The Great Ocean is a vast, trackless sea which spans the whole south of the Realmz continent. Aside from the occasional stray, tiny island, this ocean is essentially nothing but unchartered waters. However, one archipelago and a fairly-sized island are well known to the Sword Lands: the Pirate Isles and the island-city of Coral Towers. The former is a notorious refuge for pirates, whereas the latter is one of the major trading powers of the Sword Lands.
This large archipelago of cliffs, rock islands, small islands and coral reefs lies thousands of leagues south-west of Wailsrond's coast. Treacherous at best to navigate through, it is no surprise that numerous pirate factions have taken refuge in these isles, and using them as bases of operation, having mastered the narrow safe-sailing passages around the isles and allowing them to remain safe in this haven: indeed, any ship not familiar with the labyrinth of reefs surrounding the archipelago is sure to wreck itself! Likewise, these make it impossible for any fleet of ships to invade the isles and rid the Great Ocean of pirates once and for all.
A
small section of the Pirate Isles
Although pirate activity has always been a nuisance (like any highwaymen activities against trade caravans), the pirates have become a serious problem of late: having united under one Pirate Queen named Nurale Darkstrome, they are now acting strategically and with much greater efficiency, disrupting all sea trading and travelling around and about the Sword Lands. Nothing specific is known about the Pirate Isles; however, some explorers have manage to report the following:
(x21,y50): A
secret passage is rumored to be here, on this small island.
(x9,y55): This lofty mansion is occupied by Nurale Darkstrome,
the Pirate Queen.
This island-city is shaped like an oval bowl surrounded by rocky cliffs, but opening to the sea at its west. True to its name, Coral Towers is surrounded by numerous coral reefs; not surprisingly, corals constitute the main export goods of the island-city. Although the people of Coral Towers live off the fruits of the sea, they greatly depend on trade with the Sword Lands for ores, minerals, textiles and other such goods.
A portion of Coral Towers
Usually a peaceful city, Coral Towers has lately become a suffocating place to live. Indeed, with the recent accidental deaths of Queen Aquillae Ramoor and her daughter, Princess Jorale, the city is now ruled with an iron-fist by the Regent Thorgal Ramoor, the Queen's brother. Just like any despot, The Regent has enacted highly repressive laws against any form of dissent, is obligating any visitor to purchase a "circulation permit", and has risen taxes to levels unbearable by his people. Of course, any transgression of his edicts means jail for life or even death by hanging.
(x41,y67) and
(x41,y72): City gates of Coral Towers.
(x47,y69): Temple of Ukkor.
(x45,y67): Imported Arcane Wonders shop.
(x47,y74): The Laughing Tempest.
Inside the Laughing Tempest:
(x26,y52): A mage named Sorceros often sits at this table.
(x36,y42): A mysterious man often hangs out here.
(x29,y42): Barkeeper -for food, drinks, or info.
(x40,y65): A
secret door is rumored to be here.
(x45,y66): The Sailor's Deck store.
(x45,y66): A central market is here.
(x43,y64): This house belongs to Maleck, Daleck's brother (see
section: Heartlands).
(x47,y65): Inn of the Coral Reefs.
(x47,y62): Magistrate Halls of Coral Towers.
(x60,y68): A secret passage beneath the cliffs is rumored to be
here.
(x41,y59): Leatherwork Masters shop.
(x45,y58): A general store is here.
(x43,y66): Harbor Master building. Here, you can purchased the
required circulation permits, or ship fares to Wailsrond or
Tanirith.
(x53,y66): A bank is here.
(x55,y66): A general store is here.
(x59,y63): Gates to Castle Ramoor.
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