Additions:
In the southwest corner of Iskitaan, in the area known as the [[Gatelands]], lies the Maelstrom. It is the only known passage, overland or sea, to the mysterious land of [[Rrabi R’rabi]]. It is a narrow waterway, only a few miles wide, with thousand foot plus high cliffs on either side. The currents there are treacherous, and hide many rocks and shoals, making mere travel through the Maelstrom hazardous.
But a couple of centuries ago, an R’rabian merchant named [[FadulHaddad Fadul Haddad]] discovered a secret route through the hazardous waters. His clan kept the route a secret until the R’rabian emperor ordered them to share it with the [[ElAtracheClan El Atrache clan]]. In 1025, several men from the [[ElAtracheClan El Atrache clan]] were caught dealing in slaves by [[LebanonDrake Lebanon Drake]] and other Companions. When informed of the situation, [[AndrellMorgonson High King Andrell Morganson]] granted an exclusive trade charter to the R’rabian trader [[Salman Haddad Salman Haddad]], ending the El Atrache’s domination of the trade between Iskitaan and R’rabi. To this day the Haddad clan maintains exclusive trade through the hundred mile long passage to [[Rrabi R’rabi]].
The last major city on the Iskitaan side of the Maelstrom is [[Westport]] in the [[Gatelands]], ruled by [[LidyaGem Lidya Gem]], a descendant of [[GriswaldGem Griswald]] and [[LunaGem Luna Gem]] By royal charter, all R’rabian ships can go no further than [[Westport]], so the city has become a thriving trade center.
In the center of the entrance to the Maelstrom are a small group of islands known as the Maelstrom Isles. Once a series of nearly uninhabitable islands from which a few fishermen scraped out a meager existence, the islands are now covered with fortifications and manned with some of Iskitaan’s finest soldiers. From [[Anchorhall]], the only port on the [[MaelstromIsles]], small fleet of customs cutters, checking every ship entering and departing the Maelstrom, under the command of [[LidyaDrake Lidya Drake]], a descendant of [[LebanonDrake Lebanon Drake]]. It is here that the High King’s taxes and duties are imposed, and forbidden items confiscated.
The Maelstrom bounds with other mysteries, too. To the south of the Maelstrom isles, on the cliff shores there is a place known as the Doomstairs. This stair way, apparently carved by a race of giants, winds up the cliff face to the the area outside the now buried ancient city of [[Tenandryl]].
The Maelstrom is also said to be the final resting place of the Second Dark Emperor’s infamous general, [[DexterHushar Lord Dexter Hushar]], and his [[SwordsofFate Sword of Fate]], OathBreaker. Apparently chased into the Maelstrom by the Companions, they fought a great battle on one of it’s cliff faces, and eventually drove the Black Elf over the cliff onto the rocks below.
Other stories abound about the Maelstrom, like the story of the ghost ship [[Averus]], and the fate of those who were once abducted as slaves, and taken to [[Rrabi R’rabi]]. Whether or not many of these stories are true is unknown, due to the very nature of the Maelstrom itself.
But a couple of centuries ago, an R’rabian merchant named [[FadulHaddad Fadul Haddad]] discovered a secret route through the hazardous waters. His clan kept the route a secret until the R’rabian emperor ordered them to share it with the [[ElAtracheClan El Atrache clan]]. In 1025, several men from the [[ElAtracheClan El Atrache clan]] were caught dealing in slaves by [[LebanonDrake Lebanon Drake]] and other Companions. When informed of the situation, [[AndrellMorgonson High King Andrell Morganson]] granted an exclusive trade charter to the R’rabian trader [[Salman Haddad Salman Haddad]], ending the El Atrache’s domination of the trade between Iskitaan and R’rabi. To this day the Haddad clan maintains exclusive trade through the hundred mile long passage to [[Rrabi R’rabi]].
The last major city on the Iskitaan side of the Maelstrom is [[Westport]] in the [[Gatelands]], ruled by [[LidyaGem Lidya Gem]], a descendant of [[GriswaldGem Griswald]] and [[LunaGem Luna Gem]] By royal charter, all R’rabian ships can go no further than [[Westport]], so the city has become a thriving trade center.
In the center of the entrance to the Maelstrom are a small group of islands known as the Maelstrom Isles. Once a series of nearly uninhabitable islands from which a few fishermen scraped out a meager existence, the islands are now covered with fortifications and manned with some of Iskitaan’s finest soldiers. From [[Anchorhall]], the only port on the [[MaelstromIsles]], small fleet of customs cutters, checking every ship entering and departing the Maelstrom, under the command of [[LidyaDrake Lidya Drake]], a descendant of [[LebanonDrake Lebanon Drake]]. It is here that the High King’s taxes and duties are imposed, and forbidden items confiscated.
The Maelstrom bounds with other mysteries, too. To the south of the Maelstrom isles, on the cliff shores there is a place known as the Doomstairs. This stair way, apparently carved by a race of giants, winds up the cliff face to the the area outside the now buried ancient city of [[Tenandryl]].
The Maelstrom is also said to be the final resting place of the Second Dark Emperor’s infamous general, [[DexterHushar Lord Dexter Hushar]], and his [[SwordsofFate Sword of Fate]], OathBreaker. Apparently chased into the Maelstrom by the Companions, they fought a great battle on one of it’s cliff faces, and eventually drove the Black Elf over the cliff onto the rocks below.
Other stories abound about the Maelstrom, like the story of the ghost ship [[Averus]], and the fate of those who were once abducted as slaves, and taken to [[Rrabi R’rabi]]. Whether or not many of these stories are true is unknown, due to the very nature of the Maelstrom itself.
Deletions:
But a couple of centuries ago, an R’rabian merchant named Fadul Haddad discovered a secret route through the hazardous waters. His clan kept the route a secret until the R’rabian emperor ordered them to share it with the El Atrache clan. In 1025, several men from the El Atrache clan were caught dealing in slaves by Lebanon Drake and other Companions. When informed of the situation, High King Andrell Morganson granted an exclusive trade charter to the R’rabian trader Salman Haddad, ending the El Atrache’s domination of the trade between Iskitaan and R’rabi. To this day the Haddad clan maintains exclusive trade through the hundred mile long passage to R’rabi.
The last city on the Iskitaan side of the Maelstrom is Westport, ruled by Lord Beden Quick. By royal charter, all R’rabian ships can go no further than Westport, so the city has become a thriving trade center. The lands surrounding Westport are known as the Gatelands, and are ruled by the Gem family, descendants of Griswald and Luna Gem.
In the center of the entrance to the Maelstrom are a small group of islands known as the Maelstrom Isles. Once a series of nearly uninhabitable islands from which a few fishermen scraped out a meager existence, the islands are now covered with fortifications and manned with some of Iskitaan’s finest soldiers. From here the former Companion, Lebanon Drake controls a small fleet of customs cutters, checking every ship entering and departing the Maelstrom. It is here that the High King’s taxes and duties are imposed, and forbidden items confiscated.
The Maelstrom bounds with other mysteries, too. To the south of the Maelstrom isles, on the cliff shores there is a place known as the Doomstairs. This stair way, apparently carved by a race of giants, winds up the cliff face to places unknown. A few bands of adventurers have made their way up the Stairs, but most don’t return. Those who do return tell horrible tales of the supernatural, giant creatures and dragons.
The Maelstrom is also said to be the final resting place of the Second Dark Emperor’s infamous general, Lord Dexter Hushar, and his Sword of Fate, OathBreaker. Apparently chased into the Maelstrom by the Companions, they fought a great battle on one of it’s cliff faces, and eventually drove the Black Elf over the cliff onto the rocks below.
Other stories abound about the Maelstrom, like the story of the ghost ship Averus, and the fate of those who were once abducted as slaves, and taken to R’rabi. Whether or not many of these stories are true is unknown, due to the very nature of the Maelstrom itself.
Additions:
In the southwest corner of Iskitaan, in the area known as the Gatelands, lies the Maelstrom. It is the only known passage, overland or sea, to the mysterious land of R’rabi. It is a narrow waterway, only a few miles wide, with thousand foot plus high cliffs on either side. The currents there are treacherous, and hide many rocks and shoals, making mere travel through the Maelstrom hazardous.
But a couple of centuries ago, an R’rabian merchant named Fadul Haddad discovered a secret route through the hazardous waters. His clan kept the route a secret until the R’rabian emperor ordered them to share it with the El Atrache clan. In 1025, several men from the El Atrache clan were caught dealing in slaves by Lebanon Drake and other Companions. When informed of the situation, High King Andrell Morganson granted an exclusive trade charter to the R’rabian trader Salman Haddad, ending the El Atrache’s domination of the trade between Iskitaan and R’rabi. To this day the Haddad clan maintains exclusive trade through the hundred mile long passage to R’rabi.
The last city on the Iskitaan side of the Maelstrom is Westport, ruled by Lord Beden Quick. By royal charter, all R’rabian ships can go no further than Westport, so the city has become a thriving trade center. The lands surrounding Westport are known as the Gatelands, and are ruled by the Gem family, descendants of Griswald and Luna Gem.
In the center of the entrance to the Maelstrom are a small group of islands known as the Maelstrom Isles. Once a series of nearly uninhabitable islands from which a few fishermen scraped out a meager existence, the islands are now covered with fortifications and manned with some of Iskitaan’s finest soldiers. From here the former Companion, Lebanon Drake controls a small fleet of customs cutters, checking every ship entering and departing the Maelstrom. It is here that the High King’s taxes and duties are imposed, and forbidden items confiscated.
Several expeditions have been undertaken to discover the secret route through the Maelstrom. No ship has ever returned, though it is thought that not all of them perished in the Maelstrom itself. There are whispered rumors that a huge wall spans the R’rabian end of the Maelstrom, and from here the R’rabians will destroy any ship that isn’t theirs.
The Maelstrom bounds with other mysteries, too. To the south of the Maelstrom isles, on the cliff shores there is a place known as the Doomstairs. This stair way, apparently carved by a race of giants, winds up the cliff face to places unknown. A few bands of adventurers have made their way up the Stairs, but most don’t return. Those who do return tell horrible tales of the supernatural, giant creatures and dragons.
The Maelstrom is also said to be the final resting place of the Second Dark Emperor’s infamous general, Lord Dexter Hushar, and his Sword of Fate, OathBreaker. Apparently chased into the Maelstrom by the Companions, they fought a great battle on one of it’s cliff faces, and eventually drove the Black Elf over the cliff onto the rocks below.
Other stories abound about the Maelstrom, like the story of the ghost ship Averus, and the fate of those who were once abducted as slaves, and taken to R’rabi. Whether or not many of these stories are true is unknown, due to the very nature of the Maelstrom itself.
But a couple of centuries ago, an R’rabian merchant named Fadul Haddad discovered a secret route through the hazardous waters. His clan kept the route a secret until the R’rabian emperor ordered them to share it with the El Atrache clan. In 1025, several men from the El Atrache clan were caught dealing in slaves by Lebanon Drake and other Companions. When informed of the situation, High King Andrell Morganson granted an exclusive trade charter to the R’rabian trader Salman Haddad, ending the El Atrache’s domination of the trade between Iskitaan and R’rabi. To this day the Haddad clan maintains exclusive trade through the hundred mile long passage to R’rabi.
The last city on the Iskitaan side of the Maelstrom is Westport, ruled by Lord Beden Quick. By royal charter, all R’rabian ships can go no further than Westport, so the city has become a thriving trade center. The lands surrounding Westport are known as the Gatelands, and are ruled by the Gem family, descendants of Griswald and Luna Gem.
In the center of the entrance to the Maelstrom are a small group of islands known as the Maelstrom Isles. Once a series of nearly uninhabitable islands from which a few fishermen scraped out a meager existence, the islands are now covered with fortifications and manned with some of Iskitaan’s finest soldiers. From here the former Companion, Lebanon Drake controls a small fleet of customs cutters, checking every ship entering and departing the Maelstrom. It is here that the High King’s taxes and duties are imposed, and forbidden items confiscated.
Several expeditions have been undertaken to discover the secret route through the Maelstrom. No ship has ever returned, though it is thought that not all of them perished in the Maelstrom itself. There are whispered rumors that a huge wall spans the R’rabian end of the Maelstrom, and from here the R’rabians will destroy any ship that isn’t theirs.
The Maelstrom bounds with other mysteries, too. To the south of the Maelstrom isles, on the cliff shores there is a place known as the Doomstairs. This stair way, apparently carved by a race of giants, winds up the cliff face to places unknown. A few bands of adventurers have made their way up the Stairs, but most don’t return. Those who do return tell horrible tales of the supernatural, giant creatures and dragons.
The Maelstrom is also said to be the final resting place of the Second Dark Emperor’s infamous general, Lord Dexter Hushar, and his Sword of Fate, OathBreaker. Apparently chased into the Maelstrom by the Companions, they fought a great battle on one of it’s cliff faces, and eventually drove the Black Elf over the cliff onto the rocks below.
Other stories abound about the Maelstrom, like the story of the ghost ship Averus, and the fate of those who were once abducted as slaves, and taken to R’rabi. Whether or not many of these stories are true is unknown, due to the very nature of the Maelstrom itself.
Additions:
{{image class="right" url="images/Maelstrom.jpg" title="Rough Sketch of the Maelstrom"}}
