Darktow Isle

## Darktow

* Cityscape
* Map

Fan art of Darktow, by Janibitz.

Official map of Darktow Isle, by Deven Rue from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount.

**Darktow Isle** is an island located in the Swavain Islands off the southwestern coast of Wildemount. It is the home of The Revelry, and under the rule of Plank King Wyatt Maranoss.

## **Society**

“
You don't go there unless you're looking for trouble, or unless you are the trouble.
”

–
Fjord talking about Darktow Isle.
[edit]

Darktow Isle is ruled by the Plank King. Currently, the Plank King is Wyatt Maranoss. The previous Plank King Hunnis Breeah was killed around 15 years prior to the Mighty Nein's arrival to the island.

There is a strict law on this island: If anyone double-crosses anyone else within the bounds of the city, they will have the hammer of the Plank King down upon them.

When a ship of the Revelry arrives on the island they must declare the amount of their profits, and from that there is a tithe offer (25-30%) to the Plank King. Reverly members do not have to pay for repairs and have asylum on the island.

### **Demographics**

In 835 PD, the town of Darktow has a population of 1,306 people, with 61% being humans, 12% elves, 9% dwarves, and 18% other races. A dragon turtle named Idok inhabits the Dragshallow reefs off the isle's coast.

## **Description**

Unlike most of the tropical islands of the area, the main island of Darktow Isle resembles little more than huge jagged cliff faces raised multiple hundreds of feet from the waters of its coast. Around the base of these cliffs is a string of tangled docks used by the many ships of The Revelry. Torch lights mark the interconnecting routes through the docks to the streets and buildings of the city that are built into the very cliff face itself.

### **Dragshallow Reefs**

The waters of Darktow Isle are dominated by the Dragshallow Reefs, shallow waters marked by the wreckage of ships and gathered drift wood. To its southwest is a curving channel used by ships to navigate towards the main island of Darktow itself. Much of the route through this area seems to have been reinforced purposely by the wreckage with watchtowers and siege weaponry positioned on more stable terrain within the reef guarding against any potential assault by sea. Additionally The Revelry has made an arrangement with a Dragon Turtle named Idok who protects the area, preying on trespassing ships not aligned to the inhabitants of Darktow.

### **The Throne Roost**

The Throne Roost is the lair and seat of power of The Plank King, set high in the cliffs of Darktow. It is placed in a cave mouth that is warm with firelight. The Roost is a 300-foot climb up the cliff face, occasionally lit by torches, some of which have been replaced with a wooden pike holding a skull or a head in varying stages of decay. The stone stairs vary from two feet wide to maybe a foot at times. The stairs stop at a wide stone shelf that overlooks the town, just above the rocky waters of the inlet. The throne is carved from the surrounding rock, and is surrounded with stools.

### **Points of interest**

* **Sundry Square:** The market area of Darktow where commercial goods and pirated contraband are sold.
* **The Bloated Cup:** A rowdy tavern located near the docks, popular with the pirates of the Island.

## **History**

### **Background**

The island presently known as Darktow Isle was formerly under the rule and jurisdiction of the Clovis Concord. The island was an important repair and stopping station from the Menagerie Coast for long-distance shipping. At some point in time, there was a dispute between the heads of the trading guilds with the Clovis Concord, the latter heavily and repeatedly overtaxing smaller shipping businesses in an attempt to close them out of the business and own all the means of shipping in the region. In frustration and retaliation, the guilds banded together and ransacked the isle. The Clovis Concord has not attempted to retake Darktow Isle for the past forty years.

### **"A Pirate's Life for Me" (2x41)**

The *Squalleater* and *The Mistake* docked in the harbor. On their way to the Bloated Cup, an assistant of the Plank King met Avantika and told her the King wanted to meet the new blood on the island. They climbed the precarious stairs leading to the Throne Roost, where the Mighty Nein introduced themselves, some using aliases, and the King questioned them briefly about their motives, then told them the law in Darktow. He accepted a coin-filled chest from Avantika, and sent them on their way.

### **"A Hole In the Plan" (2x42)**

The Mighty Nein walked to the Bloated Cup tavern with Avantika, where she claimed the Plank King doesn't bother her and does a fine job. Jester decided to fight a gnome seaman, Sorris Cade, at his invitation. Avantika told them they're going to head north to the Diver's Grave. Jester vaguely remembered the tales of Dashilla the Dreadful, and Sorris sung them Dashilla's Shanty. Avantika went to bed and Nott and Beau went to the alley to try to meet a rival of Avantika's, Alyson Paij.

Eventually the party decided to break into Avantika’s quarters while Fjord kept Avantika "busy". Jester *Dimension Doored* herself and Nott inside the cabin. They found a book and jewelry but sprang a trap that filled the room with fumes. Trying to escape, they caused one of the crew members to get stabbed by another, who staggered towards the tavern where he was healed by Caduceus. Nott and Jester made it safely to shore and the tavern, joined shortly by Caleb and Beau. Fjord concluded his business with Avantika and joined them.

Nott showed them the book. It was written in an unknown language, so Caleb cast *Comprehend Languages* on it, learning that it was Avantika's journal, written in her personal cipher. Caleb determined he could create a key to the cipher by staying up all night. They talked about what to do next with the book and the jewels they found, but reached no conclusions and everyone went to bed except Caleb.

The next morning just after sunrise, Bouldergut loudly banged on their doors telling them they were required immediately on the deck of the *Squalleater*. On the way, Jester dumped the jewels off the dock into the ocean. They were brought aboard, joining the crews of the *Squalleater* and *The Mistake*. When Vera began casting *Locate Object* to find the journal that was still in Caleb's possession, he immediately cast a *Wall of Fire* between the party and Avantika's crew.

## **References**

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 See *Explorer's Guide to Wildemount*, p. 62.
2. ↑ See *Explorer's Guide to Wildemount*, p. 57.
3. ↑ See "Dubious Pursuits" (2x40) at 2:34:52.
4. ↑ See "A Hole In the Plan" (2x42) at 16:05.
5. ↑ See "A Hole In the Plan" (2x42) at 15:45.
6. ↑ See "A Pirate's Life for Me" (2x41) at 2:55:49.
7. ↑ See "A Pirate's Life for Me" (2x41) at 2:50:47.
8. ↑ See "A Pirate's Life for Me" (2x41) at 2:52:49.
9. ↑ See "A Pirate's Life for Me" (2x41) at 3:06:48.
10. ↑ See "A Hole In the Plan" (2x42) at 3:00:23.
11. ↑ See "A Pirate's Life for Me" (2x41) from 2:52:22 through 2:55:45.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Fan art of Darktow, by Janibitz (source). Used with permission.
2. ↑ Official map of Darktow Isle, by Deven Rue from *Explorer's Guide to Wildemount*. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
3. ↑ Official map of Darktow, showing distance from Bwualli, by Deven Rue from *Explorer's Guide to Wildemount*. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
4. ↑ Fan art of Darktow Harbor, by BlackSalander (source). Used with permission.