Bay of Stones

The Bay of Stones is a treacherous body of water on the coastline of Ishtar.

Geography & History

It is named for the uncommonly number of large stones, boulders, and jutting rocks that litter the bay from shallows to its deepest depths. Many of the rocky structure seem natural, but the bulk appear to have been cut or carved from larger structures. Where these stones originated is unknown as they conform to none of the known ruins upon the continent.

One of the more common theories involve siege weapons used by the giants and gods during the Gigantomachy. Great rocks pulled from the earth and hurled upon invading ships coming from the sea. None of the giant clans can attest to any truth of the matter though you will find many who will boast about being able to accomplish such feats.

With the mist that often shrouds the shores of Ishtar, it makes navigating the currents far from trivial. Many an experienced sailor has run aground or scuttled their ship upon a great, jagged rock beneath the waters in what they had thought a safe area.

The accumulation of such wrecks makes traversing the area even more difficult by the year. Though there have been some efforts made to reduce the debris by local sailors and even by the Montrose Barony itself as they are the closest kingdom to be affected by the route. Still, more often cleanup is inadvertently managed by scavengers seeking to make their wealth by plundering the wrecks which clutter the bay as they break apart or burn away larger ship pieces in their greedy hunts.

Flora & Fauna

Plenty of fish, whales, porpoises, and sharks can be found within the bay. The debris scattered within has allowed some wildlife to flourish within the area though there are occasions where whales may end up beached or caught upon the larger rocks when evading more maneuverable predators.

Giant crabs can often be found along the shores and among the wrecks. Other wrecks have become home to the aquatic ghouls known as the lacedon. These undead swimmers lay in wait for other would be sailors to crash or become stuck so they can strike and feast upon living flesh.

There are also reports of boggards and kelpies in the area along with the occasional nereid.

Tales & Legends

Blue Death

One of the more infamous denizens of the Bay of Stones is a brine shark that has reportedly hunted in the waters for near a century. Dubbed the 'Blue Death' and said to be anywhere from 10 to 20 feet in length the shark is a common story told among the tavernas of coastal settlers and sailors who sail the northern waters around Ishtar.

Gate to the Underworld

There are stories told that within the deepest depths of the Bay of Stone there is one of the few entrances into the Underworld. Hidden beneath multiple wrecked ships is supposedly a stone gateway that leads directly to the River Styx. Stories alternate whether it is guarded by a fearsome squid-like creature or a hydra similar to one said to guard an entrance at the bottom of Lake Lerna on Kallistos.

Moreau's Treasure

It is said that the infamous thief, Louis Moreau, lost his life and his ship laden with the gold stolen from numerous vaults across the continent of Phebisa. Estimating his wealth at nearly 250,000 drachma has enamored many to seek out where it may lay within the Bay thus adding more wreckage to the waters and further endangering any future would-be treasure hunters.