Post by Admin on Jul 29, 2021 7:13:35 GMT
Pirate’s Rest
Lying practically at the center of a great triangle made up of Roan’s three continents, Pirate's Rest would be the perfect pit-stop in a trans-continental voyage were it not for the danger the island itself presents to maritime trade. Bearing a name such as Pirate’s Rest one could assume that the island is privy only to brief visits by nomadic sea-marauders and he may only be partially correct. While the island is indeed constantly receiving both inbound and outgoing pirate vessels it has also been the site of settlement for many refugees and families of the frequent visitors resulting in a large sprawl of homes and shops of every shape and design as well as sporting an expectedly massive port to support its enterprising mariners. On the east side of the island are mostly humans, beast-kin and a few entrepreneurial giants. These inhabitants engage in the sort of business one can expect of pirate-ilk and as such the streets are lined with debauched flop-houses, taverns and gambling dens as well as the customary shop or two where one can acquire armaments fit for the trade. Belowground the above-mentioned storefronts pale in comparison to the offerings available to those belowground in the closed off Butcher’s Den where it is said that the gutters run red and the air stinks of copper. The Butcher’s Den is the black market of black markets; the only currency here is gold or flesh and it is ruled with an iron fist by the Butcher himself. There are three ways to gain access to the Butcher’s Den is either as a member of one of the prominent pirate crews, be a person of enough ill-repute to gain an invitation from the Butcher or pay a sufficient bribe. Anything that can be acquired is sold here: exotic animals or peoples, stolen goods of all sorts, banned religious texts, poisons, magic baubles as well as things of great antiquity. Returning above ground and looking to the western side of the Pirate’s Rest one may find Fort Urangale. This massive stone fort and the township surrounding it is where the significant population of Gar reside on the island. It is also where the merchantmen brave enough to sail to the island may find refuge from the inhabitants on the eastern side of the island on their trip as they sail to other continents. Refuge in Urangale however is not cheap, upkeep on the galleons sailed by the gar and the supplies used in their escort business do not pay for themselves after all.
Mage’s Folly
To the east of the much more impressive island of Pirate’s Rest lies Mage’s Folly, named for the rumour that it was centuries ago raised from the sea by a powerful mage. This rumour also carries a warning that the island itself is cursed somehow--the fact that it is barren of all life save for a few shrubby trees and yellowed grass seems to support the rumour. At the center of this deserted island are the ruins of what once may have been an impressive stone tower having some time ago tilted and lost its upper half. Inscribed on the stones are faded and broken runes in a language lost to time.