Ephaestia (ɛˈfiːstɪə)

Ephaestia is one of the smallest and most dangerous of the Rasrathnii Islands. It is located in the Gauzo Channel, between the islands of Gauzo & Maleth, and is said to be a place of ill-fortune to visit. Ships passing through the channel keep their distance from it to avoid the monsters that inhabit the sea caves. There are no settlements on the island, but it is occasionally visited by the Hleemeentreezee, the wicked horse-men that inhabit the island of Maleth (and other places).

Notable Spirits

The island is ringed with limestone cliffs filled with deep caves. Those caves have long been the homes to a variety of spirits who embody the fears of sailors. The greatest of these is Skýlla the Ship-Eater. This creature was once one of the Daemones known for her greed. Her priests were pirates who lived on Ephaestia, counting on her protection for their survival amongst the monstrous inhabitants of the other Rasrathnii Islands. But over time, even they grew to fear Skýlla's appetite. Their fear and dread pushed Skýlla even farther, and one night she emerged from her cave to stalk the coastline and consume everything she found, ships and sailors and buildings alike. The survivors fled the islands, and spread the tale of the massacre throughout the region, ensuring that Skýlla's legend continued to grow. She appears as a mass of writhing tentacles that surround a maw full of gnashing teeth, and has been known to pluck sailors from the decks of ships that sail too close to Ephaestia.

Geography

Ephaestia is shaped like an egg, with sheer limestone cliffs all along the coastline. The island has a karst landscape, with caves and sinkholes found all across the terrain. There are ruins of several buildings, including the old Peiratí lighthouse which used to mark the channel when the pirates still lived there, and has long since gone dark.

Ecosystem

Hardy shrubs dominate the island, along a few evergreen trees. Birds and small animals are also common, but there are no native animals that weigh more than four or five pounds.

Type

Island

Location under

Rasrathnii Islands

Geographic Details

Location: Southeastern Region
Latitude: 29.92 degrees North
Longitude: 32.67 degrees East
Average Elevation: 33 ft
Highest Point: 243 ft
Lowest Point: 0 ft
Area: 1.5 sq mi