Victor is said to have a personal vendetta against the Sakuran Empire, and the crew is rumored to be bound by a dark pact, granting them supernatural strength and agility.
As the Scourge of the Sea continues to sail the seven seas, its reputation grows, striking fear into the hearts of all who sail the seas. Its next destination is rumored to be the port city of Thyme's Spire in the Realm of Everautumn, where the crew will seek to plunder the riches of the Harvest Festival. Will they succeed, or will the authorities finally catch up with Captain Victor and his crew? The possibilities are endless for the Scourge of the Sea.
Whelming Whirlpool
The Whelming Whirlpool, a colossal 200-mile-wide maelstrom, churns relentlessly in the convergence of the Starfall Expanse and the Whispering Tides, striking fear into the hearts of even the bravest sailors. This formidable natural phenomenon is rumored to be home to an ancient, terrifying creature, with some daring to suggest that it guards the hidden gateway to the Plane of Water, a realm of untold power and mystery.
Luminaria's oceans, renowned for their breathtaking beauty and diverse life, also harbor monstrous secrets. The megladon and kraken, fearsome predators, roam the depths, yet even these terrors avoid the central 200-mile diameter surrounding the Whelming Whirlpool. It is said that the ancient monster claimed to reside here inspires awe and dread, even among these legendary creatures.
Speculation and legend surround the Whelming Whirlpool, with some believing its center to be a nexus of dark energy, fueling the creature's immense power. Others propose that the whirlpool is a manifestation of the creature's presence, a natural barrier protecting the surrounding waters. Still, others whisper that the creature is a guardian, tasked with preventing unworthy entities from accessing the Plane of Water.
Sailors' tales and warnings abound, cautioning against venturing too close to the Whelming Whirlpool. "Steer clear of the Whelming Whirlpool, lest ye wish to face death itself," one seasoned sailor advises. Another recounts, "I've seen the megalodon flee in terror from the edges of that cursed place." The whispers of those who have encountered the whirlpool all convey the same message: the Whelming Whirlpool is a place of unspeakable terror, where the brave and the foolhardy alike are consumed by the void or the beast that lurks within.
The Whelming Whirlpool remains a mystery, shrouded in terror and speculation. Its secrets await the brave adventurer willing to unravel its mysteries, but will they survive to tell the tale?
The City of Kyrethia
A Testament to the Enduring Power of the Sea
As the ages passed, the world was ravaged by a cataclysmic event known as The Sundering. The very fabric of reality tore apart, and the land trembled as the earth cracked and the seas churned. Among the chaos, the great coastal city of Kyrethia stood on the brink of destruction. Its majestic towers shuddered, its streets fractured, and the sea, once its lifeblood, now threatened to consume it entirely. The city's demise seemed inevitable.
In this darkest hour, Kyrios, God of the Oceans, descended upon Kyrethia. The deity, embodying the infinite depths of the seas, sought out the wisest and most ancient creature of the ocean—a colossal sea turtle named Kiwa. For millennia, Kiwa had swum the vast waters, her slow and steady journey bearing witness to the rise and fall of countless civilizations. Revered for her wisdom and longevity, Kiwa was believed to carry the weight of the ocean's secrets upon her broad shell.
Kyrios approached Kiwa with a solemn offer. He proposed a sacred pact: in exchange for everlasting life, Kiwa would take on a great burden and become the protector of Kyrethia, shielding the city from the ravages of The Sundering. Kiwa, sensing the weight of destiny in the deity's words, closed her ancient eyes and accepted the challenge. The pact was sealed, and with it, Kiwa's fate and the fate of Kyrethia became intertwined.
As The Sundering's destructive forces bore down upon the city, Kiwa swam beneath the crashing waves and positioned herself beneath Kyrethia's foundations. Her immense body, now imbued with Kyrios' divine energy, absorbed the shockwaves of destruction. The city, once crumbling, was lifted high above the chaos, its streets and buildings twisting and adapting to conform to the contours of Kiwa's mighty shell. Towers and spires stretched skyward, merging seamlessly with the turtle's form, and Kyrethia transformed into a living, breathing sanctuary.
When the cataclysm finally subsided, the City of the Turtle's Back emerged as a miracle upon the endless ocean. Suspended between turmoil and calm, Kyrethia became one with Kiwa. Grateful for their salvation, the city's inhabitants adapted to their new reality. They honed their skills, mastering the mystical arts and maritime sciences, and dedicated themselves to protecting their sanctuary and honoring Kiwa's sacrifice.
Through the ages, Kyrethia has wandered the vast oceans, carried upon Kiwa's unwavering back. With Kyrios' power flowing through her, Kiwa navigates uncharted waters, her shell a safe haven for the city she saved. The people of Kyrethia, awed by their protector's devotion, tell stories of Kyrios' mercy and Kiwa's unyielding spirit. Their city, once doomed to destruction, has become a beacon of hope and wisdom, its towers rising proudly upon the back of a creature who embodies resilience and grace.
Even now, as the City of the Turtle's Back sails across the horizon, its people whisper tales of their miraculous salvation. They tell of Kyrios, the Grand Architect of the Seas, and Kiwa, the ancient sea turtle who bore the weight of destiny. Together, their story inspires generations to explore the oceans, protect their vast expanse, and honor the bond between the divine and the mortal.
*Landmarks:*
1. *The Spire of Kyrios*: Central tower honoring the God of the Oceans.
2. *Arkeia's Shell*: The city's foundation, now an integral part of the sea turtle's body.
3. *The Pearl Gardens*: Lush, iridescent gardens nurturing rare sea creatures.
*Cultural Practices:*
1. *The Festival of Salvation*: Annual celebration commemorating Kyrethia's miraculous rescue.
2. *The Turtle's Blessing*: Rituals honoring Kiwa's unwavering protection.
3. *The Kyrios' Covenant*: Sacred vows ensuring the city's loyalty to the God of the Oceans.
*The Elusive City of Kyrethia: A Rare and Majestic Sight*
For centuries, the mystical City of Kyrethia has roamed the world's oceans, carrying its inhabitants and secrets aboard the colossal sea turtle, Kiwa. This enchanting city, born from catastrophe, only breaks its eternal voyage twice a year, docking at select coastal metropolises capable of accommodating its majestic scale.
*The Biannual Arrival*
Every six months, Kyrethia's silhouette appears on the horizon, signaling its brief sojourn in the mortal realm. The city's inhabitants, masters of aquamancy and maritime sciences, descend upon the chosen port, sharing knowledge, goods and tales of their oceanic exploits.
*Exclusive Docking Privileges*
Only a handful of coastal cities, boasting impressive infrastructure and mystical resonance, are honored with Kyrethia's presence:
- *Emerald Cove*, the Jewel of the Coast in the United Commonwealth of Dorgesh-Kaan.
- *Nereus*, the Pearl of the Orient in The Sakuran Empire.
- *Corallia*, the Crimson Harbor in The Redrock Canyon.
- *Aquaria*, the Sublime Port in Cirith Ungol.
These fortunate cities prepare extensively for Kyrethia's arrival, erecting temporary docks and mystical wards to ensure a safe and enriching exchange.
*A Glimpse into the Unknown*
As Kyrethia docks, citizens and travelers alike flock to witness the city's ethereal beauty, marveling at:
- Towering spires and grand architecture
- Luminous pearl gardens and iridescent waterfalls
- Ancient artifacts and mysterious relics
- The wisdom of Kyrethia's enigmatic inhabitants
Though fleeting, each visit leaves an indelible mark on the host city, infusing its culture with the magic and wonder of the ocean's depths.
*Note: Only Waterborne subraces can be found here.
