Shifting Isles

Created during the reign of Phoenix King Bel-Hathor to guard against Norse raiding, the eastern sea routes to Ulthuan are protected by potent and complex spells designed to confuse and confound, and the islands that make up the archipelago in the area have no fixed positions, making charting the region a matter of vague approximation at best. Three decades of preparation culminated in powerful enchantments that wreathed the area in illusions and mists making it all but impossible to reach Ulthuan except by chance. The magical rotation of shoals and sandbars means a multitude of aquatic plants and sealife are washed ashore, allowing the Elves of Cothique to collect the prized pearl-leafed torrelain and delightfully scented moon rose.

Those entering the enchantment without guidance risk becoming lost as compasses spin and the stars are obscured. Crews of lost vessels face starvation or shipwreck unless spotted by flying fish riders, fishermen from the merchant houses of Caraidh Eldoir-iasg, that inhabit the isles. If found, such crews are restocked and escorted towards Cothique or back to the open ocean. Even High Elf sailors can become confused in the area, though many are still recruited as pilots by Human merchants in Rokhame, situated on the edge of the region. Within the enchantment, smugglers and cultists run the risk of being marooned, wrecked, or forever lost, but if they survive, they can evade the eyes of the authorities there.

Since the ruin of Yvresse and the destruction of many waystones, the degradation of leylines has corrupted the enchantment, making the area even more dangerous. Now, within the enchanted archipelago, daemons lurk alongside sea monsters. Patrols of hawkships guard the western sea-routes closest to Cothique, ensuring safe passage, while the shipwrecks of the unfortunate are searched by merchant adventurers for treasures.

The Shifting Isles cannot be charted in the normal way. To successfully traverse the area involves reading the Winds of Magic that flow amongst the complex pattern of spells, leylines, and waystones. Elven magical charts, with ever-changing coloured lines and markers upon paper, are highly guarded, and can only be understood by those who can read Elthárin and pass a Combined Difficult (–10) Lore (Magic) and Navigation Test. Elves also use wayshards attuned to an individual waystone in Ulthuan that allow the bearer to sense the position of individual waystones, and thus navigate the world.