East Anglian Stinkfens

The Great Black Tide, caused by an undersea earthquake in conjunction with a powerful storm, sent a tidal wave across much of Northwest Europe. Bringing with it all the accumulated pollution of the North Sea and oil from wreaked drilling rigs. In the United Kingdom the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk were hit particularly hard as the toxic wave crashed against the shore and made it's way miles inland through the low laying broads.
Thousands died and more were displaced. Now the whole of East Anglia is a haunt for smugglers, homeless and criminals hiding from law enforcement. The few cities that remain were the larger ones which had enough of a corporate and government presence to warrant a rescue and rebuilding effort.
Through the winding retching fouled water ways pirates and smugglers bring illicit goods and contraband to the criminal markets. The coastal patrol has routine battles with them. Though there is an unspoken code between both groups to not leave stranded crew of either side in the water. Things dwell there, things of nightmares.
There is a particular danger for women. The awakened swans are hyper-territorial and will aggressive attack any person who strays too close to their nests. Single unattached males called cobs are particularly nasty as they will attempt to overpower females and mate with them. Not unlike the legend of Leda and the Swan. This has given rise to several changeling children that appear to be a human swan hybrid.
There are Corpselights or Will-O-Whisps, strange unintelligent creatures that drain a victims life much like a vampire would. Victims often become fascinated by them and follow them to their demise.
Several initiatives have been untaken to clean both counties of the toxic waste left behind in the wake of the Black Tide. Notably by the University of East Anglia in Norwich. Norwich is one of the few remaining cities, abet, with a much reduced population. It is almost medieval in nature with the new flood barriers build all around it.

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