Annalus Island

The Accursed Isle

**Annalus Island**, (pronounced /ɑːnnɑːluːs aɪlɑːnd/), or the *"Accursed Isle"* is as far as people can tell completely uninhabited. Unfortunately, all excursions to the island have never returned, there are many ships slowly rotting away on its shores, their hull slowly degrading as they wait to be cast off of the shore. Nobody dares claim these ships.

## Description

Despite no landing excursions returning, there is still some knowledge of the landscape, due to excursions from curious spellcasters that took to the air they got a view of the island. It was described as an island that climbs from all sides to an apex before revealing a large bowl-like valley, filled with an enormous lake, that has been named Lake Rathrum. They described it as a perfectly normal lake, that lay perfectly still despite the weather, when pressed they had no further details to give. They noted that the land had no vegetation, or sounds of life present despite this huge water source, and so would provide a difficult inhabitation, with seemingly no value for settlement, except perhaps morbid curiosity.

## History

### The Viscounts Excursion

In the year 1750 - Red Era the last known excursion has solidified its reputation. When a ship named *The Viscount,* captained by Captain Benedict Pecke, set sail to the island originating from Fortis the ship under very strict orders, would send a message using a sending stone to the researchers every single morning. For the most part, the messages are normal, as they made steady progress to the island. Mostly observations on crew morale and local fauna that could be spotted as they approached the island. These are the last few messages received by the Alenlun Scholars from *The Viscount:*

*"Today we can make out the shape of the isle and should arrive by tomorrow morning. The crew are nervous. No signs of any life." - Captain Benedict Pecke, 8:00 AM Rubrum the 7th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"Very good, these are consistent with other reports. There will be no light that day so just investigate the shore. No unnecessary risks" - Researcher Myles Hopton, 8:02 AM Rubrum the 7th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"We landed safely, exploration shows no remains of others. Their food is still fresh somehow. Nothing seems to live here. We will wait for light." - Captain Benedict Pecke, 10:00 AM Primis the 8th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"Agreed, these remains are strange, again this does not alight any new information, keep an eye out for the smallest of changes. Especially your crew" - Researcher Myles Hopton, 10:03 AM Primis the 8th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"We are camped on the beach, still no signs of life or the other excursions, we are investigating the lake. The crew are not pleased." - Captain Benedict Pecke, 8:00 AM Secundus the 9th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"Understood, take your time, to completely ensure your crew's safety. But please find something interesting or we'll both be in big trouble. Lake is key" - Researcher Myles Hopton, 8:02 AM Secundus the 9th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"The Lake wasn't particularly interesting, more of the supplies of the other excursions. The crew are disturbed though, especially our diver James. We should leave" - Captain Benedict Pecke, 11:00 AM Tertia the 10th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"I admit this is disappointing, can James make a report about the dive? How deep did he manage to go? Can he dive further perhaps?" - Researcher Myles Hopton, 11:01 AM Tertia the 11th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"My dreams were strange last night. I'm sorry that probably isn't relevant, but it bothers me-. JAMES, JAMES? JAMES WHERE ARE YOU-?* i am not-" *- Captian Benedict Pecke, 7:30 AM Quartum the 12th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

*"Benedict? Benedict, what is happening? Please respond as soon as possible. What was with your voice? I've never heard anyone speak like that?" - Researcher Myles Hopton 7:31 AM Quartum the 12th of Florentia Splendida, 1750 - Red Era*

This is the extent of the communications, no further messages were received form *The Viscount. The Viscount* has been seen on the shore of the island, though no one dares go closer, and there's been no sign of life near it or change in the last 13 years.