Cocoon Islands

The islands to the far west, called the **Saphire and Emerald Islands** are not populated by any man, but instead by a species of a giant white arachnid with two sets of palps, called the "Death Blossom" thanks to its appearance, mirroring that of a white death lotus.

The Death Blossom queen with its myriad of offsprings produce an extremely resistant type of silk that can even withstand in water. Thus so, any ship that approaches these islands gets trapped in the Blossom's silk, creating an unnaturally large ship graveyard by its shores.

The few sailors that reached these islands and lived to tell the tale reported that almost every inch of land is covered with silk and cocoons, giving them the name of "**Cocoon Islands**"

The very first people who came in contact with the primordial Arachnid were the wizards of the Isle of Wizards, some hundred years ago. Although unable to defeat the Death Blossoms head on, they established three fortresses at the outpost island chain that constitutes the islands of Talon, Jagar and Don Bachir. Their purpose lie in preventing the sea of webs from spreading to the nearby islands and warning potential travellers about the death that lies to the west.

## History

The Cocoon Islands have always been shrouded in mystery and fear. Located in the far west, they were believed to be cursed by the gods, as no ship that dared to sail to the islands ever returned. The few sailors who managed to escape the Cocoon Islands and tell their tales spoke of a land covered in an otherworldly white silk, home to giant arachnids with two sets of palps, known as the "**Death Blossoms**".

According to legend, the Death Blossoms were once ordinary spiders that were mutated by a strange magical energy emanating from the islands. Over time, they grew to enormous size and developed the ability to produce an extremely durable silk that could withstand the corrosive saltwater of the ocean. Any ship that sailed too close to the Cocoon Islands would be ensnared in the Death Blossoms' webs, turning the shores of the islands into a vast graveyard of trapped ships.

The first humans to come into contact with the Death Blossoms were the wizards of the Isle of Wizards, a group of powerful sorcerers who lived on a nearby island chain. Realizing that they could not defeat the arachnids outright, the wizards instead decided to contain the threat by building three fortresses on the islands of Talon, Jagar, and Don Bachir. These fortresses served as outposts to keep the Death Blossoms from spreading to the other nearby islands, and as warning beacons to alert travelers of the danger that lay to the west.

Over the years the Cocoon Islands were avoided at all costs by sailors and merchants. The only people who ventured to the islands were brave adventurers seeking to plunder the abandoned ships trapped in the Death Blossoms' webs, or foolhardy individuals hoping to find a way to defeat the arachnids and claim the islands for themselves.

## On the Death Blossoms

In terms of anatomy, the Death Blossoms have a typical arachnid body structure, with four pairs of legs, a segmented abdomen, and a cephalothorax containing their eyes, mouthparts, and pedipalps. However, due to their immense size, the Death Blossoms have proportionately larger and stronger legs and pedipalps, as well as a thicker exoskeleton to protect them from predators.

Behaviorally, the Death Blossoms are highly territorial and will aggressively defend their territory from intruders. They are also efficient hunters, using their webbing to trap and ensnare their prey, which they then inject with venom to paralyze and kill. The Death Blossoms have a complex social hierarchy, with a dominant queen at the top and numerous offspring serving as workers and soldiers.

The Death Blossoms get their name from their appearance, which is said to resemble a white death lotus, a flower known for its toxic and deadly properties. This, combined with their aggressive behavior and the fact that they have claimed the Cocoon Islands as their own, has earned them the reputation as one of the most feared and deadly creatures in the region.

## Ecosystem

The Cocoon Islands are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, all of which have adapted to the unique magical energy that permeates the islands. This magic has imbued the flora and fauna of the Cocoon Islands with extraordinary abilities, making them highly sought after by collectors and alchemists.

### Plantlife

* **Death lotus**: a toxic flower that is believed to have given the Death Blossoms their name. The death lotus produces a powerful venom that is deadly to most creatures, but the Death Blossoms have developed a resistance to it and often use the flowers as a source of food.
* **Gem shrubs**: small bushes that are covered in gemstones, including rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. The gemstones are embedded in the branches and leaves of the shrubs and are highly prized for their beauty and value.
* **Webgrass**: a type of grass that is covered in a thin layer of the Death Blossoms' silk. The webgrass is highly resistant to damage and provides a secure anchor point for the arachnids' webs.
* **Venom vines**: a species of vines that produce a powerful venom that is deadly to most animals. The venom vines are used by the Death Blossoms as a secondary defense system, entangling and killing any prey that manages to escape the arachnids' webs.
* **Ghost flowers**: a species of flowers that are nearly transparent and glow softly in the dark. They produce a sweet, fragrant aroma that is said to have a calming effect on those who smell it.
* **Crystal cacti**: a species of cactus that are made entirely of crystal and are highly prized for their beauty and value. They produce small, sweet fruit that is a favorite food of many of the animals on the Cocoon Islands.
* **Mystic mushrooms**: a type of fungus that grows in the shadows of the Death Blossoms' webs. They produce a psychedelic spores that are said to have a powerful mind-altering effect when ingested.

### Animals

* **Shadow wolves**: a pack of wolves that are native to the Cocoon Islands. They are able to move through the shadows and are almost impossible to spot in the dark.
* **Venomous vipers**: a species of snakes that are immune to the venom of the venom vines and the death lotus. They feed on the vines and flowers and help to keep their populations in check.
* **Gem beetles**: a species of beetles that are covered in gemstones and are highly prized for their beauty and value. They are skilled burrowers and often dig deep into the earth in search of precious minerals.
* **Phantom bats**: a species of bats that are nearly invisible and are able to fly through the Death Blossoms' webs without getting ensnared. They are nocturnal and are often seen flying through the night sky.
* **Web weavers**: a species of spiders that are native to the Cocoon Islands. They are smaller than the Death Blossoms and do not possess the ability to produce silk, but they are skilled at weaving intricate webs and are a common sight on the islands.
* **Silk shapeshifters**: a rare and mysterious species that are half-plant, half-animal. They are able to manipulate their own bodies, forming them into different shapes and sizes at will. They are highly prized by alchemists for their unique abilities and are said to possess great magical power.
* **Gem mites**: small, insect-like creatures that are attracted to the gemstones found on the Cocoon Islands. They are able to dig through the earth and burrow into the gemstones, extracting the minerals inside. In return, the gem mites leave behind a glittering trail of sparkling dust, which is highly prized by alchemists for its magical properties.
* **Web spiders**: a species of spiders that live in the webs of the Death Blossoms and help maintain and repair them. The web spiders are smaller than the Death Blossoms and do not possess the ability to produce silk, but they are still formidable predators in their own right.
* **Venom lizards**: small, venomous reptiles that are immune to the venom of the venom vines. They feed on the vines and help to keep their population in check.
* **Gem crabs**: a species of crabs that are covered in gemstones, including rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. The gem crabs are highly prized for their beautiful shells and are often hunted for their valuable carapaces.
* **Web birds**: a species of birds that build their nests in the webs of the Death Blossoms, using the silk as a secure foundation. The web birds are able to fly through the webs without getting ensnared and are a common sight on the Cocoon Islands.
* **Venom eels**: a species of eels that are immune to the venom of the venom vines and the death lotus. They feed on the vines and flowers that grow in the shallow waters around the Cocoon Islands.
* **Phantom dolphins**: a pod of dolphins that are native to the waters around the Cocoon Islands. They are able to move through the water almost silently and are often seen playing in the waves near the shores.
* **Web whales**: a rare species of whales that are covered in the Death Blossoms' webbing. They are believed to have a symbiotic relationship with the arachnids, feeding on the smaller aquatic life that becomes ensnared in the webs and helping to maintain and repair them.

## Myths about Cocoon Island

### **The Curse of the Cocoon Islands**

Many believe that the Cocoon Islands are cursed by the gods and that any ship that ventures too close will be doomed to suffer a terrible fate. According to legend, the Death Blossoms are the physical manifestation of this curse, luring ships to their doom with their deadly webbing.

### **The Treasure**

Despite the dangers posed by the Death Blossoms, the Cocoon Islands are said to be home to a vast treasure trove of precious gemstones and other valuable loot. Some believe that this treasure is guarded by the arachnids and that only the bravest and most foolhardy adventurers have any chance of claiming it.

### **The Emerald 0racle**

Some say that the Cocoon Islands are home to a powerful Oracle who can see the future and can answer any question put to her. However, the Oracle is said to be guarded by the Death Blossoms and can only be consulted by those who are brave enough to brave the arachnids' webbing and make it to the island.

## Geography

The Cocoon Islands are located in a region of the world known for its warm, tropical climate and abundant rainfall. The islands are heavily forested and are home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Talon is the largest of the Cocoon Islands and is characterized by its dense forests and rolling hills. The island is home to a number of rare plant and animal species, including the ghost flowers and the crystal cacti.

Jagar is the second largest of the Cocoon Islands and is known for its rugged terrain and rocky coastline. The island is home to a number of dangerous predators, including shadow wolves and gem dragons.

Don Bachir is the smallest of the Cocoon Islands and is characterized by its lush forests and fertile soil. If not for the hostile wildlife it would be perfect for plantations for expensive cashcrops.

## Notable locations

### **The Sea of Webs**

A vast expanse of webbing that surrounds the Cocoon Islands and makes it nearly impossible for ships to pass through. The Sea of Webs is created by the Death Blossoms and is home to a variety of aquatic life, including venom eels and phantom dolphins.

### **Shadow forest**

The forest is said to be home to a number of mysterious and dangerous creatures, including shadow wolves and venomous vipers.

### **The Sapphire Lagoon**

A beautiful, crystal clear lagoon. The lagoon is said to be home to a variety of exotic aquatic life, including gemfish and phantom dolphins.

### **The Emerald Falls**

A stunning waterfallThe falls are said to be the source of the world's most valuable emeralds and are guarded by the Death Blossoms.

### **The Ruby Ridge**

A mountain range that is rich in ruby deposits. The ridge is said to be the source of the world's most valuable rubies and is guarded by the Death Blossoms.