Places of The Coast

Places of the Coast By Banden Daniss

Off the Southeastern coast of Toran Shaarda, there exists a small islet surrounded by coral and sharp rock. The isle would be unremarkable - it is roughly two masts high, and shorter than the longest of ships - save for the tales of ancient and alluring song which lure men to their deaths.

In the summer of 2021, the first mate of the Iron Elm, surveying the coast, noted in his logs the odd and eerie presence of a unusual hum coming from a small isle along the coast. The captain passed the strange sounds as the echo of the wind through the cavernous holes in the isle. Members of his crew, however, swore that the islet's song was the singing of a woman whom they glimpsed upon the rocks.

Years later, the Captain of the Glittering Star, pursuing a crew of brigands and their sloop, noted that the ship they were pursing, "out of desperation or insanity, changed their course directly for the rocky islet near the coast.. although at first we pursued vigilantly, we chose to turn off-course after the blasted ship before us charged onto the rocks with full sails, splitting in two against the isle...."

The islet's location is marked on most navigation maps as unsafe territory, yet the location - with the rumor of sunken ships - is the frequent target of explorers and treasure seekers who occasionally return with gems, shells, and tales of angry inhabitants who slay any who draw near. The rumors of song, too, have persisted, and are claimed responsible for the luring and death of many seafarers.

In recent history there are sailors who, having retired and feeling their life is reaching an end, make an intentional journey to visit this island, drawn to hearing the isle's song for the first and final time.