The Shrouded Sea

The Shrouded Sea, also known as The Great Tempest and The Eye of Nautilis, is a massive ocean surrounded by thick mists situated in between the four great continents of Estorim. It is widely regarded as the most deadly waters in all of the realm and is avoided by most sailors.
The Shrouded Sea gets its name from the thick mists which surround the ocean, shrouding its interior from view from the outside world. Inside the mists great storms rage and massive waves crash in a tempestuous fury, black storm clouds boom overhead and send down cracks of lightning into the waters below, and strange magics permeate the air interfering with the natural flow of The Aether. These mists are referred to as the veil, and it is believed that a truly skilled sailor could cross it and find calm waters on the other end.
Not much is known of the Shrouded Sea, for most sailors daring enough to enter never return. As such, rumors and myths surrounding the ocean have spread far and wide. Many believe it to be cursed waters which causes the ships that enter it to sink to the bottom of the ocean. Some believe that massive sea monsters inhabit the veil and devour the sailors foolish enough to enter. Most avoid it out of fear of both possibilities. 
Stories of the Shrouded Sea speak of untold riches and lost kingdoms hidden deep within the heart of its watery depths, and though many sailors have gone off in search of treasure none have ever returned with the legendary prizes hidden within. Only one man is known to have ever entered the Shrouded Sea and returned to tell the tale. The legendary pirate captain Johar Zander entered the ocean with his crew in search of a legendary artifact, and years later he was found alone, half-mad, and barely clinging to life in a rowboat off the coast of The Selindae Shore. It is said that his entire crew was killed and that he barely escaped the sea with his life. 
Trade does not flow easily between the continents of the realm due to the Shrouded Sea. Most merchants fear the dangerous waters within the veil, so they follow established trade routes which flow along a clockwise path between each continent. Only the most daring of merchants will sail anywhere near the veil, and even then, they tend to keep their distance in fear of the stories of the creatures which make it their home.

Geography

Not much is known of the general geography beyond the veil. There are no maps which document the lands within, and there are only rumors and hearsay as to what lay beyond the mists. The only man to ever return from the Shrouded Sea, Captain Johar Zander, spoke of traveling between various islands and interacting with native people, so it is assumed the ocean is full of a large number of islands spread apart over vast distances.

Fauna & Flora

Not much is known of the creatures and plantlife within the Shrouded Sea. It is said that great beasts of the deep reside beyond the misty veil that marks its borders, waiting for foolish sailors to steer their ships to their demise.
Sailors which have attempted to enter the sea but turned back before crossing the veil tell stories of massive shadows moving beneath the waves, and some even claim to have seen horrific creatures burst forward from the dark ocean below.

Alternative Name(s)

The Great Tempest, The Eye of Nautilis

Type

Ocean

Location under

Estorim

Included Organizations

• Bloodfin Pirates

Characters in Location

• Grimmly Duskmaw