Waternado

The Waternado begins with an ominous darkening of the sea, as if shadows were pooling just beneath the waves. Then, in an instant, the water erupts skyward, forming a towering spiral of churning seawater and debris, twisting fiercely against the sky. Eerie blue and green lights flash within the vortex, illuminating ghostly shapes and strange glyphs that seem to hover just beyond reach. As it gains strength, the Waternado’s roar fills the air, its spiraling column of water reaching impossibly high, casting a dreadful, otherworldly glow over everything in its path.

The Waternado is most commonly sighted in the dark, stormy seas near cursed or ancient coastal ruins, where remnants of lost civilizations are submerged beneath the waves. It’s drawn to places rich in magical energy, enchanted coves, mysterious islands shrouded in fog, and waters where powerful artifacts are rumored to lie hidden. Coastal regions steeped in myth or near gateways to elemental planes are particularly vulnerable, and some say it manifests above the resting sites of sunken temples or graveyards of drowned mariners.  

"We foolish mortals like to think we command the seas. Then comes the Waternado, a brutal reminder that the ocean holds more power, and more hatred, than we’ll ever understand."

— High Mage Ledran Voss, chronicler of coastal magic and artifacts.

Locations

The Waternado is notorious in several regions of Domen Aria’s oceans and seas, each with its own haunting lore tied to the elemental storm. Some of the more infamous are:   The Drowned Expanse: Off the coast of the continent, this vast, eerie stretch of ocean is said to be cursed. Known for the submerged ruins of an ancient civilization that angered a sea god, the Drowned Expanse is a hotspot for Waternados. Sailors tell tales of ghostly voices calling from beneath the waves just before a Waternado rises, warning them of their impending doom.   The Shattered Arm: This archipelago of small islands, mostly uninhabited and overgrown with strange plants, is infamous for its unpredictable and treacherous waters. It’s rumored that each island was once the peak of a mountain range from a continent that sank during the Sundering. Waternados frequently materialize between the islands, seemingly drawn by residual magic left in the area.   The Mournful Coast: A bleak, fog-laden shoreline where tides are rumored to carry the voices of the dead, the Mournful Coast is where Waternados are known to strike with a frightening regularity. Local legends claim these storms are the spirits of lost sailors attempting to return to land, only to become trapped within the furious vortex.   The Black Trench: This deep, uncharted underwater chasm lies far off the eastern shore and is believed to be a portal to an ancient, drowned realm. Waternados that form over the Black Trench are especially potent and are rumored to pull creatures, ships, and even unlucky spellcasters into their depths, never to be seen again. Some believe these Waternados are guardians of the trench, formed to protect whatever lies in its darkness.  

"They say it’s the drowned sailors seeking revenge. I say it’s worse than that, it’s the ocean’s way of cleansing itself of our filth, sweeping us off its surface like dust."

— Halric “Saltbeard” Morn, old dock worker of the Shattered Arm.

Behavior and Effects

The Waternado moves unpredictably, almost as if guided by a malevolent will. It seems drawn to anything with a high concentration of magical energy, often veering toward enchanted vessels, coastal magical strongholds, or gatherings of powerful spellcasters.   Its inner currents tear apart anything that gets caught within. Ships are shredded to splinters, and even powerful creatures or entities are violently submerged and crushed. Survivors report that the vortex contains strange spectral forms, spirits or drowned souls trapped within the Waternado’s relentless current.   When the Waternado encounters land, it loses none of its strength. It drags waterlogged stones, silt, and drowned debris with it, creating torrents of mud and stone that devastate buildings, forests, and anyone unfortunate enough to cross its path.  

Magical Anomalies and Dangers

Those close to the Waternado report feeling an unnatural pull as if the vortex exerts its own magical gravity. This pull is particularly strong for any enchanted items, pulling them out of their owner's grasp and into the dark vortex.   The Waternado’s close proximity induces hallucinations in those who observe it, showing them visions of submerged cities, drowned warriors, and strange aquatic creatures or otherworldly entities.   Mystics and seers claim the Waternado serves as a portal to a plane of water or an ancient drowned world. Occasionally, strange sea creatures and ghostly forms are pulled out of this otherworldly realm, carried to the shores in the aftermath, often dead or dying—remnants of an alien aquatic dimension.  

Aftermath

Once it dissipates, the Waternado leaves a scene of desolation. The area is waterlogged, littered with debris, and, often, haunted by strange specters or waterlogged remnants of those who fell into it. Shattered remnants of buildings and ships are strewn across the land.   A cold, unnatural fog lingers in the Waternado’s wake, and any water it touched has a strange, oily sheen, glinting with faint phosphorescent light. This residue is said to be a “gift” from the Waternado, allowing those who drink it to glimpse into the world it hails from, though at a price.