16.3 Dreadbore Isles
The world of Dreadbore Isles is composed of a ring of islands that surround an immense whirlpool named the Dreadbore.
16.3.1 Geography
The islands surrounding the Dreadbore vary significantly in their size and culture, and the influence of the Dreadbore tends to make it impractical for any given island to have significant contact with any islands beyond its close neighbors.
Beyond the ring of islands lies the Great Ocean. Its depths are beyond reckoning, and no significant land mass has ever been discovered outside of the ring of islands. The deep waters of the Great Ocean also contain very limited sea life, especially compared to the rich variety around the islands.
16.3.2 Island Descriptions
Dragonsguard
The island of Dragonsguard is ruled by dragons. Most ships that approach the island are destroyed on sight by dragons, regardless of their intentions. There are two known exceptions that the dragons allow to pass: ships carrying an immense wealth of treasure to offer as tribute to the dragons, and ships crewed entirely by dwarves. The tribute ships are allowed to leave Dragonsguard unscathed, save for the loss of their tribute. Dwarf-crewed ships have been observed to reach the island unscathed, but the ships never return, and their crews are never seen again.
The few people who have been to Dragonsguard and returned on tribute ships tell fantastical stories of a draconic paradise, filled with works of magical genius and incredible wealth. However, they have never seen dwarves on the island, and no one knows what happens to the dwarf-crewed ships.
Darren’s Land
The island of Darren’s Land is flat and dry, and long ago it was an uninhabited desert. Thanks to the mighty and continual efforts of the druidic Circle of Unity, a collective representing the variety of druid circles present on the island, the barren land provides enough food to sustain the island’s population. This gives the Circle of Unity far more influence on the politics of civilization than druids normally possess, which has posed challenges for both the civilization on the island and the integrity of the druids who wield that power.
Long ago, a mighty warrior named Darren came to the island and cleansed it entirely of monsters. He sought to establish a utopia free from any danger, where common people could explore any part of the island freely. Although he succeeded at rendering the island safe, he failed to render it inhabitable, and was forced to flee the island to avoid starvation. Decades later, he returned with a group of druids and colonists to establish a sustainable civilization there, and it has persisted ever since.
Elysland
The island of Elysland is overgrown with an ancient forest. It is divided into five forest-dwelling nations. The different nations have deep divisions in their attitudes towards society, and some share ancient grudges against each other. However, all are unified in their reverence for the towering trees that shade and protect them, and they will put aside their differences when necessary to push back against outsiders who would defile the forests.
Reinward
Reinward is one of the largest islands, and is the most thoroughly developed and civilized.
The Savage Lands
The Savage Lands are bordered by mountains on all sides but the easternmost side, which extends deep into the Dreadbore. Only the largest and most well-crewed ships are capable of navigating that port, and no ship built on the Savage Lands has ever escaped to safety. It is not a barren island, but it is an unwelcoming one. There are three main power groups on the island: the orc tribes, the undead, and the Old Fae.