Creative Corner

We sail th' seas beyond th' edges o' th' map. Th' gods themselves don' watch these waters like they watch their precious territ'ries. An unguarded sea leaves an' openin' fer all tales hideous an' beautiful from th' myst'rious Deadlights t' th' enchantin' isles. One thing be questioned: If ye die at sea, where does yer soul go?
It be said that th' battles that th' gods waged with each other left their mark in th' surroundin' seas 's well's th' land. Areas o' water an' whole seas 'ave suffered an' some o' th' abhorrent creatures lurkin' within an' on islands seem like monsters th' gods 'ave disposed o'. There be no proof that th' gods 'ave their deadlights on th' surroundin' seas nor any tales regardin' 'em either.

Sornieth be's privy t' monsters'n myths 's th' real world be. Some supernatural, beyond explanation, others simply t' keep yer hatchlin's from strayin' too close t' th' waters ('r so they say). Either way, mantas an' maren arna th' only things t' swim in th' deeps outside o' th' land's boundaries. Maren don' even swim too far from their territ'ries but it isna uncommon t' find sharks, mantas, an' other fish. 'owever, when ye see 'r hear somethin' that defies logical explanation, some sailors might attribute it t' some o' th' rare beasts that lurk th' seas 'r even th' rumored ghosts.
As mentioned in th' previous chapter/post, th' primary cause o' this be th' great battles 'tween th' gods. What devastatin' creatures couldna remain on land were left t' th' element o' th' sea. These beasts both small an' gargantuan 'ave been th' product o' many a written story. They entrance hatchlin's an' can strike fear inna th' strongest sailor's 'eart.
Some o' th' beasts 'ave been identified on land while sev'ral 'ave names sailors call 'em.
Th' Deadlights/Szartun: Deadlights be eyes an' t' refer t' a creature as such isna th' most comf'rtable. Only seen on th' calmest o' dark nights in the Muhnith ocean an' th' Crimson ocean. Th' Szartun be a long creature with round white lights on its large head an' along th' length o' its serpentine-like body. No dragon's seen th' rest o' it save fer th' unlucky sort t' jump in. It 'as been known t' attack ships but never long enough t' sink 'em. 'bout th' length o' four large guardians.
Giant Octoflyer: Thought t' be th' first mark o' insanity fer th' sailor that told it, th' giant octoflyer hasna been seen by very many. Those who 'ave seen th' scallywag often describe th' initial sightin' as a large black circle o' water in th' middle o' th' ocean. Rarely there be no blackness an' th' octoflyer rises out o' th' deep but it canna "fly" too far an' ends up slammin' inna th' water. Th' effect o' this gargantuan beast be enough t' cause large waves that'll make 'r break a ship'n its cap'n. If a ship 'as been attacked by th' giant no dragon 'as lived t' tell th' tale.
Seashade: Th' idea that there be somethin' out there reminiscent o' that horror be th' reason some dragons never go inna th' water. Th' owner o' th' shrill howls ye hear distantly at night both at sea an' on th' coast, ye'll find mothers tell their hatchlin's th' story o' 'Th' Seashade an' th' Light Army', a tale that ends in th' tragic loss o' Light flight's strongest soldiers.
Thought t' be blacker than th' darkest nights, th' seashade lurks in th' deepest pits o' th' oceans an' be a quick swimmer. Known t' tear th' limbs off o' swimmin' dragons with a quick clean bite o' its razor-sharp teeth, th' seashade be th' beast o' nightmares. Aye, dragons 'ave tried t' fish this one up an' kill it but none 'ave succeeded. Th' stories o' th' seashade be num'rous. Some say it 'as glowin' crimson eyes while others claim it can be in ten places at one like th' Shade. One thing be certain: Th' seashade feasts on flesh an' prefers that o' dragons.
Th' most obscure suggestion o' what th' seashade really be was an exiled Water dragon that spent nearly all o' its life in deepest parts o' th' water.
Sea Spirits: Th' seas 'ave taken many lives both o' sailors an' dragons passin' through. Ye'd think a body left t' th' waters an' th' fish below might 'ave a spirit that haunts th' seafloors instead. Nay, sightin's be all too common o' spirits o' dragons that 'ave never even set foot on th' ship o' th' crew 'r sailor that saw 'em. Sometimes, they simply appear as wisps o' light though others 'ave seen dragons an' coulr describe ev'ry detail o' their appearance. When somethin' goes wrong fer no reason at sea 'r supplies go missin', ye can be sure there be at least on sailor blamin' th' spirits though few be brave enough t' say it.

Some might argue that th' gods purposefully created islands scattered about th' seas, but there be many that disagree. Th' variations be great an' some actu'lly be mapped but other islands 'ave never been set claw upon but once if even that. There be one continent but many islands. Th' great battles o' th' gods formed many an island but not ev'ry island be populated by green trees an' swingin' monkeys.
Nay, th' gods left their mark on th' open sea's much's they left it upon th' continent. Some islands, both large'n small, even 'ave natives. These dragons 'ave their own cultures an' even their own way o' speakin'.
Th' question be raised: 'ow did these landlubbers get t' be on an island far from th' mainland? Well, there 'ave been speculations that eggs lost at sea 'ave hatched on islands. It isna common fer multiple eggs in a crate t' be lost, but without better care o' property it can occur. Small batches be jus' enough t' start a wee clan but beyond that, few dragons care t' consider what could 'appen. Yet, that isna th' only possibility. Ships both by air an' water 'ave been lost t' th' elements. Given enough time, th' survivors could build their population an' without th' tools t' create a ship that'll survive open waters, they be marooned.
Regardless o' 'ow it 'appened, though, these scallywags do exist. Without bein' close enough t' any flight, they arna able t' take on th' distinct abilities an' appearances o' that flight so a true-born native 'as white eyes.

On Natives...
Ye'll find some dragons either allow 'r abduct natives from islands t' sell fer a high price on th' mainland. Others taken 'em t' study. Their advances from one set o' natives t' another vary.
It be rumored that there be at least three known islands with diff'rent types o' native dragons on 'em. One 'as nothin' but coatls (deemed "wild") that thrive independently but 'ave been known t' work t'gether.
Yet, not all 'r peace-lovin'. One island supports two factions o' dragons warrin' against each other. One prays t' th' sun, an' th' others pray t' th' moons.
Th' chances o' natives seein' a ship be slim. Th' chances o' 'em comin' in peace...be more-so slim. Those that were marooned an' built a community 'ave more o' a chance at bein' peaceful than natives.

Emperor's Island (Buccaneer's Rest): Located a ways off th' coast o' th' Viridian Labyrinth this island be very populated by many unsavory dragons. It acts 's both a getaway fer exiles'n a very active port fer pirates. Unless ye know where t' look 'n 'ave a deep coinpurse everything be cheaper in both price'n quality.
Dens exist all over th' island but th' most populated area be th' port. Build alongside th' steepest cliff on th' island dens'n shops exist along and within th' cliff'n along th' docks's well. While there be a higher amount o' crime 'ere it often 'andles itself through bribery, bloodshed, 'r any other means necessary. Oddly enough th' dragons that intervene durin' larger'n deadlier disputes often be pirates'n their cap'ns provided it doesna involve them.
It be a well-known point o' int'rest fer adventurers 'n a place imaginative hatchlin's fantasize about.
Rumor 'as it that SLW 'as infiltrated th' island 'n any strange disappearances be blamed on them.

The Abyss's Maw: A dreadful place located in what be thought to be th' heart o' th' Muhnith Ocean. It was discovered by a cap'n years ago but isna a spot frequently visited by dragons adventurous 'r otherwise. Rumor 'as it that t' sail o'er th' Abyss's Maw be t' sink a ship and fer a dragon t' fall int' th' impenetrable darkness be suicide. No dragon that 'as fallen int' th' water within th' confines o' th' maw 'as ever come out.

Th' Abyss's Maw be described 's a large oval-like pool o' blackness where th' widest portions span the length o' twenty five long imperials 'n at its thinnest areas only thirteen. No matter if th' elements be at their roughest 'r calmest th' Abyss's Maw can be seen, 'n when th' Muhnith Ocean be at its calmest 'round this area if a dragon goes o'er th' Maw it seems 's though somethin' pulls th' dragon instantaneously int' th' darkness o' th' Abyss.

Sea o' Whispers:
Bordered Lands: Shiftin' Expanse, Sunbeam Ruins, Tangled Wood
Bordered Seas: Ocean o' Tears
Otherwise known as th' Whispers Sea. It be th' largest sea surroundin' th' mainland. It got its name due t' th' unrest in its waters from th' constant storms from th' Shiftin' Expanse. In these waters, sand heavily mingles with th' water causing even th' smallest waves t' sound like they hiss an' whisper. If th' sand 'as settled, ye'd best be wary o' another storm then.
A rumor 'bout th' whispers be that they get louder th' closer ye sail towards th' Tangled Wood. By day, I can tell ye these rumors be a lie but at night, with yer thoughts t'yerself, it seems they be th' loudest sound at sea.

Marennic Ocean:
Bordered Lands: Dragonhome, Starfall Isles, Viridian Labyrinth
Bordered Seas: Muhnith Ocean, Guardian Ocean, Ocean o' Tears
Discovered by Byrant, a pearlcatcher tryna map th' total distance across Sornieth by ship. 'e named th' ocean so fer th' beastclans that live below th' surface. At th' time, th' lad thought they inhabited three quarters o' th' ocean. Th' boom in dragons later on an' th' sport o' huntin' th' beastclan saw these numbers dwindlin'. Now, some scholarly dragons believe that at least half o' th' Marennic Ocean be claimed by th' maren. Th' population still be large by comparison t' th' smaller schools that live in th' Sea o' Whispers an' th' Blacksand Bay. Th' theory o' most dragons be that one o' th' maren's last cities be located somewhere in th' center o' th' Marennic Ocean which gives reason fer th' large population. Dragons 'ave tried t' locate it an' failed.

Muhnith Ocean:
Bordered Lands: None.
Bordered Seas: Marennic Ocean, Guardian Ocean, Ocean o' Tears
Rarely known as th' Mirrored Ocean. 'Muhnith' be thought t' be a mix o' th' hummin' language o' coatls an' th' common draconic, though it be unknown who discovered th' large ocean. Th' waters o' th' ocean gave it its alternative name. Durin' times when no wind 'r weather disrupts th' calm waters an' th' light o' th' moon an' sun hit it jus' right, th' Muhnith Ocean can be 's reflective as a mirror. Beautiful t' th' deadlights o' an escorted dragon but dang'rous t' sailors. Th' Muhnith Ocean 'as caused many a sailor t' drown when they be on th' verge o' insanity. It be a sigh ' relief that those waters rarely be calm. O' all th' oceans, th' Muhnith be th' warmest an' th' most transparent.

Blacksand Bay:
Bordered Lands: Ashfall Wastes, Windswept Plateau
Bordered Seas: Guardian Ocean
Given the name based upon th' location, Blacksand Bay constantly 'as a layer o' steam above th' surface o' th' water that thickens th' closer ye get t' th' annex. Th' bay be plagued by maren but not even maren venture too close t' th' lava-ridden coastline an' neither should ships.

Guardian Ocean:
Bordered Lands: Southern Icefield, Starfall Isles, Windswept Plateau, Ashfall Waste
Bordered Seas: Marennic Ocean, Muhnith Ocean, Ocean o' Tears, Blacksand Bay
Many, many years ago, a guardian stumbled upon th' nameless waters whilst in search o' 'er Charge. She claimed those waters were 'ers t' take care o' though even she fought against 'er breed's callin' when she found out. Eventu'lly, th' lass succumbed t' it an' watched o'er th' ocean. She died fightin' fer it in th' midst o' a battle o' maren an' dragons. While th' name be an honor t' th' selfless breed, it also serves 's a reminder that a Charge could be anythin'.
Th' Guardian Ocean be a restless place an' th' coldest ocean. Maren sightin's be rare but there be rumors that, in this ocean, there be other creatures t' worry 'bout.

Ocean o' Tears:
Bordered Lands: None.
Bordered Seas: Sea o' Whispers, Guardian Ocean, Muhnith Ocean, Marennic Ocean
Better known as th' Crimson Ocean. Nothin' 'bout these waters be red (rather blue-green) but there was a time when a great battle was fought on this ocean 'tween flights. Th' ships were still a new idea but t' claim islands in th' name o' their flights was an' be considered an honor. It was a rare coincidence o' three diff'rent flights within sight o' each other, two with more'n one ship. Th' waters ran red with th' great battle that broke out an' th' survivors brought their stories an' th' joking title o' th' ocean back t' land with 'em. Fer those belongin' t' th' other flights, its true title came about.

Ye'd think a dragon can fly f'rever. They canna. Flyin' uses muscles much like walkin'. Even th' most practiced flyer'd 'ave t' rest at some point an' when there be no land t' rest, they be more doomed than a sailor lost at sea. Ye'd ask yerself: Why 'ave a ship when I can simply fly there? 'cause unless th' currents be on yer side, yer less likely t' cover th' distance a ship can 'r even make it at all. A ship requires th' use o' its crew's muscles but th' crew can go rest while th' ship still sails.

A ship built by a guardian tends t' be fer guardians an' most likely able t' hold many guardians an' twice's many smaller dragons. If yer ship be built t' hold th' weight o' 100 mirrors an' ye hire only ridgebacks, ye'll find it sinkin' 'r worse in no time. Th' tale 'bout an egg breakin' a shipisna far from th' truth in that case. Not t' mention bigger dragons get in th' way. They canna go below deck on a smaller ship, they get caught in th' riggin', an' if ye've ever seen imperial run from stem t' stern ye'll know th' ship bows with th' imperial, it isna th' most entertainin' sight on yer own ship. However, employin' th' use o' Arcane dragons, ye might save yer riggin' from breakin' an' employ able-bodied masses o' flesh. I've not known magic t' alter weight. Starvation does but not magic so if ye be lookin' t' actually use a ship built fer mirrors fer guardians, ye won' find much o' an answer 'ere, savvy? When it comes t'yer lad'r lass fittin' below deck inna th' quarters, squeezin' inna th' cargo deck, 'r even lettin' th' sails loose without gettin' tangled up in th' process, ye've got an answer by way o' employment. Buy yerself an Arcane dragon well-worked in th' ways o' magic an' 'ave 'em put runes on th' ship 'r whatever ye fancy. I believe there be two ways o' goin' 'bout it. Either place runes upon yer ship which alters th' size o' dragons comin' aboard so that they might be able t' fit below deck an' work without bein' a hindrance, or 'ave yer larger dragons wear some sort o' item that alters their size. This second one, in me own opinion, while more useful should th' runes get damaged, be more annoyin' t' take care o' when pillagin'. We employ th' use o' 'em now but ye'll find it more expensive an' time consumin' t' 'ave a dragon enchant somethin', savvy? Jus' watch th' weight on yer ship more often'n th' size 'r hire a guardian t' build a ship an' several smaller dragons. Ye'll 'ave t' 'ave more'n one helmsdragon, an' dragons walkin' on their hindlegs jus' t' see o'er th' rails, though!

Ships be remembered fer a variety o' things an' one such thing tends t' be a unique figurehead fer that ship. T' keep th' morale o' whatever crew ye might 'ave up, ye might fancy employin' th' use o' a figurehead. A menacin' look tends t' get rid o' spirits an' I believe might also keep some o' th' nastier sea creatures at bay. It also 'as an effect on some landlubbers. Figureheads o' Sornieth be made o' reeds, wood, 'r even th' bones o' sea creatures, other dragons, an' what not. They could be used t' prove further loyalty t' a flight 'r strike fear inna th' hearts o' dragons young'n old.

A cap'n mus' be ready t' give commands, take charge at a moment's notice, occasionally divide plunder, 'n lead with wings o' iron. Except what cap'n exists that don' 'ave a crew t' command? An' what crew out there goes without demands, needs, an' wants at sea? None's what I'll say. Even durin' th' sunniest o' days, ye need t' keep yer eyes'n ears open. If rations be low, send yer Water dragons t' test th' depths'n bring back fish t' eat, if a dragon proves t' be steppin' too far out o' line ye send 'em t' th' brig (if ye 'ave one), confront 'em, 'r keep a good eye on 'em. If ye arna payin' yer crew enough, that might also risk mutiny an' most often, ye'll be left stranded in a wee dingy t' call yer own, tied an' put below deck, 'r left t' th' threshers. Keep yer crew satisfied 'r ye'll find even th' gods don' take pity on ye. While th' gods might walk Sornieth with watchful deadlights on their territ'ries, some dragons need t' be reminded that th' merciful gods still exist 'r that they'll be gettin' back t' solid ground soon. When th' elements attack ye 'r when ye be on an unknown island, listen fer whispers from ye crew. Ye don' want them losin' their heads. An insane dragon 'll cost ye more lives than a mutiny. Either quell their fears 'r put 'em in th' brig. Ye won' be gettin' back t' th' mainland alive if'n ye let that sort o' thing run rampant.

Two elements, both 'ave their perks t' sail on. Ye'll find, though, many sail on th' currents o' th' winds on constructs called 'airships'. When ye've th' flight gift'n ingenuity o' a Wind dragon, th' only thing ye'll be combatin' in th' skies be stronger elements. While I've never personally been on an airship, I fancy they can travel fer long distances much's any sea ship but most airships sail under th' rulin' o' th' Windsinger an' tend t' stay within their flight's boundaries.
O'course, there be airships that pirates rule 's well. In fact, one o' th' well known tales shared among sailors o' air'n sea be th' great ambush led by Cap'n Redthroat. Th' crazed nocturne abandoned life on th' sea t' try 'is claw at sailin' an airship. Th' ambush was a success an' 'e kept their navigator alive t' keep th' ship aloft. Th' navigator avenged 'er crew by flyin' th' vessel straight inna th' sea when she was given th' chance.
Now, given th' choice, I'll stick t' a seafarin' vessel any day but there be perks t' sailin' by wind's well. Pillagin' all o'er th' mainland be twice's easy 'cause yer ship can simply fly o'er th' land an' ye can ambush from above. Dependin' on 'ow yer airship be constructed, ye can fly lower under th' cover o' night without makin' much o' a sound. Not t' mention, ye've nary a reason t' worry 'bout waves at sea. Yet, I'd take waves t' th' tumultuous air currents ye'd 'ave t' deal with constantly an' especially durin' storms. If'n yer airship isna built t' withstand some o' th' stronger currents, it'll torn apart takin' ye an' yer crew with it.
('cause I be a sea cap'n an' me knowledge o' airships be little, if ye 'ave any knowledge o' 'em, I'd be much obliged if ye share it, so that there be further information on th' current-bound vessels)