Isle of Truaks

The Isle of Truaks, located far west of Gravewatch, is a remote and foreboding island blanketed by dense, swampy forests and thick underbrush. Shrouded in constant mist, the island’s murky waters and treacherous terrain give it an eerie, almost otherworldly feel. Towering, gnarled trees twist upwards from the bog, their branches draped in ghostly moss, while the swamp floor is riddled with dangerous plants and lurking predators. Ancient ruins, half-sunken and forgotten, dot the landscape, hinting at long-lost civilizations and dark, arcane secrets buried beneath the muck.
Despite its dangers, the Isle of Truaks draws adventurers from across Gloomhallow and beyond, eager to uncover the mysteries hidden within its marshes. Some seek the island's legendary treasures, whispered to be hidden within its ancient ruins or submerged beneath the swamp’s dark waters. Others come in search of rare and potent plants, such as the mystical Nightsap Tree and the elusive Ghostmoss, highly coveted by alchemists and scholars for their magical properties.
There are also rumors of forgotten relics and powerful artifacts from an age before the rise of Gravewatch, rumored to hold immense power. However, adventurers must contend not only with the treacherous environment but with the island’s hostile creatures, spectral entities, and dark magic that saturates the air. Those who survive often return with great wealth, newfound knowledge—or haunting stories of the island's deeper, more ominous secrets.

Fauna & Flora

Some examples of the different creatures that are known to lurk within the islands borders:
1. Boglurker Large, amphibious creatures that blend into the muddy swamps, Boglurkers are slow-moving but deadly predators. Their thick, moss-covered hides make them appear like natural parts of the environment, allowing them to ambush their prey. With long, powerful limbs and sharp teeth, they hunt anything that ventures too close to their territory, including smaller animals and unwary travelers.

Boglurker

2. Mirewraith Ghostly, spectral beings that drift silently through the misty swamp. They are the restless spirits of those who perished on the island, cursed to wander the swamp for eternity. Mirewraiths are known to lure travelers into the depths of the island, where they are consumed by the swamp’s many dangers. They are incorporeal but can drain the life force from the living with their cold, ethereal touch.

Mirewraith

3. Fen Serpent Massive, serpentine creatures that dwell in the murky waters of Truaks’ swamps. These serpents are covered in thick scales, with luminescent markings that allow them to attract prey. They can grow to enormous sizes and have venom that causes paralysis, making their prey easy to devour. Fen Serpents are rarely seen until it’s too late, as they are masters of hiding in the dark, stagnant waters.

Fen Serpent

4. Swamp Harbingers Bird-like creatures with long, tattered wings and sharp talons. They have hollow, echoing calls that can be heard throughout the island. Swamp Harbingers are omens of death, circling above areas where something terrible is about to happen. In some legends, they are said to be agents of the island itself, protecting it from outsiders by summoning dangerous weather or creatures.

Swamp Harbingers

5. Mosslurk Small, intelligent, and mischievous creatures, Mosslurks are humanoid in shape but no larger than a child. Covered in wet, green moss and vines, they are perfectly camouflaged within the swampy undergrowth. Though not inherently malicious, Mosslurks delight in playing tricks on travelers, leading them into dangerous parts of the swamp or stealing their supplies. They can also summon swamp animals to defend their territory.

Mosslurk

6. Rotblood Toads Gigantic toads with rough, warty skin that secretes a poisonous slime. These creatures are highly territorial, and their deep, reverberating croaks can be heard across the island. They are slow but powerful, crushing anything that comes near their nests. The poison they secrete is highly toxic, causing a slow, painful death, and can even contaminate water supplies.

Rotblood Toads

7. Gloomrot These plant-like creatures blend perfectly with the swamp’s flora. Resembling twisted, gnarled roots and vines, Gloomroots remain stationary until they sense nearby movement. When disturbed, they come to life, using their vine-like appendages to ensnare prey and drain its life energy. They are highly territorial and usually found near ancient, forgotten ruins within the island.

Gloomrot

8. Mudshadow Cat Stealthy predators, these large feline creatures have dark, matted fur that helps them blend into the swamp’s shadows. They are known for their silent movements and uncanny ability to vanish into the mist. Mudshadow Cats are solitary hunters, preying on both animals and humans. Their sharp claws and teeth can tear through armor, and they have an innate sense of tracking magical auras.

Mudshadow Cat

9. Truak Will-o-Wisp Small, flickering lights that appear to travelers lost in the swamps. These Will-O'-Wisps are malevolent spirits, often leading wanderers into dangerous areas where other swamp creatures lie in wait. Their glowing, ethereal light is mesmerizing, and once lured close enough, they reveal their true form as glowing, skeletal figures.

Truak Will-o-Wisp

Some examples of different plants that are found only on the island are:
1. Dreadbloom A rare and eerie flower that grows in the darkest parts of the swamp, the Dreadbloom has large, black petals that shimmer with a faint iridescence. At night, it emits a subtle, ghostly glow, attracting insects and small creatures to its pollen. However, the plant is highly toxic to larger creatures, and those who breathe in its pollen for too long can become disoriented, eventually succumbing to a deep, unnatural sleep. Local legends claim that those who fall asleep near the Dreadbloom never wake up, their bodies slowly absorbed into the swamp.
2. Witchroot A gnarled, twisted root system that spreads beneath the swamp’s surface, Witchroot is known for its strange, sentient-like qualities. It is said that these roots can move ever so slightly, shifting their placement to trip up travelers or entangle their feet. The root is used by swamp-dwellers and shamans for rituals, as it is believed to have a connection to the island’s arcane energies. When consumed in small doses, Witchroot induces powerful visions, but in large quantities, it can cause madness.
3. Ghostmoss This pale, silver moss drapes over trees, rocks, and swamp debris, giving the Isle of Truaks an ethereal, otherworldly appearance. It is known for absorbing moisture from the air, and in times of high humidity, the Ghostmoss emits a dim glow. The glow is said to lead lost travelers deeper into the swamp rather than out. Herbalists value the moss for its healing properties, using it in potions to treat infections and fevers, though harvesting it is dangerous due to its tendency to grow in predator-infested areas.
4. Mirelilies These massive, carnivorous plants float on the swamp’s still waters, resembling innocent water lilies from afar. However, the Mirelily’s long tendrils lie just beneath the water's surface, waiting for unsuspecting creatures to approach. Once close enough, the tendrils wrap around the prey and drag it into the plant’s central "mouth," where it is slowly digested. Despite their dangerous nature, Mirelilies are considered beautiful by some, with their large, vibrant purple and blue petals spreading several feet across the swamp’s surface.
5. Bloodfern A creeping, vine-like plant with jagged, dark red leaves that grow in thick mats across the swamp floor and trees. The Bloodfern thrives on decaying organic matter and is often found near battlefields or where large creatures have recently perished. The sap of the Bloodfern is a deep crimson and is known to have potent regenerative properties when used in alchemical brews. However, the fern itself is mildly toxic, causing rashes and dizziness when touched for too long.
6. Nightsap Tree A gnarled, ancient tree with bark as black as coal and leaves that are a deep, glossy green. The Nightsap Tree is notable for its ability to produce a thick, viscous sap that glows faintly under the moonlight. This sap is prized for its use in creating powerful healing potions, though extracting it is dangerous due to the creatures that often make their homes around these trees. Additionally, the tree’s roots can cause hallucinations in those who spend too much time near them, as they release a faint, mind-altering vapor into the surrounding air.
7. Whisperthorn Bush A low-growing bush with dark green, leathery leaves and clusters of delicate white flowers that release a sweet, intoxicating scent. The Whisperthorn is named for the faint, whispering sounds the wind makes as it passes through its thorns, which some believe are the voices of the island’s spirits. The bush produces small, blood-red berries that are said to enhance magical abilities when consumed, but the thorns themselves are venomous, causing paralysis if they pierce the skin.
8. Swamp Lantern This bioluminescent plant grows in the shallow waters of the swamp and resembles a small, glowing lantern hanging from a thin, reed-like stalk. The light it produces is often used by the island’s denizens as a natural source of illumination, though it has a hypnotic effect on certain creatures, drawing them toward the plant’s bright glow. When disturbed, the Swamp Lantern releases a cloud of spores that cause confusion and dizziness, leaving the intruder vulnerable to the swamp’s other dangers.

Type

Island