Last Gasp Isle

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* Map

Last Gasp Isle is an island located in the estuary of the Last Gasp River.

## Description

Within the bay formed by the river of the same name, Last Gasp Isle is an offshore skerry shrouded in baleful rumours and history. Said to be revered by a cult dedicated to the deity Venari, Last Gasp Isle has carried a sinister reputation promptly since suddenly appearing over a hundred years ago, said to be home to countless foul rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the Black Blood's unholy name. Those that look upon the isle find a pine-covered set of crags shrouded perpetually in a cloying grey mist tinged through with carmine and claret, the whispers of the dead calling out to any that dare travel within its reach.

An expedition party set forth to visit Last Gasp Isle in 133WD, following suspicions of the Avneclave's passing interest in the location. After persuading a ship captain from Eastrest Landing to sell them their rowboats to facilitate their travel to the island, they found it to be locked full of narrow waterways choked with twisted mangrove roots, weeds and wreckage. Alarmingly, the group quickly found the remains of a scuttled schooner affiliated with the Thrice-Damned, the Lamprey, seemingly cut in half with razor-like efficiency, as well as the putrefying remains of a dragon turtle, its heart seemingly removed and hauled further inland. It was at this site of desolation that the island's primary inhabitants - numerous ghosts - were encountered, with the party working to put them, and many others besides, to rest.

Further inland, a small outpost likewise maintained by the Thrice-Damned was also located, although it had long since fallen to disrepair and ruin, but its contents - rations, weaponry, clothing - had been left unclaimed.

At the heart of the isle a Totem was located, similar to that found within the Bristlebacks, and although the signs of historical arcane power and might were present, most notably the absence of leaves or smaller branches upon all the surrounding trees, with many seemingly knocked over, only a faint conjuration aura lingered in the region, the Totem's top shattered and broken. Hidden near the Totem, by means of an illusionary wall, a crypt dedicated to Venari and seemingly affiliated with the Onyx Shroud contained fey creatures that seemed to prey on visitors to the Totem, preserving them and utilising their remains for foul machinations.

## Ghosts

Last Gasp Isle is seemingly littered with numerous items of physical and sentimental worth, the pervasive mists seemingly suppressing the ability for a soul's passage after death to be swift and without turmoil. Instead, the fallen found themselves bound to a final desire, a final need, and only through accomplishment - most often requiring aid for an individual still living - can they finally pass on.

Encountered ghosts upon the isle include:

* Barnett - A member of the Thrice-Damned, Barnett's soul was bound to his sabre, a curved blade capable of causing his foes to lose their footing. His binding resulted for his need for someone to carry forth his desire for vengeance against the Windwalker, who reportedly betrayed the other members of the Thrice-Damned, destroying their ships and leaving them for the inhabitants of the Crypt of Maledict's Pulse to claim in exchange for his prize. Ódóvir allowed himself to be briefly possessed to facilitate the passing on of this message, breaking his curse.
* Rosealba - Daughter of Barnett, Rosealba travelled to the isle alongside her father, only to suffer the same fate as he. Her binding was that to her unicorn snugglebeast, unable to embrace it as she lay dying. Moxzi allowed herself to be briefly possessed to give Rosealba a chance to hug her toy one last time, breaking her curse.
* Thacktall - A gnomish scholar, seemingly hired by the Thrice-Damned to help them locate their quarry, Thacktall suffered the same fate as the rest of the crews when the Windwalker turned on them. His binding pertained to his research, and after determining that his work would be taken and studied, found his curse broken.
* Syllar - An elvish performer tied to his ornate viol, Syllar in life was presumably a member of the crew that led shanties and other songs to boost crew morale and efficiency. Bound to his instrument, his curse was broken after it was played once more by the passingly possessed Ódóvir, after efforts by both Gwyneth and Casmaran were deemed distasteful.
* Qloof - An aarokocran warrior with no apparent link to the remaining ghosts encountered upon the isle, Qloof's ghost displayed vicious mutilations, the shattering of his beak, tearing of his tongue, and the removal of the skin from his face and neck. Impulsive and angry, he was bound to his broken spear, which through the efforts of Timbermitt and Gwyneth put to rest with its repair.