The Glacial Knot

A desert of snow. A barren wasteland of ice. Many a ship have found eternal slumber beneath the waters that leach all heat and life from their victims pulled below the surface. Only a fool would dare tread these sleet kissed lands, let alone build a life here.

Thankfully, the citizens of the infamous Glacial Knot are just foolish enough to try.

What began as an improvised shelter by a small human caravan, carving a town within the remains of the ship graveyard, has grown into the town known lovingly as The Glacial Knot. Over the years, other lost trading vessels stumbled into the hidden town and their crew added more features to the town. The navigators worked alongside the local Darfellan to chart safe passages through the icy waters through their makeshift port, eventually crafting safe passages for future vessels.

Thus did the odd Glacial Knot become the ideal trading port within the frozen north.

Within the skeletal remains of the naval vessels strewn upon the snowy dunes lies the pulsing heat of the town's Rime Vein. These tent mazes, glistening with a carnival display of lights, house the many markets and homesteads of the citizens. Dodging between tent flaps, one will find humans, Dragonborn, arctic elves, and Darfellan bartering off their newest catch of shark. Tanning oils and salted meats fill the air. Between the wonders of the world's most adventurous vendors hide the criminals from every corner of every continent; the ice shards of the artic cast shadows just large enough for one to hide from the eyes of the law.

Surrounding the Rime Vein, the white residences of the Tundra Scouts stand tall in the snow. If the Rime Vein be the town's heart, then the Scouts are the eyes and hands. Many members specialize in leading fishing ships to the best catches, or navigating the waters for incoming trading vessels. Those with a distaste for the sea instead scout the surrounding permafrost on their worg-drawn sleds, charting out faster trade routes and the occasional ancient ruin.

Thought the Glacial Knot lacks a proper mage circle, this does not leave the citizens void of arcane magic. Sorcerers and Sorceresses, or "Tide Bloods," are born frequently with the constant flow of travelers visiting or taking residence in the Glacial Knot. Even citizens lacking magic blood have, through alliances with the Darfellan, found ways to make pacts with a being far below the glacial surface of the sea... although those who have undergone this transformation are sworn to secrecy. They are called the "Coriolis Chosen," and whispers in town say they once called forth the horrors of the deep to destroy an invading fleet. These same whispers say not even splinters survived the wreckage.

So, will you stay in the warmth of the Glacial Knot, or will you dare seek the secrets lurking below the shattered hulls?



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Created by: phdungeon_master 3 years ago
Last edit: 2 years ago
Aspect ratio: 4:3
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