#cs:location

[cursedserpenthq]

Oyster Island

The island where Lyra’s colony lives is completely inaccessible by ship. It’s surrounded by coral reefs and sharp rocks that will rip the bottom out of any ship that approaches, making it such that humans can only approach the island in long boats. Mers of the island keep watch for any human vessels approaching, and while they try to lure any ships away with siren song before they get too close, the warriors of the colony will lie in wait, hidden in the coral, to attack any long boats that try to land on the island. Highly skilled and experts at overturning boats, they will slaughter any humans who venture into their waters without mercy.

The island itself is a tropical paradise above the ground, but the whole island is riddled with underground caves, filled with water, where the colony lives. These caves snake under the island and lead out to the sea, but the ocean entrances are hard to find, and much too deep for any human to reach. Deep within the maze of tunnels, the chamber where the weather jewel resides can be found under heavy guard. The jewel can only be used by the mer in charge of protecting it.

Up until recently, that mer was Wylla, Lyra’s mother. Wylla was very traditional in her duties, and has recently been considering the matter of her succession. Her favored candidate to take her place was her eldest daughter, Emiyn, but this caused discord with her son, Ayden, who was older and felt he was more qualified to take his mother’s place as defender of the jewel. As matters came to a head, a conflict ensued, and Ayden took the stone for himself. The defenders of the jewel were torn between those who supported Ayden, and those who followed Wylla, when Ayden announced his intention to use the jewel to take back the sea from the humans and rebuild their great empire. He used the jewel to incapacitate and scatter those who opposed him, and the chaos of unleashing the stone caused many of the mers of the colony to be injured and go missing, or be driven far from home, as Ayden started to test the powers of the stone.

Find the limited time role list here!

[cursedserpenthq]

Westburgh

Westburgh is a bustling northern coastal city. The weather is typically chilly and windy, but that does not deter the fishermen who can be seen on the water every single day. The population consists mostly of those who make enough money to get by but not much more. Sailors and tradesmen frequent the city. There are a number of shops and taverns near the coast that capitalize on the presence of these transients. 

While the occasional brawl or argument over gambling debts do occur in the city, violence is not generally expected or tolerated. Brandishing weapons and picking fights will be frowned upon and earn visitors a bad reputation. Pirates are not common visitors. The people are welcoming of guests, but they are very nosy and gossip travels fast.

[cursedserpenthq]

(Bang Christopher Chan, 24, CIS male, merfolk) Blimey! Is that (TOMAS “TRIPP” HAN)? (HE) is the (RIGGER) on the Cursed Serpent and has been onboard the ship for (FIVE YEARS). Legend has it they are (CHARISMATIC & RELIABLE), but don’t get on their bad side, because I hear they’re (IMPATIENT & FICKLE). Aye! Stop staring! (TOMAS) has their (DIRKS) out! (ooc: CEE, CEST, 23, she/her and/or they/them, none)

Welcome to the crew, TOMAS “TRIPP” HAN. We’re excited to have the RIGGER onboard. The Cursed Serpent leaves the port in 24 hours, and you better be on time! Be sure to complete all the steps on the checklist before we set sail.

[cursedserpenthq]

The First Clue - Destination

** Please note that the crew does not know any of this information yet! It will be discovered in the upcoming events. 

Luna Island

Hidden in the distance beyond large, jagged rocks is a lone island. It always appears to be covered in fog, and is not visible until you reach the rocks. While the dangers the rocks pose are great, they are nothing compared to what rests in the water between them and the island. Few have lived to tell the tale of what dwells there. Those who have tried to speak about the experience can only shudder and whisper ‘monsters.’

If a sailor does make it to shore, more danger awaits. Legend has it that nasty creatures kill or chase away every soul that sets foot on the island. Those who have escaped with their lives never speak of what they witnessed there. Either they are too frightened to recall the details, or they’re keeping their mouths shut for some other reason.

What secrets does the island hold? Our crew will find out soon…

The Luna Coven

Generations ago, a coven of sorcerers fled persecution. The coven believed that the moon made their magic stronger and felt a deep connection with the greater universe. When they found a remote island where the moon shined brighter than anywhere they had ever seen, they decided to make a home there. Shortly after inhabiting the island, they found they were not the only ones there. A pack of werewolves had lived on the island for centuries and had claim to the land. After much negotiation, the two groups were able to strike up a deal. The coven, grateful for the pack’s help and hospitality, dubbed themselves the Luna Coven as a show of solidarity.

Ever since then, the Luna Coven has been extremely reclusive and wary of strangers. Most members would be hard pressed to trust anyone other than their own coven members and the Luna Pack. They live in a village at the center of the island, protected by a number of powerful enchantments and the werewolf pack. Because of their mistrust of outsiders, the Luna Coven has an ‘attack first, ask questions later’ attitude when an intruder is detected. All islanders, whether they are werewolf or sorcerer, are allowed to kill intruders or bring them to the coven’s village for judgment.

The Luna Coven imposes harsh laws, the most of important of which is that there is to be no fraternization with any outsider. All coven members are expected to abide by this rule, and if they do not, face a fate worse than death. The Luna Coven has a Supreme, but there is also a council that votes on all matters. The Supreme only has veto power over the council in matters where a coven member is not on trial. If a sorcerer leaves the coven, they are not permitted to come back. All sorcerers in the coven are expected to contribute to the society and pass down their knowledge.

Is the Luna Coven’s entire motivation for hiding on Luna Island to protect themselves from being hunted or is it because they’re hiding deeper secrets? Only time will tell.

The Luna Pack

The Luna Pack were the first to inhabit Luna Island and had lived there for centuries when the Luna Coven arrived. While the pack was wary of the sorcerers at first, they eventually formed an alliance. In exchange for the pack’s protection, the sorcerers perform whatever magic the werewolves might need. The pack prowls the grounds outside the coven’s village, and when the rare intruder is detected, dispose of them or bring them to the coven to be dealt with.

While werewolves are generally vicious in nature, the Luna Coven is particularly savage. They were driven out of their original home many, many years ago by cruel humans and creatures, and they do not trust anyone aside from the Luna Coven. The longer a person stays shifted into a werewolf, the more wolf-like and animalistic they become, and the pack’s violent tendencies are exacerbated by how much time they spend in their wolf forms.

While they work well with the sorcerers, the pack maintains its own set of laws and ranking system. Most laws revolve around respecting the alpha and the elders. So long as the pack members do not fraternize with outsiders and do not disobey direct orders, they are generally spared from any sort of punishment.

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Port Royal, Jamaica

In the mid-1600′s, the Jamaican governors offered Port Royal as a safe haven for pirates in exchange for protection from the Spanish. With this deal, the town flourished on the back of a pirate economy and has since grown into the “wickedest city on Earth.” It’s known as a retreat for lawless, freelance pirates. The streets here are lined with taverns and brothels that cater to the desires of the pirates who come to the port flush with loot.

Within Port Royal

The Black Barnacle

Notorious for its rowdy atmosphere, the Black Barnacle is the best known tavern on the strip. The cheap drinks combined with pirates eager to spend their earnings often results in overly drunken crowds and outbursts of all kinds. Twice a week, the tavern hosts musicians that add to the loud, overcrowded energy. If you want a quiet drink and less chance of trouble, you’ll have to go further down the strip.

Paradise House

Paradise House was the first brothel, and one of the first businesses, established on the main strip. It has maintained its popularity by catering to all their customers’ desires. Of course, the higher quality and unique services come at a steep price. Anyone with a pocket full of money can find something they like at the Paradise House. It’s best to be honest with payment, as the Bawd is known for being extremely vengeful toward those who cheat her.

The Dragon’s Hoard

It’s no surprise that a night at the Dragon’s Hoard often ends in violence. Many get themselves into trouble by gambling more than they could ever pay up, and there are plenty of sore losers who are eager to throw punches after an unlucky night. The gambling house is owned by a couple who are known for being rather cruel. Owing them a debt is almost as good as a death sentence. Those who cannot pay are always punished. Still, a night at the Dragon’s Hoard is a good way to blow off steam and socialize after spending long periods of time on a ship.