The Ebon Stretch is located on the far shores of Nymene, at the tip of the eastern peninsula. Apart from the large cliff faces, caves and large shards of rock, it is relatively unprotected, but not entirely visible to sailors whom pass by.
One of the most stunning aspects of The Stretch is the dark black sand that lines the shores. It does not seem to appear anywhere else across the cost of Nymene, leaving lots of room for speculation and superstition. Only in folklore and tales long past do people refer to it as a place of magical significance; where a large beast was slain and bled on the shores. It’s blood, said to contain a inky black magic seeped onto the sands and stained them forever.
For many years, those brave enough would sell the sand bottled, claiming it held magical properties, although the sale of the sands is now forbidden by the Kingdom of Nymene. The dark sand seemed to soak into the surrounding cliffs and all the geological feature seem to be black for about a 30km radius.
BIOLOGY & CLIMATE
Apart from seabirds of all types and the occasional Gryphon and multitudes of crabs, very little animals are seen along The Stretch. Large thickets of kelp often wash ashore and the occasional seashell washes up, but is often cracked or broken due to the harshness of the seafloor and weather conditions.
The conditions of The Ebon Stretch are often harsh. The wind is often constant, and the stretch is often drenched in rain and always eerily overcast. Many with supersitious views treat the area with caution and avoid it all together.
OCCUPANCY
Since the year 950, the Magia Cult called this significant place home, not only believing that exposure to the magical sands beneath them, but the mages they paired with as well would grant them magical ability. Surprisingly, for a land of very little vegetation or fertility, it was the birthplace of many mages who now call Nymene home.
The Ebon Stretch has largely been an empty place – with very infrequent footing throughout its known and documented time. Below is a list of links to characters, stories and other chapters of lore that relate to this location.
Further Knowledge
- THE MAGIA CULT. A long spanning collection of peoples who occupied The Ebon Stretch.
- Keita Archijd. A known, celebrated or otherwise, figure who was born in this location in 1200.
- The BAY SHAPER. An ancient beast only mentioned in few texts, including Ancient Ivras: Myths and Legends by Vaeryn Mythos. Said to have been slain on these shores in the formation years of the continent. Its blood stained the sands and lands surrounding it the deep black it is known for today.
Incorporating The Ebon Stretch into your character
- As a child of The Magia Cult, your character would have lived here until one of two things happened: were you born with magical powers present you would be sent away on your tenth birthday to Namrast by boat. Were you born without magic powers, your character may have remained here, joining the cult to further attempt magical ascencion. Your character may have also left on foot or boat and sought their own path free of the Magia.
- As a pirate, trader or traveller your character may have set foot here by boat, foot or by wing. To get to the shores via boat is very treacherous and only very few safe paths through the craggy undershore remain. By wing, you would have been buffeted by heady coastal winds and by foot, deeply treacherous due to the intense cliffs and dangerous craggy stairs. You would have come here out of curiosity, carrying mages seeking transport to the shores, or carrying researchers and eternally curious folk.
- As a Nymene Citizen this place would have been steeped in supersition and fear for many. Should you heed these tales you would avoid it, or be dangerously curious of the dark sands and strange people who called it home. You may have also been an opportunistic trader trying to steal its sands or historian curious of the location and the tales of The Bay Shaper.
Code by Apel
(WC 698) = 6g
+2 Milestone Bonus (500 words) = 2g
+1 World specific = 1g
+2 Expension of lore = 2g
Character Development (Keita) +2g
13g total x2 Lore Drive 2023 Event = 26g