Anitol Lighthouse

Shrine to Sabella

The Anitol Lighthouse sits on a small island off the coast of the Caelsimilian Peninsula, near the city of the Rumbek and is accessible via boat.

Purpose / Function

The lighthouse was erected to aid maritime vehicles in their navigation through the area and alert them of the incoming shore, as the coast is regularly obscured by a thick, rolling fog, especially in the evenings. Rumbek's simple docks are mostly utilized by fishing boats, but they may also accomadate much larger ships that get lost or disoriented in the deep mist and need somewhere to dock until conditions improve again.

History

It was commissioned to be built by halfling mason and architect Marcia Anitol, whose family went on to occupy the island and act as its keepers. A former druid, her mother rejuvinated the grounds, dedicating her work to the goddess Sabella. After passing, Marcia's daughter inherited the duties. She erected a shrine to Sabella and opened it to the public. After her death, her nephew inherited the land. He and his family soon perished in a sudden storm, and the Anitols cut ties with the island entirely. It spent many lifetimes under occupancy of various families, becoming a beloved local attraction. Eventually, Anitol fell into the care of a reclusive elven fam. Never leaving the island, little was known about them. Regardless, they worked diligently for 50 years before the island fell into neglect. Over time, the beacon was lit with less frequency, until it eventually stopped completely. This inevitably caused an accident that Rumbek couldn't ignore, but all attempted contact was met with silence. An official was sent to the lighthouse, discovering no sign of its former occupants whatsoever. Before an investigation could officially be launched, a hurricane wreaked havoc along the coast, and priorities shifted. Over time, a new family was assigned the position. They worked to restore the island to its former glory, but strange sounds, rogue waves, and disappearing ships rattled them. They were ready to surrender occupancy when it was discovered that a raging sea beast had taken up residence, attracted by the light of the beacon. The ports and the lighthouse were shut down and closed off to the public. While the creature did not leave, in time it became less active until people cautiously began using the waters again. By this point, the lighthouse had gained a reputation for being haunted. Industria Cellini and friends encountered the monster on her pilgrimage, discovering it to be an undead sea serpent. It was valiantly felled by the oracle and her allies as they trekked to the island. The land itself was gorgeous, but teeming with haunts. Together, she and her friends fought off the ghosts and put the wandering spirit of a tragic, mourning widow to rest. With the serpent defeated, Rumbek was able to open their ports again, and the lighthouse is currently occupied by the Vidali family, who are carefully restoring it to its former glory.