Continuing my exploration of this pirate megabundle, I crafted a Caribbean fantasy map! I toyed more with fonts, hence the colorful text.
Making the lagoons was a tad tricky, but fun. This map features some interesting geography, Cariibean lore, and of course, pirates!
For my other pirate map, see Bladewater Bay. Enjoy.
Geography
Formed by volcanoes eons ago, Ghen’s Atoll became a paradise isolated in the Stormwell Seas.
The region’s frequent storms and past volcanic activity warrant caution among adventurers.
Mermaid’s Lagoon is the crux of the Atoll, with the Zanu Jungle ringing the perimeter.
Among the palm trees lies the Giant Zanu Tree, a massive hundred-foot behemoth that yields zanu fruit, what natives call ‘divine nectar’.
A small lagoon lies to the north west, where natives build altars to divine messages from the semi-dormant Calder Volcano.
Encircling the Atoll are smaller volcanic isles that teem with fish and coral reefs.
To the Southeast, the Lost Isles loom, where debris and wreckage gather among its misty waters. Rumors say undead sailors roam the area.
Economy
Before pirates came, the Ma’ho people lived off the plentiful fish and crab along the coasts. The Calder Reef also supplies soft, edible coral called zum-zum, or “butter coral”.
Birds frequent the region, and a rare insect called the bean-bettle is yet another deliacy for the Ma’ho.
Volcanic rocks and the unusually resilient zanu palms provide reliable lumber for natives. Merchants frequent the Atoll to trade with the Ma’ho.
Government
Chief Lu’zu Ghen governs the isle from the village. He has several lower chiefs who oversee fishing operations, scryer divinations, and harvesting and conservation of other resources.
All adults are militia, used for emergencies and defending the Atoll.
Lore
Years ago, when Yu’lum Ghen fled his homeland within the Stormwind Isles, he discovered the Atoll. His people settled in this small paradise under the wisdom of chiefs, selected from Ghen’s bloodline.
It was Tion Ghen, a youth of eighteen, who stumbled upon Lama, a wounded mermaid. Against the chief’s advice, Tion brought Lama to the village to help her heal.
The Crimson Guild soon arrived in their pirate ships. Their captain, Blackwhisker, said they chased a mermaid like Lama, who they claimed carried ancient treasure.
Tion had fled the village with Lama, who had recovered. Pirates combed Ma’ho village and set its huts ablaze. Cries of his people rent his ears, and foul smells of gunpowder and blood curdled the air.
The village chief refused to reveal Tion and Lama, and for that, Blackwhisker shot him.
The shot rattled Tion’s ears as he watched from afar. His chest throbbed, and tears filled his eyes and he clutched at his rough-spun tunic.
But Lama told Tion to trust in the ocean, and that it would protect his village should she be returned to her people safely.
“And what of my father, the chief?” Tion cried. “Did the ocean spirits not protect him? How can I trust you?”
Lama slithered closer and held up a dripping coral charm held around her neck. “I offer this: a token of peace between us. If you hold this charm and keep faith in the Tides, neither I nor the ocean will betray you, nor will the Crimson Guild triumph.”
“Where should I take you?” Tion asked, his spirits lifting as he took the charm.
Lamma ran a hand through her seamoss-colored hair as she scanned the oceans. “To the ruins within the lagoon, in the center of the Atoll. There is an underwater tunnel that will take me home.”
Through Zanu Grove, they raced, with nought but an oar for defense in Tion’s hand. Ever were pirates at their heels, the swashbucklers wielding blade and pistol.
Surely, the ocean spirits would protect them as Lama had said. Tion clutched the coral charm close and whispered a prayer, pouring his wish into the talisman.
Their journey proved perilous, with Crimson pirates chasing them. Gunfire tore at the air, and a bullet grazed Tion’s arm.
Together, they fought off a pirate in their way—then another. They dove into the lagoon and swam for the ruins in the lagoon’s center.
Pirates had boarded rowboats to stop them, and among them was their captain, Blackwhisker. But on Lama’s command, Tion lifted the charm overhead, and a giant sea serpent emerged from the lagoon and attacked the pirates.
The heroes entered the ruins, where a watery tunnel loomed. Behnd them, the pirates fought the serpent in the lagoon. Blackwhisker had jumped off his rowboat to swim towards the heroes.
A bullet struck Tion’s leg. He fell to his knees, his leg burning and face contorted. The fatigue of the journey and the pain in his leg pressed him down like a sea boulder.
The world went black as he teetered on unconsciousness.
No, I won’t give up, Tion thought. I believe in the Tides. My faith is unwavering!
Tion blinked as resolve filled his body with newfound vigor and dulled his pain.
“Halt,” the captain cried, his beard and doublet dripping. He aimed his pistol.
“You will not harm her,” Tion said through clenched teeth. He held the charm out. “I have faith in the ocean. This is our domain, demon! Begone!”
Then a massive wave shot from the serpent as it flailed with the pirates, and the water shoved Blackwhisker into the lagoon, which snarled him in a whirlpool.
Blackwhisker howled as he sank, as if wielding an anchor around his ankles.
“This is where we part,” Lama said, before kissing Tion’s cheek. “For only I can enter the watery depths within the ruins.”
Tion clutched the coral charm. “Must I keep this?”
“Yes, for as long as you hold it, you have our alliegance. Whenever you should need of me or my people, we will answer. Whenever you need the ocean’s guidance, it will come.”
As Lama dove into the water, the charm in Tion’s hand glowed. The lagoon’s waters stirred, and legions of sea creatures emerged.
The creatures attacked the pirate’s encampment and tore apart their boats and houses. Other creatures attacked the pirates at the village, but spared Tion’s people.
The Crimson Guild fled the island and left Tion’s people in peace. Relieved, the villagers blessed Tion for his heroism and annointed him the next chief-in-line.
To this day, that central lagoon is called “Mer’la” or Mermaid’s Lagoon, for from its depths came the salvation of Ghen’s people.
Now Ghen’s bloodline, through Tion, rules both the Atoll and the seas with the coral charm.
The Ma’ho moral of this story: to keep faith in the Tides and to never underestimate then.
Just as the volcanoes formed the geography, creating the paradise for Ghen’s people, so must we keep faith in the Tides and elements.