Design Journal - Dread Seas: The Crimson Sea
They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow,
Until at last the blanched mate said:
"Why, now not even God would know
Should I and all my men fall dead.
These very winds forget their way,
For God from these dread seas is gone.
Now speak, brave Adm'r'l, speak I say--"
He said: "Sail on! sail on! and on!"
--Columbus, Joaquin Miller
So, starting our tour of the weird, swashbuckling world of Dread Seas, let's do an overview of the best known sea on the world of Terra Occulta...the Crimson.
The Crimson Sea is haunted by vampires, its waters the color of fresh-running blood. Its element is fire, and its antagonist is the Azure Sea.
At the heart of the Crimson Sea is a volcano known simply as the 'Firemount'. If one can find the Firemount, and has the courage to step into the pure elemental fire at the heart of the volcano, they will be purified of all disease and ills, including vampirism. Although some believe the Firemount grants immortality, it does not increase a mortal man's lifespan - and, indeed, if a vampire has outlived his mortal span of years, he will find in the Firemount merely a cleansing death. Instead, it is a fount of vitality, rendering a man immune to all disease and the travails of age - he will remain youthful to the end of his days.
Legends of the Crimson Sea:
If one sails for long enough in the Crimson Sea, their ship will become vampiric, and turn upon its crew, either devouring them whole, or turning them into vampires subject to itself.
Drinking the waters of the Crimson Sea will turn a man into a vampire - perhaps even falling into them will be enough. The truth behind this is a little less obvious. If someone accidentally drinks a little of the Sea's water, there are a few effects - they get a little more temperamental and have a tendency to go slightly berserk. Someone who willingly drinks of the Sea's water, or who falls into the Sea, is in more trouble. Initially, they only suffer the same consequences: shortened temper, tendency to rage. However, the next time they shed blood, they become vampires. This does provide a period of time in which the afflicted could, if they wished, seek out cleansing at the Firemount.
Until at last the blanched mate said:
"Why, now not even God would know
Should I and all my men fall dead.
These very winds forget their way,
For God from these dread seas is gone.
Now speak, brave Adm'r'l, speak I say--"
He said: "Sail on! sail on! and on!"
--Columbus, Joaquin Miller
So, starting our tour of the weird, swashbuckling world of Dread Seas, let's do an overview of the best known sea on the world of Terra Occulta...the Crimson.
The Crimson Sea is haunted by vampires, its waters the color of fresh-running blood. Its element is fire, and its antagonist is the Azure Sea.
At the heart of the Crimson Sea is a volcano known simply as the 'Firemount'. If one can find the Firemount, and has the courage to step into the pure elemental fire at the heart of the volcano, they will be purified of all disease and ills, including vampirism. Although some believe the Firemount grants immortality, it does not increase a mortal man's lifespan - and, indeed, if a vampire has outlived his mortal span of years, he will find in the Firemount merely a cleansing death. Instead, it is a fount of vitality, rendering a man immune to all disease and the travails of age - he will remain youthful to the end of his days.
Legends of the Crimson Sea:
If one sails for long enough in the Crimson Sea, their ship will become vampiric, and turn upon its crew, either devouring them whole, or turning them into vampires subject to itself.
Drinking the waters of the Crimson Sea will turn a man into a vampire - perhaps even falling into them will be enough. The truth behind this is a little less obvious. If someone accidentally drinks a little of the Sea's water, there are a few effects - they get a little more temperamental and have a tendency to go slightly berserk. Someone who willingly drinks of the Sea's water, or who falls into the Sea, is in more trouble. Initially, they only suffer the same consequences: shortened temper, tendency to rage. However, the next time they shed blood, they become vampires. This does provide a period of time in which the afflicted could, if they wished, seek out cleansing at the Firemount.