The Skerries
A chain of fifteen small islands, all but four nearly disappear during times of high tide. Although claimed by the Norman Richard de Gaunt, there is little of value to draw his attention here. Pirates and sea-raiders often exploit this.
Landmark:
Shrine of St Patrick. A single goat watches over it on the East Coast of the largest island. A simple altar. Treating the goat well earns his blessing, whilst to mistreat the goat is to invite holy wrath. It is overseen by an unconventional and blind elderly priest on holy days with a very small congregation.
In a center of the largest Island there is a giant stone covered in Ogham Runes. It details the defeat of the Fomorian Tur Balath in poem. This script wraps around the edges of the curved rock. Encircled by the druidic script there are four images. The first three are arranged in a triangle around the fourth:
- A serpent with many heads.
- A winged serpent
- A serpentine man wrapped in chains.
- A scaled face with a single eye containing four pupils, its mouth snarling.
The script reads:
"CURSES UPON TUR BALATH, HE WHO CONSUMED HIS KIN AND BORE MONSTERS.
FOUR RED PUPILS IN HIS VOID-BLACK EYE,
EACH BLESSED WITH WISDOM.
FIRST TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN,
THE SECOND WHAT IS,
THE THIRD WHAT IS NEVER TO BE,
THE FOURTH WHAT ONE BELIEVES THEMSELVES TO BE.
THESE GIFTS PROFANED BY THE UNWORTHY,
WISDOM TRAPPED BY A LIAR'S TONGUE.
BLESSINGS UPON THE WISE WARRIORS WHO CAST THIS TWISTED REPTILE BENEATH THE EARTH.
UPON THIS ISLAND, THE TERROR'S BANE."
Three Viking longships are arranged around this stone, long ruined by rust and scavengers.
Hidden
These islands are often used as bases of operation for raids and piracy, though this has died down since the Vikings. There is a small settlement within the caves just beneath the shrine of St Patrick on the largest island. This is mostly old pirates and reavers who look after the treasure of the next generation, ply them with liquor for a share, and fish for eel to feed them when next they return. These people are wary of outsiders, especially those of high status, and are hardened by the austere climate upon which they live. Few have the option to return home, especially now with the threats of the Salt Drinkers.
Secret
The Salt Drinkers control these islands, having cast out their rivals and claimed those upon it as their subjects. Although they number only twenty, their reputation is that of a fierce army. Their captain is the dreadful exiled Gallowglass by the name of Dufnall MacSweeney. He wears the mismatched, salt-soaked armour of men better than himself. He is known for erecting busy gallows in the center of each village he reaves. His vessel is able to hide itself beneath the waves thanks to the magic of the captured Seal-wife Brunagh.
They hide their treasure on the smallest of the islands, the top of which is only just visible at high tide. A carved boulder acts as a seal to protect the booty inside.
The treasures include the seal skin of Lady Brunagh, returning this would allow her to regain her freedom and memories of life before the grim pirate lord.
Note:
This is a single hex formatted in the way detailed in a blogpost over at DIY & Dragons