Evereddy Sea
The Evereddy Sea is an inland body of water in the center of the continent of Kesara. The water in this sea is warm to the touch, notably growing uncomfortably hot as one travels farther towards the center. It is known for having chaotic tides which seem to have no connection to the passage of the moon, as other bodies do, and for having a constant current beneath the waves that draw any vessel within it towards the center. Rising from the center is what has been described as an "inverse whirlpool" of water, known as the Ascendant Vortex, churning in a spiral up towards its peak - an unnaturally placid lake surrounding a rather flat piece of land. If viewed from sea level, the height of this land rivals most mountains in the surrounding area. However, due to the nature of the strangely moving water formation around it, it is much easier to reach.
Though the tides are unpredictable and the strong currents make swimming in this lake dangerous, the lack of tall or strong waves make this body of water a very safe place for sailing. Indeed, as the rising formation of water can be observed from nearly every shore, navigation across this large inland sea is quite simple. Though the Vortex itself appears quite a terrifying sight, specially designed hulls and magical locomotion devices make both ascent and descent across it simple and safe. As such, several cities around the border of this lake have determined that this sea marks a relatively safe area for trade with one another, saving themselves several weeks in circumventing the waters, as well as the dangers the landbound wilderness poses. Set in the very center of this slowly growing trade network sits Tidewatch, the city atop the land around which the Ascendant Vortex spins.
Though political troubles in Tidewatch have made tourism in and out of the city all but impossible, trade has been largely unaffected, and goods can still be bought or sold at the market beyond the Walls without issue. But perhaps even more interesting than the complexities of international trade routes (if such a thing can be possible) is how this strange phenomenon came to be. Though no eyewitness reports have yet been discovered, the continent of Kesara has a well understood history of how many such strange, unnatural anomalies came to be, and from there we can extrapolate some facts to get a reasonably clear picture.
Hebrem-Yed-Et, the Blue Dragon queen of the very sea in question, was the last of the Winged Tyrants to survive the Wyrmstalkers. As this group assaulted the other four Tyrants who dominated Kesara, seeking to end the senseless death and servitude of the united sapient species living under the Tyrants, Hebrem-Yed-Et shelterd herself in her lair deep beneath the surface of the sea. The Wyrmstalkers could not find her as a concentrated group, and in the murky depths of the water, Hebrem-Yed-Et's form was too well camoflaged. She, even more agile in the water than in the open air, could move around them and pick off stragglers from any army without even a scratch. Frontal assault tactics were quickly abandoned, and the Wyrmstalkers decided on a much less dangerous, but more difficult task: They boiled the entire sea. It took legions of mages and nearly a decade to manage to heat up the entire sea, but eventually, the temperature was raised to the degree that even the ancient dragon could no longer survive within it. And as she finally left the safety of her lair, she was in too much haste to realize the second prong of their attack: An entire mountain, inverted with the sharp peak pointing straight down, floated above her, held aloft with some ancient technology, supplemented by the sheer arcane strength of the Wyrmstalker's archwizards. By the time she reacted, it was already too late: The mountain peak was dropped atop her, piercing through her body and slamming down into the bed of the sea. Her blood mixed with the water and the heating spell used to heat the water. The surface began to swirl and roil, the waters even hotter than before, climbing up around the mountain - forming what we now know as the Ascendant Vortex.
However, one question remains: Where, precisely, was Hebrem-Yed-Et's hoard? The master artisans that she kept on the islands dotting her sea created a vast fortune of works for her. She had precious minerals mined from the seabed. The impact of the mountain should have churned up the land beneath, mixing her hoard with the silt and stone that clouded the sea. But not a single coin has ever washed up on the shore or, and no gemstones been observed gilttering in the churning waters of the Vortex. The mystery of her hoard has entranced adventurers and treasure hunters alike for four centuries, but none have been able to discover its location. Perhaps, even in death, her soul still protects every last coin she collected. Sailors will occasionally tell a tale of a giant shadow just beneath the surface of the water, creating a wake behind it that rocks the ship nearly to overturning before settling again. But sailors are a superstitious and boisterous lot. They often turn storytelling into a competition to have the most outlandish and insane tale, so perhaps give this one the skepticism that it is due.
Though the tides are unpredictable and the strong currents make swimming in this lake dangerous, the lack of tall or strong waves make this body of water a very safe place for sailing. Indeed, as the rising formation of water can be observed from nearly every shore, navigation across this large inland sea is quite simple. Though the Vortex itself appears quite a terrifying sight, specially designed hulls and magical locomotion devices make both ascent and descent across it simple and safe. As such, several cities around the border of this lake have determined that this sea marks a relatively safe area for trade with one another, saving themselves several weeks in circumventing the waters, as well as the dangers the landbound wilderness poses. Set in the very center of this slowly growing trade network sits Tidewatch, the city atop the land around which the Ascendant Vortex spins.
Though political troubles in Tidewatch have made tourism in and out of the city all but impossible, trade has been largely unaffected, and goods can still be bought or sold at the market beyond the Walls without issue. But perhaps even more interesting than the complexities of international trade routes (if such a thing can be possible) is how this strange phenomenon came to be. Though no eyewitness reports have yet been discovered, the continent of Kesara has a well understood history of how many such strange, unnatural anomalies came to be, and from there we can extrapolate some facts to get a reasonably clear picture.
Hebrem-Yed-Et, the Blue Dragon queen of the very sea in question, was the last of the Winged Tyrants to survive the Wyrmstalkers. As this group assaulted the other four Tyrants who dominated Kesara, seeking to end the senseless death and servitude of the united sapient species living under the Tyrants, Hebrem-Yed-Et shelterd herself in her lair deep beneath the surface of the sea. The Wyrmstalkers could not find her as a concentrated group, and in the murky depths of the water, Hebrem-Yed-Et's form was too well camoflaged. She, even more agile in the water than in the open air, could move around them and pick off stragglers from any army without even a scratch. Frontal assault tactics were quickly abandoned, and the Wyrmstalkers decided on a much less dangerous, but more difficult task: They boiled the entire sea. It took legions of mages and nearly a decade to manage to heat up the entire sea, but eventually, the temperature was raised to the degree that even the ancient dragon could no longer survive within it. And as she finally left the safety of her lair, she was in too much haste to realize the second prong of their attack: An entire mountain, inverted with the sharp peak pointing straight down, floated above her, held aloft with some ancient technology, supplemented by the sheer arcane strength of the Wyrmstalker's archwizards. By the time she reacted, it was already too late: The mountain peak was dropped atop her, piercing through her body and slamming down into the bed of the sea. Her blood mixed with the water and the heating spell used to heat the water. The surface began to swirl and roil, the waters even hotter than before, climbing up around the mountain - forming what we now know as the Ascendant Vortex.
However, one question remains: Where, precisely, was Hebrem-Yed-Et's hoard? The master artisans that she kept on the islands dotting her sea created a vast fortune of works for her. She had precious minerals mined from the seabed. The impact of the mountain should have churned up the land beneath, mixing her hoard with the silt and stone that clouded the sea. But not a single coin has ever washed up on the shore or, and no gemstones been observed gilttering in the churning waters of the Vortex. The mystery of her hoard has entranced adventurers and treasure hunters alike for four centuries, but none have been able to discover its location. Perhaps, even in death, her soul still protects every last coin she collected. Sailors will occasionally tell a tale of a giant shadow just beneath the surface of the water, creating a wake behind it that rocks the ship nearly to overturning before settling again. But sailors are a superstitious and boisterous lot. They often turn storytelling into a competition to have the most outlandish and insane tale, so perhaps give this one the skepticism that it is due.
Type
Inland Sea
Great dragon story, a very good read. I want to know of course where the hoard is!
Fortunately for curious parties and scholars, a team of plucky of adventurers are on their way to the Evereddy Sea. Perhaps they will take interest and unravel the mystery! Just as long as they don't get distracted by shiny things along the way.